Elvis Presley may be one of the most imitated entertainers of the last century, but he isn’t the easiest to impersonate well enough to convince an audience of “the King’s” diehard fans.
The musical tribute to Elvis by Donny Edwards, a casino headliner who appears before the toughest crowds in Las Vegas, has been called “the closest you will ever get to the King himself” by Century Casino.
Schell Shock Ent. Inc. owner Mike Schell, of Barriere, says he is pleased to be the local connection to bring a world-class Elvis “the King” tribute show to Martin Exeter Hall in 100 Mile House on May 13 at 7:30 p.m.
“To bring this show up there … people are just going to be blown away.”
Tickets are $45 for the general seating concert, and while you can books yours in advance online at etixnow.com or by phone at 1-888-790-1477, they are also going to be available at the door.
The promotional agent says he toured with Edwards all over the world, but now promotes shows only in Canada. He never charges more than CDN$45 a ticket (by contract) to bring more folks in communities out to the show, whereas Las Vegas shows are upward of USD$75 each, he adds.
South Cariboo Elvis fans who turn out for this show “are going to be absolutely mesmerized,” he says.
“Once he opens his mouth and he sings, he sounds just like Elvis, and his [similarity in] looks are uncanny – Inside Edition just recently named Donny [Edwards] ‘the closest to the King in the world’.
As “the King,” Edwards doesn’t just get up on stage and sing – he also tells the story of what Elvis did with these songs, Schell explains.
“It’s a full concert, an eight-piece band, with a horn section, female backup singer – the whole nine [yards].”
As well as a promoter, Schell also sings and plays the trumpet himself on these tours, he explains.
“As I’m also a full-time tour musician, I get to travel the world playing the big Elvis shows. I’ve been touring with Donny for eight years, we were working under another promoter at the time, and then he came over to me four years ago, and now we’ve been out just touring Canada, [usually] for three big tours each year.”
This show typically opens with the earlier 1950’s Elvis outfits and hits, and then, after intermission, he will appear in the full jumpsuit, sideburns and sequins all his fans know and love.
“[Donny Edward’s] tribute is the most authentic I have ever performed with, and his costumes are the same maker [where] Elvis had his jumpsuits made.”
Edwards is a remarkable storyteller with an incredible knowledge according to Schell who describes him as “a walking Elvis encyclopaedia.”
Opening the show is another ‘Vegas headliner, Diamond Jones, with his own very talented tribute to Neil Diamond and Tom Jones, Schell adds.
For more information and live video, check out Facebook under Schell Shock Entertainment, or online at www.donnyedwards.com.