April 6, 2008

Elvis impersonator Trent Carlini.

Photo Courtesy In Las Vegas, Phelston Elvis has never left the building

By Caroline Fontein educate the crowd,” said Lewis. Ultimately, his success in the show is Vegas.com due to the fans. “Elvis impersonators in Las Vegas are here are many things that a phenomenon that doesn’t die,” said symbolize Las Vegas, Lewis. from neon lights to show- Trent Carlini, who portrays Elvis in “The girls, but possibly none of Dream King” at the Sahara, credits part of them do it better than Elvis. this phenomenon to an ever-growing fan base During his seven-year run at the T for Elvis in Las Vegas. International Hotel, later renamed “There is always a new generation the Las Vegas Hilton, trips to Vegas that’s falling in love with him,” said became synonymous with seeing Carlini, “and this in turn enables Elvis. His legendary status as an impersonators like myself to continue to entertainer infiltrated every inch pursue their passion to perform.” of the city, creating a momentum Elvis may have left the building but his that has continued to grow. Today legendary status is breathing life into tribute it is almost impossible to visit Las artists devoted to him. Vegas without spotting an Elvis “I thank Elvis for keeping me alive, he’s impersonator, running into a immortal,” said Carlini, who is one of the few pair of novelty gold-rimmed H a l l , remaining impersonators on the Strip that has glasses at a souvenir shop or does his an entire show devoted to the artist. His show hearing “Viva Las Vegas.” own version at the Sahara, recently renamed “The Dream “I remember seeing the show of the King, King,” takes the audience on a journey through a couple of times in the early conveying the the different eras of Elvis and his music. He ’70s,” said Philip Griffith, warm Southern performs with a live band on stage and sings former CEO of Fitzger- hospitality and genuine songs from Elvis’ entire career. ald’s. “It was the big show in town desire to make fans happy that These songs and the emotions that they where you almost had to know someone in was embraced by the real performer. inspire are also what make Elvis such a popular order to get tickets.” Vallee, known by some as “the Godfather attraction, according to Carlini. Fitzgerald’s employed an Elvis imperson- of Elvis impersonators,” according to his “People love to go see a show they know with ator during the 1990s around the same time long time personal manager, Lucille Star, is songs that bring them back to their youth… that Elvis slot machines where introduced a genuinely nice guy who really cares about there is a certain energy that people draw for at the casino. what his audience thinks. Matt Lewis has been “Everybody had an Elvis. We put “Elvis was a good person and I love the the Elvis impersonator him in for entertainment on the floor music…we have a lot of similarities,” said in Imperial Palace’s or sometimes he would drop in to take “I don’t think Vallee, who has no trouble emulating Elvis’ “Legend in Concert” for pictures during a slot tournament,” voice or his commitment to his fans. the past six years. said Griffith. “The fact that Elvis they will ever do “Elvis is all about giving…it’s easy to play continues to headline today shows when you have that same character.” His almost entirely audience-request-driven Photo Courtesy what a tremendous name he was in Matt Lewis Vegas.” away with Elvis show encompasses a repertoire of more than Elvis impersonators have made 900 songs, spanning six decades of music than their mark as part of Sin City’s includes everything Elvis along with popular signature offerings. They can be found impersonators.” songs from other music genres. The simple anywhere from lounge acts to tribute — Big Elvis Pete Vallee and intimate stage setting for the Big Elvis shows and wedding chapels. Show enables Vallee to change his songs at a “It’s not Las Vegas if we don’t moment’s notice, resulting in every show being themselves through the music,” said Carlini. see an Elvis,” said Barbara Lezon, a different and personalized experience. His career as a musician and entertainer a tourist visiting the Big Elvis Show Along with being concerned about his fans, started in a band where he did Elvis songs as at Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall. Vallee is always on a quest to keep improving part of his set, but the crowd wanted more – it Some shows are all Elvis while the show. He is currently in the process of turned into an entire show where he did only others incorporate Elvis as an act adding a live segment to the show where he Elvis songs. among tributes to several other iconic will sing accompanied by a guitar. “The Elvis portion took over the show,” entertainers. One of these shows is “Legends Vallee began his singing career in his local Where’s Elvis? said Carlini. in Concert” at Imperial Palace. church choir where someone told him that he “Legends In Concert” at Imperial Palace; 7:30 and 10 After realizing his potential as an Elvis “I’d challenge that of all the people that sounded just like Elvis. From there he learned p.m. Monday - Saturday. impersonator Carlini worked to develop all of “Trent Carlini: The Dream King” at Sahara; 9 p.m. drive to Vegas, none of them come here without to play the guitar and put together an act to Elvis’ vocal styles from throughout his career. Monday - Saturday thinking of Elvis at some point during their compete in his school’s talent contest when he He also tried to understand what emotions “American Superstars” at the Stratosphere; 7 p.m. stay,” said Matt Lewis, the Elvis impersonator was 13. The overwhelmingly positive response the King was going through during his Sunday - Tuesday; 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Friday at Imperial Palace for the past six years. His that he received, along with his natural ability and Saturday performances as a way of being able to better is the last act in the show and he sings a to sound like the King, inspired his career. “Big Elvis Show” at Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon; 3 - emulate him. variety of popular Elvis tunes accented with Despite the potential criticism that could 7:15 p.m. Monday - Friday “I channel him a lot based on what I believe an elaborate set, back-up dancers, and several result from impersonating such an iconic Graceland Wedding Chapel (Their Elvis impersonator, are his feelings at the time he was singing those Brendan Paul, used to work in Legends in Concert) costume changes. entertainer, Vallee explained that the fans songs,” said Carlini. Planet Hollywood Wedding Chapel (Former Aladdin hotel Lewis, who lived most of his life in Lee’s enjoy the fact that someone is keeping the Trying to capture the performance and and the original place where Elvis and Priscilla married) Summit, a suburb of Kansas City, did his music they love alive. mannerisms of such a legendary entertainer Bronze Elvis Statue at Las Vegas Hilton where the King first impersonation when he was 12 and his “The fans appreciate you keeping his memory performed 837 sold out shows for 7 years could be risky business with all of the potential father purchased a karaoke set that included alive,” said Vallee, which becomes especially Madame Tussauds Interactive Wax Attraction criticism from Elvis fans, but Carlini said that Elvis songs. Later, his father dressed him up apparent “when you see someone who’s touched Imperial Palace Auto Collection (Spot the 1976 Cadillac he was so in love with what he did that it did as Elvis and put him in a talent competition by your performance.” Eldorado Coupe that was owned by Elvis) not matter. Coming Soon - Cirque du Soleil’s The Return of Elvis where he won second place. Afterwards, he Vallee enjoys singing but what he loves most “Even if people did bust me, I did not care,” expected to open with the CityCenter resort in Nov. 2009 started getting hired to do shows. is his interaction with the audience and part of said Carlini. His passion and dedication as an When he was 16, he started working as an this personal interaction is done through the Elvis impersonator did not go unnoticed. impersonator at a theme park in Kansas City use of a chair that he performs from during In 1988, Carlini was chosen to star in the called “Stax of Wax” where he did six shows a the show. Instead of keeping his distance from Annual Birthday Tribute to the King at the Star day until he was 21. This rigorous performing the audience on an elevated stage, he sits an Plaza Theater in Indiana where he performed schedule was good training on “keeping it arm’s length away from audience members with some of the King’s original musicians fresh every day,” according to Lewis. He also seated in the front. and vocalists including The Jordanaires. He learned the importance of being self-sufficient “People really like that,” said Star, “because was awarded “Entertainer with the Most as an entertainer. he becomes a part of the audience where they King-Like Charisma” in 1990 at the Global “Whether it’s Vegas or Broadway…it’s can really relate to him.” Some entertainers Records Star Search Contest in Texas. In 1992 just a bigger theme park – all the same rules take from the audience where others are there he started performing as the King in “Legends apply,” said Lewis, who explained that he to perform and give something back. in Concert” at the Imperial Palace, where he does his own make up and helps maintain his As far as Elvis impersonators are concerned, stayed for four years. wardrobe in his current show, which might be Vallee is convinced that they will always have Carlini is also currently in the process of much less glamorous than what his audience a presence in Vegas. changing his show into what he explained might expect. “I don’t think they will ever do away with would be the fruition of a dream he has had “I think that people think I show up in a Elvis impersonators,” said Vallee. since first coming to Vegas from Chicago in limo,” said Lewis of his Elvis persona, “…but It is more than just the impersonators and 1990. The show’s title “Dream King” spawns I prefer to be just Matt.” fans who are keeping Elvis alive and well in from Carlini’s dream to one day have the best Apart from just the karaoke kit, Lewis Sin City. Elvis show in the world. spent time watching a lot of live footage of “People really came out of the woodwork,” “I came to Las Vegas with blueprints for a the entertainer including “The ’68 Special” said Star when referring to a recent celebration show,” said Carlini, “…and here I am years as a way of learning more about being Elvis, they had for the King’s birthday where they later and this is coming to life now.” including his personality traits and signature announced “A Star for Elvis” campaign for Along with these blueprints, Elvis has also moves. the Las Vegas Walk of Stars. made a mark for Carlini as an important part of “Singing came naturally for me,” said There is a huge network of people committed his life and as a guiding force in the direction Lewis, who explained that the hardest Elvis to keeping Elvis’ memory alive, said Star. of his career. characteristic for him to emulate is his speaking Vegas became a home away from home for “Elvis is a man who held my hand in making voice. Lewis is currently working on a new Elvis during his years of performing here and music … I am simply sharing a gift that I have 20-minute set for the show that will incorporate Vallee explained that part of this is because the received,” he said. the classics like “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” along performer had many characteristics that were Unlike Lewis and Carlini, who emulate every with some of the not so mainstream Elvis songs very well-suited to the city’s reputation as a notable aspect of the performer with a flashy Photo Courtesy LO4 Productions like, “Polk Salad Annie.” place for indulgence, glitz and glamour. show and costume changes, Pete “Big Elvis” Pete “Big Elvis” Valle performs at Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall. “If I can throw in something that only Elvis “Elvis was into bling. Where else but Vallee, an Elvis impersonator at Bill’s Gamblin’ fans would know…it’s a good way to try to Vegas?”