A very happy Monday Morning to you all! In case you have not noticed, we are just eight days away from our annual visit by Jolly Saint Nick!
Last Thursday I spent the evening with “Elvis” at the annual AUSA Rocket City Christmas event at the VBCC. Actually it was 3 Elvis impersonators – Riley Jenkins, Cody Slaughter and Shawn Klush. It was my second year to attend the event at the request of Elvis super fan, Ms. Bennie Jacks who is the hostess with the most.
I never got to see Elvis perform live but my Mom was a huge fan and especially loved his gospel connection. My Dad was a gospel singer and sang alongside J.D. Sumner, when he was with the Sunny South Quartet in Tampa, Florida. J.D. later moved on to become part of the famous Stamps Quartet that backed Elvis Presley.
The evening started out with 16-year-old Riley Jenkins from Clarksdale, TN. Bring the crowd to its feet with his youthful portrayal and sounds of Elvis’s early years. Once Riley completed his show, Cody Ray Slaughter came out to a roaring ovation from the audience while began showcasing his youthful signature Elvis moves. Cody has been singing as Elvis since he was 17, was named the 2011 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist and played Elvis in the Tony award-winning play, “Million Dollar Quartet!” Cody is definitely a crowd favorite.
Just when you thought there was no more Elvis left, “King” Shawn Klush came out on stage in the signature white jump suit and cape. On the anniversary of Elvis’s 70th Birthday Shawn was name grand champion at the “world Elvis Tribute Artist Competition.” Shawn is a crowd favorite passing out scarfs like Elvis did during the show. Women both young and old flock to the stage hoping to get a very memorable memento from the evening. Thursday evening was anything but a “Blue Christmas
Of course the highlight of my evening might just have been when I turned the corner backstage and ran directly into Naomi Judd, whose husband, Larry Strickland sings bass for the Stamps Quartet. She was such an amazing country music singer. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!!!
Wishing you all the joys of the Holiday season … ENJOY!
Merry Christmas – Ho Ho Ho!!!
…..dK
