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Letter to the editor

Show is double the Elvis, pelvis

By ERNEST HOOPER, Times Staff Writer
Published August 24, 2007

Thirty years after his death and more than 50 years since his first Billboard Top 40 hit, Elvis Presley remains an American icon.

Tribute artist - don't call him an impersonator - Peter Alden marveled at the legions of fans who flocked to Memphis for Elvis Week earlier this month.

"Every time I go to Elvis Week, there seems to be more people," said Alden, who was one of seven singers to perform at a prestigious dinner at Memphis' famous Peabody Hotel.

Now Alden, who lives in St. Cloud, brings his act to Brandon for Saturday's Taste of 2007 at Nativity Catholic Church. The event, which starts at 5 p.m., features dinner samples from area restaurants. Proceeds benefit the Nativity Food Pantry and Food Bank.

Folks attending this year will actually see two Elvises. Alden opens his show with a 1950s version of Elvis and concludes later with a Las Vegas version of the King.

"Everybody seems to have their favorite versions of Elvis," Alden explained. "At first, I dress and style my hair with the '50s look. For the second portion, I change my hair a little bit and, of course, I get into the jumpsuit regalia.

"This way everyone gets to see their favorite version."

If Elvis Week is any indication, the Nativity event should draw fans of both versions. More than 75,000 people ventured to Memphis and braved record heat to attend various events at Graceland.

Alden said Elvis' popularity stems not only from his string of Top 40 hits, but from the way he cherished ordinary folks. Before his death in 1977, Elvis often greeted fans outside the gates of Graceland.

"I think there's something about the fact it's the quintessential American success story," Alden said. "He came from nothing and achieved so much in a short amount of time, quite honestly. In a deeper sense, however, it goes back to how he treated people.

"When I talk to people, they have these wonderful stories about Elvis. The way he treated people makes them want to continue his legacy."

Alden's alter-ego began in the 1980s. While enrolled at Florida Southern College, he played the role of the Elvis-like Conrad Birdie in a school production of Bye Bye Birdie.

During that time, rockabilly enjoyed a resurgence thanks to groups like the Stray Cats, so Alden and his band kept the group together and started during various parties.

Now he continues to bring Elvis to life and, he hopes, bring people to their feet.

"As long as I've been performing, the biggest thing for me has been participation," Alden said. "I've played before huge audiences of more than 500 people who sat on their hands, and smaller audiences of folks who were up and out of their seats.

"I'm just looking for people who are into it and looking to have a good time."

Ernest Hooper also writes a column for the Tampa & State section. Contact him at hooper@sptimes.com or 226-3406.

Fast Facts:

Taste of 2007

When: Saturday, 5 p.m.-8 p.m.

Where: Nativity Social Hall

Admission: Adults $8 advance, $10 door; children 6-12, $5. Tickets at Ave Maria Christian Gifts, 222 Bryan Road, Brandon; Nativity Church Office, 705 E Brandon Blvd., and Osprey Observer.

Participating restaurants: Beef O'Brady's, Brocato's, Chick-fil-A, Golden Corral, Shells, Sam Seltzer's, Two Sisters Gourmet, Lupori's Pizza Pub, Smokey Bones, O'Brien's Irish Pub, Oakfield Market Cafe, Jesse's Steak & Seafood, Hungry Howie's, Junior's Best Philly Steak, Ava's Italian Ice, Marble Slab Creamery, Publix, Top Shelf Liquors and Yuengling Brewery.

[Last modified August 24, 2007, 08:04:28]