Sammy J, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a very unique ETA. He not only is a talented Elvis Tribute Artist, but is an actual artist in his own right. The combination of these two “artists†makes for one dynamic Elvis performer who has a smooth, velvet-like speaking voice! Sammy J has been an artist for twenty years, but has performed Elvis for three years. During these three years, he has been very successful. So much so, that he quit his job as a restaurant general manager and professional wine steward to be able to devote more time to his Elvis interests. His introduction to Elvis came at the age of four, when watching the “1968 Comeback Special†with his Mom. But, he never entertained the idea of becoming a tribute artist. Thanks to a kar aoke performance three years ago, his Elvis career was born. Sammy prefers to perform Elvis as he was from 1968 on, but especially '75,'76 and '77. He feels Elvis' voice was at its best during this time period. The 1976 New Year's Eve Pittsburgh Concert is considered the ultimate Elvis performance by Sammy. He feels that this was Elvis' at his all time best. As Sammy nears the age of forty-two, Elvis' last year, he plans to take his performances in the direction that he thinks Elvis' would have gone had he lived. Sammy takes his Elvis appearance very seriously. His costumes are professionally done by B&K Enterprises. All of his wigs are custom made. He has even spent time taking theatrical make-up lessons, so that everything is professional about his “Elvis Lookâ€. When asked how he prepares for a performance, Sammy replied, “I'm a very spiritual person who meditates daily. But, before a performance, I try to contact Elvis through my meditation and I ask him to sit in the front row.†Now that is the ultimate audience! Sammy noted that Elvis was also a very spiritual person who truly loved Gospel music and actually recorded Gospel albums as a rock'n' roll star. His only Grammys were for Gospel music. If Sammy had the opportunity to spend some time with Elvis today, he said, “I would ask him to come to my place and just hang out where nobody would bother him and he could be himself. I would also do some therapeutic painting with him.†Sammy's ultimate goal is to make his everyday living from his artwork. Then, in true Elvis style, any money made by performing Elvis would be donated to children's charities. Sammy can officiate at marriages and has performed several in Elvis style. He has been to Graceland and is a collector of mostly Elvis music and videos. He has a passion for bootleg albums and videos. Recently, he performed at the Borgata Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey at a private event. He sang at the opening of the Philadelphia Constitution Center and has been on numerous local television shows. Being featured in “Fortune Magazine†was a highlight for Sammy. He was shown in two photos as part of an article dealing with the purchase of Elvis Presley Enterprises by Robert Sillerman, which was big news in the Elvis world. Sammy's artwork has been shown in many prestigious galleries in Pennsylvania, New York City and Las Vegas. His “Looking to the Future†painting of Ben Franklin is on loan to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. So, Sammy J is no ordinary ETA. He is a very multi-talented Elvis Tribute Artist. He is a convincing “Elvis†on stage taking everyone back to the concert years with the look, the voice and the style. Then, off stage, he is the talented artist with a deep love for painting and historic Philadelphia. He is one truly gifted performer!
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