Confessions of Walt Sanders: Elvis Presley Tribute Artist

Confessions of Walt Sanders: Elvis Presley Tribute Artist.

Impersonators using ticks, phrases, and mannerisms to become caricatures of famous people have entertained us all. Recently a phenomenon known as the tribute artist has taken the stage to pay homage to the most recognizable figures of our time. A tribute artist strives to provide the audience an emotional experience on par with what they would have in the presence of the real entertainer. Walt Sanders is an Elvis Presley tribute artist who does just that.

I met Walt when judging the Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) Greater Boston Ultimate Elvis Contest this past June. He won the audience over by introducing himself; "Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I'm Kurt Russell". Since then I have been privileged enough to communicate with him and he has graciously granted me the access I now share with you.

How long have you been a Tribute artist? What made you become one?

I've always been a big Elvis fan. I was raised on the music of that era and something about Elvis stood out far above everybody else. I first pantomimed Elvis for a class presentation in 8th grade. I was always very quiet and shy so it was definitely something people who knew me never expected.

In 1993, I started impersonating Elvis at a nightclub in Sandusky Ohio. I was still very shy so I always had butterflies before going on stage. I performed every Saturday night for 3 years. During this period I assembled the first version of The Cadillac Band.

Have you ever considered yourself an impersonator?

Yes! For about the first three years I tried to be as close to Elvis as I could. From the lip to certain one-liners he would use.

In the preliminary round of the Greater Boston Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest you came out without hairpieces or makeup in "the suit Elvis never wore". This may have damaged your chance to win. Why did you risk it?

I did it for the principal. If you look the word "tribute" up in the dictionary you will not see anything about assuming the characteristics of, or acting like the person. The word "tribute" means 'to pay honor to'. The past 10 years I have changed what used to be an impersonation into a genuine tribute.

In 2005 my band and I were selected to bring the spirit of Elvis back to Brooklyn Ohio at a reunion concert of a 1955 Sock-hop at Brooklyn High School. There were 4 acts on the original bill including, Priscilla Wright, The Four Lads, Bill Haley and His Comets and Pat Boone. Elvis was performing at a hall in downtown Cleveland and not yet known in this part of the country. The promoters of the two shows got together and thought it would be great for Elvis to meet Bill Haley and Pat Boone. He was asked to and did perform. Since the reunion concert would garner national publicity, Elvis Presley Enterprises was involved. Among their stipulations was: if the entertainer chosen to "fill in" for Elvis wore a jumpsuit, they (EPE) would pull their endorsement.

I had wanted to change my direction for some time and this was the perfect opportunity. I looked through tux books for something very special and flashy. The result was my "suit Elvis never wore" or my "Brooklyn suit". The concert sold out and the following morning at breakfast one of the Comets said to me, "Hey Elvis, you're on TV!" That was such an honor, I was with the true legends of Rock and Roll, and I was the one on the morning news.

I wear the suit to set myself apart from the impersonators. I don't feel I perform an impersonation. I give every performance as Elvis did, from my heart. I don't pretend to be Elvis; I don't concentrate on his mannerisms, or quirks. I prefer to concentrate on his heart.

Are you able to make a living as a tribute artist or do you have a regular job?

I have a part-time job. My partner and I are doing all we can to promote ourselves and book the band. In the meantime, we are looking for an agency to take us on, we're sort of late at this and all the agencies we have come across have an "Elvis" already. We tout our differences but so far there are no takers.

Do you find yourself being hired for more corporate or personal functions?

I do a lot of personal events. I am listed on gigmasters.com, an on-line booking agency that provides a lot of private bookings as well as some small agent websites out of Cleveland that call 2-3 times a year. My partner and I have been renting venues and putting on our own productions. We are booking ourselves out of state making our overhead very high. Our first trip to Binghamton NY was unsuccessful, but the radio station we worked with saw the value in our show and got behind us resulting in a successful second concert.

What is the most profound thing that has happened to you since taking on this endeavor?

The most profound thing, bar none, is how God uses me to touch people. It's not about which Elvis people I've met; it's not about what I've done. It's about the way God speaks through me. I don't understand it, nor do I take credit for it. I only know it is happening because people tell me what being at one of my (our) concerts means to them.

A 60-year-old man e-mailed me to say what being at our show meant to him and how we touched his life. He had a brain tumor, but for the time he was in our audience, he forgot about his problems and was immersed in the world we provided. He befriended us and was instrumental in our current success. After 9 short months he was gone but he has touched our lives forever and will live on through our performances.

What goals do you hope to achieve in the future through your tribute?

I hope to be a working band. I never want to loose sight of who or what I am but I would really like to be able to travel and bring my tribute to people across the country and abroad.

How do you handle fans reacting as if you were Elvis?

I am very funny about that. I don't feel I deserve fans. First of all, we're Elvis fans. Second, I'm just doing what I love doing. Usually people who give me grief have had a little too much to drink. Of course you always have the people telling you what song you should have done and which suit you should have worn. We had someone tell our female vocalists that Elvis' back-up singers were heard not seen. I explained we are not trying to copy what you're used to seeing; we are trying to entertain you.

Obviously this wouldn't be possible without the full support of your family. What do your wife and kids say is the best/worst part of what you do?

Thank God my family is very supportive. Not only can you make a large amount of money performing, it also costs a large amount of money. Some of the pros are also the cons. Traveling... sometimes my family has the opportunity to go with me, other times, they can't.

Most of the tribute artists we saw in the competition had transformed themselves to look as much like Elvis as possible. Do you find it helpful to look more like Kurt Russell than Elvis on a day-to-day basis?

When I first got into this business I dyed my hair black and grew my sideburns. Looking like that you're always going to be the brunt of the "Thankyouverymuch" jokes. People are always looking and pointing, sometimes laughing, which is why I choose to wear a wig and sideburns. Everything in my wardrobe is quality. When I'm on stage, or even standing right next to a fan, they have no idea what they are seeing is not real. Do I look like Kurt Russell in my day-to-day life? I don't know, but I sure have been told I look like him on stage. Problem is, I'm trying to look like Elvis!!

If you were to meet Elvis in the great beyond what would you say to him?

First I would shake his hand, look him in the eye and just say "Thank You!" Thank you for giving me a lifetime of memories. Thank you for giving yourself to the world. Thank you for sharing your gift with us. You have touched so many people's lives. I would just say "THANK YOU!"

Ladies and gentlemen Elvis has left the building but Walt Sanders has entered.