If you see Jim Barone's name attached to a show, you're in for a treat! He's been in this industry and taking home first place trophies since 1993. It's been ten years since he competed in Memphis, but thanks to his win at the Niagara Falls Elvis Festival, Jim's in the running for the Ultimate title! Being an Elvis Tribute Artist is a full-time gig for Jim, and his calendar stays absolutely packed with regular shows, as well as a rather surprising career in…construction? Jim

I always feel a bit weird sliding into a tribute artist’s inbox. It usually feels a little like saying, "Hey there! Would you like to video chat with a total stranger for an hour and tell me all the personal details of your life?" You just throw that message out into the digital void on the off-chance it actually gets read, half-expecting it to end up in the spam folder or buried at the bottom of a completely bottomless inbox. I figured it couldn't hurt to try anyway, so I sh

I have to tell you, spotting an Elvis Tribute Artist in the wild is a lot like playing a high-stakes game of "Where’s Waldo?" if every single person in the crowd was also wearing a striped shirt and a beanie. I was at the Nashville Elvis Festival specifically looking for my Facebook friend, Derick Culver, and the degree of difficulty was high. There are jumpsuits as far as the eye can see. But as it turns out, Derick is one of those lucky few who looks pretty much the same in

We’ve all been there—you pick up a hobby just because your partner is obsessed with it, thinking you’ll just be the supportive plus-one. But then, the obsession takes root, and suddenly you’re the one staying up until 3:00 AM researching trivia while they’re fast asleep. That is exactly how Cece Glamour found herself in the orbit of Elvis Presley. Her boyfriend at the time was a massive fan, and Cece, naturally curious, wanted to know what all the fuss was about. When she dis

Usually, when I sit down with a young Elvis Tribute Artist, I hear a very specific origin story. It’s almost always some variation of: "I saw the movie, my soul left my body, and I immediately bought a jumpsuit." So, when I sat down with Jeffrey Jones—the 31st ETA I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing—and he mentioned watching the recent Baz Luhrmann flick, I thought I knew exactly where the conversation was heading. I braced myself for the usual "it changed my life" speech.

Pull up a chair and grab your ibuprofen, because I have a story that is going to make you feel a mix of "wow, I’m getting old" and "the kids are actually alright." We're kicking off a brand-new segment called "Elvis: The Next Generation," where I get to chat with the kids keeping the King alive. Honestly, I don’t know what they’re feeding kids these days, but when I met 14-year-old Zack Maddox at the Nashville Elvis Festival, I didn’t just meet a rising star- I had to literal

We all have that one "Elvis origin story," that specific moment when the music of the King of Rock and Roll finally clicks and shifts from background noise to life-changing soundtrack. For Dan Fontaine, that story is a family heirloom, passed down through a mix of rebellion and cultural shockwaves. It actually starts with a bit of a family divide: Dan’s grandfather was a diehard Johnny Cash man who absolutely hated Elvis. Because of that, Dan’s father grew up in a house where

It is fascinating to think about how much of a cultural earthquake Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis movie caused. When Austin Butler stepped into those boots, he didn't just recreate a legend; he sparked a brand new generation of fans and tribute artists. It was the catalyst that changed the trajectory of so many lives, and that is exactly how Bobby D found his way to the jumpsuit. It’s funny how a single moment of chance can shift your entire world view. Bobby: This was the first tim

Joey: You've talked to a lot of my friends. Me: -grinning- I sure have! Here at Beyond the Jumpsuit, a lot of the Elvis Tribute Artists I sit down with are the up-and-comers, the fresh faces hitting the stage with that "new suit" smell still lingering. Don't get me wrong, that’s always a blast, but there is something truly special about sharing the stories of the seasoned pros. You know them, you love them, and you’ve seen them perform a thousand times, but you might not know

Ted Torres’s introduction to the world of Elvis Presley sounds like the opening scene of a gothic novel: awakening from a deep sleep to the haunting sound of a distant, melodic voice. In reality, it was just his father in the garage, but it sounds spooky out of context. The song was “Silver Bells,” and the voice, his father explained to a young, curious Ted, belonged to the King of Rock and Roll. By his next birthday, Ted wasn’t asking for toys; he wanted an Elvis CD. Growing

I’ve heard a lot of Elvis fan origin stories over the years, but I definitely wasn’t expecting this one. We all have that one childhood obsession that our parents eventually have to "gently" pivot us away from for the sake of their own sanity. For Aidan Keene, that pivot changed his life. Aidan: I was a huge fan of the Australian kids groups The Wiggles. I played their music to death when I was 3 or 4. My parents got sick of hearing it so my dad gave me my first Elvis CD. I

It starts with a road trip. Most great American stories do. For Reagen Daugherty, the journey began at six years old, strapped into the seat of his grandfather’s car for a two-day trek across the country. There was no shuffling of radio stations or modern pop hits to fill the silence. Instead, his grandfather played the music of Elvis Presley for the duration of the trip. By the time they pulled into the driveway, Reagen wasn’t just a fan; he was a disciple. Most children at

I just returned from my very first Elvis festival and… I am tired. Granted, I do have a disability and it doesn’t take much to wear me out, but there was a lot going on. If you’ve never attended an Elvis festival, I’m going to share the things I learned along the way, and if you’ve been to plenty of them, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. Just to clarify, this is all from the perspective of a 29-year-old on a fixed income. My experience is vastly different from othe

There is a specific kind of magnetism required to stand on a stage and invoke the memory of the most famous man who ever lived. It isn’t just about the hair or the swivel of a hip; it’s about a spiritual alignment. When I sat down with Nevan Castañeda, it became clear very quickly that he isn’t just a performer- he’s a seeker. Nevan describes himself as a deeply spiritual person, someone who moves through the world with the firm belief that some things are simply meant to be.

Most Elvis Tribute Artists (ETAs) follow a fairly predictable trajectory: they grow up in a house filled with the crackle of Sun Records vinyl, develop a lifelong obsession with the King, and eventually, after years of mirroring the moves in their bedroom, gather the courage to step onto a stage. Rick Anthony, however, decided to do things a bit backward. He didn't start with a burning passion for the discography; he started with a competitive streak and a strategic eye for w

The first time Sebastian Garland stepped into the shoes of the King, he was in the first grade. Most of us were struggling with basic addition or trying not to lose our lunchboxes in the cafeteria, but Sebastian was busy perfecting a rendition of "Hound Dog" that would set the stage for a lifetime of performance. With a tiny jumpsuit and a liberal application of black hairspray that probably took a week to wash out, a mini-Elvis was born. When I asked him about that debut, hi

Me: Sooooo, obvious question. Are your parents big sports fans? Espn: Yep! Me too. Big Razorbacks fan. I’m gonna pretend I know what he's talking about. Personally, I just hope both teams have fun. Espn (pronounced Ess-pen ) is a college student from Arkansas who is, appropriately, majoring in sports management. Once again, interviewing a 20 year old made me feel like an ancient being. Me: I’m literally from the 1900s. Espn: Wow, how were the dinosaurs? Me: -shocked gasp-

Aaron Smith has been breaking in his blue suede shoes since he was seven years old. While most kids that age were just waiting for recess, Aaron was donning a powder blue jumpsuit and taking the stage at Charlie’s Drive-In. The catalyst? A viewing of That’s the Way It Is . One look at the King in his prime and Aaron was hooked, heart and soul. Fast forward to four years ago: Aaron was discovered in Wisconsin by Johnny Z, the man who would become his manager and mentor. Togeth

Me: I have to ask the question I’m sure you’re sick of getting…is Dwight Icenhower a stage name or your real name? Dwight: It’s my real name. But it’s pronounced Ice-en-hower. I’ll admit, I was nervous to talk to Dwight. I’d mentally filed him under the "never gonna happen" category. The man is a global legend, constantly touring, and I figured there was no way he’d have time for my little blog. But I had heard repeatedly that Dwight is one of the nicest guys in the business,

Me: So how long have you been doing this now? Luke: Two and a half, three years, something like that. Me: And you’re how old? Luke: 20. Me: -puts my head in my hands- Oh my God. Luke: But like, I feel a lot older in my head. Me: Call me in ten years, then you can say that. I’m going to have to take a break from talking to young tribute artists, because I’ve never felt older than I do now. This year I’ll be 30, going on 85. Talking to these guys makes me feel like the huma