A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY FROM MEMPHIS: An Interview With Reagen Daugherty

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 that age are fickle, moving from one obsession to the next with the changing of the seasons. But Reagen leaned in. By the time his 8th birthday rolled around, he wasn't asking for superheroes or cartoons. He wanted a tribute.

The little lip curl kills me

Reagen: My 8th birthday party was Elvis themed. One of my mom’s coworkers made me a jumpsuit, an Aloha suit. I still have it in my closet at home.

Me: Yeah, I’m gonna need to see a picture of that. 

Reagen: We had an ETA come in and run karaoke for the party and I sang in my jumpsuit. I guess that was technically my first performance in front of people.

There is something inherently brave about a child who stands before his confused peers in a miniature Aloha suit, belting out "Burning Love" while they wonder where the bouncy castle is. Reagen didn't care then, and that lack of pretension has followed him into his burgeoning career as an Elvis Tribute Artist. While many ETAs spend years honing their craft in local bars or small-town talent shows before venturing to the big stages, Reagen decided to skip the shallow end and dive headfirst into the deep.

Me: Your first contest was at the Westgate in Las Vegas?! 

Reagen: Yeah, and it was the Image of the King world championship, not even a qualifier. I really jumped straight into the deep end. But I mean, it was at the West Gate, you’ve gotta do it and get on that stage. I didn’t expect to make top ten or for anything to come from it really, but I wanted to be on that stage because I never knew if I’d have the chance again.

Stepping onto the stage at the Westgate is a heavy experience for anyone in this industry. It is the house that Elvis built, the site of his legendary residency, and the air there feels different, thick with the history of 636 sold-out shows. For a young man to make that his debut speaks to a certain kind of fearless ambition, but talking to Reagen, you realize it isn't about ego. It’s about the privilege of the platform.

He carries that same reverence into much humbler settings. While the bright lights of Vegas are a thrill, Reagen finds a different kind of fulfillment performing in nursing homes. There is a specific weight to singing for an audience that actually remembers the 1950s and 70s, not as a vintage aesthetic, but as their own lived reality. I often tell people that nursing homes are your best training grounds. The octogenarian crowds are a bit like toddlers when it comes to sharing what they really think. If you ever want an honest opinion, ask an 80-year-old or a toddler. If you aren't doing the King justice, they will let you know before the first chorus is over. Reagen, however, finds himself constantly humbled by their feedback, taking it as the ultimate compliment when a resident tells him he’s captured the spirit of the man they once saw in person.

In a world where many ETAs get caught up in the "look"- the high-collar jumpsuits, the perfectly coiffed hair, and the expensive jewelry- Reagen has a refreshingly grounded perspective on what actually matters.

Reagen: You can spend $5,000 on a Sundial suit, $1,500 on a professional wig, tons of money on jewelry and sideburns and belts, you can have all of that. But if you can’t sing, what’s the point? Sounding like Elvis is one thing, some people just try to imitate his singing style. You have to take the time to study singing as a foundation. You can always buy a better jumpsuit. You can’t buy a better voice.

This focus on vocal integrity has led him to an interesting place artistically. At 19, most young ETAs naturally gravitate toward the "'50s Elvis" era- the gold lamé, the raw rockabilly energy, and the youthful rebellion. It fits their age. But Reagen stays far away from that. His voice naturally falls into a lower, richer register. He has found his "sweet spot" in the 1972 era and beyond, where the arrangements were lush, the vocals were operatic, and the stakes felt higher. He is a young man with an old soul's voice, navigating the beginning of a career that could go in any number of directions.

However, Reagen’s life isn't entirely consumed by the TCB lightning bolt. He spends a significant amount of his time being someone else entirely- someone a bit more... galactic.

Reagen: I do Star Wars costuming for charity. I’m part of the 501st Legion. I’m Darth Vader.

I practically squealed when he told me that. I used to be a “professional Supergirl” for charity events, so he was speaking my language. For those that don’t have the Force with them, let me explain why this is a massive deal. The 501st Legion is an international organization of cosplayers who dress up as Star Wars "baddies" for charity and fundraising, and they are the gold standard. You cannot just order a Stormtrooper costume on Amazon and sign up. These guys are legit.

I peaked when I got to cheer on the court with the cheerleaders. It's all been downhill from there.

The application process is grueling and the requirements are unforgiving. Your costume must be screen-accurate, down to the specific placement of buttons and the exact fabric weave. When you are portraying a titan of cinema like Darth Vader, the scrutiny doubles. It requires a level of discipline and attention to detail that mirrors the world of high-end Elvis tributes. I once portrayed a Star Wars baddie for an event myself, but unfortunately, my inflatable Jabba the Hutt costume would not be up to par for the 501st Legion. It’s their loss, really.

Between the capes of the Sith Lord and the capes of the King, Reagen is a man of many masks. It begged the question: Who is Reagen Daugherty when the music stops and the helmet comes off? At 19, he is comfortable admitting that he doesn't quite know yet. I’m 29 now, and the person I was at 19 is practically a stranger to me. It’s a decade of growth that Reagen is just beginning to navigate. When he isn't belting out "American Trilogy" or attempting to gain control of the galaxy, he is a college student.

THE STORMTROOPER HAS A CANDY CANE

How he finds the hours in the day is a mystery. He is currently studying business management, a move he hopes will eventually feed back into his music career. Reagen is looking at the long game. He wants to understand the machinery behind the magic. Does he want to win the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest? Sure, that’s the dream for many. But it isn't his only North Star.

His priority, first and foremost, is the joy of the performance itself. He hopes to use his business education to one day launch his own production company, looking to industry leaders like Dwight Icenhower and Matt Stone for inspiration on how to build a lasting brand in the tribute world. He is a young man with a plan, a voice that defies his years, and a closet that contains both a Sith Lord's armor and an 8-year-old's first jumpsuit.

Whether he’s on a stage in Las Vegas or walking into a charity event to bring a smile to a child’s face, Reagen Daugherty is proof that you don't have to choose just one path. You can be the king of rock and roll and a sith lord all at once. No matter where his road leads next, one thing is certain: the Force will be with him.