AN EPiC JOURNEY: An Interview With Ted Torres

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 up in a musical family, the stage was already a second home. He spent his childhood navigating backstage corridors and occasionally stepping into the spotlight for plays, but he didn't necessarily set out to step into a jumpsuit. Ted’s dad taught him to play the guitar, and he quickly picked up more instruments. He met and worked with some people that would be instrumental (pun intended) in his career.

Ted: Mr. DJ Fontana and Mr. Gordon Stoker were two of the people that helped push me in this direction. They heard me singing at an open mic event, and Gordon came up to me and said "you remind me of somebody when I hear you, you sound a lot like my friend. You should think about doing something with this." I said "nah, I’m a songwriter, I’m trying to do my own music." He said I should just try, and DJ agreed. So I did, and it started getting a little bit of momentum. The more I did it, the more I loved it. I told myself that, if I was going to do this, I’m gonna try to do it authentically and respectfully. One of my first shows was with DJ Fontana and Gordon Stoker of the Jordanaires.

Me: That’s a heck of an endorsement.

While many in the industry live for the thrill of the scoreboard, Ted’s career has been defined by the road. He is a man in constant motion, touring almost incessantly. It was on one of these tours, sharing a bill with Leo Days and Doug Church, that I first met him. Touring at that level is a grueling marathon that demands a specific kind of mental and physical fortitude. It also requires a very reliable airline, which, as Ted learned the hard way, isn't always a guarantee. I’ve always heard that a good friend would give you the shirt off their back. A REALLY good friend gives you their Elvis jumpsuit to borrow. Ted was on tour when all of his luggage was lost. ALL OF IT. Jumpsuits, jewelry, belts, everything an Elvis on tour needs in his arsenal. With the help of fellow ETAs that were, thankfully, close to his size, Ted was able to continue his tour in borrowed jumpsuits and wigs until the airport finally decided to give him his luggage back three weeks later. Their response? “Our bad.” Phrased a bit differently of course, but still not overly apologetic. 

Despite his preference for the touring life, Ted still makes waves in the competition circuit when he chooses to enter. He recently qualified for the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest by winning the "First Chance" competition in Memphis. Winning early comes with a unique brand of freedom- he’s technically "off the clock" regarding qualifications until August, but it doesn't grant him special privileges when it comes to song selection for the big stage. It remains a game of strategy and luck. Ted’s philosophy on competing is simple: play to your strengths. While many reach for the radio hits, Ted leans into the power of the big ballads- "Hurt," "My Way," and "Unchained Melody,” knowing he has the vocal range to do them justice.

Ted is grateful for his career as an ETA, but it’s definitely a demanding job. His original music was put on the back burner, but it’s never too late to try again. He was still a songwriter at heart. Now, he’s reclaiming that space with his band, Whiskey Train. Describing the sound as "Country Americana," he’s currently in the process of recording new material. I asked him if he struggles to leave Elvis behind, but it’s not a problem for him. You may hear a little Elvis in his voice, but that’s just his voice. That’s WHY he’s an ETA, but rest assured Whiskey Train is 100% Ted.

There’s definitely a vulnerability that comes with doing your own music. These are your inner thoughts and words from your heart, and it takes a lot of guts to put those out there. When he’s doing Elvis, the confidence is almost part of the costume. How could you NOT swagger in a black leather jumpsuit? So going on the stage in a t-shirt, jeans, and with his guitar is like removing the Elvis armor. But here’s the secret: Ted never needed it anyway. Because he’s a performer through and through, and can easily separate Ted and Elvis. Take away the jumpsuit and he’s still Ted, just not as flashy. Though personally, I’m always pro-flashy. 

I asked Ted if he’d seen EPiC. He has, and he loved it, but based on the stories he told me, he’s LIVED EPiC. He had sold out shows and a Vegas residency, and was even given a prestigious award, “Heart of the King” on the very stage Elvis himself performed on. He said it was mind-blowing to watch EPiC and know that he performed on that same stage. He really got the full Elvis experience, including fans trying to rush the stage or pull him into the audience. Ted jokes that it’s the Elvis effect. The combination of doing a tribute to Elvis on the very stage he performed takes people back and makes them go a little nuts. But he says it’s all part of the magic. 

So who is Ted Torres when he’s not Elvis? He’s a cat dad that likes to have fun when he’s in his home state of Florida. He loves martial arts and spending time with his friends, and you’d think the last thing he’d want to do on a break is travel, but there’s a difference in traveling for work vs traveling for fun. It’s not out of the ordinary for Ted to just hop on a plane and go somewhere new. 

Me: I have respect for anybody who lives in Florida. You’ve got hurricanes one day, lizards falling out of trees, and alligators in your backyard. 

Ted: I used to have alligators in my backyard before, but not anymore. 

I laughed, and realized Ted was not laughing with me. 

Me: Wait, was that a joke, or are you serious?

Ted: I’m not kidding, I used to see them all the time just sunbathing. It was interesting! But I live in a different part of the state now, so I don’t have to deal with that anymore. 

Me: Florida is just the United State’s version of Australia. It’s the only place I’ve ever been where I saw a sign warning me about a bear, a snake, and an alligator. 

Ted: Yeah I’ve taken some wrong turns down here before, and “whoops! There’s a bear!” Then you have to watch out for the deer and alligators. You know, Australia is one of my favorite countries to go to and perform. I love being out there. If I didn’t live here, I’d totally live there, it’s not that different. 

Me: Well yeah, you live in Australia Lite. 

Ted: You have to worry about sharks down here too, depending on which beach you go to. 

Me: You said that far too casually. 

We discussed the new era of ETA’s that have risen since the Elvis movie and Epic’s release. Ted had some sound advice for them, and he said that he’s not one to sugarcoat. 

Ted: Go watch Epic again. None of us are ever going to wake up and suddenly be Elvis, but you can do the best you can. Work on your look and make sure your clothing fits you right. You’ve gotta look clean, you’ve gotta look sharp, and you’ve gotta look pristine. When it comes to your act, there’s nothing wrong with putting your own spin on it. There’s room for everyone in the business, because we’re all trying to do the same thing. But it’s best to be as authentic as you can. If you watch other guys and like things they’re doing in their act, don’t copy them. It might work for them but not for you. When you copy another tribute artist, everybody can see that. “He’s doing what so-and-so does, this is so-and-so’s routine.” 

Study the man, he’s the best teacher. Listen to everything you can, pay attention to vocal inflections, phrasing, tone, it’s all important. Do your homework and study it until it feels natural. Put in the work and pay your dues. 

Whether he’s draped in the armor of a black leather jumpsuit or standing on stage in a simple t-shirt with his guitar, Ted Torres remains a performer who understands the weight of the legacy he carries. He isn’t just mimicking a legend; he’s honoring the craft while carving out a space for his own voice to finally be heard through Whiskey Train. It is a rare thing to meet someone who has lived the "Epic" life and remained so grounded, but Ted seems to handle the magic and the madness with the same casual grace. As he prepares to take his music from Florida to Germany and beyond, one thing is certain: whether he’s being Ted or being the King, he’s doing it with a heart that is purely, authentically his own.

Ted's website can be found here