FINDING THE MAN, CHASING THE MAGIC: An Interview With Taylor Salamon

Do you have a friend or coworker that you KNOW if you sit by them or talk to them, nothing’s gonna get done? That’s how I was chatting with Taylor Salamon. An hour and a half later, we’d gotten so wildly off-topic chatting about random things that I suddenly remembered I was actually supposed to be asking him Elvis-related questions. Whoops! I did eventually manage to get to the point, and I’m so excited to introduce you to him.

As a five-year-old, Taylor preferred playing with Legos while his family entertained guests. They’d play a game where they’d trigger a song clip and everyone had to guess the artist. Taylor usually tuned them out, until one day he heard something that had him running down the stairs. He just had to know what it was. His father told him it was “An American Trilogy” by the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. That’s where it all started. Soon, he was singing along to his grandmother’s records, and she officially dubbed him her "little Elvis."

The tribute artist bug wouldn’t bite him until later in life. He struggled to find a personal style he resonated with and, in his teen years, dressed more like Marty McFly. One day he decided he’d had enough of the 80s look and went back even further. Taylor went to a thrift store and bought armfuls of dress pants and blazers and did his hair in a self-described “Johnny Bravo” style. 

High school isn’t exactly a walk in the park, and Taylor admits his new look got him made fun of every single day. But that didn’t stop him from being himself. He knew he loved Elvis’s music and fashion, he just wasn't sure what to do with it yet. Then, he discovered the world of Elvis Tribute Artists.

Taylor isn’t afraid to admit he had a rocky start. He first dipped his toe into the tribute world fresh out of high school- a time when most of us are still a blur of unanswered questions. He quickly realized that when you’re still figuring out who you are, it’s dangerously easy to get lost in the shadow of a legend. Taylor knew that to truly honor the King, he couldn't just mimic him; he had to grow into the kind of man Elvis was. He made the choice to step back and find Taylor first, knowing he couldn't authentically portray someone else until he finally knew himself. It took some time, but he emerged with a remarkably healthy attitude toward the stage.

Taylor: I don’t care if I don’t look exactly like Elvis or sound exactly like him. And I don’t need to prove myself to anyone but me. I do this because I want to. With the contests, I don’t care if I win or where I place. I care about being there and doing a show, getting to have that experience and opportunity. Whether there’s two or three people in the audience or a packed house, it’ll warm my heart the same way and make me feel just as special. And the beautiful part about singing is that your soul is being expressed to everyone in that audience. They’re getting to hear what you’re able to muster up from the heart. And that’s what people want, that’s what they pay to see! It doesn’t matter how much makeup you put on or what you wear, people want somebody up there that’s singing with their whole heart and soul, because that’s what Elvis did.

It’s that attitude that Taylor brings when he performs in places like senior centers and nursing homes. He tries to make sure he connects with every person in that audience. During songs like “Love Me Tender,” he walks around the room and pays special attention to the swooning seniors, usually touching their arm or their hand. Sometimes he gets a little more than he bargained for.

Taylor: I was singing to this lady, and I got on my knee and held her hand. She wanted a little more. I have never felt so much force in my life, but she pulled me by the arm and took my hand, and she kissed it. Then she gave it a lick.

Me: NOOOOOOOOO! WHY?!?

Taylor: She could’ve at least had dinner with me first. They served food there.

I laughed so hard that my little poodle, Bella, became extremely concerned and had to come check on me.

Taylor: I had another one shove her tongue down my throat, that was fun. You go in for a little cheek kiss but they do a little maneuver and do a little slurp-

Me: EW! EW! OH MY GOD, DON’T SAY SLURP!

Taylor: Those little old ladies might be in a wheelchair, but they’ve got that arm strength. They wheel themselves around all day. You can’t underestimate them.

When I asked Taylor where he sees himself going, his answer was grounded. While some aim for the "Ultimate" title immediately, Taylor is happy doing what he loves. He works a full-time job and knows that traveling for competitions is a massive investment. That doesn’t stop him from dreaming big, though- he hopes to one day be known as one of the best in the world.

Taylor is one of the most passionate tribute artists I’ve talked to. You can see how much he loves and respects Elvis, and that he does his best to be that kind of man on and off the stage. He’s doing this because he loves it, and to put a little magic in peoples’ lives.

Taylor: I want people to be moved by the music. One lady came up to me after a show and said that she saw Elvis in 1972, and one of the songs I did took her instantly back to that. It moved me, and that’s what this is really about. I’ve had little kids come up to me, and they’re in awe. Maybe they’re getting into Elvis or they’re already a fan, but they’re seeing that magic and feeling it. If I can give people just a glimpse of that magic he’d bring to the stage, that’s all I want.

He left me with some advice for anyone else thinking about putting on the jumpsuit:

Taylor: First and foremost, you need to ask if you’re in this for yourself, or in it for Elvis? Are you doing this for the right reasons? When you watch an Elvis video, are you moved by the screaming fans and adoration, or by his music? Because if all you saw were those superficial things, it wasn’t Elvis that moved you. The fans didn’t just love him for his looks and his charm. It was the kind of person he was and what he stood for.

It’s clear that Taylor isn’t just chasing a title; he’s chasing the same magic that made the world fall in love with Elvis in the first place. With a heart that big and a sense of self that’s finally found its footing, Taylor is well on his way to becoming a legend in his own right. Florida, get ready- you’ve got a good one coming your way this March, and he’ll be performing with a future interviewee: Sebastian Garland! And for the rest of us? We’ll be right here, cheering him on from the front row. Whether he ends up on the biggest stages in the world or continues brightening days at the local senior center, one thing is for sure: Taylor Salamon is doing the King proud. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes him.

Taylor Salamon, known as The Colorado Elvis, is an Elvis Tribute Artist (ETA) based in Colorado Springs. He brings the King’s charisma to life through dynamic live performances that blend music, acting, and a deep appreciation for Elvis Presley’s legacy. Taylor has performed at various venues and events, including the Nebraska Elvis Fest, Vegas Elvis Fest, and Elvis Explosion 2025, showcasing his talent and dedication to the craft. Taylor is also involved in the entertainment industry as an actor and singer, continually honing his skills to deliver authentic and engaging shows.

For those interested in experiencing his performances or booking him for events, Taylor maintains an active presence on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, where he shares updates on upcoming gigs and behind-the-scenes glimpses into his journey as The Colorado Elvis.