'FIT FOR A KING: How His Grandmother's Jacket Paved the Way for Zack Maddox

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 literally look up at him.

I saw Zack in his gold jacket and figured he was ~probably~ an ETA

I was already having a blast at the festival, but I was genuinely floored to see so many young, aspiring ETAs (Elvis Tribute Artists) in the crowd. It’s one thing to hear about the legacy, but seeing it in a teenager’s eyes is something else. Zack, his mom Sonya, and I ended up having a great Zoom chat to dive into what life is really like for a 14-year-old walking in the King's blue suede shoes.

Now, usually, these things start with a parent who’s a die-hard fan, right? Not exactly. Sonya was actually more of a Michael Jackson fan back in the day. While her twin sister and her mother were busy fawning over Elvis, Sonya didn't really give him a second glance. Fate, however, has a funny way of working. After her mother passed away, Sonya was going through some belongings when Zack, who was just a young kid at the time, came in to give her a hug. In the middle of that sweet moment, he spotted a black jacket with a gold silhouette on the back. He looked at it and asked, "Who's that?"

It was a jacket her mother had bought at Graceland years prior. Sonya laughed and asked, "Who, Elvis? You don't know who Elvis is?"

The Jacket that started it all

Nobody could have predicted the absolute whirlwind that jacket would start. That one question turned Zack into a total Elvis superfan. Before long, his parents took him to see the legendary David Lee perform shortly after Zack’s 11th birthday. It was a milestone for the whole family; believe it or not, they had never seen a tribute artist live in concert before that night!

Zack: When I saw David, I was like "yeah, I want to do that!"

During the show, David Lee called Zack up onstage to sing "Happy Birthday" to him. He’d noticed the mini-superfan in the crowd fully decked out in his Elvis gear and asked if 11-year-old Zack wanted to sing a song. Now, I don't know about you, but most 11-year-olds would have headed for the exit at top speed. Not Zack. He said yes. David told him he’d be right there to help if he needed it.

David Lee didn't know what he started!

He did not need the help.

Eleven-year-old Zack performed "Trouble" with the kind of swagger you’d expect from a seasoned pro. He knew every single word and every dance move. His parents were sitting in the audience in total shock, wondering where on earth that performer had come from. When he finally got back to his seat, he looked at his mom and told her that was the best time he’d had in his entire life. From that moment on, they knew Zack belonged on the stage.

Zack started competing in the Elvis youth contests, and let’s just say he’s a fast learner. It didn’t take long for him to snag first place- he actually won his second competition ever! And he didn't stop there; he also won the People’s Choice award. That one actually came as a bit of a shock to him, mostly because he wasn’t even in the room when they announced it.

Zack: I didn't even know they called me, I was getting a drink backstage. David Lee had to come find me. All the people I met were really nice and I made a bunch of friends there.

When I asked Zack about his go-to competition song, "Trouble" still holds that special place in his heart. It’s sentimental, being the first song he ever did with David Lee, but he’s updated the vibe. He performs the Austin Butler version of the song because he is a megafan of the recent Elvis movie.

Sonya: He loves that movie, he's probably seen it 20 times!

Zack: Try 60.

He’s just as hyped about EPiC, though he admits he has some serious binge-watching to do once it hits video if he wants to match his record for the movie. But Zack has already checked off a bucket list item that most Elvis fans, and even veteran tribute artists, will never get to do. He stood exactly where Elvis once did at the Westgate.

On a family trip to Vegas, Zack and Sonya went to the Westgate with a friend. They were pretty heartbroken when they realized the International Showroom was closed off. But you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so Zack marched up to the security guard and explained that he was a massive fan and asked if he could just stick his head in to see where the King performed. The guard did him one better. Not only did Zack get to go inside, but he got to stand right on the stage where Elvis performed over 600 sold-out shows. It really never hurts to ask!

Zack tends to lean toward Elvis’ earlier hits in his sets, so I asked him if that was a choice based on his age or just personal preference.

Zack: I feel like that's what attracts a crowd, you know? It's what started it all for him, the 50's. That's when he was doing something brand new that nobody had done before. And the 50's has so many great moves, they're really attention grabbing.

I have to imagine that when you’re 14 and you tell your classmates, "I’m going to be an Elvis tribute artist," you might get some blank stares. Zack says his friends have been supportive, even if they don't fully "get" the world of tribute artists. One friend, however, has gone full-throttle into the fandom. He’s become an Elvis fan himself and officially designated himself as Zack’s "security." He told Zack that even when he hits the big time, he’ll be right there keeping the fans at bay. Honestly, that’s the kind of loyalty we all need in our corner.

So, where is this road leading for Zack? He’s got a remarkably grounded mindset for someone his age, which is probably the most important tool you can have in this business.

Zack: Winning the Ultimate one day would be great, but I'm not doing it to win. I'm doing it for Elvis, you know? Doing it for me, for the fans, and to just entertain.

And believe me, he is doing exactly that. Zack’s career is already starting to snowball. He’s getting invites to return to events and getting his feet wet in the professional competition circuit. It is so exciting to see that fire in a young performer. And I have to give a huge shoutout to Sonya. She’s the engine behind the scenes, making sure Zack can pursue these dreams. She could have easily told him to pick a "realistic" hobby, but instead, she’s there at every show, homeschooling him so his education stays on track, and encouraging him to follow his heart.

The future of the tribute world is looking pretty bright if Zack Maddox is any indication. He isn't just mimicking the moves; he’s carrying the spirit forward. I, for one, can’t wait to see where he goes next (though I’ll probably need a taller ladder to interview him the next time our paths cross). It’s amazing how a single gold-silhouette jacket can change a life, but for Zack, it seems like he was always meant to find it. Keep your eyes on this kid; he’s definitely not looking for "Trouble"- he’s looking for the stage.