FROM ANALOG TO THE ULTIMATE: An Interview With Joey Trites

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 the man behind the jumpsuit and sideburns.

Joey Trites, known to his fans as Rockin' Joey, has been in this business for 37 years. Usually, I’m the one making the self-deprecating jokes about my age and how long I’ve been around, but Joey beat me to the punch. 

Joey: I tell these young guys that they have it easy, they can just google Elvis. I had to read books and watch movies and stuff, you really had to do your research without the internet.

It’s funny to think about now, isn't it? In a world where we can pull up 4K footage of a 1970s rehearsal in three seconds, Joey’s journey started with a stack of records and a lot of imagination. He was only four years old when he sat down with his uncle’s Elvis collection. Right then and there, he made a declaration: he was going to be a musician. Most four-year-olds say they want to be astronauts or cowboys; Joey knew what he wanted to do and actually followed through.

Joey: For 20 years, that's all I did. I traveled, did shows, and had a blast.

Eventually, that road led him straight to the heart of it all: Memphis, Tennessee. If you’ve ever walked down Beale Street, you know the vibe. It’s neon, it’s loud, and it’s historic. Joey managed to snag a spot as the only live Elvis act playing on that iconic street. He wasn't just a guy with a backing track, either. He was there seven days a week with a full band comprised of local Memphis legends- including Jerry Lee Lewis’s actual bass player. Talk about a "pinch me" moment.

During those eight years on Beale Street, Elvis Week wasn’t just a festival for Joey; it was like a massive family reunion where he happened to be the host of the coolest jam sessions in town. Because he’s been making the pilgrimage to Memphis every single year since he was 16, there’s no such thing as a "stranger" in the ETA world. He’s the guy who saw the veterans when they were rookies and the rookies when they were just kids in the audience. At this point, Joey hasn't just met most of these guys; he’s had a front-row seat to their entire lives. He’s watched them find their voices, pick out their first suits, and in many cases, he’s been the one holding the flashlight and showing them the way.

One of those people is Hayden Lynn. Joey met Hayden before he even put on his first jumpsuit. When Hayden decided to start his own ETA journey, Joey took him

under his wing like a proud big brother, or, as it turns out, a "dad." Apparently, Joey is a little too good at teaching. Last year, the student officially became the master for a night when Hayden beat Joey in a competition.

Joey: I was so proud. I'm on stage holding my own trophy and just crying like a baby. He's hugging me, I'm hugging him, we're both crying… My fiance joked that I need to stop teaching him things. I said 'never!' I beat him at the next contest, and now we go back and forth. I made top 10 at Smoky Mountain this year and told him it was my turn, he could win the next one!

I have to stop and talk about this for a second because it’s just so heartwarming. In a competitive industry, you’d expect a little bit of saltiness, right? But Joey just glows when he talks about Hayden. He told me that if Hayden beats him, it just means he’s doing his job right as a mentor. It’s reached the point where Hayden calls him "dad," and Joey is even close friends with Hayden’s actual father. There’s no jealousy there- just a bunch of guys happy to see each other succeed. Hayden's dad will even ask him, "Have you talked to your son today?"

It’s a beautiful example of what I like to call positive masculinity. Hayden’s dad could be territorial, Joey could be bitter, and Hayden could be arrogant. Instead, they’ve built a brotherhood. It’s the kind of stuff that makes this community feel less like a business and more like a family reunion that happens to involve a lot of rhinestones.

Even with all the accolades and the Beale Street residency, Joey still has one big mountain he wants to climb: winning the Ultimate. It’s the last major checkbox on a very long, very impressive list. But when you strip away the trophies and the titles, what Joey really cares about is the legacy. He told me he plans to keep singing as long as his lungs allow it, even if someone has to wheel him onto the stage in a wheelchair.

Joey: I just want to keep his memory alive for millions of his fans, and maybe make somebody that's never been an Elvis fan one now. And I love seeing the kids coming up doing Elvis, and some of them I'm scared of! Like, these kids are gonna beat me in a contest one day. But they're keeping Elvis' memory alive. I don't think it will ever die. He was an amazing human being. Everything he did, he did it first. He paved the way for a lot of musicians working today.

When you’ve been in the game for nearly four decades, you pick up a few tricks. Joey is a literal encyclopedia of ETA knowledge. If you want to know which rings are historically accurate for a specific suit, or which contests are worth the gas money, he’s your guy. He even has a pro-tip for traveling: always keep the jumpsuit, the belt, and the jewelry in your carry-on. Can you imagine the look on the TSA agent’s face when that bag goes through the X-ray? "Sir, is this a four-pound gold belt or a weapon?"

But beyond the logistics and the jewelry, Joey’s core message is much simpler. It’s about the "why" behind the "what."

Joey: Remember why we do this. There's only one Elvis; no one will ever replace him. Stay humble. If I don't win a contest, I come out, sit down, and I root for the rest of the guys, because this is a brotherhood. We're all doing this for the same reasons.

Sitting there talking to him, you really feel that. It’s not about being the best; it’s about being part of the story. And after 37 years, Rockin' Joey Trites isn't just telling the story- he's become a vital part of it.

Joey’s website

Joey Trites, also known as Rockin’ Joey, is an Elvis Tribute Artist with over 37 years of experience. He has performed at many venues across the country and is known for his ability to perform any era of Elvis’ career. His talent has been recognized through numerous contests, and in 2005, he was voted the Images of the King people’s choice world champion.

Rockin’ Joey’s career highlight was playing with his band ‘The Memphis Flash’ on Beale Street in Memphis, TN, for 7 years where he was the only live Elvis act in Memphis.

His dedication to his craft and his ability to bring the spirit of Elvis to life make him a sought-after performer for those looking to add a touch of the King to their events.