GREASE LIGHTNING TO GRACELAND- An Interview With Tim Mack

What happens when you mix a seven-year-old’s obsession with Grease, a fateful trip to Graceland, and a heart big enough to fill a rhinestone jumpsuit? You get Tim Mack. Aside from his questionable love for banana-flavored Laffy Taffy, Tim is one of the most soulful Elvis Tribute Artists I’ve ever had the pleasure of chatting with. From 'spotlights' at Graceland to heart-wrenching moments that absolutely ruined my mascara, interviewing Tim was a rollercoaster. 

Kids tend to go through certain phases- sometimes they’ll be obsessed with cowboys, princesses, or superheroes. For me, it was dinosaurs. For Tim Mack, it was the movie Grease. Little seven year old Tim was even slicking his hair back before going to school and donning his leather jacket. He and his friends even had a little greaser gang, drawing the “T-bird” symbol on the back of their jackets. Is that not the cutest thing you’ve ever heard? Side note: Tim, if there’s a picture, I’m gonna need to see it. When they showed the picture of Elvis in Grease, Tim asked his grandmother who that was, and he was quickly added to Tim’s list of heroes: Danny Zuko, Fonzie, and Elvis.

Tim’s always had a deep connection with Elvis, starting from his very first trip to Graceland.

Tim: We were about to walk up the driveway and I said to my mom “no, I want to take this walk alone. She took a picture of me walking up and there’s a beam of sunlight hitting me, it looks like a spotlight shining on me. I think that was kind of a sign of what I was gonna do.

And that wasn’t the only spiritual experience he’s had at Graceland.

Tim: An older lady from Hawaii came up to me and said “he’s in you.” I said “Sorry, what?” and she said “Elvis’ soul is moving through you and I can see it. She had my whole family sit down in the lobby and she did some kind of ceremony and gave us lava rock leis. I still have it.

Tim had a rare opportunity that ended up changing the course of his life. He met two people that would become huge influences on him: Cody Ray Slaughter and Shawn Klush. They took him under their wings and put him on the tribute artist path. Tim said that Cody taught him everything he knows, and when he became interested in ‘70’s Elvis, Shawn stepped in. 

Tim and I both have the same favorite Elvis era- the ‘68 comeback era. Tim said that he feels likes his voice and his look fits that era the best, but he also does “That’s the Way It Is” which was in 1970. But for the most part, Tim stays in the ‘68 sweet spot. 

We talked about the world of competitions, and while he does compete, the competitions aren’t what drives him. He loves being around like-minded people and living in the moment. He’s even met some of his best friends through the competitions, including one of my previous interviewees- Lain Crew! Tim said Lain is like a brother to him, and he loves how Elvis can connect so many people. But what’s really special to Tim is the interactions he gets to have with the fans. He told me a story that put my waterproof makeup to the test. Tim has a soft spot for senior centers, and he got to know a resident named Joyce. Unfortunately, Joyce had dementia and began declining, but Tim had the opportunity to see her one last time. 

Tim: She had the scarf I’d given her hung on her wall and a picture of us. She couldn’t speak anymore and she was weak, but she gave me a smile and squeezed my hand. Something told me that I needed to leave something with Joyce, so I gave her my “Burning Love” belt. She put her hand on it and she was smiling. I leaned down and kissed her cheek and said “you’re beautiful, Joyce.” My heart was shattered. I got a call not 30 minutes later that she’d passed away. And that’s the kind of thing that makes me want to be a tribute artist. Not because of the money, or the screaming fans and the attention, but because of what I can give people. I’m able to give them the same thing Elvis did to his fans: happiness. And that’s why I love what I do. 

I insisted we switch to a lighthearted topic after that for the sake of my makeup (which did not survive, by the way) and we got to chatting about various topics. 

Me: You know, you’ll get like, a hundred people reading this. That’s right- a WHOLE HUNDRED. 

Tim: Hey, I’m thankful and blessed for any opportunity. This is an honor. 

Me: I feel like if people do reach out to you, it’s for strictly Elvis-related things, like your thoughts on peanut butter and banana sandwiches. 

Tim: You know, I love peanut butter but I can’t stand bananas. But my favorite candy is banana flavored.

Me: Are you one of those people that buys the bags of Laffy-Taffy that are just banana flavored?

Tim: Yep!

Me: I’ve literally said “who eats this?! Why would they make a bag of just banana?! This is an abomination!” And now I’m gonna know it’s because of YOU. Who wants to eat just banana flavored Laffy-Taffy?!

You see, I’m a very serious interviewer who always stays on topic. Yeah, right. But I managed to get past my outrage about the banana Laffy-Taffy to ask Tim about his upcoming schedule. He’s doing a big sock-hop benefit for a VFW near him, and says it’s going to be a great time! He’s also trying to plan a tour with a friend of his. He’s gonna go wherever the wind takes him! 

Whether he’s bringing a smile to someone like Joyce or causing a stir with his candy preferences, Tim Mack is clearly doing this for all the right reasons. It’s not every day you meet someone who can pivot from a deep, spiritual connection with the King to a heated debate over Laffy Taffy without missing a beat. One thing is for sure: as long as there are people who need a little bit of that Elvis magic, Tim will be there to provide it- though I still question his taste in candy.

Tim Mack is a dedicated Elvis Tribute Artist whose deep connection to "The King" began in childhood and was solidified through spiritual experiences at Graceland. Mentored by industry icons Cody Ray Slaughter and Shawn Klush, Tim specializes in the 1968 Comeback Special and the early 1970s "That’s the Way It Is" eras, where his look and vocal style naturally shine. While he participates in the professional competition circuit, his true mission is rooted in the emotional impact of his performances; he is particularly known for his heart-centered work at senior centers and his commitment to bringing the same joy and comfort to fans that Elvis did. A soulful performer with a reputation for authenticity and kindness, Tim continues to tour and perform at benefit events, driven by a passion for preserving the legacy of Elvis Presley.

Contact: timmacketa@gmail.com

Facebook: Tim Mack

Instagram: @timmacketa