ROCK AND ROLL AND SOUTHERN GOSPEL SOUL: An Interview With Christian Parson

There is a very specific kind of magic that happens when a kid falls head-over-heels in love with the music of Elvis Presley. Usually, you can trace it back to a cool uncle with a massive vinyl collection, or maybe a parent who insisted on blasting "Suspicious Minds" during long road trips. But every now and then, the origin story of an Elvis Tribute Artist defies the usual family-tree trajectory.

For Christian Parson, the spark didn't come from his household at all. It came from his kindergarten classroom.

To say his parents were caught off guard when their six-year-old came home from school one afternoon, hip-shaking and belting out his best rendition of "Hound Dog," would be a massive understatement. His kindergarten teacher had introduced the class to the King, and Christian was instantly hooked. Suddenly, the Parson household was filled with the sounds of 1950s rock and roll. It wasn't long before his incredibly supportive grandmother sat down at her sewing machine to craft a miniature jumpsuit. Before he even reached the third grade, little Christian was already taking the stage at charity events, opening up for country superstars like John Berry, and capturing the hearts of local audiences.

But as is the case with so many kids, life eventually got busy. By the time third grade rolled around, sports entered the picture, quickly becoming his primary focus. The jumpsuits were packed away, the music took a backseat, and Christian became a regular kid focused on the game.

Fast forward to high school. Christian was just another teenager navigating the hallways when one of his teachers, who was organizing the school's annual talent show, caught wind of some rumors about his childhood past. She found out that Christian used to perform as Elvis, and she immediately went on a mission. She begged and pleaded with him to dust off the blue suede shoes and do it just one more time. Christian, being the good sport he is, finally agreed to come to the rescue.

In a beautiful, full-circle moment, the very same grandmother who had sewn his very first childhood jumpsuits was thrilled to help him once again. She sat back down at the sewing machine and crafted teenage Christian's new performance gear. He candidly admits that the first year back on stage was a bit rough around the edges, but he stuck with it. By his third year participating in the high school talent show, he ended up winning the entire competition.

That high school victory reignited the fire. Christian started entering smaller local contests in his area, honing his craft and rebuilding his confidence. Eventually, he heard about "The Big E" festival in Georgia, a major gathering for Elvis Tribute Artists and fans alike. While he may not have walked away with the judges' first-place trophy, he walked away with something many performers value infinitely more: the People's Choice Award. And he didn't just win it once—he took it home five times.

Christian: It's a fan voted award, and I've often said that I'd rather hear what the fans have to say instead of people that don't hardly know me.

It is hard to argue with that logic. In the world of entertainment, the judges in the back of the room might be looking at technicalities, but the fans in the seats are the ones buying the tickets, sharing the music, and keeping the legacy alive. It is a wonderfully grounded attitude to bring to the competitive, sometimes intense world of tribute festivals. Does Christian still want to win the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest someday? Of course he does! It is the holy grail for ETAs. But he also recognizes that simply showing up, putting on a spectacular show, and getting himself in front of new audiences is a massive win all on its own.

Christian: If I go down there and I totally bomb, somebody still may have heard me and decide they like me, and maybe they'd like to hire me for a show and I'm able to make more money that way. Going to these events is great exposure for me. Just the opportunity for somebody outside of Georgia to hear me sing is great.

That practical, hard-working mindset has served him well since the very beginning of his professional journey. In fact, his first paid gig came from a venue that many teenage musicians might overlook. His grandmother worked at a local nursing home, and she helped him get hired to perform for the residents. It turned out to be the perfect training ground, filled with sweet moments, incredibly appreciative crowds, and occasionally, some downright unforgettable surprises.

When you sit down with a performer who has spent significant time singing in care facilities, you quickly learn that they have some of the absolute best stories in the business. The energy in those rooms is completely unpredictable, and the residents are never shy about letting a performer know exactly how they feel.

Me: So do you have any wild stories from the nursing homes? I love asking about those.

Christian: I got diapers thrown at me at the end of a show one day, as a compliment.

Me: ….I'm going to hope that they were clean.

Christian: Oh yeah, if they hadn't been clean, we'd be having a very different conversation.

Clean or not, that is certainly one way to receive a standing ovation!

While Elvis remains a massive part of his life, Christian's musical journey has also taken some beautiful detours. He has always dreamed of pursuing music as a full-time career, whether that means channeling the King of Rock and Roll or sharing his own original voice with the world. For a while, he actually took a step back from the jumpsuits to focus on a project that sat incredibly close to his heart: a southern gospel trio.

Growing up in the church, Christian fell in love with the rich harmonies and soulful delivery of southern gospel quartets. It is a passion he actually shares with Elvis himself, who famously loved gospel music above all other genres, often spending his late nights gathered around a piano singing hymns with his backing groups. Christian decided to channel that same passion into forming his own group, which he named Glory's Song. When you listen to him sing gospel, you can hear the deep roots of his influences. He openly admits that Elvis' own gospel recordings have heavily shaped his personal vocal style. So even when Christian is standing on a stage without the rhinestones, singing sacred music with his trio, the spirit and influence of Elvis Presley are still right there with him.

When you talk to Christian, you get a sense of deep respect for the man he portrays. I wanted to know what it was about Elvis that captured the imagination of a six-year-old kid in kindergarten and never let go. For Christian, it all comes down to that elusive, impossible-to-replicate "lightning in a bottle" quality. There have been thousands of incredible singers throughout history, but there has only ever been one Elvis. He had an unparalleled ability to hold an entire audience in the palm of his hand with just a look or a tilt of his head. His style, his humor, his charisma, and his sheer vocal power joined together to create an artist who felt larger than life—yet entirely accessible to the millions who loved him.

Christian is quick to point out that the goal of a tribute artist isn't to literally become the man himself. It is about honoring the legacy, sharing the joy of the music, and keeping that connection to the audience alive. But keeping it light and having fun doesn't mean you can slack off on the talent.

Christian: At the end of the day, you can have all the fancy jumpsuits and nice clothing, the wigs, the jewelry, and the whole nine yards. But when you step on that stage, if you can't deliver, then you've got nothing.

That is where Christian shines. He understands that the flashy suits and the iconic styling might get people to look, but it’s the heart, the voice, and the genuine respect for the music that makes them stay. Whether he is singing gospel harmonies with Glory’s Song, performing for residents who absolutely adore him (unconventional compliments and all), or bringing the house down at a festival, Christian is keeping a legendary legacy alive while carving out a beautiful musical path of his own. At the end of the day, he’s not just putting on a show—he is sharing a lifelong love affair with rock and roll, one incredible performance at a time.