SIDEBURNS AND SERMONS: An interview with Josh Pack

Welcome! Today I had the opportunity to chat with Josh Pack, a pastor and Elvis Tribute Artist (ETA) from Kentucky. I shouldn’t play favorites, but I have to say that Josh is one of the standout ETAs for me. I first became a fan of his when I heard his rendition of “Unchained Melody.” That song, at least Elvis’s version, ends on a sky-high note that a lot of ETAs shy away from. It’s a vocally challenging song on its own, but that big finish makes a lot of people reluctant to take the leap. Josh doesn’t back down from the challenge and tackles several other demanding Elvis songs like “How Great Thou Art.” We discussed being a tribute artist, sharing his faith through Elvis, and handsy old ladies.

Me: I have some questions for you, and this first one is a rather basic one: What inspired you to become an Elvis Tribute Artist?

Josh: When I started, the very first time I ever did any sort of Elvis song publicly, I was twelve years old. I started doing karaoke, and the only thing I could think of was “Jailhouse Rock.” I butchered that song. I mean, it was just terrible.

Me: To be fair, a lot of that song sounds like -mumbled and wailing noises-, so it was probably fine.

Josh: I didn’t know the words very well and it went very poorly. For a long time, I avoided karaoke. It wasn’t for, like, another six years, when I went out with some friends of mine. They said, “We should go do karaoke together!” Then I had PTSD about it, and at this point, the only song I knew the words to was “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” So I went up and did what I thought was this really exaggerated Elvis. When I came and sat back down, my friend was like, “DUDE! Why didn’t you tell us you could do that?!” I didn’t know! So he played the video back for me, and I was like, “Holy crap, I sound like Elvis!”

But honestly, as far as doing this in a fuller capacity, I really just kind of sat on that for a number of years. It was more like a fun trick I could pull out every once in a while. Then I found out that there was this whole community rallied around ETAs, and I thought, “Man, I’ve gotta try this!” 2021 was the first time I did anything, and it was Tupelo. I was, like, way out of my element. I looked around and I had some cheap wig that I’d bought off of eBay, and I’m looking around at these guys in two- or three-thousand-dollar suits, and I realized this is way beyond what I thought.

And the level of seriousness that’s involved with it- when I saw that, that’s when I said, “Oh yeah, I wanna do this.” So yeah, that’s how it started, and I’ve had a lot of cool opportunities over the years. The craziest thing for me is that there are people who ONLY know me as Elvis.

Me: —raises hand—

Josh: Yeah, this conversation is happening because you only know me as Elvis. It’s odd, but it’s cool at the same time.

Me: On that note, what’s the process like? How long does it take to get the hair, and the makeup, and the full Elvis on?

Josh: Getting to a place where you can do that well is a whole process in itself. There’s still stuff I’m learning as I go, but I’ve kind of crossed that place so that when a woman asked me, “What foundation do you use?” I can answer.

Me: A valid question. What foundation DO you use?

Josh: Covergirl! Super serum or something. I’d have to look because I have a whole makeup bag. I knew I crossed the line pretty early on when I saw my wife doing her makeup, and I said, “Is that my setting spray?” and it was! But yeah, it’s a very involved process. At this point, I’ve done the makeup hundreds of times and pretty much have it down to a science. But even if I’m really going fast, it still takes at least an hour. There’s a LOT that goes into it. I grow the sideburns myself and it’s pretty easy. But my sideburns are naturally red… a guy I had a 30-minute conversation with didn’t recognize me in my Elvis look; he only knew me because of my daughter!

Me: On that note, what do your kids think of all this? I know you have a young daughter and a teenage(?) son.

Josh: My little girl is about to turn five. It’s funny because the very first thing I ever sang to her was right after she was born and they handed her to me. I just started to sing “Love Me Tender.” It was just one of those things that felt right at the time. She’s grown up with Elvis and she will, to this day, tell me to “put on the bad song!” She means “Trouble.” She loves to dance around to it. But it’s been a lot of fun watching her, because she’s actually been formed by Elvis in a lot of ways.

My son is on his own now, but even when we had him with us, he’d get into it as well. It’s funny because, when I started out, I didn’t think I’d have much time to do this. I didn’t know how receptive the crowds were going to be. The generation that started with Elvis is dying off. And yet, fans come out of the woodwork just as much as ever. And the fans that scream the loudest are twelve and thirteen years old. It’s just crazy to me. But the fact that you get to be a part of that legacy is just awesome. The impact is crazy, having people say things like, “I’ve seen a lot of Elvises and you’re my favorite” and “a lot of people can’t do that song but you do it so well,” and it means so much to me.

Me: I think I said both those things to you! And that’s why you stand out to me. You don’t shy away from the BIG songs like “How Great Thou Art” and “You Gave Me a Mountain.” A lot of people avoid those songs or they wimp out before the big notes, but not you. We take these competitions very seriously in my household; I made brackets this past year. We all picked you to win, by the way.

Josh: I appreciate that!

Me: We said, “This guy knows what he’s doing,” and that’s why you stood out so much to us.

Josh: I mean, it really all comes from the same place as Elvis: it’s all from singing for the church. The thing that took the most getting used to was moving my hips. You don’t get that opportunity when you’re singing in the pulpit.

Me: I mean, it’d make church a lot more interesting if you did.

Josh: It would, but I think you might get fired.

Josh has a very special approach to tackling Elvis songs. He doesn’t just listen; he LISTENS. The tone, the inflection- all of it makes a big difference when it comes to singing like the King. Even the way you pronounce your S's makes a difference. Analyzing the voice is what makes the difference between a good Elvis and a great Elvis.

Me: You mentioned the church before, and you’re a pastor. I know Elvis had a background in gospel but was also frowned upon by some of the churches. What’s your experience been like with that, as a pastor and an Elvis?

Josh: My experience has kind of run the gamut with that. I’ve had some churches that are really receptive to it. The first church I was a senior pastor at was so supportive of it, so much so that I didn’t even consider the fact that it could be a controversial thing. But one of the other churches I took on was very hypercritical: they wanted their pastor to look the part 24/7. And here I am, coming in with the sideburns and leftover mascara on a Sunday morning.

It’s interesting, the way the churches receive it. But looking back on it, I’d never do things differently on either side. From the beginning, I’ve approached the Elvis stuff as an extension of ministry in a lot of ways. I get to have conversations with people who would probably never be open to those kinds of conversations unless they were talking to Elvis. They’ll open up more because they feel like they’re having the conversation with him instead of me. I appreciate the foundation the ministry gives, because those songs like “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace”- people can tell when it's authentic. People can tell when it has a foundation and when it doesn’t. Yes, I’m using the Elvis filter in a way, but it comes from an entirely different place. My heart and soul is in it.

Me: Tell me your favorite song to perform and your favorite song overall.

Josh: My absolute favorite Elvis song is one that I never get to do because the competitions don’t allow medleys. I love “An American Trilogy.” I got the chance to do that with a full horn section this last year, and it was so cool.

Then Josh gave me an exclusive!

Josh: I’ve done “Unchained Melody” so many times that everyone knows and expects it. But “Heart of Rome” is one of those that doesn’t get sung that often, and it’s got a lot of harder notes in it. I’m working on that one this year.

I actually was not familiar with that song, so I gave it a listen. I think it’s an excellent choice because it features a wide vocal range and a key change, which always scores points in my book. He’s also been working more on the ’68 Comeback Special, and he and his band do the sit-down portion of it. That’s my personal favorite Elvis era.

Me: So do you have the leather suit?

Josh: I do!

Me: Is it as hot as it looks? Because I imagine it's sweltering.

Josh: Actually, that suit is not as hot as some of the heavy jumpsuits. That Aloha jumpsuit- you cannot breathe. When you’re done at the end of the show, you’ve gotta peel that sucker off.

Personally, I imagine it’s like that episode of “Friends” with Ross in the leather pants. Josh said that’s fairly accurate.

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After an anecdote about some of the fans wanting extra-sweaty scarves (ew), I asked him about any funny or wild fan experiences.

Josh: I do a lot of stuff in nursing homes. I had a lady at a nursing home- I performed there about once a month, so she was already kind of crushing on me a little bit. She put together a sentence that I never thought I’d hear, which was: “Take it off, preacher man!”

I laughed so hard that I had to pause the interview to wipe the tears from my eyes.

Josh had some excellent tips for new and aspiring ETAs, the first of which is important: don’t just play the part. We discussed how some tribute artists watch performances and try to recreate every single move, say all the same things, and basically just perform as a character. It’s important to be able to read the room and to have stage presence. You can’t go out to every single show and stick to a script because each performance is unique. Even if you do the performance well, it’ll still lack that special something if you’re just parroting the King.

Josh: Wherever Elvis was giving 100%, you’ve gotta find a way to give 125%. That’s the only way you can get close to matching that Elvis energy. Finding a way to go beyond without feeling inauthentic takes time and practice to figure out, but will go a long way towards boosting your performances. You have to be willing to put in the time and the work.

Your first competition is your opportunity to learn. I felt so in over my head at my first competition in Tupelo. I felt like such a goofball. And Alex Mitchell, who won that year, looked over at me and took the time to say, “Hey man, you did a really good job and I appreciate you.” That’s when I realized that this is so much more of a community than I thought. Make the most use of those resources. There are gonna be guys who are there to win, but at the end of the day, we’re supposed to support each other. Does that happen all the time? No. But if you come in and you want to learn and you want to grow, we’re here. I’ll be the first one to say, “Let’s sit down and do it.” I’ve got a lot of friends that I wouldn’t have met otherwise. Sometimes at a pizza place before a competition, you’ll see a table full of sideburns. And they’re all genuinely good guys.

I took this opportunity to ask the question I’d been desperately wanting to know the answer to: Is there a secret Elvis group chat?

They DO have an Elvis group chat! Unfortunately, I’ll never get to be a part of it, but knowing it exists satisfies my curiosity.

But really, that’s the primary reason I created this blog. This community is amazing and so much bigger than you’d expect, and it unites people around the world who all love a man whose music is timeless. And I’m fascinated by the stories and performances and competitions, because it’s just such a unique thing. I asked Josh what Elvis meant to him-what is it that keeps him going as an ETA?

Josh: This is going to be a unique take, but Elvis’s story is so intrinsically linked to the American experience and the church. I have an opportunity through all of this to share the gospel with people. Some of the guys I’ve met now have a relationship with Christ because of these conversations we’ve had. Not only that, but I was in a nursing home a few days ago and a man came up to me. He said, “I felt the spirit while you were doing those songs.” Every Elvis has their own reason for doing things. For me, what it comes back to over and over again is just that opportunity to share the gospel, to get to know people, and to establish strong relationships as a result. And I can go all over the United States doing this, and maybe soon, all over the world. I think the reason Elvis represents as much as he does in the culture is because he’s everybody’s shared experience. Almost everyone has a memory of being introduced to his music by their mother or grandparents. At this point, Elvis IS the American culture.

So what can we expect to see from Josh this year? Quite a lot! While I did get the details of a super cool secret project, it was shared off the record because, you know- that’s how secret projects work. You can find Josh performing at the Lincoln Jamboree in Hodgensville, Kentucky, a few times a month, where he’s become their regular Elvis. As for big projects, he’s working on getting the orchestrations arranged for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra tracks. The album was released in 2015, and Josh intends to be the first ETA (to his knowledge) to perform that album with a full orchestra backing. Look for that around the fall of 2027. He’s also just started with a music manager, and he’s hoping to expand into cruise ship performances. As far as competitions, he’s approved for Nashville, he plans to do Branson and Tupelo, and he’s considering doing one of Travis Powell’s competitions.

For Josh, the jumpsuits and sideburns are more than just a costume- they’re a bridge. It’s a pretty unique approach, using the "Elvis filter" to connect with people and share his faith in a way a traditional sermon might not. He’s found a way to honor one King while serving another, proving that while Elvis may have left the building, the connection he created with his fans isn't going anywhere.

-Since 2021, Josh Pack has emerged as a respected voice in the Elvis tribute community, known for his rare ability to capture the unmistakable tone and phrasing of Elvis Presley himself. Recognized by fans and fellow performers alike as a true vocal soundalike, Josh brings both authenticity and artistry to every performance.

While he faithfully recreates Elvis’s iconic styles from 1968–1977, Josh also brings special attention to Elvis’s Gospel music — a cornerstone of the King’s legacy that he approaches with depth, sincerity, and respect. Drawing from his background as a biblical scholar, Josh infuses these performances with a sense of purpose and reverence that resonates with audiences of all kinds.