THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE KING: An Interview With Dan Fontaine

We all have that one "Elvis origin story," that specific moment when the music of the King of Rock and Roll finally clicks and shifts from background noise to life-changing soundtrack. For Dan Fontaine, that story is a family heirloom, passed down through a mix of rebellion and cultural shockwaves. It actually starts with a bit of a family divide: Dan’s grandfather was a diehard Johnny Cash man who absolutely hated Elvis. Because of that, Dan’s father grew up in a house where the King was essentially off-limits. But history has a funny way of forcing its way through the front door. 

At the time of Elvis' passing, Dan’s father was delivering newspapers, and he was floored by what he saw. It wasn't just a headline; it was a global standstill. The front page of every paper, interrupted broadcasts, a world united in mourning- it made him wonder what on earth this one man had done to command that much love. One of Dan's aunts was scandalously listening to Elvis in secret, and his father began listening too. Dan’s father became a lifelong fan, and he made sure Dan followed suit. Clearly it worked, because little Dan was making electrical tape sideburns for his own rendition of the '68 Comeback special. 

However, the road wasn't always smooth for the legacy of the King. In the years following 1977, the world wasn't always kind to Elvis' image. We went through a long stretch of comically oversized pompadours, cheap sunglasses, and parodies that bordered on mean-spirited. But as we all know, true coolness never actually dies; it just waits for the rest of the world to catch up. That shift happened in 1993 with the release of the commemorative Elvis stamp. It became the top-selling commemorative stamp of all time, and suddenly, the flame was reignited. Companies started digging into the archives, releasing unheard tracks, alternate masters, and special collections. Dan and his father spent their time devouring every single note of that new material. For Dan, it wasn't just a hobby; it was life-altering.

Dan’s personal journey toward the stage began when he was just sixteen. His father was a pastor, and Dan was already a fixture in the church band playing guitar. When his dad caught a nasty cold and couldn't lead the singing, Dan stepped up to the mic, inadvertently launching his own vocal career. He started playing publicly, though not yet as a full-on tribute artist. He had a band called "The Fellowship of the King" (my fellow geeks will appreciate the reference) and played in bars and clubs in the New England area. He was doing Elvis covers, but he hadn't yet stepped into the "jumpsuit" world.

Then the pandemic hit.

 Dan had no idea that this huge Elvis fandom existed. And when legends like Dean Z and Dwight Icenhower came up on his youtube algorithms (shockingly, he's not the first one to tell me that) his eyes were opened to this brand new world. 

Dan: It was like "oh, there's hundreds of people there, there's a band, there's lights, there's suits…" I knew what an Elvis IMPERSONATOR was. I didn't know there was this whole thing that really took it very seriously and respectfully. I was completely blown away.

Even with that realization, Dan was still just a guy with a great voice singing Elvis songs without the full production. That changed when an ETA named Keith Lewis saw a video of Dan covering "Hurt" and reached out out of the blue. Keith told him he had the pipes for this and encouraged him to enter contests, but he also gave him the reality check: you’re going to need the gear. For a newcomer, knowing where to source authentic suits and equipment is a daunting task.

Dan: Thankfully there was Keith and a guy named Ben King from Australia. Ben gave me some pointers really early on, and I was lucky to have help from those two people when I was trying to figure everything out. I went to a very small regional festival in 2021 called "Reflections of the King." I was very blessed, it was my first contest and I won first place, and got the best vocal award.

From that first win, Dan leveled up to the major competitions, building a reputation and a solid circle of friends. He’s part of a private chat with fellow ETAs Ruben Castillo and Joey Trites where they act as each other’s support system, encouraging one another to hit the gym and stay in "Elvis shape." I have to admit, having interviewed all three of them now, I feel like I’ve finally collected the full set of Infinity Stones.

During our chat, Dan offered a perspective on the profession that I hadn't heard before, and it honestly made me laugh out loud because of how much sense it makes.

Dan: What we do as tribute artists is very similar to professional wrestling.

Me: Well that's a new one.

Dan: Most people that attend pro wrestling shows know it's a show, a performance. And yet, when it's done well, people will fully invest emotionally, physically, and mentally. They'll suspend their disbelief to enjoy it. And when we do our jobs well as tribute artists, the illusion can be so strong that it makes people want to believe. So for that hour or 90 minutes or however long, if it's good, people will make believe and let that magic take hold for that short amount of time.

Me: I was just picturing a WWE ring with a bunch of Elvis tribute artists in a tables, ladders, and chairs match. "DAN FONTAINE JUST HIT HIM WITH THE CHAIR!"

Dan: There's actually a lot of wrestling fans in the tribute world. Dean Z, Cote Deonath, Riley Jenkins…

Me: I am literally begging you guys to get together in a wrestling match.

While people often compare the ETA world to a beauty pageant, I think I’m officially team WWE after this. It’s a much more fun image to hold onto. Once I managed to get myself back on track, which is always a struggle, I asked Dan what, in his opinion, has kept Elvis' legacy alive for so long?

Dan: The enormity of his talent is something that is so unique. You can point to others, like the Beatles and Michael Jackson. Maybe Madonna. Their effect was so profound on music and culture, but Elvis was the first. There were stars before him, like Frank Sinatra, but Elvis was the blueprint. He's the template for success, what to do and what not to do in the industry, he's just timeless. And Elvis is consistently cool. He's one of those people that you look at and think "that guy would be cool in any era." He seems otherworldly, at times. He will always be relevant.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Dan right before the Nashville Elvis Festival, which meant I actually got to see him take the stage in person. Seeing him perform and then watching him take home the second-place spot was such a highlight. I was in the crowd cheering and screaming like a proud stage-mom. I’ve said it a hundred times, but it bears repeating: every artist I sit down with becomes special to me. They become My Boys™, and I’ll always be in the (metaphorical) front row, cheering them on and watching them shine.

What stands out most about Dan isn’t just that incredible vocal range or the way he can command a stage; it’s the genuine humility he brings to the craft. He’s a guy who went from playing guitar in his father’s church to winning major titles in a world he didn't even know existed a few years ago, yet he talks about it all with the wonder of a fan who just happened to get invited backstage. Whether he’s comparing the stage to a wrestling ring or pushing his friends in a group chat to be their best, Dan embodies the brotherhood that makes the ETA community so special. He treats the legacy of the King with the respect it deserves, but he does it with a smile and a warmth that makes you feel like you’re part of the inner circle. Seeing him shine in Nashville was a treat, and I have a feeling we’re going to be seeing a lot more of him on winner’s podiums for years to come.

You can follow Dan below and see his upcoming events.

Dan’s website

Viva Las Elvis

Dan Fontaine facebook

Dan Fontaine grew up in Massachusetts and was raised listening to the music of Elvis Presley. At 16, he began his music career singing and playing guitar at Hillcrest Church where his father pastors. In 2014, Dan began performing his tribute to Elvis all over New England working at his craft which aims to capture the energy, passion, and vocal prowess of The King. He is a gifted band leader, originally fronting Fellowship of The Kingand currently performing his regional tribute show, "Viva Las Elvis: From Sun To Vegas" feat. Memphis Sun Mafia Band. 

Dan Fontaine is an award-winning Elvis Tribute Artist, and has competed at Images of The King and Ultimate Elvis festivals/competitions nationally and internationally.