THE PEOPLE'S CHAMPION: An Interview With Bobby D

It is fascinating to think about how much of a cultural earthquake Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis movie caused. When Austin Butler stepped into those boots, he didn't just recreate a legend; he sparked a brand new generation of fans and tribute artists. It was the catalyst that changed the trajectory of so many lives, and that is exactly how Bobby D found his way to the jumpsuit. It’s funny how a single moment of chance can shift your entire world view.

Bobby: This was the first time I was thankful that I didn't skip a YouTube ad. I saw the movie trailer and knew that was my dad's hero. I was going through a breakup at the time and decided "you know what? I'm gonna check this out." I saw the movie with my best friend and I was just flabbergasted. Completely blown away. After that, I started watching more of his performances and listened to more of his music.

An introduction to the King changed Bobby's life in more than one way. He'd never really cared about the man whose music his dad would sing around the house, but suddenly, the pieces clicked. Bobby totally understood why his dad was a fan, and it brought them closer than ever before. His go-to karaoke songs quickly shifted from the King of Pop's catalog to the King of Rock and Roll. From there, the ball began rolling as he started booking small shows and entering his first contests. That was the spark that really lit the flame. Once Bobby met other ETAs and seasoned Elvis fans, he truly threw himself into the tribute world.

Being an ETA is difficult. I know that sounds rather obvious, but think about all that goes into it: the moves, the costumes, and most importantly, the voice. Developing an Elvis drawl is a massive challenge even for those of us born and raised as Southerners. Now, imagine doing that with an entirely different background. When Bobby was sixteen, he moved with his family from the Philippines to Tennessee. Talk about a culture shock! Bobby quipped that he liked American football, which made his integration into Southern life a little easier. He’s definitely got a leg up on me there; I don’t like football and it’s a total staple of the South. Coming from the Philippines, Bobby had to learn a completely different dialect to pair with the Elvis voice, but luckily, he has a bit of a secret talent up his sleeve.

Bobby: I kind of have a knack for impressions.

I was equally impressed and slightly freaked out as he seamlessly slipped into different voices right in front of me. Shaggy from Scooby-Doo became Donald Trump, which turned into Obama, which then turned into a Spongebob character. Unfortunately, this got me laughing so hard that I had to ask him to give me a minute to attempt to regain my professionalism. Spoiler alert: it didn't happen. We were just two people hanging out, enjoying the absurdity of the talent.

Slipping into character is incredibly helpful for Bobby, who describes himself as an "introverted extrovert." When he's backstage, he might be a little chatty or he might want to keep to himself; it really just depends on the energy of the day. But when he gets on that stage? He's putting on a show! He said it best: "People come to see Elvis, so I'm gonna give them Elvis."

Bobby: I'm an extrovert when I need to be. I keep to myself but I'll have my moments.

Me: So you're an ambivert.

Bobby: What?

Me: An ambivert! That's what I am. I can be extroverted when I need to, but then I need time alone to recharge. 

It turns out he’s a mix of the two, an ambivert. I’m the exact same way- I can turn on the extroversion when the situation calls for it, but then I need a significant amount of time alone to recharge my batteries. Who else is a fellow ambivert? It’s all about finding that balance between the spotlight and the silence.

In the world of tribute artists, people seem to fall into two distinct camps when it comes to their Elvis approach. You have the purists, who are dedicated to historical precision. They're the ones who know exactly which belt goes with which jumpsuit and are focused on being as accurate as possible to the timeline. Then there are the stylists, who prefer to blend the King's iconic style with their own artistic flair. They might wear outfits that are "Elvis inspired" or perform songs he never actually did. Let me be clear: there's room for everyone in this community, and one style is not better than the other. Bobby falls firmly into the "purist" group. If it's a private show, he might do something a little different to suit the vibe, but any other time, he's going for total accuracy.

When it comes to the world of competitions, Bobby isn't necessarily worried about racking up a mountain of trophies. Would he like to win? Of course! But he has a very grounded perspective on what matters most in the long run.

Bobby: Sometimes I know I'm going up against a stacked roster, and I try to go in with the goal of at least placing. My name starts to get out there more and I'm gaining as many fans as I can. I want to be the people's champion. There's power behind people and when you have enough people behind you, your name gets out there.

Honestly, this is a solid strategy. Sometimes I see the lists of competitors and there are people just starting out going up against veterans who have competed in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest for years. You might know going in that you probably won't be claiming that top spot immediately, but that doesn't mean you won't benefit immensely from the experience. Bobby is 100% right about the importance of having people in your corner.

Competitions and festivals are a networking gold mine. Not only can you become friends with fellow Elvis fans, but you can also learn a lot from your fellow competitors. With these contests, there are often promotions online, so your face is getting out there and videos of the performances are being shared across social media. You get valuable onstage experience, often with a live band, and the chance to perform in front of much bigger crowds than a local gig.

However, I will say it's important to weigh the costs and benefits. How much is it really costing you to attend a competition? If you find your travel and entry expenses climbing into four figures, you might need to reevaluate. It’s best to pick and choose the competitions that fit your specific needs. Are you hoping to enter the Ultimate? Or are you just looking to build your brand? You have to read the fine print; some are Ultimate qualifiers and some are just for fun. It really depends on your personal goals and, let’s be real, your budget.

Bobby would love to snag that major title one day, but he’s found a sense of peace knowing he's doing just fine without it, too.

Bobby: I never want to stop doing Elvis, I love it too much! I want to keep getting better and become a top tribute artist. It's important to have a goal, so I would love to win the Ultimate some day. But I'm to the point where, if I don't win the Ultimate, great! If I DO win the ultimate, phenomenal! I'm gonna be ok either way. You don't have to have a title to be a good tribute artist. There's a lot of underrated ETAs that don't have titles, so they don't mean everything.

It is that kind of attitude that makes him so likable. He isn’t chasing a plastic trophy as much as he is chasing the feeling of connecting with the audience and keeping the memory of Elvis alive. That passion is what translates from the stage to the seats.

Keep your eyes on Bobby D as he competes in the "Viva Los Lexington" festival in North Carolina, running from April 23rd to the 26th. This is actually the competition that started it all for him, and he's looking forward to returning to his roots. After that, you can catch him in Raleigh, North Carolina on May 2nd to compete in a talent show, and then he heads to the King of the Jungle festival in Tinley Park, Illinois on May 23rd. He’s got a packed summer schedule ahead, so be sure to check his website to see when he’ll be in a city near you. Whether he's doing impressions of Shaggy or channeling the King himself, Bobby D is definitely a performer you don’t want to miss.

Bobby's website can be found here

Bob David Whitson was born and raised in Angeles City, Pampanga in the Philippines. Upon graduating high school, moved to the United States in search of more opportunities. Growing up, Bob David really had no interest in music. It wasn’t until Bob David discovered Michael Jackson upon learning about his death in 2009 that peaked Bob’s interest in music. Bob’s dad was a huge Elvis fan and Bob had always enjoyed the KING’s music but had limited exposure. It wasn’t until seeing the Elvis biopic that came out in 2022 starting Austin Butler that really ignited Bob’s love for the KING. Bob is an avid enjoyer of karaoke and started singing more Elvis songs and found that he had a natural talent of being able to sound like the KING. It wasn’t until early 2023 that Bob had thought about becoming an Elvis Tribute Artist. It was when he found out he could enter a contest in Lexington, North Carolina that Bob then began his Elvis Tribute Artist journey. The whole weekend was a life changing experience for Bob, and he has since then expressed his love for the KING by giving people an authentic Elvis show and putting smiles on people’s faces.