THE SOUL BEHIND THE SIDEBURNS: An Interview With Don Rose

“Just a minute, I’m taking my sideburns off!”

It’s not a sentence I ever expected to hear, but then again, Don Rose isn’t your average conversationalist. While most of us rarely give a second thought to facial hair, Don is a scholar of "sideburn lore."

Don: The sideburns in the 50’s are short, then if you’re doing the movies, the sideburns are a little longer. Then if you’re doing ‘68, that’s the first time you really had the chop sideburns. Now in the 70s, you’ve got two different sideburns. You’ve got the early Vegas sideburns, like “That’s the Way It Is,” and then you’ve got the big mutton chops- those are probably the most famous.

Don't forget to match your 'chops to the right era!

Take note, tribute artists: if you want authenticity, you have to match your burns to your era.

Don’s expertise is the result of a lifelong obsession. His devotion to the King began at age six, sitting in a darkened theater watching Girl Happy, which he loved so much that he stayed for three showings. From that moment on, his path was set. He knew he was meant to be a musician, and he spent years solely dedicated to the Elvis songbook. However, as the market for tribute acts grew saturated, Don realized he needed to evolve.

He and his band began touring a variety show that spanned the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Every member of the group took on a persona- Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, Neil Diamond, the Beach Boys. The lineup shifted constantly to keep up with the fads of the day, but eventually, Don felt the pull to return to his roots.

He went back to strictly concentrating on Elvis and passed that passion down to his son, Ryan. If you’ve read Ryan’s interview, you’ll know he got his start watching videos of his father. Today, the duo performs together, covering different decades of Elvis and co-starring in their "Rock and Soul Review." While Ryan tackles Frankie Valli and Michael Jackson, Don handles Gary Puckett and Tom Jones. When they come together, they transform into the Blues Brothers.

The father-son duo tackle different eras of Elvis

Despite the joy of sharing the stage, Don had mixed feelings when Ryan first decided to pursue music professionally. Having spent his entire life in the industry, Don knew how brutal the business could be. He encouraged Ryan to find a stable foundation first, offering some veteran wisdom: have something to support you when the music doesn’t.

The industry has changed significantly since Don started. While Ryan now navigates a world of structured contests, they didn't even exist when Don began. When he finally decided to enter a contest in Palm Springs, he had no idea he’d be performing for a "jury of his peers"- specifically, the people who actually worked with Elvis. With a front row consisting of Sonny West, Patti Perry, Estelle Brown, Al Dvorin, and Charlie Hodge, Don was essentially auditioning for half of the Memphis Mafia.

At the time, Don admits he was too naive to be intimidated by the legends in the room. After winning the contest, he was invited to a special dinner where Estelle Brown, of the Sweet Inspirations, gave him a compliment that would define his career.

Don: She said, “I just want to tell you that Elvis loved great voices, and he would have loved to have sat and listened to you sing.” I’ve never forgotten that.

While that is the ultimate high praise, Don never let it go to his head. He didn't settle or decide he had nothing left to prove just because he had Estelle's blessing. Instead, he used it as fuel to keep training his voice and perfecting his craft. To this day, he refuses to stop growing.

Don: When you get to the point that you stop learning, then you’ve really hurt yourself. Everybody I’ve ever seen, good or bad, I can always learn something from them. Remember that maybe you’re not the greatest out there. There’s always more to learn.

Don is a treasure trove of advice, largely because he’s actually walked the walk and listened to those who knew Elvis best. His biggest critique of the modern scene? Tribute artists who copy other tribute artists.

Don: A lot of these people grew up watching other tribute artists. They go to the contests and the shows and study the guy on stage. You need to be watching Elvis. Because some of these guys have their own unique moves they’ll do, then you’ll see a new tribute artist doing that. At that point, you’re just doing a tribute to that guy.

There is plenty of room for admiration, but Don insists on studying the source material. He also believes in the importance of "paying your dues." Success in this business requires time, effort, and the humility to lose a lot of contests before you ever win the Ultimate. For Don, a loss isn't a failure- it's a diagnostic tool.

At the end of the day, Don is a fan first. He performs because he loves the music, and that sincerity is exactly why his audience stays so loyal. You can always tell when a performer’s heart is in it, and Don gives his every time he steps on stage.

The proof is in the front row. Some of his fans have been following him for over twenty years; he’s watched their children grow up, and they’ve watched Ryan grow into the performer he is today. There is something deeply moving about that- a community of strangers brought together by a shared love for Elvis, eventually becoming a family.

It is such a privilege to witness a career like Don’s- one built not just on talent, but on a deep-seated respect for the man who started it all. In an industry that can sometimes feel like a whirlwind of flashy suits and competitive scores, Don reminds us of the soul behind the sideburns. He isn’t just mimicking a legend; he’s carrying a torch. Whether he’s sharing the stage with his son or catching up with fans who have become family, it’s clear that Don’s journey is about more than just a tribute. It’s a lifelong conversation with the music, the man, and the people who keep the memory alive. It’s a reminder that while the eras may change and the sideburns may come off, the heart behind the performance is what truly stays.

Don Rose is a veteran vocalist and performer whose career in the tribute industry spans several decades. After early years spent touring a multi-genre variety show that covered the musical landscapes of the 1950s and 60s, Don eventually returned to his roots to specialize in the Elvis Presley songbook. His technical proficiency earned him significant recognition early on, most notably when he won a competition judged by members of the Memphis Mafia and the Sweet Inspirations. Following that performance, Estelle Brown remarked that Presley himself would have admired Don’s vocal ability—a standard of excellence Don continues to uphold through rigorous vocal training. Today, he co-stars with his son, Ryan, in the "Rock and Soul Review," where he continues to advocate for authenticity and a commitment to lifelong musical education.