Dave Matthews
Woodward News
Woodward, Okla. —
It’s time to get the sparkly jumpsuits out and head to the Woodward Arts Theatre.
Because?
Elvis is on the way.
Travis LeDoyt, “The World’s Best Young Elvis” will be performing in concert, on Thursday, Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m.
According to his website, LeDoyt was not an immediate fan, but as he got to know more about Elvis and his music, he came to understand why Elvis was will forever be known as “The King” of Rock & Roll.
LeDoyt said he never thought he would be doing Elvis impersonations.
“When I was little I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I got older, but I had I no idea I would being this, but i love it,” LeDoyt said.
However, when LeDoyt was younger he saw a documentary on TV about Elvis and then he started listening to the music and was hooked.
LeDoyt’s dad bought him a karaoke machine with Elvis music and LeDoyt started singling along.
“I did an Elvis impersonation during a high school talent show, and then from that point on it just kind of snowballed,” LeDoyt said. He has been doing the Elvis show for 10 years.
“I started out doing the shows at home but, then I started to travel to other states to perform. I had gigs every couple of months, but now I have them all the time,” LeDoyt said, noting he does about 5 shows a month.
LeDoyt only does his impersonation from the 1950s, deciding to do those years because that is when Elvis first came out to perform in the jumpsuits.
“I don’t think Elvis would have caught on without the jumpsuit because it was part of who he was,” LeDoyt said. “That era also caught my attention because the music was raw and he was a talented performer”
LeDoyt says there are always positive and negative reactions from the fans.
He said the most common positive reaction he gets is when fans tell him, “man, you took me back and me feel young again.” That is such a great feeling when fans tell me that, he said.
However, the negative comments are mostly why he didn’t perform a certain era of Elvis.
“At times fans don’t know I am only performing Elvis from the 1950s. Some ask why I didn’t perform this song and it is because its from the 1970s, its mostly a chronological issue fans don’t understand,” LeDoyt said.
When people go to a show they need to have an open mind so they can give it a chance and enjoy it, he said.
“I love to perform and I love to entertain and it is rewarding to see the fans reactions,” LeDoyt said.
