A King’s Tribute

Fan brings Elvis to life on stage

Growing up in Shelby, N.C., Travis Powell started young. He was 4 years old, he says, when he was performing as Elvis in his grandparents’ living room.

It was only five years ago, however, that he took his passion for Presley to the stage.

“I had been doing the country music thing, and I wanted to get back to something I really loved,” he says. “I wanted to pay tribute to the greatest entertainer of all time.”

One of the biggest highlights in Powell’s career as a tribute artist happened in 2012 when he competed in his first “Elvis Tribute Artist Contest.” He also entered “The Legends in Concert Myrtle Beach Elvis Tribute Contest” in 2013 and was crowned the grand champion representing Legends that year in the ultimate “Elvis Tribute Artist Contest” in Memphis, Tenn. In 2014, he won the “Ultimate Preliminary Contest” at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway and participated in the “2014 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Contest,” where he made the top five.

During his “One Night With Elvis” show, on stage Saturday at the Van Buren Fine Arts Center, Powell will perform songs from Elvis’ 1968 “Comeback Special” and early 1970s concert years.

“I think Elvis truly loved the fans, and they truly loved him,” he says. “All he had to do was walk on stage and smile, and he had the crowd in the palm of his hand. The audience is going to get the closest tribute that I can give to them, one that is worth watching.”

COURTESY PHOTO Travis Powell has always been enamored with The King but only started performing as Elvis Presley five years ago.