It all started when he tried to impress his girlfriend -- now wife -- by singing karaoke to Elvis's Can't Help Falling In Love.
"I wasn't trying to emulate Elvis but there was a connection with that song, and as I dug deeper I started to really appreciate the man and his work and now it's a lifestyle," said Steve Elliott, Elvis Presley tribute artist.
Elvis Blue Christmas & Gospel concert Saturday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church is a fundraiser for the Northern Recovery Support Centre for Women.
"I love gospel music and so we decided to do a show where 100 per cent of proceeds will go to the Northern Recovery Support Centre for Women," said Hugh Nicholson, publisher of The Citizen, a sponsor of the show. "We held a concert last spring and Steve put on a wonderful show and it was a sell out of 300 people so we decided to bring him back."
The setting suits Elvis's true passion with regards to music, said Elliott.
"His mom took Elvis to a Baptist church when he was four and back then the music was very Southern and there was a lot of hand clapping and really, that's the roots of rock and roll," said Elliott. "I think he took all that emotion and turned it into his own thing. Whenever Elvis went back to his roots that's where his joy was. I don't know any other tribute show that just does a full gospel show and I feel that's where the depths of his career was -- in that music."
Elvis never did a gospel-only concert, and he went against advice to record three gospel albums, however those got the biggest accolades, Elliott explained.
"Of all the songs that Elvis sang, only his gospel songs were ever nominated for Grammies and other awards, over Hound Dog and everything else," said Elliot.
The setting and song choice also suit Elliott's background in Christian music.
"We do it as almost a ministry to reach out to people and because Elvis has such a huge following you'll find a lot of the people who come to the concerts aren't Christian, they just come because it's Elvis," said Elliott. "We find that people get the message, we don't need to preach at all and many people are moved to tears when they hear the songs."
And since his heart is into it in more ways then one, Elliott feels blessed in his chosen career.
"I do this for a living but to be honest with you the pay cheque is the bonus," said Elliott. "I go home at the end of the day feeling like, even in a small way, we made a difference, even if it's just for that moment. It's a great feeling."
The show is upbeat and a lot of fun, Elliott said.
"There is lots of audience participation and hand-clapping," he said. "We want everyone to have fun and there's a lot of Christmas songs and a few secular songs like In The Ghetto and If I Can Dream, Swing Down Sweet Chariot, there's a bit of a story and a slideshow presentation. People will be moved and definitely inspired for Christmas."
Elvis fans are chomping at the bit to see Elliott perform again.
"I used to go to the Elvis festival held in Collingwood, Ontario every year where about 130 Elvis impersonators would compete," said Nicholson. "If Steve Elliott was there he would have won -- he's that good -- huge talent, huge stage presence and just a really genuinely nice guy."
Tickets are $30 each, cash only, at The Prince George Citizen, 150 Brunswick Street, or by calling 250-562-2441, at First Baptist Church, 483 Gillett Street and Wood Wheaton Supercentre, 2879 Hwy 16 W.
