He’s performed in Europe, the Mayan Riviera, and at Top resorts in the United States.
He is – Johnny Dez and we spoke with Johnny about his Elvis Tribute Show.
Q – Johnny, your website doesn’t tell a whole lot of information about you. How did you get your start as an Elvis Tribute artist?
A – I don’t think I planned it. The first time I listened to Elvis I felt some kind of electricity running through my body. Wow! What is this? I was already playing Rock. There’s something about his music and his delivery that just made me feel incredible like I just want to dance or sing or move.
Then I started with a band and when I was doing the audition the Director said,’ Do you sing?’ And I said, ‘Yeah’. ‘Well, sing me whatever song’. ‘I don’t know that one but I know a couple of Elvis songs and he said, ‘Alright. Great’.
So when I sang them and started moving it was Wow! You’re hired!
I think they used to work with an Elvis Tribute artist so he pretty much shaped me. He would say, ‘Now, learn this one. Learn this one’. It was like a mini show inside their show and people just reacted to me just like I was singing the way I felt. People were like ‘Wow! You did it great. You actually move like him and I wasn’t really aware of that. I knew who he was but I wasn’t trying to imitate him. It seemed like my voice was so natural. The more I did it the more people liked it and I started researching and knowing him as a human being, the artist and the music.
I was blown away. No wonder he’s such a legend. He’s a great human being. He was generous. He was spiritual. I think his music little by little took me there.
Then I was the guitar player and we were playing with this Elvis Tribute artist so I kind of learned through him without knowing about the moves and the songs.
Then I just went traveling through Europe and everywhere I went I was playing the guitar and singing Elvis. Everybody knew Elvis. The love people have for him and his legacy and his music just blew me away. His music just became a soundtrack of my professional life without me trying.
For me just being onstage and making people happy that’s what it is for me. It amazes me that when you start singing his music little kids start dancing. People tell me about these memories like, ‘I went to see him’ or a lady said, ‘I kissed Elvis’ or ‘I got married with his music’. It’s just incredible how much an artist is embedded in every aspect of human life.
Q – Before this Elvis Tribute of yours were you in a band playing Rock music or listening to Rock music?
A – Both. I remember I was like 12 years old and I went to a friends’ house and he said, ‘Metallica just release this whole album’. I didn’t know what he was talking about. Then he played the whole record and I was like ‘What is this? It’s incredible.’
That kind of inspired me to start playing guitar because I couldn’t believe somebody could do that with an instrument. It was just incredible.
So, I started listening to Heavy Rock when I was really young and I started playing guitar when I was like 14.
But, growing up my Mom always had music on the radio. She loved to properly dance to Rock’n’Roll. At parties people would just move out and let her dance. She was that good. I think that is a big part of me feeling Rock’n’Roll so deeply because she used to play that and dance. When I heard Elvis I think that was my Mom’s part on it. I have to dance. I have to move when I hear the music or sing.
Q – It looks to me like you have an entire Las Vegas production behind you. In my mind that would suggest you have a financial backer. Would I be correct?
A – Well, what happened was I was performing in Cancun, in resorts. So the big production you saw was at a resort called Sandal and I had been trying to do an Elvis tribute. I got a call and was told we have shows every day and we have the production, the dancers, the choreographers and the musicians. I just need an Elvis. I have everything set up.
Somebody told me you’re really good. So, let’s sit down and talk. I said ‘Oh, great.’ In the first meeting we had he said, ‘You’re the guy.’
I was already playing with bands doing the tribute in Hard Rock and other resorts. I think that’s how he found me, but that is the big production. Then I came to North Carolina and I’ve been doing competitions and playing mostly solo because I don’t have a band here yet. The big productions were in those resorts.
Q – When someone calls to book you are there musicians you can call to back you or do you use tracks?
A – I usually use tracks but there is a band I could call if the venue wants a full show with the band. So far it’s mostly private events, corporate events or bars and clubs usually with tracks because that’s easier in a way but it also depends on the budget.
Q – I read there are thousands of Elvis tribute artists in the world. Is there enough work to keep all you guys happy?
A – I think so. I’m amazed at that. Even though it seems like it’s so much competition. I think there’s room for everyone. We try to make his legacy live on. Everybody puts a little bit of yourself,right? Like your style when you inter-act with the audience. You have your own fans that say ‘I love Johnny because of this or because of that. They’ll also love another tribute artist.
When we go to competitions we all love Elvis. We become friends and sometimes partner with each other. Sometimes they have a gig they cannot do. Can you do it? So, it is kind of like an Elvis family in a way. Elvis is so big in the world. I think there’s enough so everybody can work and be happy.
Q – Based on your own experience would you say the interest in Elvis is growing?
A – I think so. There was the movie that came out in 2022. That introduced Elvis to younger generations because the actor was younger. All of a sudden you have these kids and teenagers and they know everything about Elvis, but also parents and grandmothers. Many people just grew up listening to Elvis. I love Elvis. I just didn’t know it. I know his music when I start singing.
People sing along. They dance.
Also a tribute artist will sometimes get comments like, ‘Oh, my son didn’t know’ or will ask ‘Who’s Elvis?’
In a way the work that we do keeps his memory alive for the younger generations. It’s almost impossible not to fall in love with his music. It’s so charismatic. People who just discover him go ‘Wow!’
Also, there’s another movie coming out this year (2026) by the same director . The granddaughter and Graceland are doing a great job by trying to introduce him to the next generation. But, it’s also word of mouth – ‘Oh, yeah, my grandmother used to like to play his music or my Mom.’
A couple of days ago I was at a baseball game and they hired me to meet and greet. It’s normal that adults say, ‘Hey, Elvis’, but there were kids there.
There was this little girl who was probably seven years old and she comes up to me and says, ‘Are you the real Elvis?’ ‘No.’
Q – Next year 2027will mark 50 years since August 16th 1977. I expect you will have a lot of work then.
A – That’ll be great. I don’t think it will ever stop because of his music, his charisma, and his movies even though he didn’t like his own movies.
Everywhere, I went it didn’t matter– England, Spain.
‘Oh, yeah, Elvis. Please sing this song.’
He will be a legend and an icon forever as long as there is a way to listen to his music or watch him.
Q – Which means a long career for you.
A – I hope so. I sing a little bit of everything too so when I do my tribute I’ll also sing a little bit of Beatles and Beach Boys and hit songs from that era. I think that’s a good way to introduce him to everybody unless they say, ‘No, I want a full tribute to only Elvis songs ‘and then I do that.
But usually I sprinkle in songs that will make people dance because not everybody would be a hardcore Elvis fan especially in resorts but they will be like, ‘Yeah, I love this one or I love Twist and Shout and Pretty Woman.
Then you mix that with Elvis and you can get a real fun, inter-active show that just makes people get up and dance and enjoy. So, that’s my style and I’m also trying to dabble in other genres’ like 80’s music or Yacht Rock in the future. But Elvis is in my heart and that’s what I will do as long as people listen to me.
Q – You’re at the top of your game right now. How do you keep from getting stale? Do you watch Elvis videos and documentaries? Do you read books about him?
A – I sing every day. I treat it like if I was an athlete. I try to sleep well and lead a healthy lifestyle. I watch him and learn a little more.
Also, when you listen to other tribute acts like somehow you can see reflections and go I didn’t realize he did that.
I don’t think I have to sit down and study Elvis because it’s mesmerizing just to watch him anyway. It gets embedded in the way you do things, the way he used to do.
Just being a performer and a tribute artist is like the best job in the world in the sense that you make people happy doing what you love. That’s a big part of it. You don’t have to force yourself to sit down and do the research. It’s more like I’m just watching him because he’s amazing.
©Gary James
Official Website; www.johnnydezelvis.com
