Celebrity tribute artist channels his inner Elvis
Don’t step on his blue suede shoes.
He needs them.
Professional Elvis tribute artist Kelly Hylton’s fancy footwork often wears out the heels of his shoes.
“I go through dress shoes like crazy. I blow the soles off dancing too much,” Hylton said.
Hylton, 51, lives in Rural Valley, Armstrong County, with his wife and co-business partner Sue Hylton.
He’s been performing as Elvis since he was in elementary school in California.
His first performance took place during a Halloween concert at school, where he sang one of the King’s iconic hits, “Blue Suede Shoes.”
“When I was performing, they were all screaming, and I was scared. I didn’t understand why they were screaming. I think I told them to stop screaming,” Kelly Hylton recalled.
Forty years later, Hylton works full-time performing his Elvis-themed shows.
“The joy of seeing the happiness in the fan’s hearts and faces when I’m performing is my favorite part of the job,” Kelly Hylton said.
Elvis tribute artist Kelly Hylton of Rural Valley performs Saturday alongside guest Debbie Drake of North Hills, Texas at a private event in Ernest, PA. @VNDNews @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/aJL4DYBCEo
— Joyce Hanz (@hanz_joyce) October 25, 2022
Growing up in Tucson, Ariz., Kelly said he listened to one of Elvis’s records, “G.I. Blues” about a “zillion” times.
“That was the start. I was 9-years-old,” he said. “His voice was mesmerizing to me.”
After graduating high school in 1990, Hylton enlisted in the Air Force, working as a parabolic communications action specialist.
South Buffalo resident Janet Czekalski recently celebrated her 80th birthday with a large dinner party at Veltre’s Wedding and Event Center in Plum.
Elvis showed up for a one-hour performance, much to the delight of the birthday girl.
“It was such a wonderful surprise thanks to my wonderful grandson Michael,” Czekalski said. “My favorite Elvis songs are “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” and “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”
Hylton has visited Graceland twice, most recently in 2013 when he was invited to perform across from Graceland, Elvis’s former home in Memphis, Tenn., during Elvis week, held annually in August.
“Going on a tour of the Graceland mansion was fantastic,” Hylton said.
Hylton never took voice lessons and had no training to hone his impressions of Elvis.
“God blessed me with a good voice. I do sing everyday though,” Hylton said.
He plays a little guitar and learned the violin in grade school.
Maintaining his Elvis appearance comes naturally.
“I do nothing, really. I look like this everyday,” he said.
A large costume stash, including an authentic replica of the Comet jumpsuit favored by Elvis, provides a variety of looks sported by Elvis from the early 1950s to 1977.
Hylton charges $350 for one hour and $200 for each additional hour, up to four hours.
“The biggest challenge is performing the fourth hour of a four-hour show,” Hylton joked.
Hylton has performed in more than 14 states, including South Carolina, Arizona and Maryland.
Venues run the gamut from country clubs to backyards, large halls and churches.
“It’s a lot of fun watching him bring back special memories for many of the fans attending shows. It’s heartwarming to see them smile, and sometimes cry as they remember their favorite songs,” said Sue Hylton, who serves as production and booking manager.
The couple, married for 11 years, leave Elvis behind when not performing.
“He comes home and mows the lawn or fixes a leaky faucet or watches football. He’s actually quite shy outside of his shows,” Sue Hylton said.
To inquire about an Elvis booking, call 949-413-6549 or find on Facebook, Kelly Hylton
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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