By Malin Dartnell
Staff Writer

“I’ve been an Elvis fan since I was old enough to know who he was. When I was a kid, I used to sit in the car when it was parked outside in the driveway, singing along with Elvis on an eight-track tape player,” Elvis Presley tribute artist E.J. Boyer said.

Since then, his tastes have not changed, but his venue certainly has. E.J. Boyer did not really mean to become an Elvis Presley tribute artist. He got his start two years ago at a children’s function at church, wearing a homemade jumpsuit and singing "Love Me Tender," Since then, he’s performed at the Lion’s Club Fair, Taylorfest, private birthdays parties, Relay for Life, and other events. His performances are a family affair, as his wife and mother-in-law serves as his back-up singers, and his son runs his light show.

“Its incredible that Elvis has been dead 31 years, but there are still eight- and nine-year-old kids that know him and love his songs,” Boyer said. He wants to continue to make that possible by being as similar to the real Elvis as possible, without sacrificing his own personality and life. He distinguishes between himself, a “tribute artist” and “impersonators,” explaining that impersonators (generally speaking) live in places like Los Vegas and must play their role perfectly, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A normal man with an ordinary day job, Boyer works for the City of Madison during the week. When he puts on his jumpsuit, however, he is transformed.

Boyer’s major concern is that the people of Madison do not confuse him with other tribute artists in the area that may have gained a bad reputation. He calls himself the “new guy in town,” and invites the citizens of Morgan County to see him for themselves at his next performance at  the Morgan County High School Auditorium on Saturday, August 16 at 8 p.m. Tickets will be $12 each, or two for $20, and children under age 12 get in free.