Elvis is alive and well in Conroe!  I know, because he surprised my granddaughter Jessica Dufour and me on our birthdays on May 29. Our neighbors saw him, too; they were hanging over the backyard fence watching him perform. The iconic beaded white jumpsuit, coupled with the Elvis hairstyle, added to the believability. Yep, no doubt.  I knew it was Elvis.

Jordan Smith is an Elvis tribute artist, commonly referred to as an Elvis impersonator, which is a misnomer.  The term impersonator connotes an attempt to deceive; however, this Elvis tribute artist’s goal is to keep Elvis’ music and performance style alive, both for audiences old enough to remember Elvis when he was alive and for future generations.  Jordan’s performance brought smiles to the faces of his audience (from 21 to 78 years old).  His music inspired audience singalongs and an impromptu dance, as Jordan sang and swiveled his way through several of Elvis’ hit songs.

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Houston, but I’ve also lived in Pasadena, Lufkin, and Cleveland.   Growing up was tough, because as soon as I made new friends and felt like I was starting to fit In, we’d move again.  My mother was sort of a nomad.  I’ve lived in Conroe since 2014. 

What drew you to Elvis’s music?

I grew up listening to the country classics at my grandparents’ house and at home. I especially like singers like Elvis, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Frank Sinatra, Louie Armstrong.  Back then, music had a meaning behind the songs. Besides the music, I also like the older style clothes from the 50s.

What got you interested in Elvis music and performances?

I saw the 1973 concert in Hawaii on YouTube when I was 14. I liked the clothing Elvis wore and the way he moved around on stage. I admired the way Elvis put his heart and soul in songs. Today’s performers don’t walk around on stage like Elvis did. They rely on fancy lighting and special effects.

You vocalize the lyrics; you don’t lip sync.  Have you had any vocal training?

Just four years of choir when I was in Conroe High School. 

What are your favorite Elvis hits to sing?

I especially like performing You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling, Suspicious Minds, and C.C. Rider.

Do you have favorite Elvis movies?

I like all of them, but my favorites are G.I. Blues and Blue Hawaii.  I’ve watched his 1973 concert in Hawaii more times than I can count to study the way he moved and sang.

What surprises people about you?

My age.  The fact that I’m only 22 surprises them.

How do you rehearse to learn Elvis’ songs and karate-inspired moves?

I study the way he moved around on stage and study the lyrics to his songs while listening to them. I practice any time I get the chance, when I’m not working or doing things around the house. It takes a lot of effort.

You’ve obviously invested a lot of money to be able to give a believable performance.  How do you cover expenses like the jumpsuit, sound equipment, and travel expenses?

I’ve been working from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM as a molding operator at Steris Medical Factory in Conroe for the past three years. We make medical pieces that are used in biopsies and endoscopies. Of course, my performance fees help a lot.

Tell us about how you got your costume.  How did you find where to get your jumpsuit?

I started out with a simple DIY jumpsuit, which was very basic. Then I looked online and came across proelvisjumpsuits.com, and that’s where I got my Aloha Jumpsuit.

How much does it cost, and how long did it take to get it after you ordered it?

Well, I’ll tell you one thing; it wasn’t cheap. At the time I bought it, the jumpsuit alone –which was custom made by the company to size–was $2,075 plus shipping. The white boots with the Cuban heel were about $180 with the shipping included, and then the rings were around $400 total.  First, I had to get and send in all the measurements for the jumpsuit. I got the shell two weeks later.  It fit, so then I sent it back to get it tailored and have all the rhinestones put on it, which took about another 6 to 8 weeks.

Who is the lady who operates your sound equipment? I noticed she wears her hair in a ponytail and wears a poodle skirt, which was the fashion in the late 1950s.

That’s my fiancé Chelsea Macha.  She loves the 50s Elvis. She operates the sound equipment to add to my performance.

How long does it take for you to get in character?

It takes about 30 minutes for me to style my hair and do the light stage makeup needed, and then another 15 minutes to warm my vocals.

My lovely fiancée Chelsea helps to ensure everything is in order and I don’t look like a hot mess. I use pomade and then a coat or two of hairspray so my hair doesn’t friz out too bad due to humidity and/or weather conditions.

Who is your favorite audience to perform for?

I like performing for people old enough to remember Elvis songs, concerts, and movies.  They smile, sing along, and often tell stories about their Elvis memories–kind of makes me wish I’d been living then.

Have you ever been to Graceland, the mecca for Elvis fans?

No, but I hope to visit it someday.  I’ll be like a kid in a candy store, I’ll be so excited.

I heard that you went to see the ELVIS movie in costume and created quite a stir in The Woodlands.

Yeah, that was a lot of fun.  A lot of people stopped me before I could get in the theater. They wanted to take pictures with me.  I enjoyed that.  Many of them wanted to know why I do this.  I just tell them I love Elvis’ music and want to keep it alive.

What did you think about the movie?

I thought it was phenomenal. I liked the way the movie showed the conflict between Elvis and his manager.  I didn’t know Elvis was forced to perform in Las Vegas so many times because of his manager’s greed. I don’t usually cry at movies, but this one brought tears to my eyes.

Do you think the Elvis movie will change the way people think of Elvis?

I hope the movie will revive interest in his music and introduce Elvis to a generation that doesn’t know him.  I think he was the best entertainer of all time.

You’re just getting started.  How can people reach you to schedule a performance, and do you have set rates?

My Facebook page is JordanElvis SmithPresley.  My Email address is jtsConroe18@gmail.com.

My rates vary depending on the venue and the length of my performance, because each venue is different.  A performance in an indoor auditorium has different physical requirements from one on a backyard patio, and I do both.

Getting the sound equipment in place ahead of my performance can be challenging.   I scout the site a few days ahead to check out electrical outlets and see the amount of space I will have to perform.  I need to know ahead of time where I can setup my equipment.  Getting the equipment to the “stage” and set up properly takes time before I change into my jumpsuit, but it’s all worth it when I see the faces of my audience light up when I step on that stage—even if the stage is the patio of a home.

Of course, I make some appearances for charity or as a community service. 

Tell me where you’ll be performing next.

On August 31^st, I’ll be performing at the Watermere at the Woodland Lakes in Conroe.

What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?

An older man, who I considered my mentor, told me, “Never give up on your dreams, no matter what anybody says.”  I’ve held on to that ever since.

What advice do you have for anyone else who might want to become an Elvis tribute artist?

Go for it.  It doesn’t matter what race or ethnicity you are; if you’re inspired by something, even if it isn’t Elvis, go for it. Believe in yourself and ignore anyone who puts in their negative “two-cents.” Practice makes perfect. Practice and study. Do what you love, and have fun doing it!