Standing almost motionless behind dark
glasses and a black Gibson guitar, I close my eyes and with a
3+ octave range attempt to re-create for my audiences the look
and sound of this legendary performer.
Throughout my career, I've been very fortunate. I've had the
pleasure of creating an 8-piece oldies band, "Flashback
Tours", which started out as a Roy Orbison Tribute Band,
growing quickly into a tribute for not only Roy, but for Buddy
Holly, Patsy Cline, and Elvis, later turning into a 50's, 60's,
and 70's dance band, highlighting tributes whenever needed. I've
had the pleasure of performing Roy's songs for over 20 years,
ever since I was accused of lip-syncing "Pretty Woman"
during a night of Karaoke back in the early 90's. The highlight
for me throughout these many years, is that I was asked to appear
as the headliner at the 1994, 1995 and 1996 International Roy
Orbison Memorial Festival in Wink Texas, and by doing so, made
many friends there, some of whom are Roy's friends and family
who still live and work there in Wink. And as a highlight to
all this, in 1994, I not only got to pay tribute to Roy, but
I also had the privilege of meeting, and performing on the same
stage with one of Roy's best friends in the entertainment business,
the legendary, Mr. Carl Perkins, for which I will always remember.
We spent several hours after the show talking about his friendship
with Roy and also the "King" himself, Elvis Presley.
He told me how Elvis refused to re-release one of Carl's songs,
"Blue Suede Shoes" for an entire year, even though
Colonel Parker begged him to do so, knowing Elvis would steal
the song away from Carl. But because Elvis refused to do what
the Colonel asked, Blue Suede Shoes stayed Carl's song, and as
a result, was able to give Carl and his family a nice income
throughout his life. He told me that that's what friends did
for each other back then. We had a great time.
When doing my tribute to Roy Orbison,
or when I'm just performing in general, my goal is simple ....
If only for a brief moment, I can take you back in time, to re-live
a special moment and/or a special memory in your own life, then
I've done my job. And, if Roy is watching .... I sincerely hope
I've also done him proud.
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