BECKLEY, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – On February 14, Chris MacDonald will travel to Beckley’s Historic Black Knight for his first performance in The Mountain State.
While Elvis passed away before MacDonald could see him live, growing up, MacDonald said he and his mom loved watching the King’s movies and performances on the television.
“He beat up the bad guy, he’d win the race and he’d have beautiful girls chasing him. As a kid, that sounded like a cool gig,” he shared.
He decided it was a gig he’d like to have.
As MacDonald tells it, he always loved music and began performing shortly after he graduated high school.
“The timing worked out, and it kind of took off.”
During his career as an Elvis tribute artist, MacDonald has toured the country, sold out numerous shows, headlined with Elvis’ own original back up group, the Jordanaires and D.J Fontana, and has the ultimate honor of being the “Only Tribute Artist hired by Elvis Presley Enterprises to perform at Graceland’s Heartbreak Hotel.”
One defining feature of MacDonald’s performances, titled “Chris MacDonald’s Memories of Elvis in Concert,” is that he fuses history and music to create an intimate time with his listeners. In between Elvis’ greatest hits, MacDonald tells the story of Elvis’ life while wearing outfits featured throughout his career from the early years to the leather jacket era of the late 60s and the white fringed suit of the 70s.
“The tribute is not an overdone impersonation. I resemble him, but I want to do it naturally. I wear outfits from different eras that represent his music. I tell the story of his career with songs and dance. I move similarly to him, but it has that natural feel.
“It’s just different. I learned this music as a kid, and when you learn stuff as a kid, you learn it from your heart. This music is delivered from the heart, and these songs affect people’s memory. Music connects everyone. That’s what Elvis did.”
It’s undeniable that music has changed throughout the years; however, MacDonald says the simplest of rhythms can bring up the fondest memories.
“I can sing ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ and people will remember their first kiss or that that song was played at their wedding. It brings people together. That is what songs are about, and you can be from any part of the world and recognize those symbols, images and songs.
“This whole thing is kind of bringing people together to enjoy the story. It’s about a shy, humble country boy and how he became the King of Rock-n-Roll.”
MacDonald’s performance in Beckley is part of Theatre West Virginia’s Valentine’s Day dinner theater. From there, he will travel to Florida for several shows before flying west to perform in North Dakota.
Learn more about MacDonald’s performance here and see him yourself in Beckley by purchasing tickets to TWV’s dinner show.
