Steve Brandes

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Bio

The first time I saw Elvis was in 1973 on T.V. in the Aloha from Hawaii concert. I was awe struck with the legend then and still as a teenager. As a young man, I sang and acted in many school plays.

In 1992 I started going to karaoke gigs. One night my grandfather suggested that I sing an Elvis song, so I did. After a standing ovation from the crowd and people telling me that my voice had an uncanny resemblance to Elvis', I knew I was meant to pay homage to the King of Rock 'N Roll.

The screaming crowd while I was standing on a stage made me think how amazing life must have been for Elvis while he was performing, and so I decided to pursue a career as a tribute artist. I have been performing my 1970's style stage show for over 10 years.

There is a difference between a Tribute Artist and an Impersonator. I consider myself a Tribute Artist. I do not live "it" off stage, nor do I talk in first person, neither do I ever say that I am Elvis. There was only one Elvis and he deserves the respect for what he contributed to the music industry. I will never be able to walk a mile in Elvis' shoes, but perhaps a block in his socks.

Sincerely, Steve

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Live In action at Ellis Grove, IL

Bringing the house to their feet at POP A TOPS

Steve Brandes

11/10/07 Ellis Grove , IL

1/19/08 Collinsville, IL

2/16/08 Edwardsville, IL

3/01/08 DeSotta, MO

7/12/08 Ketchup Bottle Fest Collinsville, IL

More Pending

Appearing as the Easy Street Band

Live on stage with Steve Brandes

Great Show Steve!!

Click Here to go to Steve's web site :

http://stevebrandes.com/

WOW!!!!

Thanks Steve for such a fun energy packed Show

Click Here to go to Steve's Gigmaster site :

http://www.gigmasters.com/elvisimpersonator/SteveBrandes/

With new band, Elvis tribute artist ready to take care of business

BY TERI MADDOX

News-Democrat

Elvis tribute artist Steve Brandes always has been able to find local musicians willing to learn and play his songlist, but not all have been devoted to the King's legacy.

Last fall, Brandes teamed up with the Springfield-based Easy Street Band, whose members have been playing Elvis music for 23 years.

"You can just call out an Elvis song, and they can play it," said Brandes, 38, of Troy. "There's no reading music sheets. It's all from memory."

Brandes will take his new act to the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday at American Legion Leighton Evatt Post 365, 1022 Vandalia St.

Tickets cost $12 at the door or $10 in advance at the American Legion or Mane Tamers in Collinsville.

"I've finally found a band that clicks," Brandes said. "We fit together perfectly, and I just want to showcase that in my hometown (of Collinsville)."

Brandes also has expanded his territory to include a 500-mile radius of Troy. He hopes to perform on an Elvis-themed cruise this year.

Dates for upcoming metro-east shows include Feb. 16 at the Edwardsville Moose Lodge and July 12 at the World's Largest Catsup Bottle Summerfest in Collinsville.

"I cover Elvis music from 1954 to 1977, but I present it the way Elvis presented it in the 1970s," Brandes said. "Some people like to call that the 'Las Vegas years.'"

Brandes has performed Elvis tribute shows in the St. Louis region off and on for about 17 years.

He has his Elvis reproduction jumpsuits custom-made by a seamstress in Highland. They cost about $1,500 each.

"Elvis had roughly 62 jumpsuits in the '70s," Brandes said. "But I just buy the ones that I like."

For more information on Saturday night's show, call the American Legion at 345-2508 or visit the Web site at www.stevebrandes.com.

Tribute to Elvis

Who: Elvis tribute artist Steve Brandes.

Where: American Legion Leighton Evatt Post 365, 1022 Vandalia St. in Collinsville.

When: 8 p.m. Saturday.

Admission: $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

Tickets: American Legion or Mane Tamers in Collinsville.

Information: Call the American Legion at 345-2508 or visit the Web site at www.stevebrandes.com.