Elvis Presley may have left us decades ago, but last Thursday night his spirit very much lived on — and occasionally wandered the aisles of The Plaza Arts Center.
Internationally known Elvis tribute artist Travis LeDoyt previously visited Eatonton a couple of years ago as a member of the “One Night in Memphis” troupe, which also featured impersonators of Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. He returned last week for a full-length performance of his own that blended music, humor, and personal connection, leaving the audience on its feet, smiling, and wanting more.
For LeDoyt, the evening felt special from the start.
“I wasn’t sure because when it’s not a Saturday night, sometimes people are more reserved,” he said after the show. “But to be honest, I don’t think you could really tell. When I came out in the audience first, and those two ladies got up and started dancing with me, I thought, ‘Oh Lord, what am I in for tonight?’”
LeDoyt, 48, was born in Greenfield, Mass., and now lives in New Hampshire after spending about a decade in Tennessee. He said his path to falling in love with Presley’s music was almost accidental.
He admits that as a teenager, he initially tuned out the records his father played at home.
“I used to give my dad grief — ‘Oh, you’re playing Elvis again,’” LeDoyt said he complained. “I wasn’t even listening.”
That changed for him at 17 years old, though, he admitted, after he watched a television documentary about The King.
“I finally opened my eyes and my ears and thought, ‘Hey, wait a minute, this guy’s really something else,'" he said.
That curiosity led him to buy his first album — Elvis’ Sun Records recordings — and to start singing along in his room. Now, nearly 25 years later, he says the “pinch me” feeling still hasn’t gone away.
“Every time I do it, I feel lucky,” he said. “After every show, I joke backstage and say, ‘Fooled ‘em again.’ I can’t believe people still want to see what I do. But I’m very thankful they still seem to enjoy it.”
Thursday’s performance featured a varied set list, including a couple of lesser- heard songs inspired by Presley’s movie years. LeDoyt said he intentionally changes his show from night to night.
“I do make a different set list every night,” he said. “Elvis did so many songs, you can’t get everybody’s favorite in one show. If we do ‘Hound Dog,’ then someone says I didn’t do ‘In the Ghetto.’ And if I do that, they’ll wonder why we didn’t do ‘Don’t Be Cruel,’ or something like that. You just do your best.”
One thing that consistently defines LeDoyt’s performances, though, is his willingness to leave the stage and engage directly with the audience, even heading upstairs at the Plaza to sing among patrons in the balcony.
“I like mingling with the folks,” he said. “I get so many comments saying, ‘I love how you make everybody feel special.’ I just try to strike a balance between the stage and the people.”
Backed by a talented Nashville-based band — drummer Allen Blaxton, guitarist Larry Garvin, and bassist Mark Consullo — LeDoyt said the chemistry on stage remains strong, even after the 2022 loss of his longtime manager and bassist.
“He was a father figure to me,” LeDoyt said. “To be honest, it felt like a duo in a lot of ways. Losing him changed things, but the show must go on.”
As for Eatonton, LeDoyt said he and his band enjoyed their visit.
“I was very pleased with the people here; they were great,” he said. “I hope we get to return and do it all again.”