Published: April 10, 2008 12:49 pm         

See the "World's Best Young Elvis" at the Palace

"The World's Best Young Elvis," Travis LeDoyt, will perform two shows at the Palace Theatre April 18. Shows are set for 7 and 9 p.m.

"We always have a great time at the Palace Theater," LeDoyt said. "The venue is much smaller than the big showrooms we normally work and it gives us and the audience an up close and personal experience. We love that kind of atmosphere."

During the past seven years, LeDoyt, who is based in Nashville, has taken his show around the world, performing to sell-out crowds in such international cities as Hong Kong; Santiago, Chile; Edinburgh, Scotland; and Manchester, England. In addition, his long list of credentials include "sold out" or "standing-room only" shows in the United States at Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL; Hershey Park, PA; more than 40 casino showrooms; more than 20 performing arts theaters; and the Iowa State Fair. LeDoyt was the only Elvis tribute act to perform at the Elvis Presley Festival in Tupelo, MS, sanctioned by Elvis Presley's estate, for the first five years of its existence.

If one believes in reincarnation, it isn't much of a stretch to imagine that LeDoyt would be on the short list of applicants that Elvis might consider. The best way to detect a good Elvis tribute act is to look for the flaws. Fortunately for his fans, LeDoyt has the looks and the hooks and, just like Elvis, he is just too good looking and charming not to be taken seriously.

The songs work, too, and withstand the scrutiny of life-long Elvis fans. Remaining in character even between songs, LeDoyt jokes casually about his upcoming films, such as Jailhouse Rock and King Creole. His charisma and time-warp banter set the mood and kept the illusion that you have returned to 1950s quite credible from start to finish.

LeDoyt's trips into the audience are always a crowd pleasing part of the show. Whether sitting on the lap of an eager female fan, singing a love song to them or just bantering back and forth with audience members, there is a sense that these are the things Elvis would have done had he been doing the show. The uncanny thing is that is all so natural that is becomes believable and yet, when the show is over, the most common word you hear is "unbelievable."

For an evening of "unbelievable" family entertainment, make your way to downtown Crossville April 18. Tickets are $15 and are available at Discount Building and Home Supply, or contact Melissa Stowers at 707-8600.