Introduction
Luke showing he has the ‘moves’ at the 2024 NFEF after-show. Photo Credit: C.M.
It was such a pleasure meeting ETA Luke Barnhart, an eighteen year old Elvis tribute artist from Athens, NY, who competed at the 2004 Niagara Falls Elvis Festival.
While I missed seeing Luke in competition, I enjoyed his performance at the after-show party. I also enjoyed chatting with Luke and his mom, and I encouraged him to send me his bio to introduce him to ETA fans and followers of SIDEBURNS Magazine.
Luke Barnhart and his very proud mom at the 2024 NFEF. Photo credit: C.M. for SB Mag.
With a few instructions on what makes a good bio, Luke sent a great bio that explains how he first discovered Elvis Presley, his experiences so far in the ETA world, and how he feels about being an Elvis tribute artist.
Please welcome and encourage ETA Luke Barnhart by liking, commenting and sharing his bio.
Wishing you much success, Luke…your future as an ETA looks very bright! Best wishes from editor and writer, Carolyn MacArthur, and the many wonderful ETA fans and followers of SB Mag. Cheers! C.M.
Focus ON: ETA Luke Barnhart
My first Elvis experience was at the age of 5 years old. When I was a child, I was always dancing around the house. One of the first artists I discovered was Michael Jackson through my mother. I was always singing and dancing to his music, and the moonwalk was practically my first steps as a kid!
Photo Credit: Eva Brand.
Then one day, my grandmother took me to a senior home because she saw an ad for an ''Elvis Impersonator." My grandmother loved Elvis and she knew I loved music, so she took me. The story goes that I had a little guitar with me, so ''Elvis" brought me up on stage to perform with him. When we arrived home, my grandmother showed me "Jailhouse Rock'' and I was instantly drawn to the King of Rock and Roll--his clothes, moves, and charisma--everything about him! From then on, I knew I wanted to perform. Since the time I attended my first ETA show and watching my first Elvis performance with my grandmother, I've been a huge Elvis fan.
I started my journey as an Elvis tribute artist about a year ago. My first festival experience was at the 2022 Empire State Tribute Festival where I met the wonderful Dean Z. When Dean asked me if I was a tribute artist, I answered, “No, but I want to be.” Dean gave me so much encouragement and told me to go for it! So I took his words to heart and did my homework on the performances and tonality of Elvis. I was always drawn to the 50s, so I practiced Elvis’s songs from that decade. The following year I made the finals at the 2023 Empire State Tribute Festival in the Non-Pro Division. In April 2024, I participated in the 2024 Niagara Falls Elvis Festival in Ontario, Canada. At the 2024 Empire State Tribute Festival, I placed 2nd in the Non-Professional Division.
From the moment I first appeared on stage in 2023, I have LOVED paying tribute to Elvis Presley. The next festival where I will be competing is Images of The King during Elvis Week 2024.
Photo Credit: Eva Brand.
I love being an ETA because I have had so many cool opportunities and have met so many new, awesome, like-minded people. It always feels so amazing taking people back in time to see what it might have been like to see Elvis Presley. I do it to honour the memory of Elvis Presley, and that's what keeps me going every day. I love the music and the man so much, words really cannot describe it. If you are an Elvis fan, you know that feeling.
I'd like to thank my parents for supporting me every step of the way, my grandmother, for introducing me to Elvis which led to me being on stage, my amazing friends, and Dean Z for giving me the encouragement to not be afraid and to just go for it, and most importantly Elvis Presley, the greatest there ever was and ever will be. Thank you for the music and the memories. Your legacy will live on forever, and I will try my best to honour that legacy.
Edits by Carolyn MacArthur. Photos credited to Eva Brand and Carolyn MacArthur.