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Is that you, Elvis

Is that you, Elvis? We all know Elvis Presley was the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll! Well, let me tell you, Tony Roi is the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll in Branson, Missouri!

tony More and more people visiting Branson are discovering Tony Roi and the Elvis Experience at the Music Centre Theater. You can’t miss it. It’s located right on the main Highway 76 “strip” and to drive by the theater anymore is almost an impossibility for this fan – I just want to go in and buy a ticket!! There’s a Starbucks as you go in and I might even grab one of their famous frappuccinos before the show!! But who needs caffeine when they’re at Tony’s??? All you Tony fans know what I’m talking about!

The theater is very comfortable and everyone who works there is especially nice and friendly. I think Richard, Crystal, Sherry and everyone else who are a part of Tony’s team have the greatest jobs in the world – Tony every day! – how can they be so lucky? They always have a big smile on their face! Who wouldn’t? Well, anyway, be sure and check out the souvenirs as you go in but be ready to spend a few dollars on cd’s, scarves or pictures, which Tony will usually autograph for you after the show.

Now let me try and tell you about my last Tony Roi experience. As someone else said, words just don’t seem to cover it but I’ll try! As you take your seat, the excitement builds and before long, the Elvis tribute film opens the show. It always brings a bit of nostalgia as you remember Elvis and the many years he spent making his fans so happy with his music, movies and live concerts.

Waiting for the show to start, I always find myself asking myself questions like:

I wonder what Tony will wear? And then answering myself - I hope he wears this, or I hope he wears that! Maybe something we haven’t seen before!

What songs will he sing? Oh, I sure hope he sings all of my favorites!! Maybe something we haven’t heard before!

Will I be able to hold my camera still to get a great picture? I sure hope this camera works right!! Can’t be me making all those blurry pictures, right? Wrong!

Will I be able to stay in my seat? Shoot, I get weak in the knees just looking at him!!

Will I dare go up and get a kiss? How can I? JELLO, I tell you! Oh, maybe Tony will come to me!!! Oh NO, what then?

Will he make me scream? What a question!!! Of course!!!

Will he thrill me again and again? Of course - again and again and again!!!

Then it’s suddenly back to reality as the announcer comes over the PA, “And nowwwww, ladies and gentlemen, Toooooony Roi!!!!,” the Powerhouse Band plays, the curtain opens and there’s Tony!

Gasp! This time he’s standing right there, center stage, with his back to the audience with his hands stretched above his head as he’s moving to the music of “A Little Less Conversation!” Oh my, be still my heart!! Soon, he turns around and I’m in love all over again!

If you love Elvis the way I do, you will love Tony! Elvis had so much charisma that if the Colonel could have bottled it and sold it, he would have made millions more than he already did. Well, Tony has that same charisma and is able to shower all of his fans with it in the same way as Elvis.

And Tony’s voice is everything Elvis had for sure - a true gift from God. His range is amazing! And the power in his voice is incredible! Whether it’s an energetic, rock’n song or a beautiful love ballad, Tony covers the whole spectrum in every show. Every song is one surprise after another.

tony sings Elvis was blessed with a great sense of rhythm and always did have “a great rhythm section.” Right ladies? Well, Tony has that same gift and is able to “wow” the audience with every tantalizing gyration – whether it’s a distinct Elvis move or a Tony move we’ve never seen before – Tony is so energetic we just wonder where he gets all of it!!

Tony’s drummer, Dino Phillips, is fantastic at adding the beat as is his bass player Kelly Black. Gene Puckett is fantastic with those guitar licks and Gary Freeman is a genius as Tony’s conductor as well as keyboard musician. Tony’s Angel Singers Donna and Heather are able to blend their voices just wonderfully.

So, at this last show, what did Tony wear you ask?? The white conch jumpsuit for the first half, the all black leather suit for the second half, and he changed the jacket for a fabulous white shirt toward the end. This year, Tony is giving his fans more variety in the costumes he wears and his fans just love it!

Did he sing all my favorites? Well, a lot of them but hey – they’re all my favorites!!! But there were two new songs Tony wrote that are just to die for!! “Your Eyes” and “Please Don’t Walk Away From Me.” The second one made me cry!

Did I get a great picture? A couple - but it was tough! That Tony – it seems he never, ever stands still!!! Know what I mean girls?

Did I get out of my seat? Well, not exactly, only for the on-stage picture taking and intermission and of course the standing ovation. (Still have those weak knees.)

But did Tony come to me for a kiss??? YES!!!! I’m the Devil in Disguise! Ha Ha!

And yes, there was lots of screaming coming from me or was it somewhere else?

Every show ends way too soon but we look forward to the autograph line, one more hug and one more kiss or maybe two (need one for the road) and a see ya’ next time! We love you Tony!!

Of course, it’s especially great running into our friends we’ve made through Tony’s shows, Tony’s Club and his website!

Now you know a little something of what I go through at a Tony Show – and I’m not the only one. My sister is right beside me all the way and we share in the excitement time after time. And time after time we meet new people, some first-timers to Tony’s show. We always tell them about Tony’s website tonyroi.net and the fun we have on his message board, and invite them to become Tony’s Club members.

Yes, every time we go to Tony’s house, it is filled with lots and lots of love. Because we all love Tony Roi! Come join us at the show, his website and Tony’s Club!!!!

-Sandi McKim, Overland Park, KS