2008 is shaping up to be the best year ever for the award-winning Tony Roi and The Elvis Experience. The crowd on opening night, March 10th, was huge and very enthusiastic, with dozens of die-hard Tony fans filling the front rows. The roof was raised, and that isn’t an overstatement!!
The first thing I noticed upon entering the theater was that Music City Centre has been “spruced up.” They have improved the steps that go up onto the stage and added some impressive new lighting. Lance Griffith is no longer doing an opening monologue (and we miss Lance’s humor) - but instead, there are video clips from Tony’s career playing on the side screens – a great new addition to the whole experience.
A baby grand piano has been added to the instrumental lineup. Back in 2005 when I first discovered Tony, David Brooks was in the band and played the piano - I really missed him AND the piano when he left the show. But, of course, the wonderful Gary Freeman does an absolutely fantastic job tickling those ivories! The oh-so-talented Dino Phillips is back on the drums, as well as the very accomplished Lance Griffith on the lead guitar, and Kelly Black on the bass guitar – with attitude, as always!! The beautiful Stephanie McKinney is again one of the Angel Singers, but Dana Currier has moved on to a different show, and one of our very favorite Angels of the past, Donna Rastorfer, has returned – it’s a joy to see and hear her again.
There have been many changes in the Elvis Experience this year. Tony is now opening with “That’s All Right, Mama,” “Rubbernecking,” and “Little Sister!” He is also thrilling the audience with his “guitar and sunglasses” look!! Once again, it is hard to believe it isn’t Elvis walking that stage, although I still believe he is there with Tony in spirit.
Without giving away all of the new Elvis songs Tony has added – you need to be surprised – I will tell you he is now singing “Sweet Caroline,” and my favorite new addition is “Fairytale.” Of course, many of the Elvis songs we love and never want Tony to stop singing are still in the show, and he changed a few of them during each performance over the course of the three nights I was there. Variety is good!! He also does some “B Flat introductions” – you’ll have to see the show to understand that!!
The second half opens with Tony resplendent in black slacks and a sparkling black/silver shirt, belting out “Viva Las Vegas” and blowing the audience completely away. After that, and “My Way,” some gospel classics, and “Bossa Nova, Baby,” the ladies in the audience were pretty much amazed and confused and couldn’t remember their own names by the time the show ended!
Tony’s show wouldn’t be Tony’s show without some of his own wonderful music. There was not a dry eye in the house when he sang the song he wrote for a friend whose wife died of cancer – “No One Can Take Your Place.” It is my hope, also expressed by many, many fans, that this song will be added to a future CD. Tony Roi is extremely talented, not just as a singer, but as a song writer - the whole world should hear his music.
Tony says in his new DVD, “The Journey,” that the love of his fans took him to the stage – to do what he was born to do. He truly was born to sing, and the new 2008 season is just another step on the incredible journey that is the life of Tony Roi – what a journey it has been!! Keep an eye on the news from Las Vegas – Tony has been involved for the past few months in a project with the Divine Miss M – Bette Midler, and so the journey continues ……… stay tuned for details as they become available!!
Tony Roi and the mighty TR Powerhouse Band are on stage for six performances every week. Check the Music City Centre schedule for days and times. If you haven’t seen this outstanding show, plan to do so next time you are in Branson – I guarantee you won’t be disappointed, and you’ll be going back again before you can say Tony Roi’s Elvis Experience!!
Shirley Hendricks
Editor