Michael Hoover Elvis Tribute Artist Spotlight

This month’s ETA Spotlight is on Michael Hoover, who tells us how he began his successful career as an ETA, and describes some of his many accomplishments, including his new partnership with Doc & Jackie Franklin and the Images of the King contest in Memphis. Thanks Michael.

Thank you Joanna for featuring me in your Spotlight on ETA's. I would like to wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year! Canada is beautiful I have performed there several times and we love it; the people are so friendly and kind!

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I enjoy riding around at night looking at all the lights and listening to the Christmas music on the radio. I always knew my life would involve music. My mother was also a singer and my family was very musical. When I was a child - first and second grade - we lived with my grandmother in Washington, DC. My grandmother rented an apartment out of her house to a country singer named Smitty Smith who was very popular locally. I remember Roy Clark, Jimmy Dean, Grandpa Jones and many other famous singers coming over to visit and play music. I would always go and listen to them sing and talk, and I would just hang around and have a good time.

The first time I heard Elvis I must have been 6 or 7 years old, and I thought he was the coolest person I'd ever seen or heard. The sound of his voice, the way he looked and dressed was like no one else. Of course, I wanted to be just like him! So I began my long journey to become an ETA.

My parents moved to Maryland when I was 8. I began singing around home and at some functions and just anywhere someone would listen to a little kid. When I was around 10, things got a little more serious for me when a neighbor asked me if I wanted to sing in a neighborhood 3-piece band. I said yes right away but was a little disappointed when we didn't play Elvis songs. As time went on I kept singing here and there. Then in Junior High School I put together a band to play at Proms and Teen Clubs. Now I could sing some Elvis songs and hoped that people would listen–and they did. Once I was in High School it seemed as if the singer could get the girls so I thought this is real good I get to sing and get the girls too. How cool! In High School I took mechanics, auto body and painting. Learning this trade I could always work if the singing did not pay off for me.

I graduated from Wheaton High School in Maryland. I worked at Bud’s Custom Paint shop, doing special paint jobs on Corvettes for a few years. I worked at Pepsi as a mechanic, I then worked at a car dealer painting cars. In the early 70's, I entered a country music Talent Contest won. By this time I was singing somewhere every weekend and actually getting paid to sing which I love to do. I always sang some Elvis songs and people would tell me that I sounded like Elvis.

I then had a man named Ziggy approach me who wanted to be my manager. I said yes. He also managed Clint Holmes who still works today in Vegas with his show . Ziggy was my manager for a few years . I took vocal lessons and training in Washington, DC from the late Frederick Wilkerson who also coached Roberta Flack, Ethel Walters and many other well known artists.

After Elvis' untimely death in 1977, I decided to put together an Elvis Show. My first show was at The Classics Three Lounge and it went over very well. I entered and won various Elvis look-alike and sing-alike contests and also won the year long Country Showcase American Jamboree in 1979.

In 1985 I won second place in the area's Star Search Contest in Maryland. In 1987 I quit painting cars & started performing my Michael Hoover "Memories Of Elvis" show full time .In 1988 in Memphis, TN I won the International Elvis Impersonator Contest at Bad Bob Vapors.

Things took off pretty well for me after that. I met my wife, Bobbie, in 1986. She became my manager and she was devoted to booking my show and working at getting my name out there and kept us working. I have a 4-piece band and 2 of the guys have been with me for over 20 years. In 1989 we went to LA on vacation and I was getting fitted by JJ Wiggins for the fringe suit. He took us to Jerry’s Deli in Studio City, CA for lunch and that is where we met Roseanne Barr.

She asked me to come over to her table and I did. We talked a little bit and she invited me to her show that night to watch it being filmed. There I sang to the audience during their takes. Two weeks later, they called and asked me to be her opening act at The Circle Star Theatre in California. We traveled with her and then she asked me to be on her show –at the time she had the number 1 sitcom on TV. Later we performed at her 40th birthday party as a surprise from her husband Tom Arnold. Along with 450 celebrities on the guest list my band backed up Stevie Nicks, Chaka Kahn and so many more. We worked with her for about 4 years.

I worked for 5 days at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. I was the featured performer with the Jordanaires on a "Follow That Dream Cruise". I’ve been featured with stars: Sylvia, Reba McEntire, John Conlee, Johnny Lee and Charlie Daniels...and an opening act for Diamond Rio Band at Bally's Ocean Downs, Ocean City, MD. I’ve done TV and radio
commercials for Rax Restaurant Chain, MTV, VH1 and Washington DC Hospital.

I have also produced my own TV Special, a 60-minute tribute to Elvis which aired non-stop for 12 hours and continues to air annually. I have released 3 recordings. I have also produced Gospel and Inspirational Concerts and Benefits. I performed several times over a period of 3 years for T.G. Shephard at his Restaurant North of The Border in Chattanooga, TN. I have become great friends with DJ Fontana (Elvis’ drummer) and Jimmy Fortune of The Statler Brothers. Jimmy wrote and gave me the song "One Moment With You" that I recorded a few years ago. Every year I do a Michael Hoover Cruise and perform on the ship. I have also performed in Jamaica, and Mexico.

Life has been very good to me and God has greatly blessed me. I am able to sing which I love to do and make a living at it, too. My wife, Bobbie, has been my manager since 1987. I have a 21 year old daughter. I have 2 stepsons, ages 30 & 24, and 5 beautiful grandchildren.

1987 was the year that I met Doc and Jackie Franklin in Memphis, TN. We have been wonderful friends and I have worked with them at every show they have put on since 1987. Just last year Bobbie and I became partners with Doc and Jackie and we will be working hard to make the contest everything it can be. Doc will always be on the board of directors & his input will be so important and most helpful too in the years to come. Jackie will always be around with her helping hand and smiling face. So wish us luck on this endeavor of a lifetime! We are so proud to be on board.

Thank you all for taking the time to read a little about me. I appreciate you all and thank you for your support. May God bless you all, and we hope to see you all in Memphis. hooviegraal@yahoo.com