Dean Z Carol Hunter Lady Luck Music Elvis Tribute Artists Radio

I first saw Dean Z when he was l5 years old. He had traveled to Ontario, Canada to perform at an Elvis Fest, where he competed with adult ETA’s in a contest and won first place! The following year, he came back as the past winner and, even at age l6, he showed such class, professionalism, and talent! Immaculately dressed in the white “If I Can Dream” suit, and singing his heart out, he delivered one of the best gospel medley performances I’ve seen to this day.....Flash forward about 5 years to Elvis Expo 2004 in Las Vegas. Lo and behold, to my surprise, there was Dean Z again. Now 21, he was all grown up, but his talent, professionalism and “substance” shone through loud and clear. As I wrote later, “both in Las Vegas and for days afterwards, comments I heard about young Dean Z were ‘class act’ and ‘flat out talented’.”

Since then, I’ve also received e-mails from fans and successful Legends tribute artists praising Dean’s talents, and realized it was time to catch up with Dean Z and learn more about his accomplishments. Well known in the Elvis/ETA world, Dean has won or placed in many ETA contests over the past decade. Those who have been regulars in Memphis during Elvis Week have also watched him develop over the years to become a fine young man and talented entertainer. But that’s not all -- Dean Z has also performed in many shows in Las Vegas and beyond, and he’s branched out to develop his considerable talents as tribute artist (Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Blues Brother (Elwood), singer, songwriter, actor, model, and more! Read on!

Dean is also quick to acknowledge the strong family support he’s had over the years saying, “I have the best parents in the world! Anything that could be done to support me was done by my wonderful parents. They would drive me to all my shows. They would make all my show clothes.....basically bend over backwards to see things go off without a hitch! I am so lucky to have been brought up by the most loving, gracious parents. They were strict...but I always knew that they loved me by the extent they went to help my career and my life turn out so well. And, of course, I can't rule out my wonderful genius brother Daniel and amazingly talented sister Marie!! I love my family so much.“

Since moving to Las Vegas 3 years ago, Dean has kept busy performing at many venues in the area. He starred in the long running “Hail, Hail Rock ‘n’ Roll” at the Riviera, which played for nearly two years in Vegas – and received glowing reviews! He’s also performed at The Coliseum inside Caesars Palace (same stage where Celine Dion performs), The Mandalay Bay, The MGM Grand, The Stratosphere, Caesars Palace, The Aladdin, The Hilton, and Sam's Town Hotel! Last summer, for 4 months, Dean was with “Superstars Live” at the Hollywood Casino in Shreveport, Louisiana and recently he was featured as the young Elvis in “The Story of Elvis” in Vancouver, Canada with ETA Wally Tiemer. He says, “It was a pleasure working with Wally and his fantastic band. He puts on a great show, a true tribute to Elvis Presley.” Dean also travels to many other areas of the US performing in legends-type shows and at corporate events. This summer he will be in Michigan for 4 months, starring in “Reflections” - a new musical revue.

Despite his busy schedule performing and traveling, Dean has found time to record and release a brand new CD which is now available. He says, “My latest CD is one that I worked really hard to put together. It’s called ‘The Rockabilly Cat’ and it focuses on Elvis' early Sun Studio and RCA recordings... the songs that made Elvis the hip-swiveling king that he was!” The CD also includes several live recordings from Dean’s show last summer in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Dean has also been working on a remarkable feature film with friend and talented tribute artist Lance Lipinsky (who Dean describes as “the world’s best Jerry Lee Lewis”). This involved re-creating the appearances of Elvis, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis on the Ed Sullivan, Dorsey Brothers, and American Bandstand TV shows. Dean says, “It is as authentic as we could possibly get it (screaming girls, old CBS television cameras on each side of the stage, accurate costumes, a Jordanaires group that looked like the real thing!).” The film is in the final stages of production and will be for sale as a 120-minute movie called ‘The King, The Killer & Buddy.’ (For upcoming schedule, CD, and movie details, be sure to check Dean’s website listed below).

I asked Dean about his tributes to Buddy Holly and The Blues Brothers too..and how they came about. He explained that when he was about l5, he wanted to put together a one- man show and perform a variety of acts. Not knowing too much about Buddy Holly, he rented ‘The Buddy Holly Story’ starring Gary Busey and was drawn to Buddy’s character instantly. He says, “Buddy is fun for me to perform because it’s so opposite to Elvis. Buddy was a little more reserved that Elvis was, and his image was more like ‘the boy next door’ rather than Elvis' image of ‘the hip cat from Memphis.’ Being on the other side of the spectrum made it a challenge to go from suave, cool Elvis, to the hic-upping Texan with bold-framed glasses.”

The Blues Brothers act was developed at the same time. When Dean was planning his one-man show, he had Elvis, Buddy Holly, and Ritchie Valens, but realized he needed a group act. He was already a big fan of the Blues Brothers and says that even as a youngster of 7, he was “hooked on being Elwood and would try my best to dance like him” while his brother Daniel, then 5, would pretend to be Jake “singing his little heart out.” Dean recalls that he decided to incorporate The Blues Brothers into his show...”but Daniel said no....so I did what any big brother should do, I bribed him! We finally had an agreement. Daniel was going to do this one time for me (and some money) and then he could forget about the whole thing. We practiced for months, and finally the show happened, and people loved the act! Daniel enjoyed it more than he thought he would, and we became the youngest Blues Brothers act to ever work in Las Vegas on the strip!”

Knowing that Dean has been a life long and very sincere Elvis fan, I asked him a few more “Elvis-related” questions. Here he discusses his portrayal of Elvis, his advice to other ETA’s, and what he feels have been the keys to his success.....

Compliments you have received on your Elvis tribute that have meant the most to you?.
“It always makes me feel so excited and alive when someone comes up to me and gives me a memorable compliment. Some of the best compliments came from when I was performing in Shreveport, LA last summer...a couple of blocks from where Elvis made his debut with "The Louisiana Hayride" in 1955. Many of the people who saw Elvis then still live in Shreveport, and while I was there they came to see me as well. One man, about 70 years old, grabbed my hand, shook it hard, and said, ‘It's like seeing the real thing all over again.’ He looked like he was going to start crying, and he wouldn't let go of my hand. I was taken aback by him, and his emotion.

Another woman very recently said, ‘You know, I see a lot of ETA shows. I see people who look like Elvis, I see people who sound like Elvis...but you give me the feeling that Elvis gave me." That made me feel like the tribute to Elvis that I am doing is paying off. If I can give somebody those memories back, or give somebody the feeling they got when they watched Elvis, then my job is done.

The thing I love most is when some little child comes up to me after a live show, and tells me that 'because of you, I am now an Elvis fan.' Bringing people to Elvis' music is a great feeling.”

When you portray Elvis, what do you like to focus on to make your portrayal "true?"
“The most important thing I like to bring out in my portrayal of Elvis is my respect for him, and the love of music that he and I both have. Elvis loved music. He found shelter in it. I can’t live a day without singing a song, or listening to music. I have to sing! Music is the international language. It’s the one thing the world can agree on, because it makes you feel good. Elvis connected with his fans on that level.

Elvis loved his fans. I see stars now who couldn’t care less about their fans, which to me is a shame.....if there is one thing I try my best to do, it’s to make time for everybody. It’s only the right thing to do. I love the time I get to spend with Elvis fans. There is a deep connection there, because of the love we all share for Elvis, and music in general.”

Advice to others starting out as ETA's or TA's in general -- and to the young children?
“I don't know if I’m the one to be giving advice, since I have so much to learn myself! The main thing I'd say is that accuracy is the most important element when performing as someone else. "If it isn't broke, don't fix it." It's okay to add a little of your own flavor to a character, but not so much so that it takes away from the greatness of the original. I don't think that Elvis would have been as popular if he performed the way some "Elvii" perform. They bump and grind, and that was not Elvis. Stick to doing things his way, or don't do them at all. If you perform by that slogan, you'll go a long way.”

Why do you think you've been successful? What has it taken on your part?
Being successful at anything takes practice and determination. I sing every day. I love it. I still watch Elvis videos all the time to keep my mind sharp with what he did on stage. I think that it has taken the support of my family and friends, especially when I felt like giving up. They were the ones that helped me when I was tired of trying. But most of all I think that it has taken....time. Time to practice, time to mature, time to become comfortable on stage. It doesn't come overnight! “

ETA's you admire and why?
In this business, you meet a lot of people who make a permanent impact on your life. There are several ETA's I like to consider my friends: Jamie Aaron Kelly, Kavan, Jesse Aron. The thing I like most about these guys is not their unbelievable talent, but the fact that they are the nicest guys you're ever going to meet. They believe in what they do, and they care about their portrayal of Elvis. There are no egos; they're just good people.”

Your thoughts on Elvis and his music?
“There is nothing NOT worth mentioning when it comes to Elvis and his music....his music broke down racial barriers; it transcended music as we know it today. I really appreciate Elvis on so many other levels, beyond his great musical ability......I hear stories every day about how Elvis did this for that child, or visited this person in the hospital.... Apart from being the world’s most amazing entertainer, he was the world's biggest gentleman, and that means more to me than his musical ability. His character is what made Elvis so great.”

And lastly -- anything else you want to add?
“I just want to thank all the wonderful Elvis fans for their kind words, and for staying true. Many times people will ask me if I have a fan club, and I always say, "No, I am in one myself.. Elvis Presley's fan club." The fans who make it a point to be ‘Elvis’ fans, not just ‘Elvis impersonator’ fans, are the ones I admire and respect. So thank you. And thank you for giving me this time to share with all the Lady Luck listeners...and I will have my new album ‘The Rockabilly Cat’ on the show soon! “

Many thanks to rising star Dean Z for this insightful interview, and best wishes to Dean for a bright, bright future ahead.

Details:
www.deanz.com