Andy King

East Texans will have the first chance to see a new stage show about the life and music of Elvis Presley that will tour in the United States and Europe.

“Elvis on my Mind” debuts at 8 p.m. May 17 at Liberty Hall with Andy King in the lead role, 16-year-old Moses Snow portraying Elvis in his early years and Shake, Rattle & Roll, a female doo-wop vocal group based in East Texas, performing hits from the ’50s and ’60s. The Memphis Riders band will accompany the performers.

The show’s producer, Carmen Gantt, of Stardom Entertainment, said that in August the tour will move to Europe, where it will perform at the European Elvis Festival in Bad Nauheim Germany, the town where Elvis served while in the Army. 

“This is a very big honor to be invited to the celebrate Elvis Presley in the city where he lived while he served for his country,” Gantt said. 

King, was born as Andreas Stolzenthaler and grew grow up in Germany listening to Elvis on the radio and watching “Aloha from Hawaii” and other movies featuring Elvis. 

He was fascinated by the performer. “There has not been any other artist that has changed and shaped the history of music (as much as Elvis),” King said.

On the encouragement of others who heard him sing songs recorded by Elvis, Stolzenthaler, adopted the stage name Andy King (the King represents Elvis as the King of entertainers) and began performing tribute shows. By 2012, King and his band, the German-based Memphis Riders, were in demand in Europe.

In 2017, King & The Memphis Raiders was named Germany’s Entertainer of the Year and earlier this year King received the The Spirit of Elvis Award at the European Elvis Championship, according to publicity material.

“Elvis on My Mind” will take audiences on a journey through Elvis’ career,” Gantt said. 

Snow will portray Elvis during the first phase of his career and perform “Hound Dog,” “Blue Suede Shoes” and perform “Jailhouse Rock” and “Love Me Tender” and other Elvis hits.  

King will open his portion of the show with a recreation of Elvis’ original Las Vegas show based on Elvis Presley’s album “On Stage” and the documentary “Elvis – That’s the Way It Is.” 

Tickets range from $25 to $40 and can bought in advance at libertytyler.com.

Young blues performers take stage Saturday in Longview

The Big Pines Blue Society will present its annual Youth Showcase at Heritage Plaza in downtown Longview from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday.

The showcase features performances by young blues guitarists selected from video auditions. Performers in two age divisions will compete before judges.

WEEKEND MUSIC GUIDE 

Friday 

• Live 5, 8 p.m., Rick’s on the Square, 104 W. Erwin St.
• Clint Alford, 8 p.m., Dakotas Chophouse, 4803 Old Bullard Road
• Jonathan Terrell, 8 p.m., Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q., 525 S. Beckham Ave.
• Jazz Connection, 6 p.m., Fresh By Brookshire’s, 6991 Old Jacksonville Highway
• Jenn Ford, 8:30 p.m., ETX Brewing Co., 221 S. Broadway Ave.
• Ally Venable, Reece Norris, 8 p.m., Texas Music City Grill & Smokehouse, Lindale
• Tyler Dudley Band, 8 p.m., The Back Porch, Kilgore 
• Aaron McDonnell, 8 p.m., Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler 
• 6 Miles to Mixon, 7:30, Republic Icehouse, 3807 University Blvd.
• Chase Glover, The Kirbys, 8 p.m., Big Sandy Music Hall, Big Sandy

Saturday 

• Dallas Dance Band, 9 p.m., Rick’s on the Square, 104 W. Erwin St.
• Gary Patrick, 8 p.m., Dakotas Chophouse, 4803 Old Bullard Road
• Groove Slaves, 8 p.m., Lago del Pino, 14706 CR 1134 
• Tuxedo Cats, 6 p.m., Fresh By Brookshire’s, 6991 Old Jacksonville Highway
• Crystal and Will Yates, 8 p.m., Texas Music City Grill & Smokehouse, Lindale
• Back Beat Boogie 8 p.m., The Back Porch, Kilgore 
• Lee Mathis Band, 8 p.m., Moore’s Store, Ben Wheeler