Tony Roi Show

Winner for Best Performer at the 2004 and 2005 Branson Critic Award

Tony Roi IS The King Of Rock-n-Roll!  Incredible Performance!!!   

Branson, Missouri is fortunate, indeed.  Elvis's doppelganger is performing here in Branson, not in Las Vegas.  I'm used to average Elvises.  There is nothing average about Tony Roi.  He IS Elvis.

In the opening Tony Roi comes out, already warmed up, in an army uniform for his tribute to Elvis' 2-year stint in the U. S. Army and his film G. I. Blues. About ten minutes into the show, Elvis is going to ask you what the 'puppet show' means.  Pay attention, as I'm not giving it away.

The most astonishing thing about Tony is that he really sounds like Elvis without working hard at imitating it and he was born with the look.  He has two back-up singers Paula Wilhite and Amy Cofer.  They did a nice job keeping up with the harmony and melody without running over Tony.  While Elvis, oops I mean Tony leaves the stage (presumably for a wardrobe change), Greg Gray (piano) takes the lead and gets his band jammin'. 

As the tempo builds with the band, out struts Elvis in a black leather jacket (wide open - the ladies appreciated him shirtless) and performs his trademark hip shake.  The ladies in the audience were screaming and catcalling.  They were so excited that I thought some of them had to hold on to their dentures.  Some of these ladies' husbands are probably going to bring their wives back to this show for that reason alone. 

Just when I thought the oohing and ahhing was slowing down, Tony and the band tease them with "A Little Less Conversation" as he shakes his hips.  The women went nuts.  This wasn't the real Elvis, but they were acting like it was.  I couldn't help but notice that many of the women in the audience were old enough to remember and salivate over the real deal 40 years ago.  I have never seen any fans act this way as with other performers in this town.  Tony truly transported them back in time.  For those not old enough to remember Elvis, Tony introduces us to the icon in the flesh.  Real and live, no lip synching.  How real does he get?

I knew it was real when I saw Elvis stand on the front edge of the stage, dripping sweat, as he paused - he curls his upper lip, thrust his hand out, does a karate kick and the band slams out "Jailhouse Rock".  At that moment, the entire audience knew this was Elvis.  He has it down to perfection. 

Lead guitarist Gene Puckett and bass guitarist Brian Lawson come out and begin to jam side-by-side with Elvis the old rock-n-roll way.  Tony has no problem with dancing and kicking, he's very athletic (attributed to his martial arts background).  After that jam session, the men in the audience are equally enthused, if not more.  Then the lights go black and you hear Elvis ask, "What's your philosophy?" and then he comes out and asks again, "What's your philosophy?"  But I'm not about to share the answers.  You have to go and find out. 

In 1968, who wrote the song "Memories"?  Here is when he slows down the audience to a very relaxed and mellow state.  I observed husbands and wives hook arms, hold hands and draw close together.  The mood became intimate.  Now that Tony has got them where he wants them, he leans over and asks, "Are you Lonesome Tonight?"  and I noticed the women turn to Jello.  A nice way to end the first half.  Is this Tony's way of softening the men up to buy their wives merchandise from the gift shop?  Smart.  Very smart. 

Intermission is about 15 minutes.  

During the intermission, I had the opportunity to speak with Kathy Stegeman, a Branson resident, and I asked her if she enjoyed the show so far.  She gave me an answer that surprised me. " I've seen Tony Roi's performance 40 times." (It occurs to me that I must not be a fanatic about anything). 

"40 times?!" I squeaked.  I'm a big man.  I don't ever squeak.

"Yes!  He's the best Elvis I've ever seen in the 25 impersonators I've seen in my lifetime.  The only Elvis that was better than Tony Roi is the one I saw in 1972 and 1973 in the International Hilton in Las Vegas.  That was Elvis himself."  She quickly related she was an Elvis fanatic and has collected art and memorabilia of Elvis for over 30 years.  She bought her first album, Blue Hawaii when she was 12 years old for $2.25.  Her dad hated Elvis, so she had to listen very discreetly when her father wasn't around.  "Throughout my life, I've had many trials and tribulations, but for whatever reason, Elvis' Gospel music got me through all my tough times in my life."

"Why is Tony Roi the best?" I asked.

She answered, "Tony gives me the real soulful voice that brings me comfort like no other impersonator in existence today."

Lina, from Cape Coral, FL said, "Listening to Tony Roi is like listening to Elvis. He really does sound and look like Elvis...After the show, I stayed around to get autographs and was in 7th heaven when Tony Roi kissed me on the cheek. I felt like a teenager and I'm 59 years old."  Is that giddy or what? 

Then it was time to sit back down for the second half of the show:  He started slowly with "Believe Me" and believe me, he sounds just like Elvis (Are you tired of hearing that yet?)  He quickly started these lyrics "One for the money, two for the show....."  See if you can finish the song.

The highlight of the show, to me, was his "Kentucky Rain" and "In The Ghetto."  He matches his (Elvis') range in a way that sends shockwaves through you.  My only caution is to parents with small children.  If you know your children startle easily, have them sit on your lap, possibly with hands over their ears.  The show has some energetic stops and starts.  With the thunderous burst of "In the Ghetto" comes "Burning Love" and now it's party time.  Tony is kicking, punching, sweating and belting out the music.  As he shakes his chest at the ladies, he comes to the edge of the stage and the female persuasion once again comes unglued.

Tony excels at making a woman feel like she's the only one in the room when he gives gifts of scarves (anointed with his sweat) to some of the women in the audience.  They loved it!  One sat down a little too soon and he said, "I give you permission.  You may be seated."  The audience laughed; he's quick on his feet.

The finale:  A powerful gospel song that needs to be experienced for yourself. 

One thing I must comment on is Tony's genuine appreciation for his fans.  I watched them stand patiently in line for almost a half hour and yet, he gave each person full attention.  He never once rushed any of them.  He also generously allows free photography with him.  He posed for endless pictures with his show-goers and that type of kindness is rarely seen nowadays in the times in which we live.  According to Tony's biography, he's been in the business about twenty years.  You'd think he'd have a bigger ego than that.  How refreshing.

I highly recommend The Elvis Experience with Tony Roi in Branson, Missouri.   We hope that more stars from Vegas follow this star's lead and bring their talent to this family town to keep up the level of entertainment.  Don't leave Branson without seeing this show. 

P. S.  Tony, what's with the sincere "Thank you so much," to the audience at the end of the show?  Don't you mean, "Thankyaverymuuuuuch!"  Hmmm.  I guess that's been done to death.

Never mind.

-Doug Holland, Editor.

Photo Gallery of The Elvis Experience with Tony Roi (All Show Photos I Took)