Tony Roi

Kurt L Moore

Or rather, I should say, Tony Roi has entered the Branson Mall Music Theater. Drums roll, guitars play, trumpets blare, the curtain opens, a spectacular light show begins, the music reaches it’s crescendo then softens to a lonely snare drum, tapping a military cadence. Amid wild applause, young Elvis comes onto the stage wearing an Army uniform. Tony Roi is in his niche. Tony Roi is set to give two hours of wired, high-strung, dynamic, kaleidoscopic entertainment to an avid audience. Tony Roi is Elvis.

First, let’s set the actual stage for Tony’s performance. Brad Petersen, new owner of the Branson Mall, has recently spent buco-bucks refurbishing the theater. The lighting has been brought to the level of most major theaters and surpasses some. The sound has also been brought to the level of pure musical enjoyment and appreciation. The lighting people and the sound crew certainly know what they are doing. Brad hired the best in the business.

Tony has all his blue suede shoes in a row when he takes the stage. He wins the audience from the outset and never lets them go. Tony Roi is a talented, unyielding and energetic performer, having garnered awards from major entertainment centers such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City. He creates excitement onstage wherever he performs.
I was watching Tony to see if a former “Legends in Concert” player, who normally had done 20 minutes on stage, could carry a two-hour show. He does it, and does it very well.

Tony takes his audience through the Elvis time-line. The young Elvis in his Army uniform, the older Elvis in black leather and the yet more mature Elvis in his jump suit. Each time frame is pretty self-explanatory by the costumes Tony wears.

I normally take a hundred or so photos during a show and this show was no exception. However, this show was different in the sense that I found I was capturing the spirit of Elvis in the photos. I did not realize this until I arrived back at my office and put the photos on the computer. Various shots captured “Elvis.” Several photos had an eerie quality to them that jousted and rattled ones senses. It was as if Elvis had entered the building and taken over Tony’s performance. A few special photos were of Elvis and not Tony, I swear it. I have included photos with this article, so you, the reader, can be the judge.

In giving Tony a rave review for his performance, I must say this too. Elvis Presley was truly the showman of all showmen. He was probably the strongest and most influential performer to ever grace a stage. He captured audiences with his mere presence and never had to resort to any sort of sexual innuendoes to make his performance more exciting. In the 50s, Elvis was chastised for shaking his legs and his hips during performances. I have spoken to some who knew Elvis personally, traveled with him, lived at Graceland and other places with him, and it is known that the movements causing the uproar in the 50s was merely Elvis moving with the music. Elvis felt the music and let it control his body. The movements were not forced, nor did he draw attention to them. It was natural for him. There had really never been anyone before him, doing what he was doing. There were no guidelines.

My point is that Elvis’ movements while performing, were purely his own original concept of music. He had no one in his field to really imitate or copy. Sam Phillips, owner of Sun Records, had found what he had been searching for—a white kid who could sing black music. Elvis was truly an original. Elvis was the real deal.

I remember, January 6, 1957, when Elvis appeared, for the third and final time, on the Ed Sullivan Show. Having caused a media flurry his first two appearances on the Sullivan Show, the camera operators were instructed to not show him performing below the waist. They didn’t. The world was saved from a dire fate.

Tony Roi is a very strong performer. During his “Legends” days, I caught his performance several times. Each time he gave his all for 20 minutes. Each time the audience responded in a positive fashion. No one else could have possibly followed his performances at the “Legends.” He was that good.

Tony Roi still gives his all. He gives each performance everything he has for two hours. Tony brings Elvis from Memphis and Graceland, to the stage at the Branson Mall Music Theater. Tony takes one on a journey with Elvis, from his 1958 to 1960 Army days, the 1973 “Aloha from Hawaii” concert, on to his final, 71 minute, 19-song performance at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis.

Tony Roi is an amazing performer in his own right. Tony is also somewhat of a mystery. After seeing his show, several friends and myself went to Applebee’s to grab a bite to eat. While we were ordering, Tony and a couple of his friends came into the restaurant. We talked for a bit and while I had spoken to Tony on numerous occasions, usually before or after his show, I was surprised to learn just how nice a person Tony really is. Tony is not only nice but he is extremely polite. Not exactly what you would expect to get from a man who has pretty well had his act everywhere, including Las Vegas and Atlantic City. He was quite soft-spoken as well. I was impressed with him and I know you will be too. Not only with Tony as a person, but you certainly will be moved by his performance.

While you are visiting Wal-Mart on the strip, stop by the Branson Mall Music Theater and pick up a ticket or two for Tony’s performance. If you were unfortunate enough to have missed seeing one of Elvis’ live performances, you have a chance to see the next best thing. You might even catch a glimpse of Elvis’ spirit while you are there.