Today we’d like to introduce you to David Lee. They and their team shared their story with us below:
David Lee is from Birmingham, Alabama. His show is one of the most authentic, most professional shows around. It is done with the utmost class and respect for Elvis and suitable for any age group. David Lee is a dynamic performer with an outstanding voice and has been performing his tribute to Elvis since 1995 throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and on the high seas.
David Lee was named by Elvis Presley Enterprise the 2015 ULTIMATE Elvis. This is the highest honor for an entertainer in this business. This makes David Lee a two-time World Champion as he is also the 2004 WORLD CHAMPION International Images of the King, which is the original and longest-running contest started in 1987 by Elvis’ veterinarian, Doc Franklin…
David Lee was voted the 2004 People’s Choice and the CANADIAN GRAND CHAMPION ~ Professional Division Concert Years World’s Largest Elvis Festival Collingwood Ontario July 2004. Furthermore, he is the CANADIAN GRAND CHAMPION Brantford, Ontario Elvis Fest 2001.
On August 8, 2015, The Elvis Presley Birthplace unveiled a new Elvis Statue representing the 1970s era. David Lee is proud to have been the model for this statue. Also, David Lee was given the key to the City of Tupelo by the Mayor as well as he was given the state flag, which flew over the capitol. This honor was thanks for David Lee’s efforts in assisting the Birthplace in obtaining the Legislative support in receiving 1 million dollars allocated to new expansion projects at the Birthplace.
On January 4, 2014, as part of an Elvis Birthday pre-celebration, DAVID LEE was honored with his name forever embossed in a brick at the base of the famous Elvis Statue in Fair Park in Tupelo, MS. The inscription reads, “DAVID LEE 2012 TUPELO ELVIS FESTIVAL CHAMPION PROUD TO BE A PART OF THE TUPELO TRADITION”. Also, the proprietor of the Silver Moon Club, Charlie Watson, placed David Lee’s name on the gigantic metal guitar outside of the establishment. David Lee’s name is alongside other famous people such as Lisa Marie Presley, Sam Phillips, Ace Cannon, Carl Perkins, Eddy Arnold, Sonny Burgess, and of course, Mr. Elvis Presley, just to mention a few.
David Lee is proud to be the first performer at the new auditorium at the Elvis Presley Birthplace in May 2013.
He portrays some of the live footage of Elvis. In Duke & The King. A documentary which reveals the compelling story of Elvis Presley’s former bass player, Duke Bardwell. The World Premiere was April 22, 2012.
There are numerous accolades to adding to David Lee’s long list of prestigious awards; David Lee won the Gospel Competition in July 2014 at the Collingwood Elvis Festival. It’s the World’s Largest Elvis Festival held in Ontario, Canada. Also, David Lee was a Triple Crown winner (People’s Choice, 70’s Pro, and Gospel) at the Lake George, NY, Elvis Festival in June 2014. He was the first person in the 11-year history of this contest to win all three categories plus have the overall top score.
“Singing and working with Elvis was one of the most exciting times of my life. Singing and working with David Lee is the closest I’ll ever get to getting to living it all over again. David Lee is a great performer.”
– – – Sherrill Shaun Nielsen, Elvis’ Tenor Singer
David Lee is in the book “NEXT GENERATION KINGS” by Joseph Clough and Teresa Winston, released July 2011. Also, David Lee is in the first book by Joseph Clough & Teresa Winston, released August 2010, called “All the Kings Men”.
Also, the book “King For A Day” by Erin Feinberg, released in August 2007, features David Lee not only in the book but on the cover.
“Journey To Graceland” is an original song by David Lee written by David Bradley/Blair Parrott. It was nominated for top Elvis Tribute Song of the Year in 2005. It is available on itunes.com, amazon.com, and the Google Play app for Androids.
David Lee brings in nominal crowds wherever he performs. He has a vast following and would be an asset to any entertainment schedule. Elvis entertainment like you’ve never seen before. You will ask yourself, is this the real thing or a tribute act? A definite crowd-pleaser.
Furthermore, David Lee was noted on Elvis.com and ElvisTheMagazine.com as one “of the finest Elvis tribute artists in the world.” He performed in the first Elvis Tribute Artist event licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) as an officially sanctioned Elvis Week 2005 event.
He considers it an extreme honor to perform to fans and people who really love Elvis as he does. He hopes that, in closing, you will feel a taste of what it was like to watch Elvis in concert.
David Lee has become well-known across North America. He is a “World Class-Award Winning” Entertainer with numerous successful performances/appearances to his credit, including TV appearances on the “Ricki Lake Show” and the hit show “Insomniac.”
Elvis is gone and irreplaceable, but David Lee’s tribute hopes to do him justice.
David Lee is featured in the documentary Duke & The King by wannabefilms – April 2012.
Featured in the book “NEXT GENERATION KINGS” by Joseph Clough & Teresa Winston – July 2011
Birmingham’s Favorite Elvis has been selected as the 2011 Best of Birmingham Award winner in the
Family & Business Entertainers category by the US Commerce Association.
Featured in the book and on the cover “ELVIS and The Directory of the Elvis Tribute Artist and much more” by P. A. Kube Oct 2011
Featured in the book “All the Kings Men” by Joseph Clough & Teresa Winston – August 2010.
Featured in the book and on the cover “King For A Day” by Erin Feinberg, Photographer – August 2007
Featured in the book “Elvis Lives” by Pamela Williams – July 2003.
Featured in the book “Walk A Mile In Their Shoes” by JuMel – January 2002.
Suite101.com the Elvis Corner October 2000
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Playing to get your name out there is what it’s all about in the entertainment business. Competing in Elvis contests helped me do just that. I traveled all across the US, Competing in various competitions. Winning guaranteed you a spot in the finals held in Memphis, TN, each year during Elvis Week. The anniversary of Elvis passing (August 16), fans come together to celebrate his life and his music as well as morn the loss of the greatest entertainer of all time.
It took 4 years to win the 2004 title and 5 years to win the 2nd world championship in 2015.
Luckily, the competition stage is behind me now, and I concentrate on making my show the best for the fans and to keep Elvis’ memory and music alive. Headlining festivals and theaters.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
There is a very elite few that can say they are the Ultimate Elvis. This award only comes from Elvis Presley Enterprises by winning a very prestigious competition. When I won, there were 28 other competitors from preliminaries across the world. I competed against people from Australia, Belgium, Scotland, England, and Japan, just to name a few. Of course, the United States had many representatives as well.
2015 was one of the highest number of competitors. One of the judges was a co-star of Elvis. Imagine the pressure but ultimately an honor to be judged by someone who actually knew Elvis and worked with him and vote you as the winner.
I have been fortunate, during my career, to perform with several people that knew and worked with Elvis.
What were you like growing up?
Knowing the career I have, it may be very hard to believe I’m very shy by nature. When I’m in costume, my mindset changes, so my shyness dissipates for that time.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.davidleerocks.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/david_lee_rocks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidLeeisElvis4u
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@davidleeiselvis4u
Image Credits
The David Lee Show
Eva Brand
Betty Rosenblatt
Elmar Keijzer
