When The Eagles stopped to catch their breath a few decades ago, having sold over 100 million records, collected six Grammy’s, and enjoyed six #1 albums, Hotel California began a pioneering journey through their history-making  music that has taken them around the globe and thrilled hundreds of thousands of Eagles fans. It’s been a journey they could never have imagined back in 1986, but their dedication, unique musical gifts, and an obsessive commitment to doing this legendary music true justice in performance set them apart from the many Eagles bands that came after them. Hotel California toured relentlessly from the 80’s straight through to today, setting the standard for world-class tribute productions as they went and sharing stages with the likes of The Doobie Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Gretchen Wilson, REO Speedwagon, and many more.  From Japan to Dubai, Toronto to Texas, Hotel California has boldly taken the tribute band where none had gone before them, and changed an industry’s collective mind about how good a “tribute” band could really be.

Today Hotel California continues to tour internationally, and their stage show has evolved into one of the most impressive and popular productions on the North American soft-seat and festival circuits. Featuring original members within their strongest lineup to date, the band is enjoying what they do today more than ever - and it sure sounds like it! It won’t take you long to hear why legions of Eagles fans come back to see them time after time, and the top venues & festivals have them back again and again. The easy-going warmth that comes from the band onstage exemplifies the Southern California sound of the 1970’s. The experience of a Hotel California show isn’t just about the band – it’s about celebrating the music and the memories, and the band gets the audiences involved and on their feet! Close your eyes and you’re right back there.

For any band to continually exceed such high expectations this deep into their career and remain at the top of their field for as long as Hotel California have is a truly remarkable accomplishment. That’s why when top talent buyers need the proven, absolute highest quality Eagles show in the world, they book the original Hotel California year after year. 

www.hotelcalifornia.ca

Pat Locke, Maestro Muse

#popslove

 

Rick Alviti as Elvis

Rick Alviti's "That's the Way it Was" A Tribute to Elvis .. is truly a show like no other!

Rick's Elvis tribute show is high energy and full of audience interaction.  A show that has everything needed to make for a fun and memorable evening.  One that will leave you feeling as if you have, miraculously, seen Elvis .. in person!

Rick has performed all over the country from the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas to Turning Stone Casino in New York State. Rick perfected his skills as a live performer at his own venue named Celebrity Theatre in Myrtle Beach SC.  His all-Elvis, Las Vegas-style tribute to the King of Rock and Roll continues to travel bringing his amazing show to a wider audience. 

Alviti brings the passion, commitment and professionalism gained from his years as an actor/entertainer while living in Los Angeles.  Although Rick is truly a master at performing for live audiences these skills have been enhanced by his other appearances in movie roles, on radio shows and television performances such as ER with actor, George Clooney.

When Rick Alviti looks in the mirror, he sees Elvis! There is no getting around it .. the pushed-back hair, the thick sideburns, the sexy sneer, the blue eyes!  It is no wonder this actor had to face the music, so to speak, and learn how to "be" Elvis. When Alviti, at 38, was living in California as an actor and working as a singing bartender at a popular club across the street from the NBC studios in Burbank he was one of the few who could sing and mix drinks at the same time.  He became a hit!  At this time, more than anything else, he found the Elvis in him!  For years his style was a beard and long hair, but as soon as he cut his hair and removed the facial hair .. Rick became the singing Elvis behind the bar!  

"Every day of my life, someone said something about Elvis and told me I should go to Vegas.  I didn't want to do it.  I was an actor though the comments kept coming and I needed to make a living so I decided to try it. I wanted to make sure I represented Elvis in the proper way so I started studying him  I watched all of Elvis' movies.  I rehearsed for a year to sing as close to him as possible. Then, things just took off for me.  I was getting all kinds of Elvis jobs".  

Along Alviti's career path, he landed a job on the Vickie Lawrence Show and made a Miller Lite commerical with former Nascar racer, Rusty Wallace though one of his more memorable performances was for Hugh Hefner at the Playboy Mansion in 1998.  

"People love Elvis and I like to represent the 'primetime' Elvis.  Not the way he was in the end, the sick and overweight gentleman.  I try to represent the good-looking, charismatic singer and entertainer."

Diehard Elvis fans who have seen Alviti's show say that he is one of the best!  In fact, they rank his show among the top!  An Elvis fan by the name of Keith Zimmerman who saw the real Elvis 5 times and has seen Alviti twice, was quoted to say .. "Alviti is about as close as anyone is going to get to Elvis".  

Alviti's father, Richard, a retired manager and salesman from the manufacturing industry, has been his manager.

When Rick is preparing for his show he calls it .. "getting Elvised-up!" Alviti was 14 when Elvis died and never saw Elvis in concert.  

This tribute show to Elvis is truly the closest thing to a live Elvis performance you will ever see or hear!

www.rickalvitishow.com

Elvis trivia .. Elvis recorded 744 songs.  Elvis' favorite song was King Creole.  Elvis made 31 movies. Elvis' costumes weighed 8 to 10 pounds.  His white rhinestoned jumpsuit was fashioned after his interest in karate. Elvis' most requested song was Hound Dog and Suspicious Minds. Elvis' favorite cologne was Brute.  Elvis loved Cadillacs and gave many away to his family and friends.  Sadly, Elvis left his many fans at the age of 42 in 1977 while in residence at Graceland in Memphis TN.

Alviti has been to Graceland 3 times. The first time was in 1986.  Does Alviti get tired of hearing .. "Elvis has left the building"?  He does, but Rick says .. "it's just part of it".  It has been said that the phrase spoken at the end of his concert was a way to clear out the building as Elvis didn't do encores.  

Interesting how the phrase has stuck.

Pat Locke, Maestro Muse

#popslove

 

  Chalkboard at Hartfield Deli    

Pat Locke, Maestro Muse

#popslove

The Doobie Brothers Tribute Band .. Truly .. Took It To the Streets!

Russ Illig in the Sound Booth 

Raven Sound, Erie PA

The Audience in Silhouette 

Baked With Love by Doris

Jeff and Bill

Up Close and Personal

Backstage

A Pops Reflection As We Reflect

A Huge Thank You To These Talented Musicians 

and Their Tribute to the Doobie Brothers!

Mike Ferguson, the Voice of the Pops Closing Out Another Great Concert Under a Full Moon!

Thanks Mike!

Yet Earlier in the Evening, This!

Photo Credit to Dan Swackhammer

Pat Locke, Maestro Muse

#popslove

 

The VIP Blog Viewer of the Week winner for tonight's concert is Dan Swackhammer.  Congratulations Dan and guest!

I will be offering the VIP Blog Viewer of the Week contest for the last 3 concerts of the 2021 Chautauqua Lake Pops season and a chance to win 2 free tickets to join me at the Maestro Muse garden table.  Watch for contest details to be posted again on Monday, August 23.  Good luck!  

Pat Locke, Maestro Muse

#popslove

Rick Alviti .. Elvis Tribute .. August 28 .. 8:00

Hotel California .. Eagles Tribute .. August 29 .. 2:30

Sounds of the Sixties .. Salute to Motown .. September 4 .. 7:45  (raindate September 5)