Brandon Bennett first sang for people in high school after his Louisiana drama club teacher asked him to dress as 1950s Elvis Presley for the sock hop.
Since then the singer and guitarist has embodied the King of Rock and Roll in several ways including Elvis My Way, starring Brandon Bennett, which starts the 2022-23 season at Freedom Hall’s Nathan Manilow Theatre in Park Forest.
“I’m not pretending to be Elvis in Elvis My Way. It’s a nod to the Frank Sinatra song ‘My Way’ because I’m trying to pay tribute to Elvis — his performance style and vocal abilities,” said Bennett of Louisiana.
“I’m talking from my perspective and telling stories about the songs as I’ve been told by people who worked with him or songs I have some connection with for one reason or another. It’s a bit of a history lesson too.”
“He had recorded over 800 songs in his career. The man could sing anything.”
Presented by Artists Lounge Live, Elvis My Way includes “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “Suspicious Minds” and “That’s All Right.”
“Elvis has so many great songs. It’s hard to pick a favorite,” said Bennett, who cited “How Great Thou Art” and “If I Can Dream” as tunes that top his performance list.
“Elvis’ gospel music was the only music he ever received Grammy Awards for. It’s easy to understand when you really listen to ‘How Great Thou Art.’ You can tell he meant that. He believed in it. It’s a powerful song. I’m Christian and have strong faith. It’s a song I connect with,” Bennett said.
Presley, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy, won Grammys for best sacred performance for “How Great Thou Art,” best inspirational performance for “He Touched Me” and best inspirational performance (non-classical) for “How Great Thou Art.”
“‘If I Can Dream’ is a song that is still important today. It’s a song that basically says no matter who you are, where you come from or what you believe, just love one another and this world will be a better place,” Bennett said.
“It’s a song Elvis had written for his comeback special. He wanted in that special to send a message out. The Elvis song is as powerful now as it was then.”
Bennett has channeled the late Presley since being talked into dressing up as the singer for homecoming week in high school.
In 2008 he won Elvis Presley Enterprises’ Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.
“At that point it was just a couple of years that Graceland started to recognize tribute artists. To not only have them open their arms to us but then to be given the title at the worldwide competition was surreal,” Bennett said.
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He lived in Chicago’s Lincoln Square community while portraying Elvis in the Chicago production of “Million Dollar Quartet” from 2011 until the musical’s 2016 closing.
“That’s probably been one of my favorite times of my life. I loved living in the city. We had a great community around us and outside of the show as well. We were like a family,” Bennett said.
“It was a show that people loved. It felt like part of the city in a way.”
According to Bennett, people fell in love with Presley the person in addition to his music and movies.
“He just wanted to help people. He was a great human being,” Bennett said.
“I don’t think there was anybody like him before or since. He was so humble and caring and never forgot who he was or where he came from.”
Freedom Hall’s season also includes Abbey Road Oct. 29, A Lionel Richie Tribute by Gregory James & the All-Night Long Show Band Nov. 8, Booker T. Jones — Celebrating 60 Years of “Green Onions” Nov. 12, Masters of Soul Dec. 2 and 3, and Someday at Christmas: John-Mark McGaha sings Stevie Wonder Dec. 6.
Also booked are the 2023 shows Three Hearts Lift Up & Rise — Songs of Hope & Love Feb. 21, Shining Star — A Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire Feb. 24, Shayna Steele March 18, Lisa Rock in Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters March 21, Get Happy: Angela Ingersoll sings Judy Garland April 11, and Better Together presents The Jazz Soul of Al Jarreau April 14.
Elvis My Way, starring Brandon Bennett
When: 11 a.m. Oct. 25
Where: Freedom Hall’s Nathan Manilow Theatre, 410 Lakewood Blvd., Park Forest
Tickets: $30
Information: 708-747-0580; freedomhall.org
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.