'Elvis' appearing in Pell City for shelter fund-raiser

Laura Nation 08-18-2004 (Daily Home Online)

He’s just back from Memphis, where he claimed the title of 2004 World Champion in the Images of the King competition. And ‘Elvis’s’ first trip back on stage is Saturday night in Pell City when he appears for the Animal Shelter of Pell City’s Fur Ball at Celebrations.

David Lee entertains at 8 p.m., bringing to life the songs that made Elvis Presley a household word all over the globe. For the past 9 years, Lee has traveled extensively, both for competitions and for bookings as an Elvis impersonator.

In July, Lee claimed another top award, the Collingwood competition held in Ontario, Canada, and became the first Elvis tribute artist to take both titles in the same year.

For the Images of the King competition, Lee performed “Fever,” “Unchained Melody,” and “Promised Land,” among other Elvis favorites. “He got a standing ovation before he sang a note,” said Carole Polk of Pell City, Lee’s publicist.

When he sang, Polk said Lee’s vocals were “right on the mark.” For Saturday night’s fund-raiser, Lee will mingle with the crowd, moving among the tables set up for guests for the event. The Fur Ball begins at 6:30 p.m. and a buffet of hors d’ oeuvres opens at 7 p.m. A cash bar will be available for guests as well.

Tickets for the Fur Ball are $75 for couples, and $40 for singles. Corporate table sponsorships for eight are available for $500, and tables for four are $300. The fund-raiser helps pay for services such as the ASPC’s SNAPS program for reduced cost spay and neutering, educational programs for the public and for care for animals housed at the ASPC shelter.

Designated as a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization, ASPC depends heavily on donations and gifts from supporters for its operations. There is a goods value of $30 for each person attending the Fur Ball.

Lee is a native of Tarrant, and didn’t plan to become an entertainer at all. He was riding back and forth to work with a friend when he got his real introduction to Elvis Presley’s music. He got hooked on the music, and started listening to Presley himself. It wasn’t long before Lee was singing along to an Elvis tune and a friend told him he sounded just like the late entertainer.

Lee brushed the remark off, but kept on singing and found himself entering his first competition that same year. He ended up in third place the first time he entered the Images of the King event. Last year, Lee placed second, and vowed to take the title this year. Along with the Images of the King award, Lee received the People’s Choice award this year.

Polk said she was thrilled that Lee’s first performance since bringing home the titles will be in her home area of Pell City. Lee said he hopes his delivery of Elvis music helps spark a new generation of Elvis fans. Lee himself was just 4-years-old when Elvis died, and didn’t grow up hearing the King at his height.

Lee’s style of representing the late entertainer is as realistic as he can make it. There’s no wig, the hair’s his, and so are the sideburns. He puts as much into the outfits he wears, and now has a collection of more than 20 jumpsuits tailor made to his order.

For tickets to the 2004 Fur Ball, contact Pam Williams at (205) 338-3035, Linda Pugh at (205) 338-0536 or Pat Tucker at (205) 525-5237.