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The transition is well underway. Boone's Jamie Aaron Kelley, whose initial flight to fame was the result of national acknowledgement as the world's number one Elvis impersonator, is now in the midst of forging an updated reputation, one as a solo artist, actor and songwriter. Oh no! He would never forget those early roots entirely. He'll still be incorporating songs that Elvis made famous into his shows. The natural voice, which has always been similar to that of the King remains, and the good looks can even be compared favorably.
The official transition began last September when he first performed a show, "The Heart & Soul of Rock-n-Roll" in Japan. The program, featuring more than 30 songs, included Elvis favorites such as "Heartbreak Hotel," "Don't Be Cruel," and "Love Me Tender" but also highlighted works from Jamie's own album, including some songs he wrote, in addition to music made famous by stalwarts such as Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and Hank Williams. All told, Jamie performed at two dinner shows, a public show and a private show as well as pre and post game gatherings at a highly regarded Tokyo club, the Sweet Basil. All shows were sellouts with reserved seat tickets going in the $190-$220 range. It was an amazing story and Jamie, of course, deserves credit for his outstanding performances. However, it was a very determined Japanese lady, never before involved in such a venture, who also deserves much recognition for this tremendous overseas success. Fumiko Nakajima has always been a huge Elvis fan, from the time she first saw him in person in Las Vegas in 1972. She met up with Jamie when he was performing the Elvis Story in Atlantic City. "This young guy walked up to me smiling. Incredibly beautiful he was. I asked myself, 'Is this a humanoid Elvis or reincarnation of Elvis?'" she said. "I was instantly amazed. He did not have special makeup, he just looked so natural." Then, while watching the show, Fumiko was enthralled by Jamie's voice and his talent. It all encouraged her to invite Jamie to perform in Japan, an invitation readily accepted. An invitation. An acceptance. That was the easy part. The real challenge was yet to come. Back in Japan, Fumiko admits she asked herself many times whether or not she could pull everything together for an appearance by Jamie. "I started walking miles on tough roads which I have not experienced. Entertainment and show business are not my regular work," she said. Admittedly, when initially talking to people about Jamie and a possible performance in Japan, Fuminko said she received more negative than positive responses. "People told me nobody would come to the show and I'd lose money, that this project would fail," she said. She claims she was not concerned about the possible loss of money. "I just wanted to show Jamie and his talent to as many people as possible and want them to enjoy." Fumiko made a first visit to Boone two months after the Atlantic City meeting for further discussion and planning with Jamie, Larry and Jamie's mom, Toni. She then returned to Japan for many months of personal promotion, including the establishment of Jamie's official Japanese Web site, organization of his official Japanese fan club and numerous presentations of his CD's. This vast distribution of promotional material resulted in a wider awareness of Jamie's talents. Finally, when the shows were actually performed, the reaction was voracious. "Generally speaking, Japanese audience is quiet and reacts slow. I thought this tendency would apply to Jamie's show but it did not. Once Jamie appeared on stage, they shouted his name, clapped and whistled. They even clapped hands during the four-minute video presentation of Jamie's profile before the actual show began," Fumiko explained. Reiko Yukawa publishes an Elvis magazine in Japan. She said she was very impressed by Jamie's passion, sincerity and adherence to singing. "It would be rude to call Jamie an impersonator. He is not. He is an artist. His Elvis songs were the greatest but his talent should not stay just in Elvis," said Music critic Billy Morokawa. Recently, Fumiko and her husband, Pat, returned to Boone to visit the Kelley family, reminisce and talk about still another trip to Japan in the spring of 2007. Shows in Belgium in October are also planned. (News, Source: Charmaine Voisine, 5 Jan 2007)
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