By Madeline Sullivan
Two time winner of the Live Oak Elvis contest, three time winner of The Elvis Extravaganza, along with winning best look-alike four times, and fan favorite three times, Billy “Elvis” Lindsey has been performing as an Elvis impersonator for 20 years.
Lindsey grew up on rock n’ roll, with Elvis playing a major part. His step-dad is the one who introduced him to Elvis’ music. Lindsey said he was “fed Elvis” as child. When asked what role Elvis played in his life, Lindsey said, “Elvis became an integral part in what I was doing.”
His love for music started when he was a little boy. He received his first guitar in fourth grade and taught himself how to play. The guitar is not the only instrument Lindsey knows how to play. Drums, trumpet, tuba, and the French horn are a few of the 10 instruments that he can play.
For most of his music career, Lindsey relied on other band members to play correctly. He said he has “played music for so long, I listen to every part.” He shared a story of a time when he was performing as Elvis with a 9-piece band. He was thrown off by all the little mistakes he could hear the band making. When performing as a solo he said, “no one else makes mistakes…everyone is on track.”
Lindsey performs for bars, social clubs, and private parties and has even performed at weddings. He also does special events, such as a recent successful fundraising campaign and performance at Costco Wholesale to help raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network.
This year, Lindsey helped the store raise over $32,000. In addition, local small businesses supported the efforts with banners in the store including FishHawk Bagels, Olin Plumbing, Eco Water Systems, Alvarez Plumbing, Canine Cabana, Vincente Family Dentistry, Don Pearson-Pearson Capital, Brandon Emergency Care-Dr. Jagdeep S. Sandhu, Dynamic Painting USA and Morningstar Electric. They also teamed up with Lopez Elementary For Exceptional Students.
Lindsey performs every Tuesday and Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at Alpha Pizza, Pasta, Prime located at 1312 Apollo Beach Blvd. in Apollo Beach.
Thursdays are busy, it is encouraged to call ahead and reserve a seat at 645-4648. To book Elvis,visit billyelvislindsey.com call 786-9110 or email billy@billyelvislindsey.com.
