minnesota elvis impersonator art kistler

A: Art wears authentic costumes with attention to all details (hair, make-up, jewelry, jumpsuit). All lead vocals are Art singing live. Music accompaniments are usually in the form of highly customized professional accompaniment computer WAV files... NOTE: these are NOT "Karaoke!" Matching accompaniments on CD-R's are often used when a sound system is provided by others - like a DJ. At some shows (generally select shows with full sound and lights) we will start the show by use of a projector, displaying a brief video retrospective compilation about Elvis, the era from which he originated and his evolution as a performer. We arrange a splashy intro usually starting with the 2001 Space Odyssey theme just like Elvis's concerts did. Art then performs a number of quintessential Elvis pop chart and classic hits in the style of Elvis - the look, the vocals, the moves. Song variety, pace and duration depend on the allotted, contracted time. Art does his best to perform songs from all of the "eras" associated with Elvis, and cover all of the styles including ballads, patriotic, gospel, movie tunes, his versions of "other people's" music (Sinatra, Neil Diamond, Dusty Springfield, etc.), country tunes and - of course - rock-n-roll! The show tends to be high energy, but Art makes sure the pace varies, with the breathers being the love ballads. Using a wireless mic, Art typically interacts with the audience a lot, engaging willing participants. Art also gives away some teddy bears, at least one stuffed "hound dog" a few scarves and often some Hawaiian lei's, again, in the style of Elvis. Although Art's look and performance are extremely detail oriented and focused on authenticity (we'd like people to feel what it might be like to experience a glimpse of the King), Art does not pretend to "be" Elvis, but rather always respectfully refers to him in the third person. There was only ONE King of Rock and Roll.

1. E-mail is safe - no hard sell - and Art will NEVER share your e-m address with anyone unless requested;

2. E-mail provides a paper trail for both the client and Art. Written details delineate and clarify mutual expectations and agreements;

3. A note about e-mails: We ALWAYS answer every legitimate e-mail message. We also receive MANY "junk" e-mails daily. Some that we'd rather receive get lost in the world of spam, computer viruses and worms, etc. IF WE DO NOT RESPOND TO YOUR E-MAIL RIGHT AWAY: Please look at the schedule page to see if we're booked. If so, we will respond ASAP. If not, you might try e-mailing from a different account, include a specific subject line, and/or:

A: It is a standing condition that Art would get a copy of any videotape, in which case he generally doesn't have a problem with this as long as the video is for the client's personal, private and respectable use. No public showing of any videotape of Art is authorized without expressed, written permission. This is primarily due to the fact that the songs and tracks are copyrighted.

A: Art currently has six jumpsuits, one gold lame jacket, a GI Blues outfit and the black leather costume known as the "'68 Special." Jean and Art made three of these. Jean does the fitting, construction and sewing, and Art does the materials acquisitions, designs, and application of the jumpsuit stones and studs. Five of the jumpsuits were custom made by Professional Costumers. Three of the suits have capes, including Art's rendition of the "Aloha Eagle" which has over 2,000 studs and stones. These heavy and expensive jumpsuits are very high maintenance costumes. Each suit must be carefully hand washed after each use, and with some suits, after approximately every three washings, each and every stud must be individually polished and then re-hand-washed! Art's suits are authentically modeled after those Elvis wore in concert but we don't necessarily aspire to duplicate Elvis' suits - any more than Art (or anyone else) would mistakenly presume or attempt to "duplicate" the King of Rock-'n'-Roll himself.

A: Art is generally content doing a couple of shows per month, but has done as many as seven appearances in a single week. There are a couple of "slow" times of year, but Art's business support initiatives continue regardless... and a little free time is always nice! Art find himself "totally booked" for the majority of the months each year.

A: Art's individual appearance minimum fee usually starts at $500.00 and goes up depending on travel, equipment needed, etc. Art is a small business owner who is using his talents to have some fun and supplement his income. If he were a Big Time Rich and Famous Performer, he'd be making tens-of-thousands of dollars per show, could quit his "day job" - and few of his valued clients could afford to book him!

A: Art's services are priced below "market" for a pro Impersonator, but it's still expensive and thus not for everyone. To begin with, Art has invested over $30,000 in sound, lighting, costumes, costume jewelry, props, trailer, ongoing insurance costs, etc. Art has invested 1,000's of hours training, practicing, participating in national events, performing, and doing painstaking suit maintenance after every show. More hours are spent on Web site administration, billing/invoicing, bookwork for taxes, negotiating future jobs, etc. Art's "Elvis" income is taxed at a rate of 50% including FICA. Ongoing expenses include give-aways such as scarves, teddy-bears, stuffed hound dogs, Hawaiian leis, stage make-up, etc. Travel expenses can add up, also, usually @ $50/hour plus accommodations.

"Elvis impersonation is a specialized entertainment niche in which you can pay more, or you can pay less, but when you look at experience, professionalism and pure talent, Art's services are simply the best value in this region - and most others."

A: Numerous and varied events: corporate celebrations, church events, holiday parties, retirement parties, fundraisers, talent competitions, groom's dinners, wedding receptions, annual municipal events, birthday parties, showcases, and so far, two Caribbean cruises; the list goes on... See Art's Bio and Information page for more details.

A: No, Art is self-represented but occasionally participates in individual projects with agencies for commercial and/or corporate purposes and when there's positive exposure potential.

A: Well, yes, BUT nowadays Art is usually using authentic, professionally customized costume wigs. Although Art maintained his own real hair in the Elvis style from 1997 through most of 2004, some spots are getting thin and the style was always a minor hindrance to his main profession. Frankly it was a lot of work every day just to keep it nicely groomed, etc. For the comparatively little time spent on stage, it just became too much of a hassle to be practical. The sideburns are real.

A: Experience takes over where training leaves off, but Art's formal vocal studies were under the direction of Doctor and Professor Emeritus Clifton Ware at the University of Minnesota.

©1997 - 2008. The site: ElvisTributeArtist.com. No part of this site may be copied or reproduced without the expressed written permission of Elvis Impersonator / Elvis Tribute Artist Art Kistler President of "E" ala K-Art Entertainment.