Charisma Entertainment

Kevin Bond

I was born in Westboro, Ma. a small town about thirty-five miles west of Boston, MA.   Most of my childhood and teenage years were spent in Westboro, and I recently returned and am residing there now.

In 1977, shortly before the death of Elvis, I watched the “Singer Special” on television.  This was my first exposure to Elvis and what he was about.  The songs from that show

had such true meaning and just made me feel so energized.  Even though I was only

three years old at the time, I knew what Elvis meant to me.

At that time and my parents didn’t believe this was the type of music their young impressionable son should be listening to.  However, I never lost the meaning of his

songs that I heard that night.  I never ever let this go and kept on singing and trying to “fine tune” my voice and actions so that it I would truly be peforming a “TRIBUTE” to Elvis to share with others.

In 1992 a local radio station held an Elvis Contest (Oldies 103.3 F.M.  I was blessed to come in first place!  Well, now I thought the world was at my feet.  An opportunity arose to travel to California, so I packed my costumes (all of 1) and headed west.  While on the West Coast I performed in various clubs.  I soon realized without the right backing that I would never bring my dream to reality.  I soon returned to New England and picked up the pieces of my life and started doing Karaoke Shows, Disc Jockey, as well as Elvis Tribute Shows which meant so much to me, in local restaurants and clubs in the New England area.  I felt most of the time I was so limited doing Karaoke and DJ. while all the time I wanted to be sharing Elvis’gift of music  to others.

My feeling for Elvis, the man, the legend, have become very personal to me.   For true fans, it is easy to understand what I feel.  For those who are not – they only need to come and listen and be touched by the words and music.

Elvis came from humble beginnings to a world that often times astonished him.  He became a well-known personality almost overnight.  He had his shortcomings, failures and successes.  Yet he believed in the “American Dream” and never let this go .  His beliefs and his compassion for those less fortunate than himself, go back to his “roots” and his upbringing in the church, which was such an important part of his life.

He will always be an inspiration to me.  His words, his style and sincerity that he expresses in gospel music, really makes me believe in God.  That there is someone watching over us.  That there is an inner spirit within all of us.  He brought the words alive and brought real meaning to others.  One of my favorite gospel songs is “Lead Me, Guide Me” which I find one of the most inspirational songs he recorded.  The words bring me insipiration when I need to find strength, to draw on the inner faith that is within me and to give me direction.  Elvis really brought these words about with such full meaning to those listening.  To me I get energized with compassion for his music,  yet also feel the sadness  in that I will never know how he felt.  His words bring you closer to him, his feelings and who he was.  So many wanted a part of him and the fans wanted too much of one person who was willing to give so very much to others.  He was never allowed the peace with himself that he so desperately needed to be a person and live his life as he wished with meaning he so desperately sought.

My program includes tunes from the early years of Elvis’ career, right on through songs from his final performance.  How do you capture a lifetime of a person in one or two hour shows?  You never will but I can give you many selections of his music.  A sound and a touch of the past, leaving you lingering for more.  I believe in what I am doing and want to share the love of his music with others.  I give all I have to give in a performance to honor him.  God has given me a gift and I want to share  with others.  It grieves me to think that  his life came to an end so early.  Elvis may be gone (but will always be with us in spirit) – certainly not forgotten.  For me – to keep his music and his words alive mean so very much.

Without a song a man ain’t got a friend, so I’ll keep singing his songs ---