| Elvis Was Here: Huntsville | |
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After college, some of his friends decided to get a band together. In 1997, some members of Mitchell's church, The Twickenham Church of Christ, decided to put together a show for the public. The event was such a success that the group has been performing together in the Huntsville area ever since.
The Twickenham Orchestra is a 14-member musical band consisting of LaNette Bass, Keyboard; Brad Bondurant, Timpani and supplemental Percussion; Jeremy Loveless, Drums; Beverly Troupe, Flute; Kevin Campbell, Trombone and Band Leader; Tim Keeter, Trumpet; Bud Tamburough, Bass Guitar; James Brooks, Rhythm Guitar; and Jon Laird, Lead Guitar. Backup vocalists are Glen Laird, Laura Kendrick, Janet Campbell, and Jon Noles.
Recently Mitchell Brown and The Twickenham Orchestra performed an Elvis Tribute at Grissom High School in honor of Aunt Eunice Merrell and benefiting the Arthritis Foundation. Mayor Loretta Spencer was on hand to dedicate August 11, 2001 as Aunt Eunice Merrell Day in Huntsville.
The packed crowd seemed to love the blonde Mitchell Brown in his fully-costumed and made-up Elvis look-alike. Brown says that it's a bonus that he doesn't look like Elvis without the make-up. He doesn't get recognized on the streets.
The concert was first class with a closed-circuit TV screen, colored lights, smoke, and impressive staging provided by Greg Clements and The Construction Zone of Huntsville.
Mitchell has recently started entering regional Elvis contests for professional Elvis impersonators. He has scored high on his musical talent. As I overheard one lady say to her friend at the recent concert, "He sings Elvis better than Elvis." It really is hard to tell the difference. I kept waiting to see if he was just lip-syncing. But when he had to stop the orchestra a couple times, it was evident that it was really Mitchell singing.
Unfortunately, I have seen some really bad Elvis impersonators in my time. I was relieved to find out that this Elvis wasn't the one I had seen around town last year. It should be a requirement that only Southern boys can imitate Elvis! When the Northern boys talk, it's either a dead giveaway that they aren't Elvis, or they always overdo the Southern accent. Brown's Elvis brings the respect, dignity, and humility that was Elvis. He makes it appear all natural. By not overdoing the accent or gestures of Elvis, Brown's impersonation is believable. By the end of the concert, you will be thinking, as I did, that this is Elvis. Stepping backstage and bumping into him was very disconcerting!
Mitchell's concert consisted of 24 Elvis songs making a 90-minute nonstop concert. The crowd especially enjoyed "Suspicion," "Teddy Bear," and "All Shook Up"; My own favorite was "Love Me Tender." Mitchell says his own favorite--if he has to pick one--is the "American Trilogy," which brought the house down with "Dixieland." Mitchell dedicated "The Wonder of You" to his wife.
Mitchell follows in Elvis's tradition and gives away 80-100 scarves at each concert. Elvis fans span the generations--the grandmothers love him; the younger generation adore him.
Mitchell makes appearances alone or with The Twickenham Orchestra. For information on booking your own Elvis concert or appearance, you can contact Mitchell at 256-723-8498 or mitchell@nehp.net.
