Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1502298
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM JUNE 28 - JULY 4, 2023 UCW 13 Greg Adair, event coordinator for the Gates Four Summer Concert Series, has one rule for booking talent. He won't take a look at press kits. He needs to see what he is really going to experience. "I go find them on Youtube from someone's iPhone. If they are good there, that's when I will start booking them." is is exactly how Adair found Stephen Freeman. Freeman is all over Youtube. Freeman is a touring Elvis tribute artist and musician and has been for more than 20 years. "He favors him. He has the moves of him. He sings like him," Adair said. Freeman will be the upcoming headliner of the Gates Four Summer Concert Series show on July 7 called "Cash and e King." His dark locks fall across his forehead as he struts onto the stage. In each video, you can see the different open- chested, bell-bottomed suits with all the embellishments. e King is back, even if only for a night. Freeman's performance is as much focused on showmanship as it is his vocal talents. His long pointed chops angle across his face as he takes the center stage in a white, embellished suit with a large gold adorned belt. ere's little introduction from Freeman. Instead, he jumps straight into the vocals of "Burning Love." His legs start shaking with the beat as he moves his hands about, displaying large golden rings typical of the King at this era. "He is absolutely phenomenal," said Bill Bowman, the event orga- nizer and publisher of Up & Coming Weekly. Opening for Freeman at Gates Four will be Mark Gagnon who per- forms as Johnny Cash. According to Freeman, Gagnon too, sounds and looks a lot like his idol, Johnny Cash. Bowman says these kind of shows with "high" level talent brings a different level of entertainment to the Hope Mills community. "is is going to be a Las Vegas type show — we have a full band, backup singers and lights ... e format itself lends itself to a unique theatrical experience," Bowman said. As for Freeman, his start did not include touring as Elvis and proudly displaying his chest in open studded suits in Las Vegas style shows. In fact, he began a career as a police officer in 1993 and did a small event at a friend's wedding in 1998. By 2002, Freeman left the force and was focusing full time on Elvis. Elvis was always his favorite musician. He says he spent his years growing up watching his performances and the changes in Elvis that happened from the 1950s to 1970s. Freeman has been swinging with the King so long, he doesn't have to do as much practicing anymore to keep the moves down. As far as nerves, they've left the building, too. "I love performing with my band and look forward to working to make the fans happy and doing our small part to keep his memory and legacy alive for future generations," Freeman said. He plans to do just that. Gagnon and Freeman have performed together many times and say the duo goes really well together. "We like to keep the show light and fun with humor and commitment to paying tribute to these legends to the best of our ability," Freeman said. "Forget your troubles and pains for a couple of hours and just simply enjoy the fellowship of others who enjoy the incredible music." e doors for the show will open at 5:30 p.m. on July 7 with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Gates Four Country Club Ball- room. is event will be ticketed with tickets priced from $75-95 including food and wine tasting for the event. ere is a discount available for seniors and military both active duty and retired. Tickets may go fast as Bowman says they expect to sell out. For more information about the show visit www.fayettevilledin- nertheatre.com or call Bowman at 910-391-3859. "It's a really great time for the music business post COVID," said Adair, "And that is going to be a really great show." COVER KATHLEEN RAMSEY, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200. Cash & The King: Elvis has re-entered the building by KATHLEEN RAMSEY