The Merchants and Friends of Etowah and the Etowah Parks & Recreation will host and sponsor the Blues Brothers Tribute performers Josh Livingston and Jarrod Millsaps on Saturday, May 16 at 7 p.m. in the Historic Gem Theater in Etowah.
Show Coordinator Christi Stewart also announced that in addition to the Blue Brothers, two more entertainers will give tribute to famous and award winning comedian, Jeff Foxworthy and to the funny now famously known, Larry the Cable Guy.
Ms. Stewart said, "It's not easy to book all these comedic entertainers together because they are sought after, not just in Pigeon Forge, but across the country. And after Saturday, May 16, you'll want them added to your favorite come back entertainers list in Etowah as well." Ms. Stewart also stated that she is very excited to having been able to book award winning tribute artists Jamie Simpson (a.k.a. Jeff Foxworthy) and Russell (Bubba) Lloyd (a.k.a. Larry the Cable Guy). "These two will have you laughing and rocking in your seats with their good nature humor and life experiences as only two talented southern good ole boys can do."
Officials said, "There will be a special appearance by Russell (Bubba) Lloyd, a.k.a. Larry the Cable Guy, who has been mistaken many times as being the real deal. While on a family trip to Pigeon Forge, someone asked if they could take a video and pictures of Bubba, even after Mr. Lloyd thought he had them convinced them he wasn't Larry the Cable Guy. Another spotting was at the Merchants and Friends November 2014 Veterans show at the Gem Theater; Bubba appeared out of no where and everyone was asking the Merchants event coordinator if Larry the Cable Guy was going to be a surprise on stage that night."
Tickets must be purchased in advance. There will be only one show and all seats are general seating only. Tickets are $12 and can be purchase at numerous outlets: in Athens at Madison Square Antique Mall; in Cleveland at Relics Antiques; in Delano at Savannah Oaks Winery; and in Sweetwater at Picket Fence Galleries. The Merchants and Friends have made it easy to find tickets in Etowah; Etowah Community Center; Etowah Carnage Library; Etowah Chamber of Commerce; Etowah Pawn Shop; Choate Printing; and Interiors by Design.
"If you’re a fan of Etowah's favorite Elvis Tribute artist, Matt Cordell, please mark your calendar for Saturday, Aug. 8. Both general and reserve tickets will be available May 16 during intermission at the Blues Brothers/ Foxworthy/Larry the Cable Guy Tribute Concert. After the May 16 show, Elvis Tribute reserve tickets will be available at the Etowah Community Center and general tickets will be at other outlets to be announced." officials said.
For more information, call the Etowah Community Center at 423-263-6575.
Review of the Josh Livingston and Jarrod Millsaps:
Just local boys doing what we love to do, is what you'll hear Blues tribute performers Josh Livingston and Jarrod Millsaps express when asked how do you do that. Mr. Livingston and Mr. Millsaps met while attending Heritage High School in Maryville, Tn. Both were in to music and comedic entertaining and once they put together a Blues Brothers rendition, their lives changed.
After high school graduation, they continued to appear in the famous black suits and black glasses whenever they could while still managing to pursue day-time careers. Mr. Livingston earned an associates degree in lodging management and works in hotel management and is a stay at home dad. After graduating from the police academy, Mr. Millsaps has worked his way through the ranks, and currently serves as the Blount County Sheriff's Office community relations director. Even as they persuaded their daytime careers, call upon call came requesting they perform for private parties to shows all over Tennessee and the southeast.
In 2000, Mr. Livingston (a.k.a. Jake) and Mr. Millsaps (a.k.a. Elwood) began performing regularly throughout the year at Memories Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tn. They continue to do so today, in 2015, entertaining thousands each year as they coordinate and blend their talent to make fans laugh and applaud from the mountains of East Tennessee to the shores of Miami.
Mr. Livingston and Mr. Millsaps make a huge effort to give an excellent and highly authentic tribute to the original Blues Brothers that we all remember and loved who achieved fame on Saturday Night Live; yet these two add their own personal touch to each and every show making each very intense and amazing. They are often compared to other professional celebrity impersonators across the country and are rated again and again by fans as the best Blues Brothers Tribute Artists hands down.
Mr. Livingston often gives tribute to some of his favorite artist from the 1960's and 70's; one of fans favorite is his tribute to Johnny Rivers. You'll be hypnotized by that smooth and charming voice as he performs several of Rivers greatest hits.
Review of Jamie Simpson:
For more than 20 years, hundreds and hundreds of people have thought that they have seen Jeff Foxworthy, when in fact, it was just a North Carolina born redneck Jamie Simpson. His look, style, voice and humor are an exact match. From Blue Collar Comedy to exciting game shows, he will have you wondering if this is the real Jeff Foxworthy. Now living in Sevierville, Tn., Mr. Simpson started impersonating Mr. Foxworthy in 2011 and performed 150 shows at Memories Theater in Pigeon Forge afterwards. The next two years, Mr. Simpson performed at the former Smith Family Theater opening their Dukes Of Hazard Show, as well traveling across the country.
As to how Mr. Simpson had his picture on stage with the real Jeff, states, “I was blessed to be a part of his show in 2011 in Franklin, NC at The Smoky Mountain Theater of the Arts. The picture was when we were both on stage and he was telling the audience about me and then I performed my favorite routine for him and the audience. I have since seen him a number of times. He is a great guy. I never had done comedy before this. For years many folks told me I looked like Jeff and I would tell them a "You Might Be a Redneck" joke. One day I did this and a man came up and said that I could make a lot of money doing it. Of course I didn't believe him but within two weeks I had a contract for 150 shows. I learned all his routines and the rest is history.”
Mr. Simpson said, “Foxworthy is very supportive of it and has told me to ‘go have as much fun as he has’. That's the only comedy that I do except I also did a season of game shows here in Pigeon Forge called, ‘Are You Smarter Than a Redneck’ and ‘The Smoky Mountain Bible Challenge’.” Mr. Simpson still takes the game show on the road today. He said, “I really enjoy impersonating someone who is a Christian man and who is as nice in person as you see on TV. I make it a point to meet and greet everyone that wants a picture or just wants to say hi. That's what Jeff would do."
Review of Russell (Bubba) Lloyd:
Born in Asheville, NC, Mr. Lloyd is just your friendly, small town guy next door. Having a look a like just adds fun to his already busy life. However, Mr. Lloyd is an entertainer by his own rights, performing his favorite gospel songs at churches and in other settings. Mr. Lloyd loves music and can pretty much play any instrument he picks up. He has performed comedy acts locally at the Cleveland Golden Coral for the Cleveland Bass Club; a fundraiser for Team Lexie-a cancer survivor; an area nursing home and the Etowah Depot. You might have caught a glimpse of him on a stage some where, and like most, felt sure it was Larry the Cable Guy, especially when you hear him call out Larry's famous phrase "get 'er done."