Matt Cordell as Elvis
The Merchants and Friends of Etowah have hosted and coordinated close to a hundred shows for award winning tribute artist Matt Cordell with full house and numerous sold out crowds over the last 16 years. Matt Cordell on Saturday, Aug. 3, will present another first for the Gem Theater in Etowah, Matt’s tribute to Country Legends will be a first time bringing in three sought after award-winning entertainers as special guests.
Review for Tribute to Country Legends:
Mr. Cordell has signed on three fantastic and amazing artists who travel and tour throughout the country. Alissa Davis will be giving an awesome tribute and absolutely breathtaking performance of country legend Shania Twain. Ms. Davis is originally from Shelby, N.C. She took the stage at age five and has never stopped singing. Ms. Davis attended Vanderbilt University where she got her license as a nurse practitioner and while attending college at Vanderbilt, Nashville found out about this amazing lady and her talent. She stayed busy, when not at school or studying, performing in different capacities throughout Nashville and even in Memphis. Ms. Davis performs several different genres; being a southern girl from North Carolina, performing gospel and country music are favorites. She has enjoyed Shania Twain’s music and does a full out tribute to her.
Ms. Davis said, “I love the empowering and uplifting messages in Shania’s songs.” Ms. Davis has studied Shania Twain, and has embodied her character and personality and does an amazing performance every time she steps on stage. She said she still loves and admires Twain today and the incredible roll model she has become.
Ms. Davis said she feels very fortunate to be able to sing and be a nurse practitioner, helping others and being a role model herself for younger ones coming up. Ms. Davis had performed tributes to Shania Twain in California, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Virginia West Virginia, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina and you’ll find her in Tennessee, especially Memphis, Nashville and Pigeon Forge a lot these days. She linked up with Mr. Cordell by mutual friends, Michael and Samantha Chambliss, whom both she and Matt have had the opportunity to perform.
Mr. Cordell will be introducing Michael K. Chambliss to the Etowah fans on Aug. 3. Mr. Chambliss is from Purvis, Ms. and is now based in Pigeon Forge. Never forgetting his home town, Mr. Chambliss goes back every year to perform for charities in the Purvis and Hattiesburg area.
Mr. Chambliss’s career and musical performance experience is extremely broad and diverse. He has worked for years serving as the anchor host for regular long running shows in Branson, Mo., Nashville and East Tennessee. His roots go back to southern gospel which has encouraged the development of his phenomenal vocal range. Mr. Chambliss says he is comfortable with any gospel, country, rock or even Broadway musical genre. He has performed with Gaither’s Homecomings and USA’s Christian/Country group; also with the The Cumberland Boys and the New Life Gospel Quartet, as well as Branson, Mo.’s most awarding winning show at Pierce Arrow Theater.
He has won numerous national and world tribute competitions through Elvis Presley Enterprises and has performed Elvis tributes throughout the country for several years. Mr. Chambliss is now booked daily for his amazing tribute to country legend, Garth Brooks; he will do a full tribute to Garth at the Gem Theater on Aug. 3.
Another guest fans will swoon over will perform tribute to country legend Kenny Chesney. Mr, Cordell describes artist Dennis Murphy as one of the best Kenny Chesney tribute artist in the entire world. Mr. Murphy had been giving a full tribute to Kenny Chesney while traveling the country for 15 years. Mr Murphy is from Oceania, W.V. and he is mistaken as Chesney on a daily basis and when you see him, you will probably think, they had to be twins and got separated. Mr. Murphy has an amazing resemblance to Kenny Chesney, body, voice and looks,
Mr. Murphy performs with a gospel group, the Kingdom Heirs, each week at Dollywood. He has also written songs for the group and has won numerous awards with the Kingdom Heirs. Mr. Murphy performs tributes to Kenny Chesney on tour when not singing in Pigeon Forge. His all around good nature and high energy tribute will have fans in awe of how much he looks and sings like Mr. Chesney; his performance will have the audience loving him immediately.
Folks love Mr. Cordell and his family. His wife Tasha has performed with Mr. Cordell as well as given tributes of her own. Mr. Cordell’s mom and dad, Ken and Priscilla, have assisted him with most all the shows at the Gem and everyone has enjoyed watching his daughter Madison grow up on stage - the Gem Theater being one of the first stages she performed professionally. When asked will there be some surprises, Mr. Cordell said, “Absolutely. You don’t want to miss this amazing show!”
Mr. Cordell will be performing tributes to country legends, such as Jason Aldean, George Strait, Exile, Alabama, Elvis and others. Mr. Cordell is currently touring with his band from Pigeon Forge while concentrating more on his own music and shows with the band. He continues to tour worldwide with his tributes as well as on cruise ships several times a year. You can follow Mr. Cordell on his Facebook page and keep up with his upcoming shows dates.
Reserve tickets, what’s left, can be purchased at the Etowah Community Center on Robinson Street in Etowah. General tickets may be purchased in person at Relic’s Antiques at 2270 Candies Lane ,NW in Cleveland; Junktiques Antiques at 115 E Madison Ave., in Athens, Tn.; and at Starr Mountain Outfitters at 601 Tennessee Ave., or Interiors by Design at 902 Tennessee Ave., both in Etowah. You may purchase both reserve and general tickets online at www.etowahtn.org. The theater box office will open Saturday, Aug. 3, at 2 p.m. for online ticket pick up and general ticket sells.
The Merchants and Friends of Etowah, a not for profit organization, are sponsors and hosts for this show at the Gem Theater, Saturday, Aug. 3, at 7:30 p.m. The proceeds from this show help with maintaining and restoring the Gem Theater; and to help hold other family, as well as educational events in downtown Etowah. For information, call events coordinator, Maxine Jones, at 618-0375.
Dennis Murphy as Kenny Chesney