JIM BARONE PROVES TO BE NJ'S #1 ELVIS ARTIST
BARONE'S TRIBUTE TO ELVIS PRESLEY IS AMAZING
BY BRIAN WEBER

The town of Scotch Plains was rocking and rolling on a hot summer night when Jim Barone performed his Elvis Presley Tribute Show with Bill Turner and his great band Blue Smoke. Barone belted out all of Presley's top tunes to the delight of the several hundred people gathered in the town's park. After the show ended, Barone received a very special compliment he will remember for a long time from an admiring female spectator who attended an Elvis concert in 1972. "I remember the feeling that went through me when I saw Elvis and I'll never forget it and tonight I had that same feeling," she said. "When someone says that to you, that's serious," Barone said.

Barone has seen his show evolve over the years. As Barone's voice grew in stature, so did his show's performances. Knowing his voice sounded like Elvis Presley and he also looked like Elvis, he gained the self-confidence to perform Elvis' signature moves on stage as well. He has received tremendous support over the years from his large group of fans who love checking out his multi-faceted web site at www.jimbarone.com.

"One of the compliments I get must is my vocals are so close (to Elvis)," Barone said. "The thing I get complimented about my look is that people tell me I just look so natural. So that's my biggest thing. You don't have to look so identical to Elvis to do a tribute. If someone walks into my show they know who I am. They know who I'm trying to portray." The premier Elvis Presley Tribute artist in New Jersey, Barone has been performing his shows for over 17 years. The 35 year-old South New Jersey resident, has his father Jim as his official soundman and mother, Annette, makes virtually all his shows cheering her sons' every move. Barone's wife, Donna, also attends the performances and is always giving important moral support. Jim and Donna have a two year old son, Vincent James. Barone has watched all of Elvis' movies and videos and truly believes Elvis was a very special performer. "What I loved about Elvis was I think he had the total package. When he walked out onto the stage, everybody paid attention. His look was right on the money," Barone said. "His moves and his voice, which most of all I loved. He was one of the only people that could sing a rock song and blare it out loud or sing a ballad and make you cry because it was so pretty."

Barone performs two types of shows. Often for smaller venues he sings with recorded professional background tracks and for other concerts he sings with a live band. Barone firmly believes his show would have Elvis' stamp of approval. "I think Elvis would be proud of what I do. I don't over do it. What I saw Elvis do on video is what I do," Barone said. "I try to keep my show 100% authentic. I think Elvis would look down and say that's similar to what I did. I'm not saying it's exact. There was only one king. That's why he had the nickname "The King." But I know if he looked down he would say, "He's close." I feel good about that because I can say to myself in my heart I know, especially my vocals, are real close to Elvis Presley's. I've always been proud of that. I don't know what I would do without it because it's a feeling that I've always had." On July 5, 2008 in Rahway Barone placed 3rd overall in the Ultimate Elvis tribute contest out of 30 competitors from all over the country. On July 25, 2008 in Atlantic City singing an absolute magnificent Jailhouse Rock and Blue Suede Shoes, Barone took home 2nd place honors in a decision the crowd was not in favor of behind Bryant Scott of Canada.

New Jersey held two top competitions in 2008 and Barone proved to be the best Elvis tribute artist in the state topping all other fellow garden state tribute artists. On August 12-16, 2008 Jim competed in the Images of the King Contest in Memphis Tennessee. In a star studded field of over 40 tribute artists from all over the country Jim wowed the audience with his magnificent voice and his tremendous look and took home a very impressive 2nd place finish.

"If you loved Elvis you will definitely love Jim Barone."