This summer, during Elvis Week 2015 in Memphis, Tennessee, audience members witnessed the premiere of a brand new touring production, Elvis ’56.   Featuring Cody Ray Slaughter, star of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical The Million Dollar Quartet, Elvis ’56 transports the audience back to that year when Elvis Presley rose from being a local celebrity to quickly become an international phenomenon. To recreate that dynamic, early rock ‘n’ roll sound, Slaughter is backed by drummer, David Fontana— the son of legendary drummer DJ Fontana—and an authentic 1950s-style rockabilly band, “The Hillbilly Katz.” Other members of the band include accomplished musicians Wade Bernard on bass, Eddie Watson on keyboard, and Steve C. (aka Steve Cirkvencic) on guitar. An accomplished drummer in his own right, David Fontana does not hesitate to acknowledge the musical influence of his father, and Elvis’ original drummer, DJ Fontana. (For a look back at some rare, early photos of Elvis with his original band members, click here and here.) Rounding out this stellar cast is the talented Samantha Arrowood Chambliss, who brings her own charming, tour de force performance to help set the tone of the 1950s. _______________________________ The Dynamic Duo (aka Creative Force) Behind Elvis ’56 Jason Sherry, producer of the popular series of Elvis Festival events, and—the 2015 recipient of the Elvis Tribute Industry Award’s “Producer of the […]