Biography

As a young boy, John Beardsley was captivated by Johnny Cash on his weekly T.V. show. His interest became so strong he started collecting the singer's records and doing shows at family gatherings. John had barely turned 12 years old when the news of Elvis' death focused his already growing interest in music on to the life of what would become the artist of the century. While still in high school, a talent show performance turned into requests for fundraisers, dinner dances, and performances at fairs. This would lead to a week long engagement of 4 shows a day at Hershey Lake Compounce (the nation's oldest amusement park) in August of 1987 to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Elvis' death. At the time John's engagement set attendance records for this historic venue where Frank Sinatra and Glenn Miller once performed! The requests have grown and the venues have become more exciting as for more than two decades John has mesmerized audiences around the country and around the world... from New York City to Moscow, Russia, John Beardsley has entertained audiences of all ages.

Beardsley, a singer/songwriter from Bristol, Connecticut began performing in 1981 and has headlined with such rock and roll immortals as Chuck Berry, The Drifters, The Shirelle's, Danny and The Juniors, Gary US Bonds, The Coasters, Gary Lewis and The Playboys, The Marvellettes, The Crystals and many more!

In March of 1994 Beardsley brought his "Tribute to Elvis" to Russia for a week of performances at The Horseshoe Casino in Moscow. This was the first, and has been the only Elvis act to perform in the former Soviet Union. While developing a close rapport with the Russian audiences, he confirmed what we already knew, music is the universal language, AND THE SIGHTS, SOUNDS, AND ENERGY OF HIS SHOW WAS LIKE AN AMBASSADOR THAT TRANSCENDED CULTURAL BOUNDRIES! Horseshoe Casino executive Frank Yetka, who was part of The Las Vegas Hilton staff in the mid 70s when Elvis reigned supreme referred to John as "Amazing"! . Paul Hollingsworth of the United States Embassy wrote a review of John's show which was later wired to Washington and other government offices around the world... "He sounds uncannily like Presley in his prime. His version of "One Night with You" is as close as it gets. His rendition of "Suspicious Minds" was a show stopper!" Paul later wrote John that "The cable got much attention. Thanks for making the trip."

In August of 1999 during Elvis week, John and his wife Darlene brought their show to Nashville for a week of performances at The Stardust Theater. This led to shows at the Texas Troubadour Theater, where John and Darlene wrote a new version of the show "A Tribute to the King Through the Years 1953-1977". Darlene, a former Vice President of marketing and business development on Wall Street, has been instrumental in the production of the show. Her marketing skills and attention to detail make her irreplaceable. "She is just as important to the show as I am" states John. "We are a team"!
While at The Texas Troubadour John was a featured guest on WSM's Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree, the second longest radio show in history next to The Grand Ole Opry. John was shocked when after the first show at The Troubadour he was approached by Joanne Cash Yates (younger sister of Johnny Cash) who gave her approval of the show and invited John to sing on her "Nashville Cowboy Church" which is broadcast worldwide.
The show eventually moved to The Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theater where John shared the stage with such country music legends as Kitty Wells, Jack Greene, Del Reeves and Jeanne Seely. In the 2002 season the show moved to The Gibson Theater in Opry Mills where Country Music Television (CMT) tapes its popular Most Wanted Live program.

"A Tribute to The King Through the Years 1953-1977", Nashville's first and only continuously running Elvis show is by popular demand proud to return to The Texas Troubadour Theater for it's fourth season in Music City! This two hour musical biography is unique in showcasing six of Elvis' most memorable and distinct phases of his career. With over thirty songs and five costume changes, and some of Nashville's finest musicians and singers, this show has received standing ovations from every crowd as they walk away excited and entertained! Country music performers T.Graham Brown, The Hager Brothers, Mel MacDaniel, Joanne Cash Yates, Kitty Wells, Jo-El Sonnier, and Wynonna have been to the show and left with rave reviews. Come see why!

In January of 1985 on the 50th anniversary of Elvis' birth, John was featured in The New York Daily News and in August of 1992, on the 15th anniversary of Elvis' death, he was a featured guest and performed on The Geraldo Show. John has also appeared on CMT's "Most Wanted Live", and was a featured guest on WSM 650AM home of the Grand Ole Opry. John has also appeared on The Nashville Cowboy Church. Featuring the music and ministry of Dr. Harry Yates and Joanne Cash Yates, this show is broadcast to over 13 million people around the world! Another highlight of John' career was his invitation to host and perform along with Rick Skaggs, Marty Stewart, and other country artists at "The Queen of Country Music", Kitty Well's farewell performance on New Year's Eve 2000 in Nashville! John has also been invited to perform along with T.Graham Brown, Crystal Gayle, Delbert McClinton, Jo-el Sonnier, and Steve Wariner at The Nashville Christian School's Starry Night Concert.

The Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau: "His musical talent as well as his stage presence will amaze you"

T.V. personality Charlie Chase, (TNN's Crook and Chase): "Great job...heck of a performance. You just go all out to make sure you do everything just right!"

Kitty Wells who toured with Elvis in the mid 50s has referred to John as "A great showman, a great show. It's one of the best I've ever seen".

Joanne Cash Yates, younger sister of superstar Johnny Cash has said "I met Elvis once at one of Johnny's shows in the 50s and because of that I've never really cared for Elvis shows...until I saw John Beardsley. You have to see it!"

Charlie Thomas of the original Drifters referred to John's show as "The best I've ever seen".

CC McCartney Radio Personality for Nashville's Music City 103FM: "John Beardsley captures the essence of The King! Like E, John takes care of business in a flash! He's very entertaining, and has the voice. Elvis would be proud!"

Beardsley has also performed in such well know venues as New York City's legendary Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center, Nashville Tennessee’s Opryland Hotel, and two of the worlds largest casinos, Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun Casino. He has also appeared at special events for FOX Television Network, Mercedes Benz, Sports Illustrated, NASCAR, NBC, E Entertainment Television, Little League Baseball, National M.S. Society, The Hartford Whalers, The Leukemia Society of America, and has appeared with the world famous Radio City Rockettes in conjunction with Opryland's "Country Christmas". In August of 2002 John was featured along with The Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium, and RCA Studio B in Nashville's "Remembering The King In Music City", a 10 day celebration commemorating the 25th anniversary of Elvis' death.

John has also sung, written, scored and produced music for various children's television and video programs with the Emmy award winning Mazzarella Brothers Productions. John also had a cameo appearance in the film "Trees" a spoof on the Hollywood classic "Jaws".

In addition to "A Tribute to The King Through the Years 1953-1977", John entertains as a solo performer in a variety of different settings. He estimates he knows over 500 songs! John is currently producing a CD of original music along with interpretations of some of his favorite songs. A highlight of the CD is his duet with Joanne Cash Yates on the Johnny Cash classic, "I Still Miss Someone". What makes the recording of this song extra special is the fact that it was recorded in Johnny Cash's "Cabin" studio.