The 2nd Annual Elvis Birthday Bash features two Elvises (Elvi?), Mike Albert and Scot Bruce, whose performances are endorsed by original Elvis Presley musicians.
The tour comes to the Keswick Theatre (Easton Rd and Keswick Ave, Glenside; 215.572.7650) on Fri., Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $29.50.

Below is a Q and A with Scot Bruce, who may very well be channeling The King every time he takes the stage.

First some basics…

Residence: Los Angeles, CA.

Age: I can't remember.

Number of shows you do a year: Well over 100. I spend more than half my year away from home.

Length of time you have been doing this work:

I have done the Elvis “thing” full-time for a little over 10 years. I joke that I haven't put in an honest day's work during that time.

How did you get started with this work?

I moved from the Pacific Northwest to LA in the early 9’0's to pursue music and acting. I found out early on that to exist in a big city you had to be either independently wealthy, or you had to WORK.... A LOT. It's amazing how creative you can get when you're starving. I noticed that there were guys out there doing Elvis shows...but they were almost entirely focused on Elvis' Las Vegas-era - the white jumpsuit.
What made me an Elvis fan was the cat in the 1950's who had fire in his britches, singing that raw mixture of country meets rhythm and blues. I found my niche by being among only a handful of guys doing a tribute to Elvis in his younger years.
The way it began was showing up “as Elvis” at a Los Angeles radio station at 7 a.m.,
to see if I could “drop in” on the No.1 rated morning DJs (who were big Elvis fans). The stunt worked and that got the ball rolling. They were extremely helpful in starting my Elvis career...and invited me to be a guest on their show regularly for years to follow.
The shortest distance from point A to point B is not always a straight line.

Do you remember the first time someone mentioned that you “looked” like Elvis?

In the mid- ‘80's I got interested in....and fell in love with Elvis' music, and rockabilly in general. I joined a band called the Rockafellers (though I play the guitar in my Elvis act, I'm a drummer first). The first thing I had to do was lose the mullet (yes, I admit it) and grease up the hairdo into a pompadour. It was after the hairstyle transformation that people started telling me that I looked like a young Elvis. At that time, I hadn't considered the possibility that someone could actually make a living doing an Elvis tribute show.

When did you decide to make the impersonation your full-time career?

It just sort of evolved that way, starting in 1995. Suddenly, I was booked often enough that it became a full-time job. It seems to get busier every year. I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am for the work, and for opportunities that have come my way.

You were in radio prior to this, do you miss it?

I loved radio....but I always preferred being in front of a live audience. I had played in bands for years before then, and had gotten used to the immediate reaction from a crowd . When I first started in radio, it was strange to be alone in a control room, not being able to hear that reaction. What helped me, was pasting a photo of a smiling and cheering audience (from one of my recent live shows) in front of the microphone, while I was on the air. It then felt like I was talking to friends. Maybe someday I'll get back into it....when I'm too old to rock.

Have you ever been in contact with those close to Elvis while you were in character? How close are you (to the real thing)?

I have met friends and relatives of Elvis'....but never while in character. Out of respect and admiration for Elvis, I limit the “character” to the stage. I feel very strongly about not perpetuating the Elvis impersonator stereotype. There are a handful of Elvis guys so lost in the character that they have forgotten who they are. It makes us all look like we're suffering from an identity problem. I avoid that whole mess.
It is always interesting to meet and interact with people who knew Elvis. Based on all accounts from any of those folks I've spoken with....Elvis was a good man.
To answer your question about how close am I to the real thing: I try to approach the character as an actor, but it's hard not to bring a bit of one's self into it. If my audience suspends disbelief for a moment - and is entertained - then I have done my job.
It's all smoke and mirrors.

What can people expect from the show?

To have FUN! To be a part of the celebration of the wonderful music Elvis gave us. Between Mike Albert and I, we span Elvis' musical career...from “That's All Right Mama” to “An American Trilogy.” By the way, Mike as the ‘70's era Elvis will blow you away! He becomes Elvis when he is up there on that stage. It's uncanny. His band rocks, too.

You’ve been in videos, as Elvis, with both Sheryl Crow and Faith Hill, who¹s hotter in person?

It's like the great Ginger / Mary Ann from Gilligan's Island debate. They are both “hot” in their own ways. The thing that impressed me about both of them, was how sweet and unaffected they each were about being mega-stars.

Obviously you¹re aging.Have you thought about going from doing a young Elvis to starting to pack on pounds for the older version? How will your act evolve?

I think about it often. It is a fact that I will have to face. I still pursue my own music and acting...and hopefully I can eventually focus more on that. As I mentioned before, radio and voice over work is always something I would enjoy getting back into, as well. Though a method actor might put on weight to play a certain roll, I would never consider doing that if I were to evolve into the older Elvis character. Not on purpose, anyway. Too many people associate Elvis in the ‘70's as a bloated figure and I want no part of it. Elvis was a brilliant entertainer. I would place the emphasis on the positive aspects like his music and let someone else do the cartoon character.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I can't say often enough how much I enjoy this gig and how grateful I am. What makes it especially fun, are the wonderful folks who come to the shows. They are there because, like me, they are big fans of Elvis' music. “The King” did all of the work, but I sure love being a part of it. I truly consider it an honor.