Kevin Adams is an inventive impressionist who creates a synergistic rapport between himself and his audience that has them jumping around in their seats, laughing and singing along to the familiar lyrics in his repertoire. 

Wherever and whenever Adams performs, he offers people a great time.

His wildly hilarious stage antics coupled with the incredible versatility of his voice makes the Elkmont singer/impressionist Gigmaster’s number one impressionist.

It’s obvious why he received that accolade when you watch him onstage doing voices and moves from just about every big name singer and act in the past five decades.

Arriving onstage as Evel Knievel, complete with motorcycle, his rousing rendition of Billy Joel’s hit song, “You May Be Right” is only the precursor of things to come.

In rapid-fire succession, Adams fills the stage with the voices and images of superstars like Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias, Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole and Sonny and Cher, all in duet. He brings to life the familiar crooning of Donny Osmond, the famous choreography of several of Michael Jackson’s most flamboyant song and dance routines and of course, the finale is an Elvis so authentic that people always beg for more.  

Born in Memphis and practically raised in the shadow of Graceland, Adams was a shy, only-child who spent a lot of time listening to the radio. “I was born to music,” mused Adams. “I was fascinated by all the voices I heard on the radio in the ‘60s. Songs like ‘Winchester Cathedral’ with its various vocal ranges caught my attention when I was very young. I began to imitate everything I heard.

“I also listened to Rick Dees and George Klein who hosted radio shows. I learned how they worked the audience and I could do a pretty good Howard Cosell, too,” he laughed, quickly proceeding to demonstrate the famous sports commentator.

By the time Adams was in junior high school he was doing lots of different voices in perfect pitch. His family moved around a lot.

He attended several schools and was always the “new kid on the block.” For a child who was bashful to begin with, his mimicry helped to break the ice and make kids laugh. “I didn’t ask for their attention,” he said. ”I demanded it.

“When I was that age I could do Olivia Newton-John, but then my voice changed,” he laughed. “I would find alleys in shopping malls where my voice would echo and do my imitations for crowds who would gather to watch.”

Around the age of 14, Adams teamed up with classmate Keith Magnifico (now a Memphis firefighter) who was a hulking teenager, towering over Adams. 

“Keith and I would sing in the locker room, him beating rhythm on a bench and me singing, ‘Ah, one for the money, ah two for the show, three to get ready, now go, Cat, go’ and all these guys draped in towels would come out of the showers to see what was going on,” he laughed.

There are talent shows in every junior high school across the country. It was no surprise that when the annual event rolled around in his school, Adams, along with Magnifico and some other friends were ready. Needless to say, they won.

The advent of the karaoke machine was the key proponent that spurred Adams from singing with a homemade microphone consisting of aluminum foil wrapped around a tissue paper holder, to using a taped background and his own voice, molded and fine-tuned to flow effortlessly from one entertainer to another.

That was the beginning of a career that has taken Adams across the country, continuously honing his craft giving appreciative audiences the opportunity to sing along with familiar songs and laughing until their sides ache.

His talents don’t stop at singing and acting. He also sews the costumes for his extensive wardrobe — right down to adding the thousands of sequins on the Elvis costumes and making the glittering jacket for the Michael Jackson segment.

Once a Gold Kist employee in Russellville, Adams used to entertain his co-workers with his impressions. He has never forgotten his roots, or where he came from. He loves what he does and thrives on making people laugh. Even in conversation offstage he transitions effortlessly from one personality to another.

Adams does over 150 impressions, from Roy Orbison and Louis Armstrong to Garth Brooks. His Brooks impression is so perfect that you’d swear you were seeing the real thing. It’s absolutely amazing that such an enormous vocal range of celebrity voices like Willie Nelson, Cher and Elvis can come from the same throat.

In 2010, Adams was awarded Gigmasters (the nation’s largest online booking agency) “Rising Star” award as their Top Impersonator in the Nation. He qualified for America’s Got Talent in Atlanta in 2009, and he was awarded the “Sybil” award at the Sunburst Convention of Professional Tribute Artists in Orlando.

Adams has been hailed as one of the most creative, innovative and entertaining performers to come along in years.

He recently performed for a convention of the Alabama City/County Managers Association with several Athens-Limestone County officials in attendance.

He has previously done venues for such recognizable labels as Bassmasters, Krispy Kreme, and Pepsi. He has opened for Percy Sledge, Ronnie McDowell, T.G. Sheppard, and has performed in Vegas, Memphis, Orlando, Miami Beach, Tunica, the Imperial Palace Biloxi, on the Legends in Concert stage, the Las Vegas Convention Center, and at the Opryland Hotel. In 2011 he performed at the Cal-Expo State Fairgrounds in Sacramento Calif.

Kevin will appear at Yesterday’s Event Center periodically; check the site below for other times and dates.

For a list of Adams upcoming tour dates, visit yesterdaysevents.com or catch a glimpse of him in action on YouTube at singerkevinadams.