Brian Lee Howell as Elvis Returned to Arts Center for Another Memorable Performance
Elvis was in the building on Friday, August 15, 2025, as Brian Lee Howell and his Showband performed at the Hardeman County Arts Center to an audience filled with Elvis, and Elvis impersonator Brian Lee Howell, fans. The performance included Elvis signature songs like “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Hound Dog”, “Suspicious Minds”, and more for another memorable evening of entertainment at the Hardeman County Arts Center in Bolivar.
Brian Lee Howell is a regular performer in Hardeman County as an Elvis impersonator. Although you may have seen him once, or twice, or several times as many of his fans have, you can always expect to see an entirely different show each time he performs on the stage.
“I try to approach every show fresh and new. So, if it is a new venue where I have never been, this of course is simpler. If I am returning to a venue, I will go back and look at what outfit I wore from that previous show. This will remind me and give me an idea of the song selections I might have done. Then, I will start to build a set list of what I would call Elvis’ staple songs that people always want to hear,” said Brian, who collaborates with his wife, Haley, his manager, on every performance. “Once that is completed, Haley and I usually begin to discuss decorations, outfits, and souvenir selections as well to correspond with special sets or songs. I will look at the themes and build the show around that, filling in blanks until our time slot has been achieved. This makes the show new and exciting for everyone. After all this planning, Haley and I go to work on all the digital backgrounds that play behind the band and me during the performance. Haley definitely takes the lead and is very creative and is an amazing graphic designer. After all of this is finished, we have a complete and authentic show for all those in attendance to enjoy.”
As Brian shared, a lot of preparation occurred behind the scenes before he took the stage at the Hardeman County Arts Center or professionally at any venue when he performs with his show band.
“We even had beautiful stage decor which were big ELVIS light-up letters that my wife put up. It really set the scene and created a great Elvis atmosphere. We want all our hard work to be enjoyed and appreciated,” said Brian.
Having performed fulltime as an Elvis impersonator for the past 20 years, entertaining has become a passion for Brian. Although he travels all over the country to perform, returning to Hardeman County is always a favorite experience for him.
“I love performing in Bolivar for several reasons. This is the town that started my wife and I on this exciting adventure of following my dream of being an Elvis entertainer. It’s been my hometown for the past 22 years now and it is where my wife grew up. I have gotten to know several people and fans here and they me,” said Brian. “I love the venue at the Hardeman County Arts Center. The venue is nicely equipped with a big stage, great lights and sound system, and a huge screen board to display all the fun backdrops that Haley has brought to life. The venue is perfect for concerts. No matter where you sit in the theater, you still have a great seat. I really love this venue and is one of my very favorite places to perform.”
Brian performed to the delight of the audience singing a variety of Elvis’ songs, which included “One Night” and “Paralyzed” where he brought what he defines as “rock n’ roll, high-energy charisma” to the stage. A favorite set, which he has not done in a while included recreating the G.I. Blues movie set and doing some of those songs from the film like “G.I. Blues”, “Shoppin’ Around”, “Frankfort Special”, “Pocketful Of Rainbows”, and “Didja Ever”. He even added a wonderful ballad that was not from the movie, but perfect for the set because he was in uniform. The song was “Soldier Boy”. Both “Frankfort Special” and “Soldier Boy” were two of his favorites from that set.
For the 70s set, he added “Walk A Mile In My Shoes” and “Trying To Get To You”, which were new songs for his band to perform. From the 70s set, “Moody Blue” and “Make The World Go Away” were a couple of songs he enjoyed singing that night. Although the rock “n’ roll songs are fun to sing and perform to, it is the Christian music, which truly moves him.
“I would have to say that I really do love the gospel songs. These always seem to touch the audience in a special way. Both my wife and I are Christians and attend Shandy Baptist Church here in Bolivar where, oddly enough, I am also the music director there. Performing gospel songs is my way of being able to share God’s message and His love with my audience through Elvis’ music,” said Brian. “Both “Take My Hand Precious Lord” and “How Great Thou Art” were completely new for my band this time around and my favorite gospel songs from the evening.”
Brian takes his performance seriously, but does not take himself too seriously, which allows him to continue as a consummate performer even when something does not go as expected while he is on stage.
“I realized after the second song in the show, I had forgotten to change into my blue suede shoes. Since I was fixing to do that song, I politely asked the audience to please give me 20 seconds to go get something real fast. Everyone was in suspense, except my wife who actually pointed it out to me. When I came back, everyone could tell it was my shoes because my blue suede shoes are very bright. It was so much fun and my audience was very kind to wait on me to fix my wardrobe mishap,” said Brian, who was so pleased with the audience who regularly supports him and attended the show that evening. “The audience I had was so awesome. They cheered and clapped, and I could tell they all enjoyed the show. I was happy to perform for them. We always pour our heart and soul into making every performance unique and exciting.”
Brian is intentional at every show to connect with the audience. He not only moves around the stage, to ensure no one misses anything, but throws special souvenirs to attendees, and also walks into the audience.
“Guests always get excited when they catch something or when I hand something to them personally. I want them to remember me,” said Brian. “I truly felt that on stage and after the show as fans gathered around me for photos, compliments, and just wanting to talk to me. I just really hope everyone will continue to support our show and all the special events that are presented by the Hardeman County Arts Center. Thank you, thank you very much and may God bless you as He has blessed me!”
Pictures courtesy of the Hardeman County Arts Council.
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