Tyler Hunter as Elvis Presley in “Million Dollar Quartet.”
The Million Dollar Quartet is not only one of Branson’s newest shows, but one of its most popular, and for good reason. It’s a spectacular production based on one of the greatest jam sessions in rock n’ roll history. The impromptu jam session took place on December 4, 1956, in the Memphis storefront recording studio of Sun Records. What makes it so special is that it included four young recording legends-to-be, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
The show recreates that moment not only with its fabulous music, but with a dramatic story line that entertains the audience as much as the music. It takes an exceptional performers to not only perform the music of these legends, but present the drama and excitement of the moment in a manner that keeps the audience excited, involved, and having fun throughout. Tyler K. Hunter as Elvis Presley, Cliff Wright as Johnny Cash, David Brooks as Jerry Lee Lewis, and Brad Waters as Carl Perkins are those performers!
Recently, I interviewed Tyler K. Hunter who plays Elvis Presley in the production. Tyler was born in 1990 in Lincoln, Nebraska and became interested in becoming an Elvis Presley tribute artist at the early age of 11 as a result of seeing Elvis tribute artist Bill Chrastil perform and being mentored by him. His first performances as an Elvis tribute artist was in high school talent shows.
Hunter turned professional in 2010 after he came to Branson and competed in the Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest™ at Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre. After performing a number of gigs, including a fill-in roll for Elvis in the Legends in Concert Show in Las Vegas, he answered a casting call for the Million Dollar Quartet in 2012, and the rest is history. He opened with the show at Harrah’s Casino in Las Vegas in January 2013, left to travel with the national tour of the show in September of 2013, and when he heard there was going to be production of the show in Branson, immediately decided to come. He said, “It was a no brainer, it’s close to my family, and I knew I was coming to God’s Country.”
When asked what he likes most about performing in the show Hunter said that it’s the opportunity to recreate that special moment in rock n’ roll history when four guys, who were friends and shared a special bond, “sat down for a while, just jammed and had a good time.” He also likes being able to go beyond the music of Elvis and present him as “a real person, with emotions just like you and me.”
As one who has seen the Million Dollar Quartet, I can testify to the fact that the outstanding performance of the cast, music everyone knows and loves and a great storyline all combine to create an incredible unique entertainment experience, for the whole family, that shouldn’t be missed.