Lou's Blog

Well, the matinee shows with Betty this past month went well. It seems as though we’ve had a wonderful response, so beginning on March 3rd of 2012, Betty and I will be doing shows on Saturday afternoons at 3:00. For now, it’ll be called “An afternoon with Lou…and Betty too”! Hope you can come check it out.
Love to you and yours,
Lou

Looking for something to do in January? Betty Koopman and I will be doing shows on Friday and Saturday, January 13th and 14th and Friday and Saturday, January 27th and 28th. It’ll be a track show and the ticket price is only $15.00. This show is similar to the show Kristen Leigh and I used to do when it was “Showplace Dinner Theater,” where I get to do my portrayals of Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, Dean Martin and others. Betty will be featured throughout the show. So if you’re looking for something to do in January, come see us at Memories. For tickets and information call 865-428-7852. See you there!

Memories Theatre has been a staple in the Smoky Mountains for more than 22 years now. It has been very well know across the United States for it’s tribute to Elvis and more recently for adding it’s tribute to Elvis and Friends, a “Legends” show with tributes to Conway Twitty, Tom Jones, Cher, Rod Stewart, Tim McGraw and other musical icons.
I’ve been working in the Smoky Mountains for over 16 years now. I arrived here with my family in November of 1995 and began doing shows at Memories.
I’m into my 17th year now. I’ve been working a full schedule and I’d like to ease up a little. I’m going to try to be clear on communicating this so the box office doesn’t get flooded with a landslide of phone calls.
You see, for the 16 plus years the show at Memories has depended on me being there every night Memories has a show. The other Legends artist are rotated so they are not there all the time and even the band has other musicians to fill in for them when they need or want to take some time off. I think I’m just getting to the point that I need some help. Let me say first of all and clearly: I am not leaving Memories. In case that wasn’t clear: “I am not leaving Memories.” lol But I would like to look for someone who can do the Elvis show and be the guy who has to be there all the time. This would allow me to do other things and other characters in the show. Some of you know another act I enjoy doing is Dean Martin. And I would also do the Elvis show at times, if I was needed, but I would like to find someone who would be the headliner. By the way, did I mention “I’m not leaving Memories?” lol I will be there all of the time most likely, anyway I just won’t be tied down. I have talked to Dee about this, so she is full aware.
So, in light of looking for a guy to do the Elvis show and to be the head liner, Dee and I decided that I would head up the operation of looking for someone. So, if you are an Elvis Tribute Artist or know someone who you think would like to “throw their hat in the ring” I am asking for promo videos for review in helping make this decision. If you are an Elvis Tribute artist who is interested in this gig, I would like for you to send a promo packet or at least a video, pictures and bio, addressed to me (Lou Vuto) at the Theatre. Any videos or promo packets that are not addressed to me will not be considered. Guys, I know how it is sometimes, some of you will want to send your stuff right to the owner but I assure you, if you try to go around me, you will not be considered. I apologize if I sound harsh, I’m just trying to be clear in communicating what Dee and I have talked about and how we want to handle this whole thing. If we don’t find anyone right away that would be ok because I’m still able to handle the show. So, to give you an idea, I am looking for someone who is authentic in their portrayal of Elvis. Not someone who takes allot of liberties and adds to what they think it should be but someone who sticks to Elvis in their show. This would mean that you are very familiar with “Elvis on Tour,” “That’s The Way It Is.” and “The Lost Performances.” It also would help if you didn’t think you were Elvis all the time but most importantly you have to be “coach-able.” I respect that you have worked on your craft (paying tribute to Elvis) and that you may have a good amount of experience but there are other things to learn that are distinct to this area and this venue and you have to be “coach-able.” I also would like to say that this will not be an overnight transition, it may take time to implement but I believe if you are paying tribute to Elvis, this is the best gig in the country and well worth the effort.
So, for those of you who are pay tribute to Elvis, if you are interested, please send a bio, 2 pictures and video to Lou Vuto / 140 Showplace Blvd. / Pigeon Forge, TN 37863. I will be reviewing the videos with Dee and we will not contact you unless we are interested. We ask that you do not call the theatre asking questions. Any questions will be answered if we contact you. Thank you and all the best to you in the future no matter what you are doing.

We’ve had a good response for the cruise and we’re all looking forward to it. Zona wanted me to mention that she has been getting quite a few calls asking if there are still cabins available. The answer is yes. If we run out of the rooms that we have reserved we can always ask for more. Our group can be as large as we want it to be. As we get closer there is a chance the ship itself will be full but for right now we still have cabins available so send in your deposit if you haven’t already done so. It’ll be a great time to be together.
Love you.
Lou

I decided I was going to make another entry on my blog. At first I was going to talk about something that had bothered me but then upon reading some wonderful truths regarding God and His Son Jesus Christ I realized that I really didn’t have a lot to complain about. As a matter of fact I had a whole lot to be thankful for. Recently I decided to read through the Bible again, from Genesis to Revelation and have been really enjoying the time I get to read. I’ve read about God’s initial provision for man (Adam and Eve). How God had provided for them and put them in an environment that was “very good.” Then how they disobeyed a direct commandment of God and how that act separated man from God, which put Adam and Eve along with the rest of the world, in a very dire state. Which brings to mind the subject of the world’s need for a saviour. Continuing to read from Genesis on it’s exciting to see God’s plan for redemption and how He brought it to pass. How he worked with a man named Abraham, then later with Israel (the man and the nation) to bring about The Redeemer, Jesus Christ. The Gospels record the earthly life and ministry of the lord and saviour, Jesus Christ. Not only is he the redeemer that God sent for all of mankind but also as he carried out God’s plan, he brought deliverance and healing to so many while he walked upon the earth. What a wonderful saviour he is for those who want to come to him. The book of Acts records the original outpouring of the gift of holy spirit and the first century church as they lived and spoke God’s Word. Romans through Thessalonians tell those who are born from above about what Jesus Christ has accomplished on their behalf and there is so much more God has revealed for those who want to know. So, when it came to what I should write about this morning, really it was an easy choice to make. What God has done for mankind through Jesus Christ is much more than any problems that come up in my day to day life. What’s more is that those who have been born from above can look forward to a day when Jesus Christ will return and that day when all the problems will be done away with and they will be forever with The Lord. I Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 21:4, 5 and Romans 10:9

Hey, the picnic is this weekend. Are you coming? I hope so.
Love you!
Lou

So, from time to time I do a little traveling. I am at Memories Theatre most of the year but once in while I like to get out and do shows on the road. Actually I don’t get out as much as I want to so I’m looking for someone with experience to set up shows for me. This would be a commission pay set up but once again, I am looking for someone with experience. I’ve been at Memories for about 15 years now and I am not planning on leaving anytime soon but I would like to get out and about a bit. I do have a fellow performer to fill in for me while I travel, so Memories will be still having shows while I am gone. Also, I have an expanded show that I have done in the past that includes Elvis but is not only Elvis. It can’t be billed as a Salute to Elvis although again, Elvis is part of it. But the show also includes a tribute to Dean Martin, Tom Jones, Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash and others and includes some comedy as well. I am working on putting together a 4 piece band to do the show with me as well. So, I guess I’m just putting down some thoughts in case any one knows a professional promoter out there. I have talked to Dee about all this as well. As long as I’m welcomed, I’ll always have Memories as home base but I do want to get out and travel a little. So. If you are planning on coming, I would call to make sure that I’ll be in, otherwise, maybe I’ll see you in your area.
That’s it for now. If you know of anyone that would be interested in this position they can go to the contact page and drop me a line. It all comes straight to my mail box. Hope all is well with you. Talk to you soon.

Well, the initial response to the cruise has been awesome. It looks like we’re going to have a good size group going. We have a good amount of people that have sent in their deposit. I know there are some of you that are going that have not sent in your deposit yet and I want to encourage you to do so. The cruise business is similar to airline tickets I guess. What I mean is they change the prices often and a lot of times that means the price goes up. The prices that are posted are good until the 31st of August. If you send in your $240.00 deposit before that date, the price that is now posted on the web page is guaranteed and locked in for you. The deposit is a small amount to reserve your place on the cruise and you have until November 1st to pay the balance. It’s going to be a lot of fun. January is a great time to get out of the cold and go to the Bahamas‘. If you have any questions please feel free to call Zona at the phone number that is posted on the web page with the cruise information. She’s happy to help you.
On a different note, Saturday I was away from the theatre. Matt Cordell filled in for me at Memories. I was in Rural Retreat, Virginia performing at the town’s 100th anniversary. What wonderful people they are. They were very kind and everyone seemed to have a good time. There was other entertainment provided as well. Joe Diffie and his band performed right after me and they were a big hit with the crowd. Something I learned while I was there is that the original inspiration for Dr. Pepper (the soft drink) lived in Rural Retreat. His name was Charles Taylor Pepper, MD. He was a real Doctor! I thought that was interesting. You know Elvis really liked Dr. Pepper too. Well, the soft drink…I don’t think he knew the man. Especially because he died in 1903. Anyway, it was a great time. Thank you again to the folks that brought us to Rural Retreat.
I hope we get to come back again soon. Also, it was great to see some of you there as well.
Well, that’s all for now. I’m off tonight and I think Cindy and I will be going out for dinner. I hope you are well and I hope I get to see you soon.
God bless you.
Lou

Hey, we have a cruise planned for January 20-25, 2012. Joining me will be Josh and Jerod as The Blues Brothers, Travis James as Conway Twitty and we are working on another female artist. Check out the “Roadshow” page on my web site for more details at www.louvuto.com
Love to you and yours and I hope to see you soon.
Love,
Lou

We just got back in town yesterday around 3:00 PM. Cindy, Ana and I went up to Dayton, Ohio for a Bible conference. There were a little over 300 there who were interested in learning God’s Word and it was awesome to be there. Of course I took the weekend off from the theater and as some of you know Matt Cordell filled in for me while I was gone. I have a show tonight. This month we’re on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night shows. In May we’ll be doing shows Tuesday thru Saturday, then in June we are on Monday thru Saturday (six nights a week) for the season. Shows have been going well. We’ve been packing them in here at the new Memories Theatre, which is not difficult I guess with only 300 seats but it makes for exciting shows. I guess it’s a question of being full in a smaller theater or half full in a larger theater.
I hope you are doing well. For the fan club, don’t forget about our picnic this month. If you’re not a fan club member and you want to come to the picnic, you still have time to become a fan club member.
I look forward to seeing you soon.
Love you!
Lou