Russell Brooks is a born entertainer. His father was a touring song and dance man. His mother, a professional ballerina. Music is in his blood. Even as a baby boy he would shake his hips, snarl his lip, and sing along with his mama's Elvis Presley records. Russell started playing the saxophone at eight years old, primarily to play the riff in Elvis' "Return To Sender". However, it wasn't until the age of fourteen, when Russell picked up his first guitar and started singing, that he realized he had a gift.

Throughout the twenty years since then Russell has been the center of several bands. As lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter he has toured the U.S., sold thousands of albums, made countless fans, has amassed thousands
of concert performances, and has shared the stage with Elvis Costello, Hot Tuna, Roger McGuinn (The Byrds), Rick Danko (The Band), Aimee Mann, Dar Williams, Taj Mahal, Elvin Bishop, Marty Balin (Jefferson Airplane), Fountains Of Wayne, J. Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.), John Fishman (Phish), The Lemonheads, and has even appeared on a bill with Kurt Vonnegut Jr.!

With his most recent band of over five years, The Aloha Steamtrain, he has broken attendance records at venues throughout the northeast, and their energetic performances have given them a reputation as one of the "most exciting bands of the past decade" (Johnny Memphis, WRSI Radio). Their studio albums have sold well and have made numerous college radio top-ten lists around the world. Visit: alohasteamtrain.com for more information. Although The Aloha Steamtrain is now defunct, Russell continues to write, record, and perform his own music.

With the burgeoning market for Elvis Presley in Dixie, Russell has quickly found himself in high demand throughout his present home base of North Carolina. Donning the caped jumpsuit, wig, and sunglasses, he has put on his Elvis Encore Tribute Show in an eclectic mix of settings ranging from state fairs to opera houses, universities to churches, from corporate events to motorcycle rallies, nursing homes to seedy nightclubs. And across the country from Massachusetts to Seattle.

It's Russell's love for Hawaii, where he lived for over three years, that inspired him to add Don Ho impersonations to his repertoire. That sleepy, velvet-throated croon has mesmerized Russell since toddler memories of the Don Ho Show. For all those who have been dazzled by his pitch perfect portrayal of Elvis, they will be happy to know that Russell's Don Ho is just as dead-on!

Russell is happiest on stage and it shines through as he channels these great singers in realistic, yet humble tributes. He endears audiences of all ages with honest humor, quick wit, and romantic charm. His sheer passion
for singing brings any room to life. To hear is to believe.

Tributes in the works- Tom Jones, Barry Manilow, and BJ Thomas!

call: 413-387-8129
or email: elvisencore @ yahoo.com