Culture
Award-Winning Elvis Tribute Artist Gives Back to Meigs County Alma Mater
By: Olivia Bevan
Posted on:
The reigning back-to-back World Champion Elvis Presley Tribute Artist is returning to the very stage where his career began.
Pomeroy native Dwight Icenhower will perform a concert at Meigs High School on Saturday, June 8.
Icenhower has not only agreed to perform this concert for free, but he has also agreed to donate all proceeds to the Meigs Band Boosters to help with the construction of a concession stand at the school’s new football stadium.
Meigs Band Director Toney Dingess said the construction cost alone for the concession stand has been estimated to be $20,000.
Icenhower graduated from MHS in 1999 and was an active member of the band program during his time there. He credits the band program and Dingess with his success today.
“Until the band program came along, I was a very shy person. I had few friends,” he explained. “The band program brought many lifelong friendships into my life and so many great memories.”
Icenhower said one memory in particular changed his life forever. He said it was his junior year of high school and Dingess asked him to play the part of Elvis Presley in the Band Variety Show.
“I remember it like it was yesterday. The show was called American Pop and this would be my first time ever on stage,” he said. “I was a nervous wreck! I remember stepping out on the stage and it was like I blacked out! I started singing and shaking all over like Elvis used to. After the performance, I received a standing ovation and at that point, even if it was in the back of my mind, I knew I wanted to be a performer.”
Icenhower has gone on to travel the world as an Elvis tribute artist. He has performed in every state in the U.S. as well as in Japan, London, Mexico and Brazil.
He has also worked with many of Elvis’ band members and is the first tribute artist in history to win back-to-back world championships.
“I often think about what my life would have been like without that invitation to perform from Mr. Dingess. To this day, I don’t think he realizes what an impact he made on my life and career,” said Icenhower.
Icenhower will be performing the concert with his band, The Promiseland Band. They will feature music spanning Elvis’ entire career.
The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. and the doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling Kimberly at (740) 742-2103 or by emailing meigsbandalumni@yahoo.com.
General admission tickets cost $20 in advance or can be purchased at the door $25. A limited number of VIP tickets with meet and greet passes are being sold for $30.
Tickets can also be purchased in person at the following locations: All Farmer’s Bank locations; Clarks Jewelry Store; Front Paige Outfitters; Swisher and Lohse Pharmacy; Fruth’s Pharmacy; and Kings Ace Hardware.