Nathan Belt, Passion for Elvis

Common Chords By Randall Hill

Nathan Belt

Dressed in a tight black leather suit with matching pointy-toed leather boots, Legends In Concert Elvis tribute artist Nathan Belt seemed relaxed with the old and young Elvis fans assembled with him around a large green screen set-up for photos with the performer.

The screen allows for the show’s photographer Bobbie Holbrook - with the use of imaging software - to superimpose a ready-made background of the stage behind the families and guests as they take photos with the McKinney, Texas native.

“You look just like the Elvis that was here last August,” said Susan John of Deptford, N.J., as she smiled with Belt and her relatives for the photo. Belt thought a moment, then placed his arm around the tourist and said, “Well, that’s because we all look alike ma’am.” Belt’s upper lip quivered and then returned to a smile as the two laughed about his remark. “I guess that is the point,” said John, “but I know it was you and you were great.”

After winning Legends Ultimate Elvis preliminary contest in 2009 and placing in the top 10 at the finals in Memphis that same year, Belt was asked to return to Surfside Beach for a year-long contract as a show performer at Legends. Since then, he has performed nightly and developed his routine.

“I’m not one of those guys that do Elvis 24/7,” Belt said while in a Legends waiting area on the top floor of the theater. An iconic, life-sized poster of Marilyn Monroe is positioned next to the artist almost as if Monroe is looking in on the conversation. “There is a kind of psyche you have to dive into. But I’m just Nathan Belt offstage.”

Later, Belt’s new wife Cassie knocks on the door of the room to deliver Belt’s custom Epiphone EJ-200E Elvis Presley signature guitar. The King’s signature flows down the fretboard of the instrument inlaid in mother-of-pearl. The guitar is a faithful reproduction of Elvis' famous customized 1956 Gibson J-200 jumbo acoustic.

Belt met his wife on Facebook through the help of another Elvis tribute artist. The couple dated for three months and were married Dec. 18 on the stage at Legends after a Saturday night performance.

Since then, the couple has ventured to Graceland to see Elvis’ home. The two share a passion for the King.

“I only have one night off a week from the show and Cassie and I, that’s our date night,” Belt said.

Sometimes it can be a challenge to blend in with Belt’s resemblance to the King and the need for the trademark sideburns. “Whatever we can do, that day is just for us and we are on our own.”

Click here to check out an image gallery featuring Nathan Belt

Nathan Belt performs the Elvis Hit "Jailhouse Rock"
during a recent performance at Legends In Concert in Surfside Beach.

Nathan Belt performs "Are You Lonesome Tonight"
in this Common Chords video.

Nathan Belt performs the Elvis hit "You Ain't Nothing But A Hound dog"
in this Common Chords music only video.

Watch a backstage jam with performers with
the Legends In Concert show in Surfside Beach.