Elvis Presley would’ve turned 74 on January 8, 2009, so to celebrate, my friends Wrenn Mangum and Hamburger James paid tribute the best way they knew how. By performing a live show at the ever trendy Plaza “Duckpin” Bowl and the result was heartwarming and rockin’!
Wrenn Mangum is known for his love of the King and his massive collection of Elvis songs which he performs solo to perfection. Wrenn doesn’t have to look like Elvis, or even sound exactly like Elvis, because his spiritual connection to Elvis is so strong that you FEEL Elvis and that is the highest compliment I know to give any performer that dares to mess with the King. I was raised on Elvis and saw him live when I was a kid at the Richmond Coliseum in 1974 & 1976 and I know how it feels to feel Elvis, and when Wrenn is performing, Elvis is in the room and he is smiling. Wrenn is the real deal and if you love Elvis or any 50’s music, you should see Wrenn perform at any cost (which is usually a few bucks if anything), because he will haunt you and you will become addicted to the lovely ghosts that surround him when he performs.
Hamburger James’ band members span from here in Richmond all the way to Northern Virginia. I think I saw the first show they did in Richmond and they have come a very long way from playing Rocks in the freezing cold patio bar and very few people brave enough to handle the cold and uncomfortable set up. But I was there and I said to myself, this band gets it. They know what it means to be true rockabilly. They know it takes more than an upright bass to sound rockabilly. You need heart and you have to eat, sleep and drink the music and Hamburger James fulfills all my rockabilly dreams. Their original material is funny, sweet and well written. The ballad “Are You The One” is very tender and intense, and on the other end you have “Rumble Tonight” and “The Ballad Of Hamburger James”, which is funny and clever.
A permanent member of the Hamburger James show now includes Jennifer Vaughan who pays tribute to the late great Janis Martin, who the band was fortunate enough to perform with on her last trip to Richmond before her untimely death. I’m hoping Jen will become a bigger part of the shows and sing more. She and husband vocalist Andy are quite a pair together, quite reminiscent of June and Johnny.
Hamburger James is: Andy Vaughan – lead vocal, rhythm guitar
Jennifer Vaughan – vocals
Bill Pettus – drums
Slawdaddy – electric guitar
Will Armstrong – “Dog House” bass
You can look for Hamburger James’ newest CD, “Last Plane to Memphis” on their website: hamburgerjames
Wrenn’s CD is available on his website: wrennmangum
Writen by Cindy Johnson aka Elvistra
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