Shawn Klush
Shawn Klush is an American Elvis tribute artist who regularly tours around the world.
Early life
Shawn Klush was born and raised in Pittston, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Seton Catholic High School in Pittston in 1988. Klush's love for music led him to begin imitating his musical idol, Elvis Presley. Klush's father was a radio disc jockey. From an early age, Klush listened to Elvis singing. He studied guitar, and eventually joined a local band called Night Moves, with members Joseph Bruno, Dan Gardner, George Guman, and Charlie Newcomb.Early career
Klush first began performing as an Elvis tribute artist at resorts in the Poconos region of Pennsylvania. During a tour of Canada, he entered and won the $5,000 prize in the "Worldwide Elvis Competition" in Montreal. He was hired by the producers of the Las Vegas show Legends in Concert to star as 'Elvis' in the company's Branson, Missouri production in 2004. He also alternated in their Las Vegas and Atlantic City show rooms. Each January he stars in the "Elvis Birthday Tribute Tour," an Elvis show with Elvis' original musicians, singers, and closest friends, in multiple cities. Klush also performed at Burnley Mechanics and performed at the Bolton Arena with Justin Shandor, Gordon Hendricks, Steve Preston, DJ Fontana, and The Sweet Inspirations.Personal life
Shawn's wife Beverly died on April 2024. They have two children, Shelby and Troy.Competitions and honors
In addition to winning the "Worldwide Elvis Competition" in Montreal on January 6, 2005, Klush became grand champion at the $25,000 "World Elvis Tribute Artist Competition" hosted by Potawatomi Casino that same year. He has received "The People's Choice Award" from Gibson Guitar in Nashville as "Best Concert Elvis". In 2007, Klush was named the international champion of BBC One's World's Greatest Elvis Competition in [the United Kingdom by BBC1 Network U.K. Klush was chosen by Graceland as the winner of Elvis Presley Enterprises first ever Ultimate Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis, Tennessee, and is the only Elvis tribute artist officially endorsed and approved by Elvis Presley Enterprises.According to Klush in a rare interview "I've won every one I ever attempted. I don't like them. I don't feel Elvis felt like he was in competition with anyone. I graciously accept the awards but I never stop working on my craft."
Klush has many times been dubbed by the news media as "The closest to The King in concert" including The Chicago Tribune, The Las Vegas Sun and Newsweek Magazine.
In 2024, Klush was announced as an inductee into the Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame.