Claude “Doc” Nielsen will compete in his fifth Elvis Rocks Mesquite event June 22-22 in the CasaBlanca Showroom of the CasaBlanca Resort. Submitted photo.

Claude “Doc” Nielsen will compete in his fifth Elvis Rocks Mesquite event June 22-22 in the CasaBlanca Showroom of the CasaBlanca Resort. Submitted photo.

Mesquite resident Claude “Doc’ Nielsen once ditched his wig to show the crowd at Elvis Rocks Mesquite what Elvis would likely look like if he were alive today. Submitted photo.

Mesquite resident Claude “Doc’ Nielsen once ditched his wig to show the crowd at Elvis Rocks Mesquite what Elvis would likely look like if he were alive today. Submitted photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is something mystical about the music of Elvis Presley especially when it comes in the form of Elvis Rocks Mesquite.

Now entering its fifth year in the 500 seat CasaBlanca Showroom June 20-21 at the CasaBlanca Resort, the 2014 event promises to be just as enjoyable especially considering that 79 year-old Mesquite resident Claude Nielsen is among the Elvis Tribute Artists that will perform.

A retired chiropractor, the colorful Nielsen has competed in each of the previous shows. It goes without saying that his personality and his incredible ability to impersonate Elvis Presley has made him wildly-popular in each of his four Elvis Rocks Mesquite performances.

To hear Nielsen sing is a treat in itself, but it’s his body language along with his ability to personally identify with Elvis that makes him an extra-special part of an impressive array of performers who travel to Mesquite for the event every year.

Nielsen likes to play up the fact that he is the same age that Elvis would have been were he to be alive today.  In past years, Nielsen has made his way on stage with a walker he borrowed.

Then toward the end of his performance, Nielsen (he is bald) has removed his Elvis-like hairpiece and thrown it to an eager crowd of women who have rushed the stage. While he’s at it, he also throws the women his scarves just as Elvis did when he captivated audiences at the old Las Vegas Hilton back in the 1960s and 1970s.

A six-year resident of Mesquite who was born in Nebraska and raised in Salt Lake City, Nielsen obviously loves competing in Elvis Rocks Mesquite. His fans and fellow performers also admire his wit and his sincere talent and in fact, have named him the event’s Most Inspirational Performer in the past.

In his first effort during the 2010 Elvis Rocks Mesquite show, Nielsen finished fourth out of more than 50 entries. Considering that he’s a true veteran in a field of performers 40 years younger, most didn’t know what to expect when he sauntered on stage.

The end result was a pair of standing ovations in a jam-packed CasaBlanca Showroom of Baby Boomers longing for the good old days when the real Elvis kept capacity crowds rocking out for hours.

Whether Nielsen is singing Elvis hits like “Love Me Tender” or “My Way” or anything else Presley-like, he’s a hoot to watch.  His goal is to perform in the 2015 Elvis Rocks Mesquite to become the oldest person ever to appear as an Elvis Tribute Artist.

And just to show that the man isn’t afraid to branch out a bit, he also performs the hits of the late Country Western star George Jones when Elvis Rocks Mesquite wraps up each year with Copy Kats, a collection of performers who sing the songs of legendary performers such as Elvis, Roy Orbison and Neil Diamond, to name a few.

Nielsen remains a favorite at karaoke at Peggy Sue’s in Mesquite where he’s known to star on a weekly basis. For this year’s Elvis Rocks Mesquite, he has a brand new $1,400 costume.

“You bet I’m ready for this year,” he said. “They figure I need to do something different that sets me apart from the rest and my new costume is going to make me look slim and trim. I enjoy rubbing shoulders with all of the other Elvis’s who are members of this club. It’s like a Big Boys Club.”

Nielsen said he’s been listening to Elvis music for as long as he can remember. He also points out that he was a triplet and Elvis was a twin.

Event promoter Sue Arko, who also brings BransonFest Out West to the CasaBlanca each February, said Nielson has been a huge shot-in-the-arm to Elvis Rocks Mesquite.

“He has been absolutely incredible,” said Arko, who owns Free Spirit Vacations in Gilbert, Ariz. “He has been a delight and always rocks everyone’s world.”

The schedule June 20 includes competition in the Best of the 50s at 2 p.m. and the Best of the 60s at 7 p.m.

The Best of the 70s will be highlighted starting at 2 p.m. June 21 with the finals set for 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. All performances are presented in the CasaBlanca Showroom.

Advance tickets for the 50s, 60s and 70s competition are priced from $20 and are priced from $25 for the finals.

Further information can be found by visiting www.mesquitegaming.com; calling Star Tickets at 800-585-3737 or by contacting Arko at www.freespiritvacations.com or by calling Free Spirit Vacations at 480-926-5547.

The schedule June 20 includes competition in the Best of the 50s at 2 p.m. and the Best of the 60s at 7 p.m.