Michael was born in Washington, DC. He can remember learning Elvis songs and mimicking his styles as early as the second grade. He grew up in Rockville, Maryland, and graduated from Wheaton High School where he sang and put together a small band to play teen clubs and proms. Michael saw Elvis three times in concert, has all of his records, and has seen all of his movies. “Everyone has a hero – he was my hero and I wanted to be like him,” Hoover said.
After the untimely death of Elvis Presley in 1977, Michael was inspired to do his “Memories of Elvis” Show as a tribute to the King of Rock and Roll. Michael says, “There will never be another Elvis, and I would just like to bring back a few memories of the late King.” He has been performing for over 30 years and has developed into one of the finest male vocalists in the country. The similarity between Elvis and Michael in voice, mannerisms, and looks is astounding. Experiencing Michael’s “Memories of Elvis” show is the next best thing to seeing Elvis in concert.
His powerful and dynamic voice enables him to captivate his audience, both young and old alike. Due to his God-given talent, Michael is comfortable singing rock and roll, country, rhythm and blues, or gospel music. Michael’s outstanding musical training included study with one of the most renowned voice teachers of our time, the late Frederick Wilkerson. Mr. Wilkerson coached Roberta Flack, Ethel Waters, and many other well-known artists.
Michael has won various Elvis look-alike and sing-alike contests and won the area’s Best Country Singer award from the year-long Country Showcase American Jamboree in 1979. In 1985, he won second place in the area’s Star Search contest in Maryland. In commemoration of the eleventh anniversary of Elvis’ passing, a singing contest was held in Memphis, Tennessee on August, 19, 1988. Some of the world’s best talent turned out for this event. Out of a total of close to 100 singers, Michael was proclaimed to be the best Elvis tribute artist in the world.
Michael has performed and has been interviewed many times on radio and television stations all over the country. Numerous articles have been written about him and featured in many prominent newspapers. Michael is surely becoming recognized as one of the country’s finest performers.
Performance Highlights
- Featured performer with the Jordanaires on “Follow That Dream” Caribbean Cruise.
- Opening act for Roseanne Arnold at the Circle Star Theater in California and appearance on her sitcom – “Roseanne.”
- First place winner of highly regarded international Elvis Impersonator Contest in Memphis, Tennessee.
- Performed and opened for Jerry Lee Lewis in Memphis, TN in 1996.
- Worked with notables from Elvis’ life – Charlie Hodge, D.J. Fontana, Red West, Eddie Fadal, Nancy Walters (starred in “Blue Hawaii” with Elvis), and T.G. Sheppard.
- Featured with stars – Sylvia, Reba McEntire, John Conlee, Johnny Lee, and Charlie Daniels.
- Production of his own TV Special, a 60-minute tribute to Elvis which was aired non-stop for 12 hours.
- Performed on stage with Carl Perkins at the Good Rockin tonight concert in Memphis, TN in 1996.
- Performed live in concert for 5 days at the Olympics in Atlanta, GA in 1996.
- Michael has toured in Japan, Mexico, Jamaica, Nova Scotia and the Carribeans.
What Others Are Saying About Michael…
“One of the best tributes I have seen. He is sincere and it shows in his work.” – Charlie Hodge, Elvis’ close friend
“Vastly superior to all others I have seen.” – Eddie Fadal, Elvis’ personal friend
“A truly magnificent voice…he can’t help it if he sounds like Elvis…naturally…tremendous stage presence…taking command and leading his audience down paths of wonderfully nostalgic remembrances.” – Jim Rogers, Potomac News
“A superb, rich, resonant voice capable of spine-chilling high notes as well as the heart wrenching low ones with which Presley himself melted millions of female hearts…draws the audience to the palm of his hand…expert recreation of the Presley stage presence.” – David E. Winn, Free Lance Star
“The man in handsome, sexy and has an indefinable charisma. As he talks to his audience, his voice is mellow, wooing his audience, caressing, teasing, seductive; the audience responds as if it were Elvis, with the same aura of love, awe and passion. The audience sighs, cheers, applauds, yells, asks for more. An altogether engaging performer, he appeals to a broad range of ages and types.” – Sylvia S. Cutler, The Journal
“Genius…See Hoover now…and don’t be surprised if you become a hunka hunka burning fanatic.” – Alex Heard, The Washington Post Magazine