Drake Milligan

Putting on an Elvis costume and gelling his hair, sophomore, Drake Milligan slips into his blue suede shoes while he prepares for another show.

Milligan performs as an Elvis tribute artist. He sings, acts and dances just like Elvis.

“I saw an Elvis impersonator one time by accident and really started liking it,” Milligan said.

Drake became an Elvis Impersonator at the age of nine, doing his first show on an Elvis cruise. Now, Drake performs on most weekends in front of audiences ranging from five people to hundreds of people. When Drake performs, he does anything Elvis would have done, from talking like him to moving around the dance floor.

“I would like to do perform like Elvis for a while, it’s great to sing his songs,” Milligan said. “Elvis was a great guy.”

Performing takes Drake all over the United States and other countries. Drake travels to Vegas, New York, Canada and, of course, Memphis Tennessee to perform. Most recently Drake sang on Good Morning Texas and got the part for a Lifetime short film starring Elvis as a teenager.

“I really like Elvis and it’s fun [performing],” Milligan said.

Drake watches films about Elvis to prepare for some performances. When Drake isn’t performing he is doing regular teenage things. In his spare time Drake likes to hang out with his friends, hunt and fish.

“In the future I would like to be doing this or acting,” Milligan said.

Update:
Junior Drake Milligan’s goals soon became a reality when he was offered an acting job in the movie “Nobody” following his audition in Memphis. The movie focuses on Elvis in his teenage years before he became known as Elvis Presley, the king of rock ‘n’ roll.

“I was very thrilled when I got the role,” Milligan said. “I didn’t think I would get the part when I auditioned.”

Milligan, since the age of eight, grew up idolizing Elvis. He auditioned alongside 25 other Elvis fanatics in August of 2013. He brought his guitar to the set and sang several songs, including…. He also read a few lines from the script. The movie was set to film April of 2014.

“All of the actors were very down to earth and nice,” Milligan said. “Being recognized is probably the best feeling from it all.”

After having to travel by plane all the way to Tennessee, deal with hectic directors, and being crunched for time 12 hours a day, Milligan’s face was finally put on the big screen and his dreams became a reality. The film premiered at the Farr Best Theater in downtown Mansfield on August 9.

“The set was very hectic and rushed for time,“ Milligan said. “We worked twelve hour days four days a week. Although I was tired, it was worth it seeing myself on the big screen.”