Steve McCoy wanted to be a performer since he was a child.
When he was younger he loved Elvis Presley, but when he saw Tom Jones perform, he wanted to be like him.
“When I saw Tom Jones perform there wasn’t anything more exciting,” said McCoy. “The energy he has onstage is unbelievable.”
McCoy studied him, watched him on television and live.
“I think he has an incredibly great voice … I loved him and said ‘that’s what I want to do.’”
Yet, McCoy wasn’t a singer. When he tried out for a school play his teacher told him he wouldn’t give McCoy the part because he couldn’t sing. But that didn’t deter him after he decided he wanted to sing like Tom Jones.
“Over the years this is something I always wanted to do and I worked at it,” he said.
Years later, while performing in Atlantic City, McCoy saw his teacher in the front row.
“I saw him sitting there and he was crying,” said McCoy, adding that later he spoke to his teacher, who asked where that voice came from.
McCoy performs as Tom Jones during the Iconic Superstars Tribute Show at the Port Theatre.
He’s joined by Denita Asberry performing as Aretha Franklin, John Anthony as Rod Stewart and Ronnie Scott as Elvis Presley.
McCoy said the tribute show is like a series of mini concerts. He said each artist brings the star to life onstage and uses his or her own voice to emulate the star.
“You don’t hear voices like those anymore,” he said.
The tribute artists have worked hard to emulate the voice, physicality and even the banter the artists are known for onstage.
McCoy has performed for about 26 years as a Tom Jones tribute artist and has worked for years in Las Vegas.
The Iconic Superstars Tribute Show, presented by Legacy North Productions, is Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Port Theatre.
Tickets are $55 for rows A-J and $49 for rows K-W and the balcony available by calling 250-754-8550 or visiting www.porttheatre.com.