Torbay schoolboy represents UK with performance at Elvis’s Graceland

A 12-year-old from Paignton has returned from the trip of a lifetime after performing at Elvis Presley’s Graceland during the world-famous Elvis Week celebrations.

Cooper, who has just started secondary school, was one of only a handful of young artists from around the globe invited to take to the stage in Memphis this August. He performed four times across the nine-day festival, including at the Graceland Theater, the Graceland Exhibition Center, and in a slot on Beale Street – the legendary strip where Elvis himself once soaked up the music.

His mum, Kelly, said: “Cooper did four performances, which was absolutely amazing. He performed in the Graceland Theater, which only a few people are chosen to do each year, so that was an incredible honour. He also performed on the Graceland complex in the exhibition centre, and even managed to get a little spot on Beale Street – that’s where BB King’s is, where Elvis used to go. It was just amazing, the performances that he did.”

For his showcase, Graceland organisers asked him to sing Long Tall Sally – the Little Richard hit that Elvis made famous in his own live sets – giving the Devon schoolboy the chance to belt out a rock ’n’ roll classic on one of music’s most iconic stages.

The trip was also a chance to follow directly in Elvis’s footsteps. “We went shopping in Lansky’s in the Peabody Hotel – that’s where Elvis used to get his jackets and outfits. Cooper even bought the same blazer Elvis had. He used his own money for it, which made it extra special,” Kelly said.

Elvis Week, held annually from 8–16 August, draws thousands of fans from around the world to celebrate the King of Rock ’n’ Roll. This year’s guests included Elvis’ close friend Jerry Schilling, former girlfriend Linda Thompson, singer Brenda Lee, songwriter Tony Orlando, Nashville studio legend Charlie McCoy, and bassist Norbert Putnam. The week concluded with the traditional Candlelight Vigil on 15 August, when thousands of fans gathered outside Graceland to honour Presley’s memory.

Cooper’s journey to Memphis began much closer to home. At the age of six, he begged his mum to let him busk in Paignton after spotting a street performer. Armed with a speaker, a microphone and Queen backing tracks, he quickly drew crowds while dressed as Freddie Mercury. But a YouTube clip of Elvis singing Jailhouse Rock soon changed everything.

“No one in our family was ever really an Elvis or Queen fan – Cooper just discovered it himself,” Kelly explained. “He went from dressing up as Freddie Mercury every day to being Elvis every day, learning all the songs, busking as Elvis. From there he started getting asked to do gigs in care homes, hotels, and then competitions all over the country. It just grew and grew.”

As his reputation spread, Cooper signed with Bulldog Promotions, who began securing him regular appearances at Elvis festivals across the UK and sent his audition tapes to Graceland – opening the door to this summer’s invitation.

Now, alongside singing at international festivals, he still performs closer to home. His school encourages him to take part in performing arts shows, and the family juggle lessons with travelling to gigs across the country. 

The young singer has already featured on BBC and ITV, built a wardrobe of 1950s Elvis costumes – from a gold lamé jacket to his GI Blues uniform – and dreams of one day auditioning for the prestigious BRIT School to continue his performing arts journey.

In Memphis, he wasn’t just another tribute act – he was the only child representing the UK. Kelly watched proudly as her son took it all in his stride: “Cooper was in his element. He didn’t want to come home. They loved him out there. It really was the most amazing experience.”