Courtesy photo Jon Sampson performs as Elvis on a cruise aboard the Regal Empress around the year 2000.

ESCANABA — Jon Sampson, otherwise known as “Big” Jon and now “Escanaba Elvis,” has relocated to the Upper Peninsula and is continuing a musical career in which he has performed countless gigs — both in bands and solo — over the last several decades; spent 30 years in radio broadcasting; and perhaps most notably, performed as a professional Elvis Presley tribute artist at a range of venues, including Nashville’s world-famous Grand Ole Opry.

Residents will be able to see Sampson perform his Elvis act at the Daily Press Senior Expo on September 24. As part of the program, Sampson will perform for attendees.

Sampson was born and raised in Clarkston, in southeastern Michigan, to a musical family.

“My father (Jack) grew up playing gigs with Bob Seger back in the ’60s, before Bob Seger was popular,” said Sampson.

Also included in the circle of family friends, some of whom appear alongside Sampson in old photographs, were other musicians that might sound familiar to readers: There was Susie Kane, who played keyboard for Question Mark and the Mysterians and Meatloaf Soul — before Meat Loaf became Meat Loaf; Peter Woodman, a founding member of The Bossmen and who later worked with Alice Cooper; and Charlie Allen Martin, original drummer for Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band.

“I grew up playing music in family bands and oldies bands and country bands and classic rock bands and gospel groups … you name it,” said drummer-vocalist Sampson. “Before I left Michigan in 1991 … when I was in high school and broadcasting school, I had a local public access TV show in Clarkston, where I produced and directed the show and I would bring in local artists from all over the place.”

After finishing broadcasting school downstate in 1990, Sampson moved to Florida in 1991 and ended up with his own radio show on WENG out of Englewood, Fla. As DJ and host for the three-hour segment, Sampson aired rock music and conducted celebrity interviews.

It was in the ’90s and early 2000s that Sampson’s homage to “the King of Rock and Roll” made the biggest waves.

Working with the Make-a-Wish Foundation, he performed as an Elvis impersonator on cruise ships. Sampson said that each of the five cruises he did raised $25,000.

The Elvis performance is a role Sampson takes seriously. “It’s a two-hour stage show. It’s not a clown show; it’s a serious tribute,” he said, adding that he has an arsenal of about 50 Elvis songs that he brings to those two-hour bookings.

Presley himself performed for the Grand Ole Opry just once. So did Sampson as Elvis, calling the experience “surreal” in hindsight.

“I was very fortunate,” Sampson said. “It’s funny how when you have the opportunity to do something, you do it. And sometimes you don’t realize what a privilege it was until years and years later, when you’re (watching) TV and you see that circle where you stood in that building and realize the significance of what that place is and what it means and say, ‘geez, I was there.'”

A very different experience that ended up making Sampson a hit at parties was after he did an ad for a Domino’s franchise in Florida. When the owner asked him how he wanted to be paid, Sampson reportedly said, “For the next year, when I call there, and Elvis says ‘bring me a pizza,’ you bring it within 30 minutes or less. As many as I want.” He said the owner was happy with that deal — as were Sampson’s friends.

It’s been 19 years since Sampson has been on stage as Elvis, but he’s looking forward to reprising the role. His new suit, royal blue with gold embellishments, was tailor-made by Alexandra Kralova at Sakra in Marquette. He just picked up the completed outfit on Tuesday and said Kralova did a “fantastic” job.

In addition to the 50-song repertoire and the flashy new jumpsuit, Sampson said he’s prepared with “a big sound system, lights, the whole bit.”

Just because he hasn’t been Elvis in a while doesn’t mean there will be much dust to shake off. He’s still been a musical entertainer and has already given a number of musical performances since he and his wife, Tanya, moved to Esky a little less than a year and a half ago.

Sampson said that Escanaba reminds him of his hometown of Clarkston 40 years ago:

“Everybody knows everybody, it’s still a quaint town. Now, (Clarkston)’s really commercialized, but downtown Escanaba isn’t. It just reminded me of what I grew up with,” he said. “And then we stopped at a four-way stop sign, a herd of deer walked across the road, and my wife fell in love,” Sampson laughed.

While he especially wants to highlight the Elvis show for future bookings around the state, Sampson explained that he covers a lot of songs from about 1945 to 1990 and outlined the other types of acts he does:

– There’s a one-hour show tailored for nursing homes.

– As a one-man band, he plays drums and sings to oldies and classic rock tracks.

– Exclusively for churches, he offers a show that’s free but collects donations which are split between Sampson and the church.

With the exception of the church deal, of course, Sampson says he has a pricing formula worked out based on the size of a venue, expected audience and ticket prices. Anyone interested in booking a show can look up “Entertainer Jon Sampson” on Facebook or call or text 248-460-3669.

“I’m looking forward to it,” said Sampson. “This is my forever home up here. I love it. I love the people. They don’t know I exist yet, and I would very much like to serve their musical needs.”