Adam Fisher's talent showcased at The Rutledge, produced by singer/songwriter Stella Parton

Adam Fisher performs at The Rutledge today at 6pm

With his coal-black hair and piercing blue eyes, singer Adam Fisher already has more going for him than any number of up-and-coming singers in Nashville. Add the fact that the 22 year-old entertainer has been performing since the early age of thirteen, as an Elvis impersonator, no less; and is now being produced by gospel and country star Stella Parton, and it's a no-brainer that this kid is on the verge of something big. With a showcase set for Wednesday, June 24, at 6:00 p.m., Adam is ready to prove exactly that as he performs selections from his self-titled debut CD at The Rutledge in a showcase for industry, friends and family.

I recently had an opportunity to ask Adam and his producer a few questions about his showcase and their journey together thus far. "I got together with Stella through a family friend who had heard me sing at a fund-raiser for my high school. He liked what he heard enough to pass my name along to one of his friends," shared Adam of his initial introduction to Stella. "From there, we set up a meeting where she pretty much told me to stay in school and maybe come to Nashville later," he continued. It wasn't long after that when Stella went to one of Adam's shows in Memphis with their mutual friend. Adam recalled meeting with Stella in the lobby and the two decided on the spot that in a few months, he should make the move to Music City to be mentored by Stella.

While most fans know Stella primarily as an award winning recording artist and songwriter, through her affiliation with, Attic Entertainment, and artist like Adam, she has also become quite a prolific producer. As Adam's producer, Stella revealed, "The biggest challenges as a producer are to try to find great songs that fit the singer." She certainly met that challenge head-on with the first track on Adam's CD, Without Our Clothes. Upon first listen to the song, I was reminded of a young Hank Williams, Jr. The 6'1" Jacksonville, NC native delivers  the sort of deep baritone voice you can only hope comes outta a man of that stature. With playful lyrics like, "My tie is feeling tight again and your heels are way too tall/And these monkey suits they make us wear outta be against the law/Well I'm feeling rather earthy, kinda natural I suppose/Let's go out to the country and run around without our clothes" conjure images of taking a dip in the local swimmin' hole, something anyone who grew up in the country can relate to.

It's that ability to relate to the songs and the audience that also sets Adam apart from others. "With so much competition in the marketplace, it's Adam's charisma that sets him apart," confided Stella. Adam's roots no doubt played a part in that relatable charisma. "My background is a small town, bonfires, old country music pro wrestling, guns, church and Elvis." With that in mind, the tracks Dirt Road in Georgia, Cotton Town and a song he co-wrote with Stella, I've Been Elvis Since I was Twelve, seem to serve as narrative of his formative years.

Of his years performing as Elvis, Adam has learned a valuable lesson in stage presence. "There has never been another performer with as much sheer charisma and he had. I watched a long time to find out what it was that he did on stage," admits the raven-haired singer of his famed look-alike. "A lot of Elvi look weird on stage because they don't understand what it was that made him, why people loved him, and that he was not shaking all the time, in fact he hardly ever moved." He continued, "It was the way in which he carried himself, and the confidence, the humble yet sexy part of him that people miss. In learning that and watching a few of my favorite performers, it has allowed me to put together my own persona. There is still a large part of Elvis in what I do, and there always will be. I was Elvis for so long, it is ingrained in my DNA. He was and is a huge part of why I do what I do. My stage presence, I owe solely to him." Adam added with a laugh, "Maybe one day, a twenty-one year old boy will have a hard time getting out from behind my shadow."   That Elvis influence is clearly present on the track, I Can't Be True, a song written by Stella's sister, Dolly Parton, and featuring backing vocals by Stella herself. "Dolly was excited I wanted to cut one of her songs and even rewrote it for us.  She picked it for the project," Stella beamed.

To anyone who knows Stella or Adam, it is evident that in addition to their mutual love and respect for music, they also share a strong spirituality. "It has been a source of strength for me, and to have someone working on the project that feels the same way and believes that everything comes from God, like I do, it's a real comfort," acknowledged Adam. "I just believe there is a plan, and I'll follow it. Things may not happen tomorrow, but I 'll keep trying. I don't believe I would have been given the opportunities that I have if there were no plan in place for me," he continued.

The song, Gideon, included on his debut project touches on an aspect of religion and separation from family. This song made me wonder how Adam is handling being away from friends and family as he pursues his dream. "It's not easy. And I don't know if anyone juggles it well, or at least anyone I know. It's hard to be away from your family and everything that's comfortable--to be out playing to 40 people in a small bar," Adam admitted. "Gideon is just about a guy at the end of his rope. I fell like the guy in the story lost his lady because of the road, and I can completely see that happening, when you aren't around, your counterpart gets tired of it," he added.

Bars, Guitars and A Honky Tonk Crowd also draws from the loneliness of life on the road. "Bars, Guitars is a song that totally deals with the road and being away from home and family," examined Adam. "The line 'and Curtis Lowe, come and save my soul, with a bar, guitar and a honky tonk crowd' is an allusion to God and how he saves your soul in life, and if you play Curtis Lowe in a bar, it saves your set. I juggle the road and music the best I can. Large phone bills, and a lot of guitar playing."

The playful tracks, Hurricane Christie and One Tequila again showcase Adam's deep vocal tone. Christie is a familiar tale of meeting a fun girl during a night out with the boys, while Tequila could almost be another perspective of the same scene. This time around, a guy has his eye on a girl and finds the easiest way to get rid of the competition is to keep buying them shots.
It's that balance of fun lyrics, and tried and true country vocal style that makes Adam's freshman effort a solid mix of traditional country with a nice dose of down home summer fun smoothly blended by a richly confident deep and sexy voice. Aided by the inevitable buzz tonight's showcase will generate, Stella plans on getting Adam's CD to radio for airplay with his first single. Keep an eye on his forthcoming website www.adamfisherlive.com for more information.