The“ PICTURE BOOK MUSICAL SERIES”
performed“ Suspicious Minds,” now a staple of his shows.
That first exchange of energy was galvanizing for DuCharme.“ I really liked the feeling of interacting with the crowd, talking to them, moving around on stage, and bringing people into the performance like Elvis did. That’ s really what fascinated me: the performing, rather than just playing the music.” He kept gigging with Tommy T. and Black Velvet.“ I wanted to really do more shows and events where people would go to watch a show and not just go out to dance.” In May 2023, at age 13, DuCharme entered the ETA Youth Division competition at Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York. It was his first time leaving the Berkshires to perform, and he ended up winning first place.“ I loved performing for people on a stage who wanted to hear the music and feel like they’ d been transported back in time,” he says. That weekend experience broadened his world.“ I met people who have been doing this as their full-time career for much longer than I had even been alive. Seeing that there were other people that did this— I didn’ t even know that this was really a community. It was just a very new and exciting experience to meet all these people who shared this love for Elvis and wanted to keep the music alive.”
His mother, Karen DuCharme, has attended all of his ETA competitions and also acts as his manager— or, as she calls herself, his“ momager.” She recalls the quantum leap that he took during that performance.“ I was surprised that he looked as comfortable up there as he did,” she says.“ He didn’ t appear nervous to anyone else but me.” In addition to bringing Jackson to his performances, Karen books dates, navigates logistics, and helps him focus on balancing the duality of performance, competitions, and schoolwork.
Building the Look
DuCharme’ s simple costume at that first show with Tommy T. & Black Velvet soon gave way to a deeper pursuit of authenticity.“ The thing I realized I really had to improve on in order to be a contender at the competitions was the authentic look,” he says.“ Up until then, I was really focused on getting my voice to where I wanted it to be.” He laughs while recalling early ward-
Alexandra Eidenschenk DESIGNS
The“ PICTURE BOOK MUSICAL SERIES”
Award-winning artists from Broadway and International concert halls come together to inspire the next generation of readers.
The perfect HOLIDAY GIFT for every young reader and only a click away. Celebrate the season with delightful music, playful rhymes, and comical animation. More picture book musicals coming in 2026!
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Holiday 2025 2023 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // 69