Narrator: Hello. And welcome to the Autism News Network podcast. We’ve got a very special guest with us today, Elvis impersonator, Aaron Smith.

Dr. Gwynette: Patrick, you had one more question.

Patrick: Can you do the Elvis lip?

Aaron Smith: Yes, sir, I can. Not real well but because, you see, his was on the opposite side. I can only do it on this side. But, yeah. Not well. But that’s one thing I struggle with because it won’t stay. When Elvis did it, he said, “Well I did 39 pictures like that, baby.” See, I can only do it for a minute or two because it won’t hold.

Dr. Gwynette: How often do you rehearse?

Aaron Smith: Not a lot to be honest. Because all my band guys live at different houses and they have their own stuff going on. Usually, and this is interesting, because my band guys are in their fifties and I want to say sixties. I like experienced people. I’m the youngest onstage. But not a lot. They know my routine down pat pretty much unless I’m a jerk or (beep) and I change it on them. And they’re like, “Oh, he’s doing this.” But not a lot. I usually watch the Elvis videos. I watched the tour videos on YouTube and I mimic that. Usually I’ll do it in my living room. And they’re old enough to remember Elvis because they were playing when they were 16 and 17 and this would have been in the seventies. So they, they know it pretty well. If I do a certain move, they’re like, he’s going to go into Hound Dog or he’s going to go into Promised Land or sort of thing. So not as much as I’d like to.

Dr. Gwynette: That’s really neat. And one of our final formal questions is going to come from Christina.

Kristina: Can you tell us about that ring that you are wearing?

Aaron Smith: The ring? I’m glad you asked that the ring I am wearing is actually it’s a very expensive ring. It’s a rare ring. But in the [crosstalk 00:02:05]-

Patrick: It sure looks expensive.

Aaron Smith: In the later years of the seventies, Elvis had necklaces made, sunglasses, his entourage, his crew with TCB and then it had a lightning bolt. I have the necklace as well. I got it in Memphis, and it was made by his original jeweler, Mr. Lowell Hays. He made the necklace. But the ring I have on is a TCB ring. And I want to say ’76, ’77, he had this made. Let’s see if we can do it. It has lightning bolts on each side. It’s got a stone on the top. And then it says TCB. And TCB meant “taking care of business,” and the lightning bolts on each side, “taking care of business in a flash.” So, that was Elvis’s motto. He had it on a lot of his karate uniforms and stuff. That’s the ring.

Dr. Gwynette: That is so cool. Where did you get that ring?

Aaron Smith: We’re not together anymore, but at the time, my significant other bought me it as a gift. And the way it was presented to me was even weird. It was there, but I didn’t get it. And so it was like, “Oh, look in the dish in the coffee table.” And my ring was sitting in the coffee table in this dish.

Dr. Gwynette: Oh, that was really cool. We’ve heard so much great stuff. Learned a lot about Elvis. Learned about Erin’s journey, having autism, getting diagnosed and adulthood. And then using his passion for music and passion for Elvis, and turning that into a lifestyle and a career. And he’s very successful at it. At this point, we’re going to open up the floor. Just any other questions that you guys have in mind that you wanted to ask?

Ainsley: So Aaron, my granddaddy, he can do the Elvis lip too. He does a really good Elvis’ voice. We used to be Elvis and Priscilla. And he used to say, “Come on, Priscilla. Let’s go down lover’s lane and do some smooching.”

Aaron Smith: That’s adorable.

David: I got one. My fiancee, Belle, Elvis was one of the singers that motivated her to sing. That one of the people that motivate her to sing.

Dr. Gwynette: Oh, Elvis made her want to sing too?

David: Yeah. My fiancee, Belle.

Aaron Smith: You have your own Priscilla right there, with the black hair and everything.

David: Well, she can sing in almost 25 languages.

Aaron Smith: Congratulations, again.

Dr. Gwynette: And Aaron what does your family think about your career? Are they supportive?

Dr. Gwynette: In the beginning? It was different because they were like, “Are you ever…” It’s hard to say because before it was just, is it a phase? Is he going to grow out of it? But now they’re very supportive. I’m very lucky to have a mother and a father and a sister and some friends that are very supportive. And that I have a crew of people that I work with, staff of mine who are very supportive, very upfront, and have been very supportive with me. Not only in my inner circle, but you know, on a personal journey as well when it comes to the off stage, the real me. And I would have to say that that was humbling to have people who are for real with you and who are honest with you. That aren’t afraid to pop your ego bubble.

Dr. Gwynette: I want to ask you one other question. Because you’re living your dream. A lot of times we hear people say, “Hey, we’re not good enough.” Or what would you say to somebody who feels like they don’t have what it takes, that their dreams aren’t going to come true, and that they’re never going to get off Medicaid. Or they’ll never be independent. What would you say to somebody like that?

Aaron Smith: Well, and I’m glad you asked that. Growing up, I originally was put in a group home. Originally out of my parents’ house and my mom got sick. So it was almost like my parents didn’t really know what to do at the time. So I went there and then from there I thought I would never get out of that situation, but I was fortunate enough to. And I’m living on my own. I do have supports, like we had talked about in the interview. I work with a team of people who check in and help me here and there on with life skills training and that sort of thing. Which is great when I’m not doing the Elvis thing. So working to become even more independent is my goal. But having good friends. I have a really good friend who does a lot of traveling with me, Sebastian.

Aaron Smith: He is my best friend. I didn’t have a lot of true friends. So he would be my true friends. And if I ever got really famous to where I had a lot of money, I would definitely take care of those people who were there first versus the people was like, “Hey, remember me?” Yeah. No. I remember you. You were a (beep) to me in high school. But to the people who say they’re not good enough, never say that. Never, ever say that. Because, first off, if you believe in yourself enough, and you do what you want to do it and you pursue that, you’re only as strong as your mind. And my mom and dad have always said, you can do anything you put your mind to. So, I’ve always said, people who say they’re not good enough are good enough. And the people who, who talked down to those people are just jealous of what that person’s gift is.

David: That is so true right there. And my fiancee Valjean went through that too. And I went to through that myself when it came to artwork.

Aaron Smith: You do artwork? I do a little artwork, not a lot like I used to. But art was my escape in high school.

David: I can draw people.

Aaron Smith: Can you?

David: Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Dr. Gwynette: No, dude.

Aaron Smith: That’s a fantastic talent. Because I will say, I can’t. I can draw architecture, but I can’t draw people. I can draw that stick figure, but that’s about it.

Dr. Gwynette: Yeah. David’s a very talented artist.

Unidentified Speaker: I have that same issue. I can do landscapes and other stuff painting, but I can’t really draw anything. But stick figures.

David: Here’s one of mine.

Aaron Smith: Is that, really?

Dr. Gwynette: Wow.

David: Yeah.

Aaron Smith: That is fantastic. That is wonderful. That is really wonderful.

David: I have the real picture on here, too. Long one. Here it is.

Dr. Gwynette: It’s really-

David: Here’s the real one.

Aaron Smith: That’s wonderful.

David: And here’s the drawing.

Aaron Smith: That’s really good. That’s fantastic. I can’t do it. That is awesome.

Dr. Gwynette: This has been so fun. I really appreciate you coming on, Aaron. Like we said, we hope that you’ll be a long-term fan and friend of the Autism News Network. And we’re going to be following your work and watching your progression as you follow your dreams and live it out. It’s just fantastic. So can we all give Aaron a big round of applause? Louder!

Aaron Smith: Thank you very much guys for your time and for having me. I’m very fortunate and I really appreciate your guys’ time. And it’s been wonderful meeting all of you all around the world. I’ve always wanted to touch people and connect with people and wonder if there was someone like me or something like that. So it’s been wonderful. I appreciate it. All of you guys. Thank you so much.

Dr. Gwynette: So you’ve been watching the Autism News Network podcasts. We’ve been joined by Aaron Smith, who was an Elvis tribute artist, very talented musician. He shared his life with us, his dreams. And, of course, his passion for Elvis, who is still the King of rock and roll.

Aaron Smith: Yes, sir.

Dr. Gwynette: If you want to live like you did back in the seventies and follow Elvis and hear the music, please check out Aaron Smith on Facebook. And also once COVID goes away, he’s going to be back on tour, right, Aaron?

Aaron Smith: Yes, sir.

Dr. Gwynette: All right, cool. So thank you so much for joining us Aaron. And we will see you next time on the Autism News Network.