Craig A. Meyer is returning to Feinstein’s in his hometown of Carmel for New Year’s Eve.
But this time, Meyer will perform his “Remember When Rock Was Young … The Elton John Experience.” On Dec. 31, 2022, Meyer performed two solo shows recounting his journey to become a top Elton John tribute artist.
“It’s sparkles, sequins, feathers, glasses and (everything) that comes with the fun Elton John,” the 1981 Carmel High School graduate said.
Meyer will perform 75-minute shows at 7:30 and 10:45 p.m. Dec. 31 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael.
“The 75-minute show that we usually do for casinos is just basically hit after hit after hit,” he said. “Within the first four notes, everyone knows the song we are doing, which is great. The familiarity brings up the nostalgia and the feelings when you first heard those songs, remembering where you were and what was going on in your life.”
Joining pianist Meyer will be performers on bass, guitar and drums. There will be some support from backing from tracks because of the smaller stage at Feinstein’s.
“It’s still my band. They just won’t be there in person,” Meyer said.
Meyer said he was asked if he could return this year.
“(Feinstein’s officials) said, ‘We’d love to have you back but we want the big show this time,’” said Meyer, who performed his full Elton John show in March 2022 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
Meyer said the show he did last year transformed into a new show called “Elton, Billy and Barry, They Write the Songs.”
After last year’s New Year’s Eve show, Meyer was asked by a couple if he had considered performing Barry Manilow material as an entire show.
Meyer said combining Elton John, Barry Manilow and Billy Joel made sense because they represent the preeminent pop singer-songwriters of the 1970s.
“They were the three kings of that genre, so that was the impetus for creating that show,” he said.
Meyer said performing the solo show with the piano and playing songs he hadn’t played in decades, specifically the Barry Manilow material, was the impetus for the new show.
For more, visit feinsteinshc.com and almosteltonjohn.com.
