About Graceland Station
We are a premier Elvis Tribute Band and have worked with Robbie Dee, Scott Coon, Bret Wiggins, Tony Colinares, Robert Washington, Roger Anderson and other leading Elvis Tribute Artists. Based in the Seattle area, Graceland Station plays shows and events throughout the Pacific Northwest. In addition to backing Elvis Tribute Artists, the band entertains with their own set of Rock & Roll music. Graceland Station is available to play your festival, club, private party, corporate event, or other event. Reach out at gracelandstation@gmail.com.
Meet Graceland Station
Piano/Keyboards, Background Vocals
Hugh Judd
Hugh had his first piano lesson at age 6 and has played ever since! As a teenager, Hugh discovered rock & roll. He joined his first band in the late 1950s, hired by a Tacoma garage band to compete with the Wailers (info on the Launchers).
After beginning as a music major at Stanford, he realized he wasn't destined to be a rock star. Hugh practiced law for nearly 50 years, in addition to teaching at the University of Washington Business School, where he received many awards.
Hugh enjoys playing the music of Elvis Presley (his favorite song is "Bridge Over Troubled Water"), in addition to performing solo gigs with a mix of standards, blues, pop music, and more.
Hugh and his wife live on Camano Island. They have three grown children and six grandchildren.
Drums, Background Vocals
Bill Harris
Bill - our "Drummer Boy from Illinois" - has played drums and percussion ever since getting his start in his elementary school band. His favorite band was The Beatles - Bill picked the drums and never looked back!
Bill played “Ringo” in a Beatles Tribute for several years. When the band ended, he joined an Elvis Tribute Band. Bill studied the styles of Elvis' drummers D.J. Fontana and Ronnie Tutt.
In 2018, Bill and Hugh Judd left that band, and along with other talented musicians, they formed Graceland Station. Bill loves playing the music of Elvis Presley and the fun of backing Elvis Tribute Artists.
Right now, Bill's favorite Elvis song is "Promised Land." However, tomorrow it could be "Suspicious Minds."
Guitar, Background Vocals
Larry Star
Larry Star is an author, songwriter, musician, comedian, radio co-host and photographer.
The book "Bitter, Party of One Your Table is Ready: Relationship advice from a guy who has no business giving it," stemmed from a viral posting on eBay long before the days of social media. This led to appearances on national TV shows including Today and Countdown with Keith Obermann.
He co-hosted a radio show with Dr. Manuel Gomes called "From Both Ends - relationship advice from the intellect and the id."
Larry has a passion for photography, with a primary focus on musicians in the Pacific Northwest.
Larry's credits as a songwriter include the theme to "Lionel in the Morning", a radio talk show in New York City on WABC.
Larry also fronts the band HotRod.Red, a 3-piece neobilly band based in Seattle.
See this video from their first album.
He is also working on writing a dark-country cinematic album based on gothic themes and social issues.
Larry's favorite Elvis song is "Love Letters." His favorite songs to perform are "Polk Salad Annie" and "Never Been to Spain."
Bass, Background Vocals
Mark Beckmeyer
Mark was raised in Snohomish, Washington. He studied piano until high school, then switched to electric bass and flute. He attended Everett Community College earning an associate degree in music. Mark later studied bass under Dan Dean at the University of Washington.
His music took him on the road with a touring band for nine months in 1981-82 and a few recording sessions with local bands.
Mark currently plays Fender Jazz, original Rickenbacker 4001 and Guild acoustic basses.
Mark enjoys playing the music of Elvis Presley. His favorite Elvis songs are "My Way" and "Never Been to Spain."
Saxophone
Steve Pearse
Steve grew up in Rochester, NY back in the 50s, when every school kid with an interest in making music was encouraged to sing, strum, honk or drum! At various times he played the bassoon, violin, piano, sax and ukulele. After the family relocated to Detroit (Motown), then motored on to Seattle, Steve took every music class his high school offered, playing with friends in pickup bands. At college, he majored in music but also discovered a love for language and literature.
Steve taught high school English and served as language arts coordinator for a Seattle-area school district, completed a doctorate at the UW, and taught graduate courses at night, winning awards along the way. Steve and his wife Sandy now live on Whidbey Island.
Since retirement, Steve has returned to his first love—music! He plays first tenor sax for the SeaNotes Big Band in Oak Harbor, and he has performed on alto and tenor sax for a variety of jazz, blues, and rock bands in recent years. Thanks to Larry Star’s encouragement and support, Steve and his beloved Buescher Big B tenor appear on the cover of the November, 2023 Bluesletter (Washington Blues Society). Steve loves jumping up on stage on jam nights when he’s not working on solid sax parts for those fantastic Elvis numbers.
Steve’s favorite Elvis songs right now are “Jailhouse Rock” and “Little Sister.” Rock on!