A mysterious Elvis serenades seniors in SLO County. See the show
Elvis Presley returned from the great beyond to perform for a very special crowd in San Luis Obispo County this week.
At least, that’s what Creston Village senior living center executive director Adam Bramwell wants you to believe.
On Thursday afternoon, the residents of Creston Village gathered for a special hourlong performance of some of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s greatest hits, as part of an annual tradition the seniors have enjoyed for the last three years.
Residents and staff alike got dolled up in shades of red and pink to honor the upcoming Valentine’s Day weekend, while enjoying drinks and mini corn dogs, appropriately nicknamed “hound dogs.”
It’s widely speculated among residents that Bramwell is the mysterious Presley impersonator who graces the stage every year.
“I can neither confirm nor deny that it’s really me,” Bramwell told The Tribune, with a twinkle in his eye. “It might be me, but I can’t tell you.”
Mysteriously, Bramwell happened to be decked out in a bedazzled white Elvis Presley jumpsuit, complete with jewelry and sideburns, during his interview with The Tribune, which occurred just minutes before the King made his appearance at Creston Village.
SLO County senior living community enjoys Elvis performance
Regardless of whether Thursday’s performer was Bramwell or the real Elvis, residents — and staff — had a ball during the show, grooving to hits like “Jailhouse Rock” and “Burning Love,” tapping their toes and singing along to the famous lyrics.
As part of the festivities, each woman at the facility received a red rose, either from Elvis or a facility employee, in honor of Valentine’s Day. Workers held up a bubble machine from the staircase above the performance for added effect, and brought out an Elvis marionette at one point, drawing laughs from the crowd.
At one point, Elvis updated the classic tune “Viva Las Vegas,” transforming it into “Viva Creston Village” with all new lyrics written directly for the Paso Robles crowd.
“There’s 80 pretty grandmas hangin’ out here,” Elvis crooned. “They’re all enjoying that Medicare, and I’m just an Elvis with love to spare, so viva Creston Village.”
At one point, Elvis called on a crowd member by name, to her confusion. She didn’t know she was on a first-name basis with the King, so she asked how the mysterious performer knew her.
“Elvis is kind of like Santa Claus,” he responded. “He knows everybody’s name.”
Alan Baraup, another resident who is perhaps the center’s biggest Elvis fan, provided his own collection of Presley vinyl records to serve as a backdrop for the performance. During the concert, Baraup received a shoutout and red scarf autographed by Thursday’s performer.
Afterward, he told The Tribune that he enjoyed the concert.
“He sounded pretty good,” he said.
Resident Margaret Green has witnessed the return of Elvis to Creston Village for the last three years.
When asked what she thought of this year’s show, she chuckled and said: “Oh, that man, he’s fantastic. I’m so glad Elvis came back.”
And did she really believe Thursday’s performer was Elvis?
“Oh honey, of course that’s Elvis!” she said. “... I’m 93, I’ll believe anything.”
Assisted living home director doubles as Elvis
Bramwell told The Tribune that Elvis has appeared at Creston Village once a year for the last three years. He also performed at a different facility for about seven years before that.
He said the idea originally started after he hired an Elvis impersonator who subsequently canceled. Bramwell was asked to fill in the role.
“It gets a little better every year,” he said. “But it’s never good, which is what makes it fun.”
Earlier on Thursday, the memory care unit on site, which houses people with dementia or Alzheimer’s, also enjoyed a visit from Elvis.
Bramwell said one resident, who is nonverbal, was especially enthusiastic about the performance.
“That guy, while sitting in a wheelchair, had better moves than Elvis,” he said. “He was into it.”
Those are the times that make the annual tradition so special for Bramwell and other workers at the facility.
“There’s always those little moments that just melt my heart,” he said.
This story was originally published February 14, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
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