brad birkedahl

Guitarist and vocalist Brad Birkedahl has entertained audiences around the world.

 

He has been a Memphis Beale Street featured performer since moving to Memphis from Tacoma, Washington in 1998 as co-founder of the rockabilly trio, The Dempseys. The band performed locally and internationally for 13 years before disbanding in 2010. The group received numerous awards including a brass note on Beale Street in 2014.

 

Brad continues to perform as a solo artist with The Brad Birkedahl Band.  His musical influences include the great rockabilly artists from Memphis' Sun Records; Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Charlie Rich, as well as the soulful instrumentals of STAX recording studio, surf hits and more.  Brad also offers an extensive repertoire of Elvis music ranging from the 1950's through the 1970's. 

 

In 2014 he released his first solo CD “Movin On”. He is on the preferred list of performers for Graceland and the Memphis Tourism organization. 

 

Brad has shared the stage with world-renowned artist such as Stray Cats, Carl Perkins, James Burton, DJ Fontana, Billy Burnette, Wanda Jackson, The TCB Band.  He was the headlining act at the 2018 Elvis Festival in the United Kingdom hosted by the Strictly Elvis UK Travel Service.

In 2024 he was invited to perform with Elvis Presley's pianist and arranger, Glen D. Hardin, at the Bergen Elvis Festival in Bergen, Norway.

 

Brad was featured in the highly acclaimed 2005 feature film “Walk the Line”, the Johnny Cash biopic starring Joaquin Pheonix and Reese Witherspoon. Brad portrayed Elvis’ guitar player Scotty Moore. He can also be seen accompanying the characters of Roy Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis in the film.

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He is also host/producer of Memphis Flash, a podcast for the ultimate Elvis Presley fan.  Brad and co-host Mark Shaffer uncover hidden gems in the life and music career of the king of rock and roll.