BIOGRAPHY
Blake Anthony Ellege started performing at a very early age. When he was 2 years old, during a church service one Sunday, he looked at his mother and said: "Mommy, I want to sing." She stood him up on the piano bench, and to her amazement, he sang all three verses and choruses of a hymn. It was then that she knew that he was destined for greatness.
At the age of 4, Blake began traveling all over the world and singing in the Southern Gospel trio: "Chosen" with his parents. Just a few years later, Blake was signed to a gospel music record label and released his first album at the age of 6. Blake started competing in the North Carolina Gospel Singing Championship, in the youth division and placed 1st in the category for 5 consecutive years until he turned 11. It was at that time that his age prevented him from competing in the youth category anymore. His winning record is one that still stands to this very day.
As years passed, his horizons were broadened to many more different styles of music. He began to work with numerous bands of contrasting styles and genres from all over the north and southeast. He also began delving into character work and celebrity musician impersonations; as an Elvis Tribute Artist (ETA) and as a "Jake Blues" Tribute Artist in a Blues Brothers Tribute show. Due to his vocal prowess and character work as an Elvis Tribute Artist, Blake was given the honor to headline at B.B. King's Blues Club in Memphis, Tennessee for 5 years, performing at Graceland (the home of Elvis Presley) and was featured in LIFE Magazine in 2007 on the 30th Anniversary of Elvis's death.
In addition to his extensive time spent performing in the United States, Blake has performed in countries all over the world including performances in Italy, France, Russia, The Czech Republic, The Bahamas, Mexico and the U.S. Virgin Islands with various chorales, chamber groups and bands. He has performed at sea for Carnival, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean Cruise lines as well. Blake has also performed for television programming in 12 different countries and has performed on countless International radio broadcasts based out of the United States.
In 2014, Blake graduated from Brevard College with a BA in Music with an emphasis in Classical Vocal Music Performance. He was presented with numerous awards during his course of study there including being named "Most Outstanding Music Performer", being awarded the Asheville Lyric Opera Guild Scholarship and receiving an award nomination from The Kennedy Center for: "Best Sound Design in a Collegiate Theater Production" in 2013.
In June of 2014, Blake competed in Boston M.S. at the NATS (National Association of Teachers in Singing) Competition where he was ranked as one of the Top 4 Lyrical Tenors in the United States for Classical Voice and as one of the Top 14 Tenors in the United States for Musical Theater, in his respective categories.
In the past 7 years, Blake has recorded and released 12 albums under the Big Mama Record Label based in Knoxville, Tennessee. He has established The Blake Ellege Endowed Vocal Scholarship at Brevard College in which ALL PROCEEDS from the sales of his albums are donated to the scholarship. These albums can be purchased on this website on the "MUSIC" page.
Blake currently travels full time performing for numerous opera companies, symphonies, churches, chamber ensembles and chorales all over the north and southeast. Blake is the Front Man and Lead Singer for the following bands including: The Business, The Big Throwback, Saddletramp, Chillbilly and The Stardusters.
Blake is also a member of Opera America, a Voting Member of The International Blues Foundation (IBF), a Voting Member of the Artists Music Guild (AMG), a Voting Member of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS/GRAMMYS), a Voting Lifetime Member of the Southern Gospel Music Association (SGMA) and Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame, a Voting Member of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), a Voting Member of the Country Music Association (CMA), a Voting Member of The Independent Music Awards (IMA), an Associate Member of the Pan-American Vocology Association (PAVA), an Auxiliary Member of the Disabled Army Veterans (DAV) and an Auxiliary Member of Rolling Thunder Inc.
In 2017, Blake had the opportunity to audition for the Celebrity Judges on Season 18 of American Idol. He was bestowed with the honor of winning his Golden Ticket and advancing to the televised round, however, he chose to leave the show due to contractual differences. He is eternally grateful for the experience and the opportunity and the friendships he made during his time on the show!
Most recently Blake was named "Outlaw Country Artist of the Year' in 2022 at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee as a part of the Josie Music Awards. Blake gives God the glory for this award and considers it an honor to have been chosen out of 52,000 nominees from all over the world.
You can find Blake and one of his amazing bands performing all over the southeast by visiting the SHOWS tab on this website!