Santa Fe tribute show develops a following

Musician strives to look, sound like Prince

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Transforming into a pop music icon is about a lot more than makeup, wigs and clothes. Jason Tenner, who performs as Prince in "Purple Reign, The Prince Tribute Show," also moves and sounds just like the superstar.

"You feel like you're talking to Prince, not an impersonator. It's his mannerisms. He's so natural," said Terry Downey, vice president and general manager of Santa Fe Station, where the show has been appearing since February.

Tenner had been living in Las Vegas for years working on his own music when he put on a Prince costume for a Halloween party. After seeing people's reactions, he thought there might be something more.

Tenner, who was a Prince fan but not a fanatic, began learning the lyrics to every Prince song. He worked to be able to hit the high notes and started imitating all of the artist's dance moves.

"I had to practice quite a bit," Tenner said. "I watched videos like crazy. I've seen 'Purple Rain' a thousand times."

It's been almost 10 years since Tenner started "Purple Reign" and he said the hardest part is hitting those high notes.

"I have more of an appreciation of (Prince) now," he said.

He has seen Prince in concert three times and met him and said he is a musical genius.

Tenner said he shares some of the same musical influences as Prince, including Jimi Hendrix and James Brown, but he's a fan of all music. He likes classic rock, Metallica and country music. Like Prince, he plays guitar, bass and drums.

Tenner also is working on an album of his own. He said although he enjoys creating his own music he loves performing as Prince.

"It's a mask you put on and take off," he said. "When the wig comes off I can't even remember the words."

The Henderson resident is married and has two children.

He said his 10-year-old son Jordan doesn't know what to think of his dad wearing makeup and wigs, but his 5-year-old daughter Mia thinks her dad is a rock star.

The "Purple Reign" show includes nine other performers, including Chris Lane on guitar, Chris Lukes on drums, vocalist and percussionist Bridgett Tenner, Darryl Fields on bass, dancer Adrienne Kramer, and Michael Lane, the musical director and keyboard player.

Lane, also known as Mico Wave, had a top 10 album in the early 1990s.

Sythe Cameron and Stephen Miller also perform in the show as Morris Day and Jerome Benton, members of the band The Time.

"Purple Reign" opened at Santa Fe Station's Chrome lounge about four months ago after spending five years exclusively at the Boardwalk on the Strip before it was closed.

"The 'Purple Reign' show is so different than anything you see in local acts," Downey said.

Tenner said performing for a local crowd is different because on the Strip there would be about 75 new people each night. Now there are about 75 of the same people at each performance.

With regulars returning to see the show regularly, he has to find ways to keep things fresh, he said.

The show, which is split into two sets from 10 p.m. until about 1 a.m., features well-known hits including, "Let's Go Crazy," "She's Got the Look," "Raspberry Beret," "Little Red Corvette," "1999" and, of course, "Purple Rain."

"I come every Friday," Centennial resident Deanne Orear said. "I'm so happy to have something so close to home. I was tired of driving 30 minutes from the Strip after being out dancing. This is right in my backyard."

"Purple Reign" is the second long-term act that has appeared in Chrome, the showroom that opened in January 2005. The first act was Loveshack, which has moved to Texas Station.

Downey said residents in the northwest come out every night "Purple Reign" appears. Doors open at 9 p.m. and there is usually a line.

"The group that comes likes to party and dance," he said. "It has a really good following."

"Purple Reign" starts at 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. There is a $5 cover charge.

The group also appears at 10 p.m. every Wednesday at the Monte Carlo, and at 10 p.m. every Sunday at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay.