Thank you Ontario - You’ve done it again and ensured LLM’s 3rd Annual Elvis Birthday Bash was a success! The house was “rocking & rolling” all night long & it was wonderful to see everyone having such a great time celebrating Elvis! Our Super Sensational Show & Dance Party included over twenty ETAs and four guest speakers, all paying special tributes not only because the "King Of Rock & Roll" would have turned 72 years of age, but because 2007 begins a monumental year marking 30 years since the passing of the greatest entertainer of our time.
The beautiful Oshawa Legion was filled to capacity with Elvis fans, whose eyes lit up taking a gander at all the Elvis memorabilia presented by Kings Collectibles, and purchasing quite a few trinkets while they were looking! Collingwood reps had a table set up as well with all the information we would need to be a part of the 2007 festival and there were posters, pamphlets and buttons given out by one of our sponsors "Sirius Satellite Radio - All Elvis, All Of The Time". There was plenty of food and drink available and we could listen to Elvis music playing in the background, as friends talked it up, sharing beautiful memories of the “Birthday Boy” and that magical party atmosphere stayed with all of us - all night long! Then it was time for the entertainment - Wow! From the electrifying energy of the early 50's to the chart topping swinging sensuality of the 70's, the "Elvis Presley Experience" still manages to grab the hearts and souls of fans across the globe! And so it was that every era of Elvis’ music was portrayed by some super talent of all ages! Jackson Begley, Zachary Peddie, Steven Pelleriti and Bruno Nesci . You were superb! Each with their own special “Elvis” touch, fans were also entertained by Glenn Aitchison, James Begley, Shon Carroll, Jon Cigan, Dan Coursol, Joey Cundari, Rick Duin, Paul Fracassi, Will Ganzon, James Gibb, Danny Granger, Bruce Herron, Dan Jackman, Eddy Prince, Paul Ross, Adam Scott, Larry Tschekalin, Chris Cooper and surprise guest Gino Monopoli stopped in to pay tribute and party too! Boys, I cannot thank you enough for your amazing talent and to present you on the LLM stage is always something that makes me proud. You are all gems! Thank you! Another group of people who warmed my heart were the esteemed guests and Elvis fans who spoke so eloquently. CKOC's Nevin Grant, B101 FM's Wendy King, Collingwood Festival Manager Rosemarie O'Brien and Ronda Marson of the Love For Elvis Fan Club. I must say, these Ontario friends are class acts! Thank you all for being a part of the show.
Of course the audience, who partied with the ETAs during and after the show, we are thrilled you came out. Thank you, thank you very much for attending LLM’s 3rd Annual Elvis Birthday Celebration. I hope the entertainers helped to rekindle memories of each musical era in a very spectacular way - allowing everyone who joined us to fall in love all over again with the man whose magical essence endeared him to the world! God bless and Adios until next year, Elvisly yours, Joanna
Paul Ross entertains the capacity crowd at LLM’s 3rd annual Elvis Birthday Show produced by Joanna Johnson and Jim Redmond. All pics by Doug McCready.
Eddy Prince keeping the flame burning!
9 yr old Zachary Peddie - the crowd couldn’t believe his pitch perfect vocals
Only a portion of the full house eagerly waiting for the Birthday show to begin!
No, he’s not one of the BeeGees, but James Gibb gave ‘em “Saturday Night Fever”
Rick Duin “doin’ it right” in the gold lame.
After his new experience with Canadian Idol on the edgier side of R & R, Paul Fracassi returned to the birthday stage with his popular “50’s Elvis” that won him a Collingwood championship!
A delight to watch, Jackson Begley knows his chords & takes his act seriously!
Well, this is me and I really enjoyed hosting the even! At that moment, I was setting sets up the mic for a shorter performer than myself!
James & Jackson Begley performing their exceptional routine!
B101 FM’s Wendy King had the audience lovingly laughing & crying as she shared her fond memories of Elvis & how she became a loyal fan. What a delivery! Everyone could relate to her experiences as an Elvis fan to be sure, but the passion she expressed during her speech, allowed us all to bond as fans - and that friends, is the most sincere kind of tribute that can be paid. Thanks Wendy, we love ya!
Shon Carroll aka the Canadian Flash, was nothing short of electrifying!
The “Dude” Glenn Aitchison in the GI segment added his special touch!
Bruce Herron in the GI segment, always a crowd pleaser & very entertaining
Adam Scott played an important part in representing the early years of Elvis’ career - a real “team player”
“Gentleman Jon” Cigan charming the crowd!
James Gibb “Loves ‘Em Tender”
Folks were pleased Will Ganzon allowed them to hope for a world with peace.
Energetic Paul Fracassi with some pretty good moves
Joey Cundari had the crowd hoppin’
Ahhhh that magical “radio voice”! The very articulate and charming CKOC radio personality & playwright Nevin Grant simply captivated the audience with his enchanting description of the “Magic of Elvis” - the man & the music. Nevin took us all to a place in time when Elvis’ hits took over the air waves and Elvis’ larger than life image took over the silver screen, making an impact on our lives that would last forever in the hearts of all who became - and others would become, the Elvis fan! Thanks for the memories Nevin.
Now how cute was this! Our three little darling Elvis Amigos “looking for trouble” ! (L to R) Jackson Begley, Steven Pelleriti & Zachary Peddie.
Ron Moore lets he crowd hear what they’re used to - his smooth vocals!
Eddy prince looking svelte, as usual!
Collingwood Elvis Festival manager Rosemarie O’Brien was thrilled to take the stage and talk about Elvis, after all, being an Elvis fan is what drives her to organize the most successful (& largest) Elvis Festival in the world! But so many had approached her as soon as she got in the room, that she took the time to answer the many questions about this years festival, gave the info needed so folks could be a part of the event and then went on to let us know about her love for Elvis! And that’s when Rosemarie was in her glory - Every word she spoke about Elvis was filled with devotion and a commitment to make sure the world would treat Elvis’ memory with the respect he deserves! Bravo Rosie!
And it’s “Movie Tunes with Rick”!
Little Steven Pelleriti is such a natural talent and very at ease with his audience!
We were delighted to have Newmarket ETA Dan Jackman appear in the show. Dan heads up the Orillia TA competition each August and also does a mean “Big Bopper ....and have you seen him as Tammy (WhyNot) Wynette ?
A very “quiet kinda guy” personality wise, Dan Coursol has no trouble belting out a song-
Most know her as a back up vocalist with several bands in the ETA world, but this night, all eyes were on Tarie Macdonald as Marilyn, while she sang Happy Birthday Elvis to all the ETAs who performed that evening!
Shon looking might fine in leather
Larry Tschekalin was happy to spend “One Night” with everyone
Definitely the biggest highlight of the evening - the “ETA ‘68 Sit Down Special”, where James Begley, Paul Ross & Shon Carroll came on stage to entertain the full house. After a few numbers together, the ETAs were joined by four more ETAs in leather, followed by almost all the cast. The audience went wild and when asked to sing along , they complied with zeal, but having them dance in the aisles in celebration of Elvis was the icing on the birthday cake!
The audience was absolutely thrilled to see ETA Gino Monopoli as a surprise guest. Gino, who has been busy with his career in Vegas and around parts of the US over the past couple of years, hasn’t had much opportunity to entertain his loyal Ontario fans lately. Fortunately for us, business brought him back to our neck of the woods and he graced the LLM stage in Oshawa to take part in the celebration for Elvis - Thanks Gino, we love ya!
Joey Cundari
How much does Elvis mean to his fans? The lovely Ronda Marson of the so aptly named “Love For Elvis Fan Club” told us - and everyone in the hall had to agree! Ronda talked about the many trips to Graceland, her collection of Elvis memorabilia, and most of all, the respect she and so many other fans have for Elvis’ kind and benevolent nature. Giving to others, especially those in need is one of the characteristics that endeared Elvis to the fans - not to mention Elvis’ good looks and fantastic voice ! Thanks for sharing your thoughts Ronda, we appreciated your birthday tribute & loved seeing your Mom!
Newmarket’s Dan Jackman
Eddy prince, Jon Cigan, Wendy king and Louise Cowitz talking about the exciting 30th anniversary bus trip to Memphis. Eddy, Wendy & Louise will be tour guides.
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend - oo-la-la
Colingwood champ Steven Pelleriti
Shon Carrol even rocks the crowd to the NTH degree doing the jumpsuit era!
Jon Cigan
Dan Coursol
Bruce Heron a la 70’s
Young Bruno Nesci was an absolute joy to listen to, all would agree though it was his first time on the LLM stage, it certainly won’t be his last! Thanks Bruno, you were terrific caro!
Paul Ross doing 70’s
A “view “ of the sound? Where’s LLM’s Jimmy? I think he took the pic!
Larry Tschekalin from Sudbury
Another shot of our enthusiastic crowd
Smooth Eill Ganzon
Chris Cooper came to pay his tribute
Adam again in the GI segment
Young Zach Peddie singin’ the 60’s
One of the biggest voices in Ontario comes from the powerful vocal chords of Paul Ross. Winner of several competitions, Paul brought the house down with every song he sung, especially Gospel. Paul was also instrumental in the organizing of the “Leather” segment of the show. Thanks Paul!
The “crooner” side of Elvis’ music nicely done by Glenn
Glenn in the crowd making ‘em smile
Karla Begley & Tarie Macdonald greeting people at the door
And this was the big show stopper folks, almost all the cast of ETAs joined James, Paul & Shon and together they had the entire audience singing the biggest HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELVIS to our idol!
Adam Scott
A huge thank you to James & Karla Begley, LLM’s partner in organizing this Oshawa Birthday Special - you kids were instrumental in making things run so smoothly! God bless your sweet family!
LLM photographer Doug Mccready checking his camera.........thanks for the great shots Doug!
Danny Granger nicely surprised the crowd with his look & vocals!
