Cortney's Corner

In 1999 Jack performed at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, Maine on August 18. That was the place that Elvis was to have begun his next tour in 1977. At the time, Jack was the same age that Elvis would have been had he done the show. Jack and his crew went to Maine, advertised, and promoted the show and ended up with over 2,000 screaming Elvis fans from all over the Northeast. About 2 months ago Jack got a call from the Civic Center. They asked him to return to Maine to do a show for the 25th anniversary of Elvis's death. Jack and the others decided to make this a benefit show for Camp Sunshine, a camp for terminally ill children and their families. The Civic Center is donating the building costs and more, several agencies are donating advertising costs, and there are several anonymous donations for other necessary parts of the show. This show will take place Saturday, August 17, 2002. Because of this, Jack won't be in Memphis this year for Elvis week. He says it is sort of bitter sweet for he and his wife Karen, as they had already had plans to be in Memphis, but this concert is so important to Jack.

The concert will be HUGE, with special guests already confirmed. They are.. - Dick Grob, who will also emcee the show, Donna Presley Early, Jim Mydlack - Colonel Parker's personal security who was with the Colonel in Maine when they got the call of Elvis's death, and 2 others. Also attending will be Robert Wood. Robert worked under Dick Grob from 1974 - 1977 in security for Elvis. When Dick went to Florida for one of Jack's shows last August, Dick and Robert had a lot of fun sharing Elvis stories. Robert is now working with Jack full time as his merchandise manager and photographer.

Jack is a very kind hearted ETA, who puts a lot into his tribute. He has recently become FULL TIME! He performs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at the Nikki Bird Holiday Inn Resort in Kissimmee, Florida right across from Disney World! If you make it down that way, stop in and take in one of Jack's show's! :)

I hope you enjoyed reading about Jack Smink! To learn more about Jack, you can visit his website at: www.home.cfl.rr.com/aelvistribute

Until Next Time....Keep Rockin!

Hello everyone and welcome to the June 2002 edition of Cortney's Corner! :) I hope you all had a wonderful spring and are prepared for a great summer full of fun and Elvis! Elvis Week is right around the corner, which will give me a chance to get more pictures and have more stories to share with you all! I want to send a big thank you to those people who have recently emailed me and shared their comments on my writings. It's those people that keep me going! I love to hear from everyone and hear that they enjoy what they read! Enough of that babble, on with Cortney's Corner! Sit back, relax and meet Jack Smink!

Jack Smink hails from the great state of Florida! Warm weather, Disney World, and a top of the line ETA-Jack Smink, what more could Florida need? When I first bounced into the Elvis world, I didn't know of many ETA's. As time went on I learned of more and more, and seen there were some great ones! I heard about Jack Smink before I met him, through the Elvis groups online. In October of 2000, The Elvis FANtasy Festival in Portage, Indiana decided to have a People's Choice contest. ETA's from several states gathered in Portage for their chance at the title. There were many great ETA's, and on Sunday, the winner was announced. Who was that winner? None other then Jack Smink! Jack was called to the stage to recieve his medal and to say a few words to the crowd. Winning entitled him to return for FANtasy Fest in 2001 and perform a show of his own at the Sock Hop

In June of 2001 at the Elvis Entertainers Network Convention, my mom, Melissa and I were in line at the picnic making our plates and in front of us was Jack and his wife Karen. They talked to us and showed us a picture of Jack at a show he had done. This was our first time actually meeting and speaking to Jack and we'd get to see him sing too! Jack sang at the convetion, and was great. He performed the 70's Jumpsuit Elvis, and had the ladies all in a roar. :) After that weekend in June, I seen Jack again in Memphis, during Elvis Week. Another great performance, and he seemed to have fans flocking about everywhere. October 2001 came, and Jack did his show at the Elvis FANtasy Fest. The show was great, and the fans loved it and yelled for more. :) I've also had the pleasure of seeing Jack perform in LaCrosse, WI at the Elvis Explosion Contest and again in Memphis during Elvis Week!

1. What made you want to become an ETA?
It is another way to meet people who enjoy Elvis's music.

2. What is your main goal being an ETA?
Keeping the memory of Elvis alive.

3. What are some of your favorite songs to perform?
How Great Thou Art, Just Pretend, Kentucky Rain, and You Gave Me A Mountain.

4. Where has or where would you like your show to take you?
Everywhere.

5. Have you been to Memphis? If so what did that experience mean to you?
Yes. It was another interesting piece of the Elvis puzzle that
I needed to help me understand Elvis.

6. Have you attended Elvis Week?
Yes, several times.

7. Have you ever considered throwing any "Non-Elvis" songs into a show?
Yes. I have just recorded a single country record written by Razzy Bailey, a top country artist from the 70's and a big Elvis fan. He gave me a stack of songs to work on. The first on is back in Nashville now ready for release very soon. I would also like to include a few current songs that I think Elvis would have liked to sing.

8. How do your family and friends feel about what you do?
They are the main reason I do this.

9. Have you met anyone that worked with or knew Elvis?
Yes.

10. Have you made any new friends resulting from your tribute?
Yes. I have made many new friends from doing my tribute shows.

11. What era of Elvis do you like to portray?
The 70's jumpsuit touring era.

12. What other interests/hobbies do you have?
Golf, antiques, fine cigars.

13. Any Comments to the fans?
Thank you for all your past support. I hope that we can continue
to enjoy Elvis together and do his memory proud.

Sincerely,
Jack
Please visit my website: A Tribute to Elvis by Jack Smink