A friend of mine, Terri, is friends with Shawn and sees him perform a lot. I've seen pictures from her, and always hear great things about his shows. Terri knew for a while that I wanted to write about Shawn and feature him. When she told me Shawn would be in Memphis for Elvis Week 2002, I thought "This is my chance!"

We saw Shawn perfom at the Tent in Memphis, TN and he did a really great set. He hadn't been out there for Elvis Week in 5 years and it was obvious his fans had been waiting. I FINALLY got a chance to meet Shawn! Arik and I were introduced to Shawn after his performance. He was a really nice guy, and acted friendly towards us. I got a picture taken and would finally have something to use to write an article!

We also got to see Shawn perform at the New Daisy theater in the Midnight Gospel show, in which again he was great. The last chance we got to see Shawn perform was at the Peabody show on Saturday during Elvis Week. He was of course, performing great once again! :)

I don't know Shawn well enough to have a full story to share with you all, but I can tell you he is a fantastic entertainer and a really nice guy! If you get a chance to see Shawn, do so!

Visit his website at www.shawnklush.com and read on for the interview with Shawn! :)

Until next time! Keep Rockin'! :)

Shawn Klush and Cortney

Hello friends and welcome to the October edition of Cortney's Corner! Happy Halloween to you all. I hope you all had a wonderful summer and are ready for a great fall season! :) Elvis is alive and rocking in so many more ways nowadays, and it's GREAT! :) Read on and learn more about Shawn Klush!! :)

Take a trip out to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to see the beach, all the sites, and if you didn't know, you can see Shawn Klush too! :) Shawn Klush is a wonderful Elvis Tribute Artist that performs out in Myrtle Beach. He also performs in the Elvis Birthday Tribute tour, that stops in cities such as Milwaukee, WI, Merillville, IN and others.

The first time I seen Shawn was at the Star Plaza Theater in Merrillville, Indiana about 4 years ago. I remember thinking when they called his name, and the response he got from the crowd that "this guy must be really good!" :) Well Shawn was the last entertainer, as he was portraying Elvis in the 70's. He came out from the back of the theater and got on the stage and went to work! I had seats way up in the balcony that year so I didn't get any pictures. After the show, the people I was with wanted to leave right away so I didn't get a chance to go out and meet Shawn either. :( I saw him the following two years, and he gave outstanding performances each time. Like before, I didn't get a chance to meet and get a picture taken with Shawn.

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The questions:
1. What made you want to become an ETA?
I think I have always been one I just wasn't old enough to understand it at that time,so I guess it found me LOL

2. What is your main goal being an ETA?
To try and keep a positive image of Elvis and for him to be remembered for all the bodies of works that he left behind.

3. What are some of your favorite songs to perform?
There are just too many to name. I would be here forever naming them all, lol. I will just name a couple. I truly love, "If I Can Dream," it really speaks of his whole being. It is a very powerful message song and you can hear and feel that power when he sings it. Elvis loved to sing Gospel music so my second choice would have to be, "How Great Thou Art." His vocals are just truly inspirational on this one.

4. Where has or where would you like your show to take you?
My show has taken me to a lot of places. To name a few, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ohio, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, and Canada. There are many more but too many to list all. I would love to perform over seas also so we will see what the future holds for me on that.

5. Have you been to Memphis? If so what did that experience mean to you?
Memphis is a place that really can't be explained, so I'll just say it never fails to amaze me Truly. I have been to Memphis several times. It is very hard to explain what you feel. You have to experience it yourself first hand. I can say that you get to see how much of a real person Elvis was and how much Elvis was loved and is still missed. To see the effect this one man had when you look around is truly inspirational. Elvis was a caring human being, a loving father and a very generous man who loved life. You really have to go there to understand completely.

6. Have you attended Elvis Week?
Yes, I have attended Elvis Week several times and each time it has gotten bigger and bigger. It is amazing to see thousands of fans from all over the world come together as one to pay their respects to Elvis Presley. This year was very special to me because it was my son's first trip to Graceland (he is 3 ) and I saw the same fire in his eyes like I had the first time I was there.

7. Have you ever considered throwing any "Non-Elvis" songs into a show?
Yes I have, just one time though. It was a song called, "Your Song," by Garth Brooks. If you listen to the words of this song and think of Elvis you will know why I chose that song. I would like to do more like that one at some point.

8. How do your family and friends feel about what you do?
My family has always been behind me 100%. I really have been blessed. My wife Beverly has been the best through my career. She has always pushed me to go forward, even when I had my doubts and felt like giving up, she would always push me more to go on.
I don't know how she handles all of this, she is truly a very strong person. I would never want to trade places with her, lol. She is very understanding and you have to be in this business. If it wasn't for her I would have probably given up a long time ago. I am truly blessed.

9. Have you met anyone that worked with or knew Elvis? If so, name a few.
Joe Esposito, DJ Fontana, Ray Walker and all of the Jordanaires, JD Sumner and The Stamps, Crickett, Charlie Hodge, Jimmy Velvet, Jerry Scheff, Jerry Schilling, Kathy Westmoreland, Myrna Smith and many more.

10. Have you made any new friends resulting from your tribute?
I have made a lot of new friends and fans doing my tribute. The fans are who make what I do more meaningful. I love all of you for sticking by me and I hope you will continue to stick by me for as long as I can continue to do what I do.
I have also made friends with a lot of other ETA's on the road. I have become close to a few of Elvis' friends. To name a few, Ray Walker, DJ Fontana, Myrna Smith, Joe Esposito, Jerry Scheff and Crickett. I treasure your friendships always.

11. What era of Elvis do you like to portray?

I love 1967 to 1973. That was the most powerful era for Elvis. He was on fire,LOL.
This is the era I try to recreate in my shows. I do wear the Leather at times but I try to stick to the jumpsuit era.

12. What other interests/hobbies do you have?

I really don't have a lot of free time with working and traveling so much but when I do get time I love to spend it with my wife and son. I also like to go fishing, play football and horseback riding.


13. Any Comments to the fans/friends?

Thank you, to all my fans for your continued support. I hope I never let you down.
I would also like to thank everyone who has had faith in me and all who have helped me over the years. I Love You All! God Bless.