The ETA Spotlight is a column written by ETA’s themselves (ranging from those just starting out to those who are fully established in their careers)........about something they’ve accomplished, an experience they’ve had, something that might be of value to other ETA’s, or -- if just starting out -- simply to introduce themselves. Suitable photos should also be provided. Some of the articles will be in response to invitations we issue to ETA’s whose stories we feel will be of interest -- while other articles will be initiated by ETA’s who feel they have an interesting topic to write about. LadyLuckMusic/ETARadio will make the final selection for this feature. We look forward to hearing from ETA’s around
It was about 4 years ago when I got an email from Joanna to be a part of what I think was one of the first “Performers Showcases” in 2002”. I was freshly acquainted with getting “on-line” and was thrilled to find out about the other acts, sites, and doings in the Elvis world. I was astonished to find there were so many other “ETA’s” (a term not yet known to me at the time). In my home state of Washington, I had heard wind of only a few others that gave me little amusement. Up until then, the real “King” was the only one I wanted to see, for no-one I knew of even came close to offering his wonderful qualities that I had grown to love (or so I thought). Meanwhile, I had recently started this new venture myself; adorned with the “arterial splendor” of my father’s homemade jumpsuit thinking I could do this! Or could I? Why did I have these feelings to “be Elvis” and offer back the love and joy that I had received all these years? Not really knowing another ETA in person or knowing what I was doing, I found myself being caught up in this reciprocating phenomenon Elvis seemed to have left us with to follow “The Call”.
You see for me Elvis was the reason I became a “singer”. At 5 or 6 I found my parents discarded scratchy RCA Elvis albums at the bottom of a tall cold stack. After rustling through all the Captain and Tennille, Johnny Rivers, and Bee Gee records, etc., I dropped the needle into the groove and felt almost compelled to start singing along. I haven’t stopped singing since. From the first song I heard I felt his voice and a certain presence that came over the hiss and crackle of the plastic. It felt as though he was right there in the room with me. His joy of singing and desire to share that happiness with others could be felt like a breath of fresh air. It seemed to me that something in his voice transcended the music and helped to convey a feeling of acceptance, generosity, understanding, and a human connection (and perhaps a little adventure).
So there I was singing along to all his songs throughout most of my adolescence. Every morning I would wake up to him and would turn him on and again when I got home from school until I was about 14. I loved to sing, especially in the boy’s locker room. Man, what beautiful acoustics! Like a smelly cathedral with slippery floors. Unfortunately, at the time I was the only one that appreciated hearing me.
Eventually, a time came when I had had enough for a while and wanted to stretch my wings and find my own voice. Beyond playing drums and singing in my church, I performed as a singing waiter with the styles of Humperdinck, Manilow, and loads of show tunes and standards. Then off to a folk rock guitar gig “takin’ it easy” with the Eagles and “niblin’ on a sponge cake” with Jimmy Buffet. Throughout the many years of singing so many different genres of music, I slowly began to find my own character of sound. In fact, I later found that because of all the diversity of influence it has actually helped my “king” career in many ways.
After a time of having moderate success in the music industry of all types, I felt I had to narrow my focus. I needed gain momentum in one particular field if I were to be able to “entertain” for a living. For me Elvis’ music was a great choice. I began to create shows from his enormous repertoire while aiming to impact my audience and uplift them in a positive way.
It hadn’t been long after I started that Joanna contacted me to be apart of an Elvis “showcase” in Montreal, Quebec. My wife Marcia, who was dabbling at the idea of singing backup and performing as “Ann-Margaret” agreed it would be a good thing and so we packed our bags. After meeting nine other “Elvi” for the weekend I walked away with a surprising conclusion. I liked them all and actually had a great time! Did all the guys (including myself) live up to the “image” of Elvis that I had so dearly guarded and upheld? Not quite, but it didn’t matter in the least in the end. They had won me over with their complete passion for Elvis, good-natured humor, desire to help one another, and willingness to stand unguarded and vulnerable to their audience. I walked away with a feeling of camaraderie and brotherhood that I never knew existed. I know this hasn’t been the case for some, but I tell you these guys are out there and I’m thankful that it happened in my first experience.
There have been some exciting success stories in my Elvis endeavors thus far, but nothing excites me more that hangin’ with the “comrades”, having heart-warming friends and fans that support the “show”, and pleasing an Elvis hungry audience!
Special thanks to my Marcia “Ann-Margaret” who has given so much to let me do what I do.
Thanks Lady Luck Music and friends who I hope to see on the road soon!
Danny Vernon – www.dannyvernon.com
Join Danny's online fan club
You see for me Elvis was the reason I became a “singer”. At 5 or 6 I found my parents discarded scratchy RCA Elvis albums at the bottom of a tall cold stack. After rustling through all the Captain and Tennille, Johnny Rivers, and Bee Gee records, etc., I dropped the needle into the groove and felt almost compelled to start singing along. I haven’t stopped singing since. From the first song I heard I felt his voice and a certain presence that came over the hiss and crackle of the plastic. It felt as though he was right there in the room with me. His joy of singing and desire to share that happiness with others could be felt like a breath of fresh air. It seemed to me that something in his voice transcended the music and helped to convey a feeling of acceptance, generosity, understanding, and a human connection (and perhaps a little adventure).
So there I was singing along to all his songs throughout most of my adolescence. Every morning I would wake up to him and would turn him on and again when I got home from school until I was about 14. I loved to sing, especially in the boy’s locker room. Man, what beautiful acoustics! Like a smelly cathedral with slippery floors. Unfortunately, at the time I was the only one that appreciated hearing me.
Eventually, a time came when I had had enough for a while and wanted to stretch my wings and find my own voice. Beyond playing drums and singing in my church, I performed as a singing waiter with the styles of Humperdinck, Manilow, and loads of show tunes and standards. Then off to a folk rock guitar gig “takin’ it easy” with the Eagles and “niblin’ on a sponge cake” with Jimmy Buffet. Throughout the many years of singing so many different genres of music, I slowly began to find my own character of sound. In fact, I later found that because of all the diversity of influence it has actually helped my “king” career in many ways.
After a time of having moderate success in the music industry of all types, I felt I had to narrow my focus. I needed gain momentum in one particular field if I were to be able to “entertain” for a living. For me Elvis’ music was a great choice. I began to create shows from his enormous repertoire while aiming to impact my audience and uplift them in a positive way.
It hadn’t been long after I started that Joanna contacted me to be apart of an Elvis “showcase” in Montreal, Quebec. My wife Marcia, who was dabbling at the idea of singing backup and performing as “Ann-
There have been some exciting success stories in my Elvis endeavors thus far, but nothing excites me more that hangin’ with the “comrades”, having heart-
Special thanks to my Marcia “Ann-
Thanks Lady Luck Music and friends who I hope to see on the road soon!
Danny Vernon – www.dannyvernon.com
Join Danny's online fan club
P.O. Box 197 Milton, WA 98354
253-691-5450
ETA Spotlight on Danny Vernon
