ETA Spotlight on Mark Anthony
This ETA Spotlight is written by Mark Anthony, an accomplished vocalist and musician who was born in Adelaide, South Australia and recently moved to Canada. Mark talks about his youth as an Elvis fan and tells us how he began his career as an Elvis Entertainer.
I have been asked by many people over the past few years, “How did you become and Elvis Tribute Artist, and why?
Well …….to answer that I must go back to my childhood.
I was born in Adelaide, South Australia, where as a young boy my ears and eyes were introduced to the music of Elvis Presley, thanks largely to my older cousin, brother and father.
My cousin sat me down one day in front of his stereo when I was about 5 or 6. He placed headphones on my ears and ordered me not to move until he said so, then proceeded to play Elvis’ version of “Promised Land” real loud.
So I guess you can say I was forced fed Elvis, but I loved every second of it, and immediately immersed myself in everything Elvis.
I remember going to school and having a sale on all my Michael Jackson things. Posters, buttons, little pictures, tapes, etc. I no longer needed “the Prince of Pop” I had discovered “The KING of ROCK”
By the time I hit 2nd Grade, the teachers couldn’t believe that I was an Elvis Fan, and so one day for show and tell I brought a cassette of Elvis, cued up “Don’t Be Cruel”, grabbed two friends to pretend to be playing instruments, and put myself in front doing the best Elvis that I could. I had watched the Ed Sullivan show performance over and over and reproduced the moves, while I lip-synced the song - complete with the twinkling fingers down the face and turn around, to finish the act.
I guess that was the first time I ever impersonated someone. I even remember standing in front of the mirror and forcing my lip to curl with my fingers, hoping that I can train it to stay that way.
It really makes me laugh to think back on these things.
Later I went on to study drumming and became a jazz drummer. I also had my stint as a jazz singer and even played the part of Mick Jagger in a Rolling Stones Tribute band. (now that was hard work)
I had always been told that I should do an Elvis show, but always shied away from it. I didn’t want to be another guy making money off the King. I always said that I was too big a fan to do that.
But as I got older I found that I could perform a very respectful tribute to Elvis. And made this my mission especially in Australia where it wasn’t taken very seriously. I wanted to change people's opinions on Elvis in Australia, and remind them just how great his music and performances were and still are. I still get the odd person say “You need to put on more weight to be Elvis” I guess some people will never get it.
It wasn’t until I came to North America, by winning the South Pacific Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist both 2007 and 2008 and making the top 10 in Memphis, that I had the chance to meet a lot of guys just like me. Doing these performances for the same reason. These ETA’s are some of the nicest people you’ll meet. I’ve always known that Elvis fans are the nicest people you’ll ever meet, but to experience it first hand and to be so welcomed and appreciated for what we do is really overwhelming. I’m very grateful to all that have supported me. I have met so many wonderful people all over the world all because of Elvis. I am truly blessed to able to experience this.
My wife and I made the move to Toronto where once again we were welcomed with open arms. Thanks Monica for allowing us to leave our comfort zone and step out to chase my dreams. You’re the best.
We’ve recently had a baby girl, Georgia Mia, she is so cute. I am very proud to be her Father.
Thanks to all the ETA’s who have really bonded with me so well. There is a real feeling of brotherhood between us. Especially guys like Kevin Mills and Jay Zanier who have taken me under their wing like a younger brother and helped me understand the business a little better. We all know we are in this for the same reason. To help keep Elvis’ legacy alive for generations to come
Thanks Joanna and Carol of Lady Luck Music, you have always come through with great advice when I needed it.
Thank you to all the fans that keep coming to our shows and supporting and understanding what we are trying to do.
Well it looks like 2009 and 2010 are shaping up to be busy years for me with lots of opportunities coming everyday.
So if you happen to be at a festival or event that I am at, please come and say hi, it really means a lot to me to meet everyone in person.
Lastly, and I know that every ETA says this but we really all mean it from the bottom of our hearts, a very big thank you to the one and only Elvis Presley - without whom I know that we would all be stumbling around the world, lost and not knowing what to do with ourselves. Elvis, you enhanced all our lives.
You can visit Mark’s website at :
http://himselvis.com/
or send him an email at: :
mark@himselvis.com
Well …….to answer that I must go back to my childhood.
I was born in Adelaide, South Australia, where as a young boy my ears and eyes were introduced to the music of Elvis Presley, thanks largely to my older cousin, brother and father.
My cousin sat me down one day in front of his stereo when I was about 5 or 6. He placed headphones on my ears and ordered me not to move until he said so, then proceeded to play Elvis’ version of “Promised Land” real loud.
So I guess you can say I was forced fed Elvis, but I loved every second of it, and immediately immersed myself in everything Elvis.
I remember going to school and having a sale on all my Michael Jackson things. Posters, buttons, little pictures, tapes, etc. I no longer needed “the Prince of Pop” I had discovered “The KING of ROCK”
By the time I hit 2nd Grade, the teachers couldn’t believe that I was an Elvis Fan, and so one day for show and tell I brought a cassette of Elvis, cued up “Don’t Be Cruel”, grabbed two friends to pretend to be playing instruments, and put myself in front doing the best Elvis that I could. I had watched the Ed Sullivan show performance over and over and reproduced the moves, while I lip-
I guess that was the first time I ever impersonated someone. I even remember standing in front of the mirror and forcing my lip to curl with my fingers, hoping that I can train it to stay that way.
It really makes me laugh to think back on these things.
Later I went on to study drumming and became a jazz drummer. I also had my stint as a jazz singer and even played the part of Mick Jagger in a Rolling Stones Tribute band. (now that was hard work)
I had always been told that I should do an Elvis show, but always shied away from it. I didn’t want to be another guy making money off the King. I always said that I was too big a fan to do that.
But as I got older I found that I could perform a very respectful tribute to Elvis. And made this my mission especially in Australia where it wasn’t taken very seriously. I wanted to change people's opinions on Elvis in Australia, and remind them just how great his music and performances were and still are. I still get the odd person say “You need to put on more weight to be Elvis” I guess some people will never get it.
It wasn’t until I came to North America, by winning the South Pacific Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist both 2007 and 2008 and making the top 10 in Memphis, that I had the chance to meet a lot of guys just like me. Doing these performances for the same reason. These ETA’s are some of the nicest people you’ll meet. I’ve always known that Elvis fans are the nicest people you’ll ever meet, but to experience it first hand and to be so welcomed and appreciated for what we do is really overwhelming. I’m very grateful to all that have supported me. I have met so many wonderful people all over the world all because of Elvis. I am truly blessed to able to experience this.
My wife and I made the move to Toronto where once again we were welcomed with open arms. Thanks Monica for allowing us to leave our comfort zone and step out to chase my dreams. You’re the best.
We’ve recently had a baby girl, Georgia Mia, she is so cute. I am very proud to be her Father.
Thanks to all the ETA’s who have really bonded with me so well. There is a real feeling of brotherhood between us. Especially guys like Kevin Mills and Jay Zanier who have taken me under their wing like a younger brother and helped me understand the business a little better. We all know we are in this for the same reason. To help keep Elvis’ legacy alive for generations to come
Thanks Joanna and Carol of Lady Luck Music, you have always come through with great advice when I needed it.
Thank you to all the fans that keep coming to our shows and supporting and understanding what we are trying to do.
Well it looks like 2009 and 2010 are shaping up to be busy years for me with lots of opportunities coming everyday.
So if you happen to be at a festival or event that I am at, please come and say hi, it really means a lot to me to meet everyone in person.
Lastly, and I know that every ETA says this but we really all mean it from the bottom of our hearts, a very big thank you to the one and only Elvis Presley -
You can visit Mark’s website at :
http://himselvis.com/
or send him an email at: :
mark@himselvis.com
“...Lastly, and I know that every ETA says this but we really all mean it from the bottom of our hearts , a very big thank you to the one and only Elvis Presley - without whom I know that we would all be stumbling around the world, lost and not knowing what to do with ourselves. Elvis, you enhanced all our lives. ......” Mark Anthony Nathan Belt
Mark as himself - singer, musician, husband and proud father - Mark, baby Georgia Mia and wife Monica