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.
Email: ETASpotlight@ladyluckmusic.com
Email: ETASpotlight@ladyluckmusic.com
ETA Spotlight on Ray Guillemette
Elvis Tribute Artists Radio
Ladyluckmusic.com
LLM Copyright © 2005
This month's ETA Spotlight features Ray Guillemette Jr, a 16 year veteran of the ETA industry and winner of nine world wide competitions, including "Images Of Elvis". Thank you for your story of courage Ray.
Throughout the 1990's, I continued to develop my tribute presentation with the movements, mannerisms and nuances typical of Elvis. It led me to eight more 1st Place awards throughout the US and Canada. I traveled and performed through Asia, I was shown kindness and respect from my peers, and the experience afforded me the privilege of meeting and knowing professionals who worked and played with Elvis himself.
Being an ETA is exciting and demanding - I was living a dream and my world seemed to be in my control. But as if having a career as an ETA isn't unique enough, in 2001, following a tragic motorcycle collision - I became an Elvis impersonator with one leg!
On that beautiful July evening, I decided to go for a relaxing ride down a two-lane rural, but well-traveled road just outside Hartford, CT. As I looked in my rear view mirror, I noticed pin-sized headlights off behind me in the distance. Returning my focus back to the road ahead, the proximity of the oncoming vehicle changed quickly. I soon realized that the immediate cracking and banging coming from the rear of my motorcycle was from that of a late model Dodge Ram Diesel pick-up truck thrashing through my rear fender. The drunk and drug induced driver continued to drag through the back of the bike and onto the left side of the motorcycle ripping through the back of my left leg. Completing this gruesome pass, the truck continued onward at its deadly speed until it drove off the road ahead of me, where police were able to apprehend the violator. Later determined by state police, the impact to my bike was scaled at approximately 80 mph! At that very moment, my world was no longer under my control!
I can not begin to describe what I was feeling - I remember thinking - "What? This could not be happening to me! What! I need my legs! My life, my family...oh my God...MY CAREER!"
"A-Ray of Light" -
I endured thirteen operations and large doses of pain medications to try to save my left leg, only to arrive at the inevitable, monumental crossroad in my life. Should I stay on the course of tying to save the limb, or accept the horrific suggestion given just a month and a half earlier...to amputate? After gathering as much information as possible in a week’s time, and making a promise to myself to gain back my quality of life and self- worth, I decided on the amputation. I knew transition to walking again could be tough...would be tough, but with my decision to amputate, came my decision to succeed at life again!
Presently, I am still rocking and rolling the way the "king" did it and thankfully 16 years later, folks still want to see my show. In addition, I have created an extended family with Hanger Prosthetics and Orthodics, as a patient, advocate and spokesperson and with Otto Boch, designers of the C-Leg that I wear and the (ACA) The Amputee Coalition of America, of which I am an active member and advocate.
Bionic Elvis
Well, that's the background and for those who know me, worried about me and have been so attentive and patient, here I am sending you a big hello. This experience has made me stronger and a better person and you can get an idea of what's happening from my new website www.bionicElvis.com. Much of my time these days is spent entertaining and speaking to a very diverse audience. Coast to coast and week to week I may be anywhere from Reno, to Chicago, to Cincinnati, to Virginia, to Boston. Elvis and all that encompasses the character continues to propel me to reach the masses. I remain steadfast that those who share in my life story, sometimes as it unfolds, color my world and continue to strengthen me. I really say thank you to you all.
My schedule through the summer is a mix of local and national appearances. Though I wish I could pick up more of the local festivals as I did in my early years, they seem to remain a financial obstacle. I do appreciate the support, however, when performing at such local locations as the Hu Ke Lau and the Majestic Theatre. These venues really give me an opportunity to create the appropriate environments I feel you, the audience, deserve. Just recently finishing the Chowder Pot in Hartford, I feel I've found yet another home. For all of you who reside in the Connecticut area, I’ve come closer to you. We will be back this fall for another sell-out show for sure! July will bring me to Collingwood, Ontario, Canada, for my continued support of their event.
I have become a very integral part of Hanger Prosthetics patient advocate team, traveling all over the country. I may speak and do workshops with groups such as physical therapists, doctors, or other amputees. My belief that peer support in any area of life is so very important - seeing is believing, right? I am so passionate about helping others to understand that there is great power within one’s self. The "business of being Elvis" has made such a natural connection to getting out there and making advantageous connections for the positive development of both me and others.
Being an ETA is exciting and demanding -
On that beautiful July evening, I decided to go for a relaxing ride down a two-
I can not begin to describe what I was feeling -
"A-
I endured thirteen operations and large doses of pain medications to try to save my left leg, only to arrive at the inevitable, monumental crossroad in my life. Should I stay on the course of tying to save the limb, or accept the horrific suggestion given just a month and a half earlier...to amputate? After gathering as much information as possible in a week’s time, and making a promise to myself to gain back my quality of life and self-
Presently, I am still rocking and rolling the way the "king" did it and thankfully 16 years later, folks still want to see my show. In addition, I have created an extended family with Hanger Prosthetics and Orthodics, as a patient, advocate and spokesperson and with Otto Boch, designers of the C-
Bionic Elvis
Well, that's the background and for those who know me, worried about me and have been so attentive and patient, here I am sending you a big hello. This experience has made me stronger and a better person and you can get an idea of what's happening from my new website www.bionicElvis.com. Much of my time these days is spent entertaining and speaking to a very diverse audience. Coast to coast and week to week I may be anywhere from Reno, to Chicago, to Cincinnati, to Virginia, to Boston. Elvis and all that encompasses the character continues to propel me to reach the masses. I remain steadfast that those who share in my life story, sometimes as it unfolds, color my world and continue to strengthen me. I really say thank you to you all.
My schedule through the summer is a mix of local and national appearances. Though I wish I could pick up more of the local festivals as I did in my early years, they seem to remain a financial obstacle. I do appreciate the support, however, when performing at such local locations as the Hu Ke Lau and the Majestic Theatre. These venues really give me an opportunity to create the appropriate environments I feel you, the audience, deserve. Just recently finishing the Chowder Pot in Hartford, I feel I've found yet another home. For all of you who reside in the Connecticut area, I’ve come closer to you. We will be back this fall for another sell-
I have become a very integral part of Hanger Prosthetics patient advocate team, traveling all over the country. I may speak and do workshops with groups such as physical therapists, doctors, or other amputees. My belief that peer support in any area of life is so very important -
To those of you who don’t always get a chance to see me often, my health and well being are up to par. Though I may battle the mind from time to time, and the body tells me when to slow down for a bit, I still enjoy life as usual. My 2003 Harley Davidson is ridden a few times a week when I can get the chance. My new home, my most recently married lifestyle to my most beautiful wife, Melissa, are underway! As of August of 2005 we are embracing our well deserved future together. She has two wonderful boys, Joseph and Michael, who are definitely giving me a new perspective in life, I must say! At ages 8 and 11 respectively, I fear the greatest tests in my life are yet to come!
Please enjoy your summer, folks and be safe, for without you we could not celebrate the way we do within the music of every day life. Stay strong and believe in yourself. The Dear Lord takes care of us all, and most importantly created such a wonderful treasure we celebrate together. Elvis did heal and I believe he is still healing today through his music. Thanks for sharing....TCB, Ray
When Elvis Aaron Presley died on August 16th, 1977, I was just 8 years old...but was already familiar with the words and the music of "the King of Rock n' Roll." The "music" was introduced to me by my mother at an early age, and I remember it being the ONLY music I would listen to until I was 12 years old. Even at that young age, I understood that it was more than the music that made Elvis, "ELVIS!” It was the underlying desire he had to make people, his fans, feel special - to entertain their troubles away - to reach beyond the stage! For me, it was this realization that laid the foundation for what was to come.
I never was easily swayed into the entertainment world, particularly as an Elvis impersonator. Even after unyielding encouragement from the public, friends and family, I was very apprehensive about stepping into that world. Seeing a few impersonators as a young boy (I was never lucky enough to have seen Elvis perform live), left me uninspired and empty. The impersonators seemed to make more of a mockery of the man I loved and admired, than pay a sincere tribute to him. And then there was the media, relentlessly putting him and his persona down! I just didn't want to be a part of the what seemed like a circus.
However...In the early 90's, after finding some local success as an ETA with a Boston agency, I went to Memphis on a whim after being told about the world's largest, international Elvis impersonator contest. In 1993, five days later I left Memphis with my first major award. 1st Place in "The Images of Elvis" contest.
This was the incentive and fuel I needed! Maybe I could change the perspective of what the general public though of when it came to Elvis impersonators, most importantly Elvis! Coming home I embarked upon a crusade to do just that! It would take me to the present day, some 16 years later. After returning home from Memphis, I needed a title for my award winning presentation. What would it be? I didn't want to change my name, as so many of my peers had done... and the title had to be positive. "A-Ray of Elvis" was born!
I never was easily swayed into the entertainment world, particularly as an Elvis impersonator. Even after unyielding encouragement from the public, friends and family, I was very apprehensive about stepping into that world. Seeing a few impersonators as a young boy (I was never lucky enough to have seen Elvis perform live), left me uninspired and empty. The impersonators seemed to make more of a mockery of the man I loved and admired, than pay a sincere tribute to him. And then there was the media, relentlessly putting him and his persona down! I just didn't want to be a part of the what seemed like a circus.
However...In the early 90's, after finding some local success as an ETA with a Boston agency, I went to Memphis on a whim after being told about the world's largest, international Elvis impersonator contest. In 1993, five days later I left Memphis with my first major award. 1st Place in "The Images of Elvis" contest.
This was the incentive and fuel I needed! Maybe I could change the perspective of what the general public though of when it came to Elvis impersonators, most importantly Elvis! Coming home I embarked upon a crusade to do just that! It would take me to the present day, some 16 years later. After returning home from Memphis, I needed a title for my award winning presentation. What would it be? I didn't want to change my name, as so many of my peers had done... and the title had to be positive. "A-
