Elvis Tribute Artists Radio

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I imagine that not everyone celebrates the meeting of the Pilgrims and the Indians we call Thanksgiving like we do in the States.  However, the thoughts of family, friends and sharing love is universal, therefore I wish for you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Here are my thoughts on giving and the return of which we in the business receive so freely every day.

I am a very blessed individual. God has given me so many friends and loved ones, I can only say, "Thank You Lord for your overwhelming Love and Kindness."

The thing that sets the Elvis Tribute Artists apart from other entertainers, by and large, is that we receive such amazing heartfelt thanks from so many people with whom we come in contact.  From the little children who smile and say "There's Elvis Presley!"  to the older folks who smile and say they remember where they were when Elvis passed away.  When we sing, so many people sing along with us. They come up to us after the shows and share such wonderful thoughts about how we have brought them back to a time of joy in their lives. They tell us that they had forgotten so many of Elvis' songs and that we have reminded them about how much love he shared.

Elvis Presley was truly a gift to us from God.  As an ambassador of good will, he is surely the most accomplished American that ever lived.  Who else, almost 30 years after passing away, has brought so many heartfelt smiles to so many people?  The true test is when you see the passion with which his fans experience at the shows.  He continues to outsell all other entertainers who have left us.  Sure, Muhammad Ali is an icon and Michael Jordan has his place in history. Tiger Woods is very well known, too, but who among these and anyone else you can name, brings immediate happiness and gives a peace and calm and warm feeling at the very mention?  And what a catchphrase........."Thankya, thankyaverymuch".  Just this in itself holds the idea of being appreciative and respectful of others more than yourself.

Whenever I fly, I run into so many people who are genuinely thrilled to meet me!  They tell me things like, "God Bless you for what you do!"  And I'm not sure exactly what it is that I do!  I dress like Elvis because I love his style.  I'm quick to sing a song to anyone who seems interested, because it seems to make people happy.  This makes me as happy as they seem to be; therefore, I feel almost guilty sometimes that I enjoy what I do so much.  Once at an airport, a gentleman came up to me and asked if he could have a moment of my time.  Of course I said, "Sure. How can I help you?"  He said that he had been following only a few yards behind me while we were walking to the same gate and he said that I was drawing quite a lot of attention to myself.  He asked if it bothered me.  I said that I try not to notice.  I asked him what were the general responses, and he said there were lots of smiles and people pointing. Then he asked me if I had personally experienced more positive or negative reactions in my travels.  I thought about it for a split second and said, "Well, since I don't pay any attention to the negative responses, they are all positive." He said he really liked my answer and that he admired what I do.  

This month’s special column is from Garyelvis Britt, who shares his insights as to the benefits and responsibilities of being an ETA.  Garyelvis also updates us on his “Love Me Tender Day” project.

Again, the "Elvis" way of life for me is not a difficult thing at all.  I have always wanted to spread joy and happiness if I can and it seems that I have found what I have always been looking for.  In some of the contests that I've been to, I've found that a few of the ETA's are unhappy and generally "tired" of the attention they get. They talk about lost time dealing with fans and the inconvenience to their schedules........etc., etc., blah, blah, blah......" You know, I figure they wouldn't be happy if they won a $10 million lottery!  You see, if you reap the benefits of a ready made audience at your shows and you are fortunate enough to get paid (small or high) for performing, then what right do you have to complain????  I feel that portraying Elvis Presley and what he means to people is a PRIVILEGE not a burden.

I'll never forget once while on a trip, Patti Perkins, a good friend who has traveled with me on numerous occasions, and I stopped at a McDonald's to get a bite to eat. While we were there, we encountered a group of kids with their parents and they just wanted a little attention from me.  Well, Patti and I were in a hurry to get where we were going; however, I always feel that if possible, just a few moments won't hurt me, so I took a little time with them and it just seemed so beneficial to them (and to me). After singing a few requests for them, I noticed one little boy was holding a baseball cap with a marker and he wanted me to sign it, which I did.  When I turned to another youngster, I felt this warm little person hugging me. It was the little boy with the baseball cap. He just wouldn't let go!!  I had made his day, and he in turn made mine.  It's joy like this that you just can't find in very many avenues in life.

Joy starts within.  God blesses us every day of our lives and then sometimes, like in the stories above, He really pours it on heavy!!!  I feel that we, in the business, have a BIG responsibility to return that joy to every person we meet. A gentle smile, a wave or an autograph or even a song goes soooooooo far.  My wonderful wife, Christine, marvels at the responses and reactions people have at my performances. She says she can't wait until I earn a million dollars so that she can quit her job!!  I feel like more than a million dollars every time I see the faces of those in the crowd!

Last year, after concluding another wonderful Brantford, Ontario Elvis Festival, I was packing up to leave and took a little time with a sweet couple.  Audrey McKee and her husband Steve had driven 1500 miles from the Denver, Colorado to be there. This I didn't know at the time.  However, during the weekend they had noticed that I had placed a dozen or so photo magnets on my rental car and they had told me how they loved them.  Being in the business, we invest money in our image and appearance. The magnets are  another way to advertise yourself.  Well, I also sell these magnets for $45 a pair, not a bad price.  However,  at the end of the weekend, dollars are not that plentiful and when Steve came up to me and told me how much Audrey really wanted one, I just peeled one of the largest ones off the car and gave it to them.  Later on, I got this wonderful letter describing how much happiness I gave not only to Audrey, but to her Mom back home who was physically challenged and they were her caretakers. Seems that she was a huge Elvis fan and she enjoyed the magnet that Audrey had placed on her refrigerator. "Oh that's Elvis!  I LOVE Elvis!!" she said.  When Audrey told her it was me, her Mom told all of her friends about it. You just never know what happiness you'll bring to others when you make one person smile.

The Love Me Tender Day Charity Project has been my plan, since July 2000, for everyone in the business and all of Elvis' fans around the world to help to create a Worldwide Day of Honor and Recognition on August 16th every year in Elvis Aaron Presley's name.  All we have to do is support our local Elvis Tribute Artists, Performers and Impersonators by attending their shows and bringing non-perishable food and Teddy Bears for them to distribute to their local hospitalized children and to the local needy families who can't afford to feed their families.  In the South, the victims of Hurricanes Katrina , Rita and Wilma are in great need of such help. Local food ministries and churches also can help to distribute the food. When we perform, we dedicate the song "Love Me Tender" to all of these less fortunate people. In a little over a year, we will recognize 30 years that Elvis has been gone. Let's work to make the next year and a half extra special by helping thousands who so desperately need our help.

In conclusion, especially during the year-end, we begin to make New Year's Resolutions. Well.........let's not wait til then!!!  Let's decide to bring more smiles than ever to all of those we encounter.  Let's vow to make God and His Son, Christ Jesus much more of a Guiding Light in our lives.  Let's work together to get things done that truly make a positive difference in this life. And let's show the world that love and caring and kindness are more important than worldly possessions and personal gain. To All of my friends and loved ones in the Elvis World, I wish you the best Christmas Season Ever!!!

Thank you Joanna for your diligence and hard work to bring the Elvis Tribute Artist to the public each and every month. God Bless You.


Yours always, GaryElvis Britt
Founder/Director
Love Me Tender Charity Project
www.garyelvis.com