Carol Hunter

Elvis Tribute Artists Radio

Elvis Tribute Artists Radio

Ladyluckmusic.com

HOME

This month I’m delighted to bring to LLM’s readers from around the globe some sights and impressions from the ETA scene in the United Kingdom, where I was privileged to spend a few days recently celebrating Elvis’ 71st birthday with fans and ETA’s half way across the world at the sold out and very successful  3rd Annual “Walk a Golden Mile in My  Shoes” Contest and Convention in Blackpool.  

In just 3 years, this UK-based European event - Europe’s #1 Elvis Convention and Contest -- has become  internationally recognized, acknowledged by EPE, and has served notice to the Elvis/ETA world that it’s well on the way to being on a par with Memphis and Collingwood.   The 2006 event was covered extensively by the mainstream media, including  the BBC who were there filming  a 3-part documentary (Blackpool, Memphis, Collingwood)   and the eyes and ears of the Elvis and ETA world were watching and listening. ETA’s and fans from around the world are already clamoring to take part in next year’s event and  the 2007 “Walk a Golden Mile in My Shoes” Contest and Convention is shaping up as the place to be.  

One Elvis fan who attended for the first time wrote to me later:   “As a newcomer to the ETA world, I must say I was a bit apprehensive beforehand about the whole thing. I've always liked Elvis` music (as did my mother) and, in fact, I have all her old single records of Elvis songs.  But what a fantastic 5 days I had in Blackpool with all the Elvis fans there. Everyone I  spoke to was so friendly; I have not stopped talking about it to all my friends since coming home and they all want to go next year to the event.”

To be honest, I also experienced some apprehension before flying off to England, not knowing exactly what I was getting myself into.  My main concern, as a fan since the beginning of Elvis’ career (who, truth be known, has walked out of a few “impersonator” shows in my time) was that I might land  in the midst of  ETA’s and/or fans who were there to make a  mockery of Elvis.  Well, not to worry!

The most common question I was asked all weekend was, “How do we compare to North America?” and my answer is that we’ve already seen the talents of  Mario Kombou - 2005 Memphis  champion, and Roy Evans, 2005 Collingwood champion...and we’re going to be seeing more!   The calibre of the ETA’s and the entertainment they provided matched (and in some cases surpassed)  that which I’ve seen in similar events, and the  Blackpool Contest and Convention is putting  UK/European ETAs on the map.   I also found this event stayed much closer to the  “Elvis” theme than some, where the focus over time has shifted and Elvis has, unfortunately, become a footnote.

I met a number of knowledgeable ETA’s who had worked hard, who took great care with their performance,  their appearance, and who had become ETA’s in the first place for the right reasons.  Many expressed  a sincere affinity for Elvis, and their manner on and off stage would do Elvis proud.   Add to that, the enthusiastic fans who also had a genuine love for Elvis and his music, and I felt right at home.  I spoke  to ETA’s and fans, not only from the UK but  from Norway, Holland, Sweden, Poland, Germany, and Jerusalem whose first language was not English. The sentiments they expressed demonstrated again that we have a strong common bond and, apart from his wonderful music, that really is the legacy Elvis Presley has left us.

The “Walk a Golden Mile in My Shoes” event ran from Thursday, January 5th to Sunday, January 8th, with organizers Martin Fox and Michael King and their capable team  providing a full slate of activities throughout.  While the focus was on the contest, there were also ETA showcases, costume displays by  Butch and Kim Polston of  B & K Enterprises with Elvis’ costume designer,  Gene Doucette; demonstrations by Kjell Bjornestad , president of Golden Voice Professional Performance Tracks, and vendor displays which included outfits and ETA accessories supplied by ETA Marshall King,  Elvis documentary videos, disco,  and lots more!

The sold out contest heats  were held in the jam-packed Theatre Bar of the host  hotel - The Queen’s Hotel - on Thursday and Friday nights and  showcased approximately 50 ETA’s from the UK, Germany, Jerusalem,  Norway and beyond  who were taking part in this event.  The wall-to-wall enthusiastic audiences were also provided with two evenings of terrific entertainment.  The heats featured  an array of amateur and professional ETA’s ranging from those who probably won’t be giving up their day jobs any time soon   -- to those who were nervously entering their first contest and had practiced for months - to many who gave credible and enjoyable all-round performances - right through to  those who were experienced, seasoned professionals and contest veterans.   Each brought a bit of Elvis to the stage, whether it be through “voice,” “look,” “stage presence,” “moves,”  “humour,” “sincerity,” “soul,” or “charisma” and each was received well  by the audiences.

Another Elvis fan and first-time attendee  wrote to me afterwards:  “I must say my first experience watching an Elvis competition was a strange one. I've never had much time for them before as  I always felt a lot of the guys portraying Elvis are not worthy of even saying his name. It was good to see some decent tributes.”

On Saturday night, the contest finals were held at the spectacular “Vegas-style” Horseshoe Bar in the large Pleasure Beach Complex  - again sold out, with fans clamoring for tickets  and phoning to see if there had been any cancellations. This was a stellar venue, indeed reminiscent of a Las Vegas showroom;  the show was professionally produced, and the atmosphere was “electric.”   Emceed by ETA Jay Ashton (who did a great job all weekend by the way), with music by Michael King’s awesome “Power of Presley”  band and singers, this was a production that the organizers and contestants could be extremely proud of, with some memorable performances throughout.  It was the first time some of the finalists had performed on a stage such as this with a live band....while others demonstrated again that they were seasoned professionals who could engage the  audience while delivering an entertaining  combination of  “voice,” “look,”  “stage presentation”  and “charisma.”   All the ETA’s I spoke to afterwards said it was a thrill to be up on stage and to be a part of this showcase.  At the end of the night, after watching all the finalists and being entertained by fine performances from  Mario Kombou, winner of the 2005 Memphis Images of the King Contest, and star of the Jailhouse Rock musical, and Michael King himself, the audience members collectively held their breath as the results were  announced.  Congratulations to the winner and 2006 Grand Champion -  Kjell Bjornestad from Norway;  first runner up  - Oliver Steinhoff from Germany; and 2nd runner up - Elmalih Gilles from Jerusalem.

I’ve also since learned  that mainstream media “went crazy” over this show, and media  reports have been 100% positive.   Kjell, Oliver, and Gilles have also been extensively interviewed  and lauded  in their own countries ...again, with 100% positive mainstream press!  In fact, Kjell has made numerous TV appearances on Norwegian TV, and my understanding is that the BBC camera crew traveled back to  Jerusalem with Gilles to continue filming.  Considering the bad rap ETA’s and Elvis, himself, have often had in the press over the past few decades, this positive coverage is an achievement in itself!

Another highlight was meeting Elvis’ costume designer Gene Doucette. Gene had some interesting stories about his designs which include the (Aloha)  American, punch-on Eagle,  Embroidered American Eagle,  Sundial, Alpine,  Gypsy suits, and many, many more.  It was interesting to learn from Gene  how the designs evolved, the materials used (e.g. chicken bones!), the symbolism behind the designs,  how the names of the costumes have changed over the years so even he isn’t sure sometimes which suit a fan is referring to,  and some of the fun he’s had  with his fascinating career.  In fact, I could sit and listen to Gene for hours. Thus, I enjoyed seeing Scottish ETA Rob Ainslie   wearing for the first time in public his new jumpsuit - the  “Stars and Stripes” which had originally been drawn up by Gene for Elvis - as were a number of other patriotic “idea” sketches in the ‘73-‘74 time period, after Elvis and the fans  reacted so positively to the first Eagle suit which was beamed out all over the world from Hawaii via satellite in 1973.   However, after Elvis  started gaining weight around l974, Gene changed course with many of these ideas as he felt, like any good designer, that his primary responsibility was to design clothing that would be complimentary to his client’s image.    Made by Butch and Kim Polston of B & K Enterprises the “Stars & Stripes” suit was exclusively produced and tailored for Rob, and it is a “one and only.”  I asked Rob how it felt to own and wear a suit that had been designed for Elvis and he said he was “over the moon.”  Gene also reports that it was wonderful to see the suit being received by Rob with so much joy, especially as the design had been on the “back burner” for so long,  and to see and hear the audience greet it with such loud applause.

Throughout the weekend, there were also non-stop activities taking place at the Queen’s Hotel.  Saturday featured an ETA showcase with, among others,  CC Ryder and Lewis Hill, a performance by last year’s contest champ, GI Leigh Casling, a karate demonstration with Jim McLain, and a  “new this year” novice contest which brought  some potential ETA’s on their feet to perform.  Keep an eye out for novice winner, Martin Hart.  Two  “cutie pies”  I also enjoyed watching were  Alfie Sayers, age 9, and Cordell Roper, age 13.  Sunday brought more  entertainment  with first a gospel show  featuring co-organizers Martin Fox and Michael King, Jay Ashton, Paul Molloy, Paul Ritchie, Elmalih Gilles,  and then an evening  show with Martin Fox (who can work a room like no other!),  Oliver Steinhoff, Richard Atkins (star of the Rockin’ on Heaven’s Door Legends production who sang   “Why Can’t They  Leave Him Alone”  (featured on ETARadio in August 2005) and a dynamic performance by  Big Jim White, one of the UK’s original ETA’s, who first started his Elvis tributes in l971  and who earned a standing ovation from all present.   Of course,  what would a celebration of Elvis’ 71st birthday be without an Elvis birthday cake  and a round  of “Happy Birthday Elvis!”  And, finally, the answer to that burning question....how many times did we hear “Suspicious Minds” throughout the weekend......12!

Each night after the shows, large crowds congregated  in the lounge area until the early morning hours...here, I met people from all over the world and enjoyed hearing their stories, especially the “newbies.  Paul Martin’s partner, Sue, had entered him in the contest without him knowing....now Paul was going home with a B & K jumpsuit ordered, a new pair of white boots from Marshall King, ...and he’s already thinking about Collingwood!    Throughout my stay,  I enjoyed “talking Elvis” with ETA’s Mel Hobbs , Paul Martin, Willard Ford, Babis Stefanopolous (another newcomer from the UK via Greece and Australia), Johnny Reel from Norway, Patrick Byrne,  and life-long fans Bo and Annmarie from Sweden, among many others.  One of the comments I heard most often from first-timers attending this event, including Nick, Sam and Adam,  who were filming a media project, and  Landon Nordeman, a freelance photographer from New York,  was that the  camraderie all around was remarkable..they were  sincerely impressed with the talent, too!.    By the way, watch out for 22-year old Nick  who had so much fun  he’s planning to enter the novice contest next year!   Other ETA’s I had the pleasure of meeting personally and whose names haven’t already been highlighted throughout this column were Neil J. Duncan, Dean Lee Vegas,  Paul Rouse,  Phil King, and Ray Siberini     And, although everyone was so busy that our paths didn’t cross, I’d like to mention  Adam King, Gary Gibson, Joseph King, Danny Louis, and Jim Santana who, among others,  gave stellar performances all weekend.  (Be sure to check out websites and to listen to ETARadio for more details).

All too soon, my whirlwind 5 days in England came to an end and there was a tinge of sadness at having to say goodbye.  Many new friendships were made all around, and just as in Collingwood and in Memphis, the Blackpool  event will become  an annual reunion where Elvis fans and ETA’s meet up again for years to come. To  those  I had the opportunity to meet  -- it was my pleasure.

Congratulations to co-organizers Martin Fox and Michael King who worked so hard for so many months to provide such a first-class event, and to their capable team: Simone Fox,  Sioned King, EPDJ Paul Smith of APEPTA, Steven Smith, Jay Ashton,  Bernadine and Marie (security guards par excellence, let me tell you!!), the Power of Presley Band and singers, the hard-working staff at the Queen’s Hotel and the Horseshoe Bar...along with all others who worked behind the scenes.

For  pics of fans and ETA’s, click here    
For  pics of Rob Ainslie’s “Stars & Stripes” jumpsuit,  click here



Details:

Walk a Golden Mile in My Shoes Contest (www.elviscontest.co.uk)

Photo credits: Thanks to Nick Tuck, from the University of West England film crew, who took many photos shown on these  pages, to professional  photographer Grenville Charles, and to  performer, Mario Kombou, who also shared some of his own photos with me.