Carol Hunter
Elvis Tribute Artists Radio
Now that he’s been overseas, I asked Donny if he’d noticed any difference between North American fans and fans in other countries. He replied that he has seen some cultural differences, adding “every culture has its own reaction to the shows, and the jokes you use in this part of the world may not work in others. But I see the love for Elvis everywhere I go – you don’t totally realize Elvis' impact until you've done shows overseas.”
I also asked Donny about his thoughts on Elvis and his music – and what he tries to convey in his own performances. Donny says, “I love Elvis. I truly believe that Elvis was a phenomenon that the world has never seen before, nor ever will again. Ever since I was a kid, I remember noticing that Elvis’ voice had something that nobody else’s had.....like its own soul. So when I sing and perform a song I try to find the soul of that song like Elvis did. I always give my all. I believe that if I have 2 people watching me or 2000 I should always do my best. I try to create the illusion for my audience to make them feel they've seen a glimpse of Elvis.”
As far as advice for beginning ETA’s and valuable advice that he, himself, has been given, Donny says: “Learn your strengths first, then evaluate the 4 aspects of being an ETA: 1. The Look; 2. The Voice; 3. The Movements and Mannerisms; 4. The Stage Presence - how you interact with an audience. But let Elvis be your teacher. Watch him, studying every little thing from when he takes his breath to which hand he used and when and how. As you learn more, you'll come to appreciate him more so as a entertainer. NEVER ever think you're better than you really are and keep focused on what really matters. Too many times you see a talented ETA crash and burn because he gets haughty...and thinks he's the chosen one. There's only one Elvis and you ain’t him!”
And finally, Donny says he plans to continue to travel the world to “see what’s out there and to keep Elvis’ memory alive.” He says, “I just love what I do and thank God for giving me this in my life. Through this new career I've met so many great people. I’d also like to perform in Canada...like Collingwood...I hear it's great there.”
Many thanks to Donny Edwards for this interview (especially as it was during the hectic holiday season when he was very busy) and best wishes to Donny for continued success.
For full details, bio, pics, upcoming schedule and cruise, check Donny’s websites at:
www.donnyedwards.net
www.donnyedwards.com
I also asked Donny about his thoughts on Elvis and his music – and what he tries to convey in his own performances. Donny says, “I love Elvis. I truly believe that Elvis was a phenomenon that the world has never seen before, nor ever will again. Ever since I was a kid, I remember noticing that Elvis’ voice had something that nobody else’s had.....like its own soul. So when I sing and perform a song I try to find the soul of that song like Elvis did. I always give my all. I believe that if I have 2 people watching me or 2000 I should always do my best. I try to create the illusion for my audience to make them feel they've seen a glimpse of Elvis.”
As far as advice for beginning ETA’s and valuable advice that he, himself, has been given, Donny says: “Learn your strengths first, then evaluate the 4 aspects of being an ETA: 1. The Look; 2. The Voice; 3. The Movements and Mannerisms; 4. The Stage Presence -
And finally, Donny says he plans to continue to travel the world to “see what’s out there and to keep Elvis’ memory alive.” He says, “I just love what I do and thank God for giving me this in my life. Through this new career I've met so many great people. I’d also like to perform in Canada...like Collingwood...I hear it's great there.”
Many thanks to Donny Edwards for this interview (especially as it was during the hectic holiday season when he was very busy) and best wishes to Donny for continued success.
For full details, bio, pics, upcoming schedule and cruise, check Donny’s websites at:
www.donnyedwards.net
www.donnyedwards.com
Elvis Tribute Artists Radio
Ladyluckmusic.com
Well, I’m not sure if Donny Edwards knows this, but he was the topic of conversation on a plane flight from Branson to Detroit one day a few years ago. I was sitting next to an entertainer from Branson who is a good friend of Dotty Booth, Elvis’ former personal secretary and long-time friend (who also resided for a time at Graceland). He told me that Dotty had seen Donny Edwards in Branson at a contest he’d won, and had raved about how much he looked just like the young Elvis she knew so well. We talked about Donny Edwards being an up-and-comer to remember – at that time, he’d already participated in one of LadyLuck Music’s Montreal events, was performing at Elvis-A-Rama in Las Vegas, and was starting to make a name for himself both in the US and in Canada. About a year later, I crossed paths with Donny in Vegas at an Elvis event where his “young Elvis” look and friendly personality made a lasting impression. Now, in just 4 short years, Donny’s career is skyrocketing – and his future is looking mighty good. Read on!
From Las Vegas
DONNY EDWARDS
DONNY EDWARDS
Donny was born in Des Moines, Iowa and later moved to Texas, near Houston, where he grew up. As a youngster, he loved listening to music and to his parents’ singing. He listened to all types of music from Patsy Cline to Brook Benton, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, the Beatles, Tom Jones, Englebert Humperdink and “always Elvis.” His mother recalls that starting at about the age of 2, Donny would stare at the Elvis album covers and listen to him intently – even shaking his left leg like Elvis – without ever having seen Elvis other than in a picture. He says he plays “a little guitar....but I’m still learning.”
During his growing up years, people always told Donny that he looked like Elvis, which he says he was proud of but adds that he never really saw the resemblance himself. Then, in 2001, Donny went to Las Vegas on a vacation with his wife and everywhere he went people were asking where he performed and whether they could take a picture with him. He says he declined, telling them he wasn’t an Elvis impersonator.
Donny recalls that during this trip he visited Elvis-A-Rama and “met a couple of guys there who were ETA's and they couldn't believe I hadn't ever done anything with my look, and told me I should think about it. So when I got back to Texas I pondered it for about a year and then in the Fall of 2002 a local contest came up in my hometown of Lake Jackson, Texas and my family and friends talked me into entering it so I did - and won. For the next few months I went to other contests and would always place and realized the more I hit the stage the more I liked it. Just 4 months after hitting the stage for the first time I landed a gig in a casino in Oregon with other ETA's called "Elvis Elvis Elvis" for Greg Thompson Productions. There I learned from the best: Garry Wesley, Johnny Thompson, and Reggie Randolph.”
During his growing up years, people always told Donny that he looked like Elvis, which he says he was proud of but adds that he never really saw the resemblance himself. Then, in 2001, Donny went to Las Vegas on a vacation with his wife and everywhere he went people were asking where he performed and whether they could take a picture with him. He says he declined, telling them he wasn’t an Elvis impersonator.
Donny recalls that during this trip he visited Elvis-
Donny says that when he first starting performing, he portrayed just the ‘50's, but now he performs all the eras of Elvis’ career. He loves singing lesser-known songs such as “Mama Liked the Roses,” along with anything from the Memphis Sessions – ”Make the World Go Away,” “Unchained Melody” – and he loves the movie tunes, saying that there are many beautiful movie songs, citing “Pocketful of Rainbows” as an example.
Although Donny started as an ETA by entering contests, he says now that, “I really try not to do them any more...it's become very political. And I truly believe you can't let a contest define you. Concentrate on your act and the shows and always make it a point to do a first-class job.” Some of the ETA’s Donny admires include Garry Wesley, Shawn Klush, Ryan Pelton, Martin Fontaine, Johnny Thompson, Justin Shandor, Dean Z, and Brandon Bennett although he adds, “There are so many guys out there who do a great job that it's hard to name them all.”
In just 4 short years Donny’s career has really taken off. In the past year, he’s been in England making commercials and he’s performed in Argentina, Hong Kong, and Cancun, Mexico. He’s also recently worked for Legends in Concert, which he says was “a dream come true for me, thanks to a good friend who gave me the belief I could do it (thanks, R.P.). Donny continues, “I think the greatest thing for me has been to see the positive reactions from fellow fans like myself for what I do. I've also been on a soap opera called The Young & Restless and I recently performed a show in Beaumont, Texas for over 1,400 people with a 47-piece symphony orchestra, which received rave reviews. We’re looking to make the show a regular one there in Texas as well as around the USA. Another highlight for me has been working for my manager, Kristy Royle of Royal Talent.....Kristy is the best!”
In just 4 short years Donny’s career has really taken off. In the past year, he’s been in England making commercials and he’s performed in Argentina, Hong Kong, and Cancun, Mexico. He’s also recently worked for Legends in Concert, which he says was “a dream come true for me, thanks to a good friend who gave me the belief I could do it (thanks, R.P.). Donny continues, “I think the greatest thing for me has been to see the positive reactions from fellow fans like myself for what I do. I've also been on a soap opera called The Young & Restless and I recently performed a show in Beaumont, Texas for over 1,400 people with a 47-
