Intro by Joanna, Story & pics by Louise Cowitz
Saturday May 9, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. - An Images of the King contest in Pahrump, Nevada. Where is that you ask? One hour and a bit outside of Vegas........ in the desert. On the way - no gas stations, no variety store, no homes, no bathrooms..............I heard this is where the chicken farms are????
I was asked to volunteer my time and come and help with this contest.
I arrived Thursday morning, to be taken to Walmart, [yes they have a Walmart] to promote the show, by having 2 Elvis performers singing outside......... it was fun handing out flyers.
Friday was getting the last minute things organized for the contest, some of the performers were arriving at the Saddle West Hotel. All these men with black hair and sideburns, but heck - we’re near Vegas and people are used to seeing this.
I am enjoying myself by the pool with the temperature in the high 90’s, By 5:30 p.m. karaoke starts, it’s a good way for the ETAs to practice and get to meet each other.
Saturday morning, we arrive at the Maverick Saloon, where the contest is held. To open the show, there are about 18 of the cutest senior ladies all dressed up in beautiful sparkling and feather costumes and they grace the dance floor with some great tap dancing.
Now the anticipation of the contest! There were 5 judges, it was interesting to note that not one of them knew any of the contestants. Numbers were picked to see when they would be performing. While they were waiting their turn, the ETAs were mingling with the crowd, everyone loved that. During the intermission, there was a raffle with many great prizes to be chosen!
Robert Washington from Maine, a past winner of “Images” was the guest performer. He did a great job and Darlene Thompkins one of Elvis' movie co-stars, was also a guest.
All 12 performers did their 4 songs and now it was time to tabulate the scores. The winners were: 3rd place-Craig Newell, 2nd place-Travis Allen, 1st place Jim Westover – Jim is on his way to Memphis! The other contestants were Elvic, Steve Botello, Donovan Chavez, John Brooks, John King, Steve Connolly, Bret Burkhart, Fred Cisneros and Barry (sorry, forgot last name). The local newspaper picked up the story, making special note of Jim Westover who won. Click Here to read the article.
Sunday morning I arrived in Vegas at 8:15 am, had some breakfast, sat by the pool and then got ready to see another past Images of the King winner, Darren Lee from Vancouver, B.C. I think he has been performing with the American Superstars at the Stratosphere Hotel in Vegas for over 9 years. A true performer, he is. I’m so glad we had
time to hang out and chat about the past tours and shows in Ontario.
Then I came back to my Hotel on the Vegas strip and did a bit of gambling at the 1 cent slots. The next day by 8:00 a.m., I wanted to get my walk in before the temperature reached 99. I managed
to walk down the strip, enjoy the sights of the other hotels, visit their huge mall, then walked back to my hotel, to enjoy sitting by the pool.
I also went to see Jersey Boys, what a fantastic production! Walking through that hotel, passing a little bar, What did I hear???? Yes
Elvis music - another great performer named Harry. In Vegas, it’s Elvis, Elvis, Elvis everywhere!
Thank you Gene Lane from California for asking me to help, and now I’m looking forward to the Elvis cruise in the fall...............
Thank you, thank you very much...............
I was asked to volunteer my time and come and help with this contest.
I arrived Thursday morning, to be taken to Walmart, [yes they have a Walmart] to promote the show, by having 2 Elvis performers singing outside......... it was fun handing out flyers.
Friday was getting the last minute things organized for the contest, some of the performers were arriving at the Saddle West Hotel. All these men with black hair and sideburns, but heck -
I am enjoying myself by the pool with the temperature in the high 90’s, By 5:30 p.m. karaoke starts, it’s a good way for the ETAs to practice and get to meet each other.
Saturday morning, we arrive at the Maverick Saloon, where the contest is held. To open the show, there are about 18 of the cutest senior ladies all dressed up in beautiful sparkling and feather costumes and they grace the dance floor with some great tap dancing.
Now the anticipation of the contest! There were 5 judges, it was interesting to note that not one of them knew any of the contestants. Numbers were picked to see when they would be performing. While they were waiting their turn, the ETAs were mingling with the crowd, everyone loved that. During the intermission, there was a raffle with many great prizes to be chosen!
Robert Washington from Maine, a past winner of “Images” was the guest performer. He did a great job and Darlene Thompkins one of Elvis' movie co-
All 12 performers did their 4 songs and now it was time to tabulate the scores. The winners were: 3rd place-
Sunday morning I arrived in Vegas at 8:15 am, had some breakfast, sat by the pool and then got ready to see another past Images of the King winner, Darren Lee from Vancouver, B.C. I think he has been performing with the American Superstars at the Stratosphere Hotel in Vegas for over 9 years. A true performer, he is. I’m so glad we had
time to hang out and chat about the past tours and shows in Ontario.
Then I came back to my Hotel on the Vegas strip and did a bit of gambling at the 1 cent slots. The next day by 8:00 a.m., I wanted to get my walk in before the temperature reached 99. I managed
to walk down the strip, enjoy the sights of the other hotels, visit their huge mall, then walked back to my hotel, to enjoy sitting by the pool.
I also went to see Jersey Boys, what a fantastic production! Walking through that hotel, passing a little bar, What did I hear???? Yes
Elvis music -
Thank you Gene Lane from California for asking me to help, and now I’m looking forward to the Elvis cruise in the fall...............
Thank you, thank you very much...............
Photo above is a view of Nevada on the way to Parhump
Louise Cowitz from Hamilton Ontario, is a huge Elvis fan. She's produced several ETA shows in her area, has had the good fortune to take a few cruises and travel all across Canada and the US, attending many Elvis shows along the way. Louise has also enjoyed the company of another Elvis fan, her granddaughter Brooke, a former child ETA who got her feet wet in the business at a contest in Orillia at the tender age of 8. Though Brooke no longer does her tribute, she still manages to travel with Louise from time to time, remaining a devoted Elvis fan. Elvis Week in Memphis is an annual trek for many an Elvis fan, Louise is no exception. She's been going for the past 15 yrs and organized a bus trip (4 buses) there for the 30th anniversary in 2007. Louise has met many interesting people along the way, she volunteers at many Elvis events to this day, and is a very familiar face to the ETAs. One of her old acquaintances, with whom she corresponds yearly, is ETA & promoter Gene Lane, from Sacramento, California. Gene was off to Vegas for his annual contest, a preliminary to Images Of The King in Memphis, which was being held at a new venue just a bit out of town. He called up Louise asking if she would like to fly to Vegas and help out with the competition. She said yes, got the chance to catch a few Vegas shows while she was there.....and wrote a little story on her latest adventure!
Louise Cowitz from Hamilton Ontario, is a huge Elvis fan. She's produced several ETA shows in her area, has had the good fortune to take a few cruises and travel all across Canada and the US, attending many Elvis shows along the way. Louise has also enjoyed the company of another Elvis fan, her granddaughter Brooke, a former child ETA who got her feet wet in the business at a contest in Orillia at the tender age of 8. Though Brooke no longer does her tribute, she still manages to travel with Louise from time to time, remaining a devoted Elvis fan. Elvis Week in Memphis is an annual trek for many an Elvis fan, Louise is no exception. She's been going for the past 15 yrs and organized a bus trip (4 buses) there for the 30th anniversary in 2007. Louise has met many interesting people along the way, she volunteers at many Elvis events to this day, and is a very familiar face to the ETAs. One of her old acquaintances, with whom she corresponds yearly, is ETA & promoter Gene Lane, from Sacramento, California. Gene was off to Vegas for his annual contest, a preliminary to Images Of The King in Memphis, which was being held at a new venue just a bit out of town. He called up Louise asking if she would like to fly to Vegas and help out with the competition. She said yes, got the chance to catch a few Vegas shows while she was there.....and wrote a little story on her latest adventure!
Donovan Chavez and Louise pool side
Steve Connolly
Travis Allen
Robert Washington, past Images winner was the guest headliner
Winner Jim Westover, on his way to Memphis for Images
Darren Lee - American Superstars at the Stratosphere
Darlene Thompkins, movie co-star of Elvis was a special guest