In the world of Elvis Tribute Artists…many names stand above the rest…and sit within the royal elite. However, in the world of ETAs only a few men stand in a class all of their own…and in Canada…only one man continues to reign supreme…

No doubt, over the course of the last 2 years you have either read about or heard me boast about ETA extraordinaire…Anthony Von. You have read his name within my column on numerous occasions and I have highlighted him on this web site several times. I used to think he was one of the best ETAs on the planet. In fact, I think I may have even, on occasion, said that I personally think he is indeed THE best ETA in the world!!!

I have changed my opinion. After watching Anthony Von’s NEW updated trilogy salute to Elvis Presley…I don’t THINK anything about Anthony Von…I KNOW!!!

After watching Anthony Von’s NEW 3 era extravaganza, complete with a Vegas Salute, and a new jumpsuit…all former fans of Anthony’s have been transformed. Many are perplexed. What we THOUGHT we knew before has changed. Anthony Von-The dynamo; the 50s ETA who electrified audiences and created frenzies everywhere he went. The black leather HUNK of burning love, whose sit down salute, illustrated an eeriness of sensational Elvisness. Anthony Von…the 50s ETA…But NEVER the jumpsuit ETA. Not our Anthony.

That has all been altered. And I, one of the most vocal fans who asked Anthony NOT to put the jumpsuit on…and who refused to be impressed…have been left speechless. He has done it again. And this time, he has done it in a jumpsuit…and it is the greatest Elvis show on earth.

Anthony Von debuted his new power pocked trilogy salute to Elvis during the Brantford Elvis Festival and the entire audience in attendance at the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts in Brantford also KNOW…what we watched on Saturday August 24th, was one of the most truly overwhelming, spellbinding and sensational Elvis showcases EVER!!!

Sure, we still saw the raw energy packed show from the 50s and the black leather wonderment. We listened to that familiar voice from the microphone and sighed as we heard him croon the tunes and dance across the stage. We sat in anticipation and perhaps, with a hint of apprehension as the 2001 Space Odyssey was being played…and we all helped each other lift our chins back into place as Anthony graced the stage in his white jumpsuit and for 35 minutes became ELVIS!!!

The moves were flawless. With every hand gesture, arm twirl, karate pose, palm thrust…we moved with him. Hearts skipped beats as Anthony belted out Polk Salad, Burning Love, Suspicious Minds and all of the stellar 70s songs. We have heard them all before, but never have we SAW them performed with such artistic mastery and ETA precision. The performance was perfect. Anthony was perfect. He looked sensational. His voice was strong and acoustically pleasing. He nailed it. We watched a metamorphosis take place in Brantford. We were all witnesses to the NEW Anthony Von. His show has always been one of the best in the business and he has always been one of the best ETAs in North America. But with this newly added Vegas Salute, which is second to NOBODY…Anthony Von is unstoppable.

I did not think he could be better than he was. I did not think he could impress me more than I have been impressed over the course of the last 6 years. I was wrong. Anthony Von has changed my entire perception of the Vegas ETA. And now with his better than ever 50s and 60s show, comes the best thing he has ever done…the jumpsuit years.

*I cannot believe that I am admitting this…Anthony Von in a jumpsuit…better than before…but it is true. I would never have believed it, if I did not see it with my own eyes and Anthony’s fans are all in agreement…he really is the BEST there is.*

And so to Anthony Von I say: Thanks Anthony for the incredible memories of Elvis. Thanks for your overwhelming generosity and friendship. Thanks for continuing to strive for excellence and always excelling within our industry. Thanks for keeping the music alive. Thanks for being the best, but continually remaining humble and refusing to let an ego live within you. Thanks for being YOU. And thanks for helping me fulfill one of my all entertainment dreams…singing backup for you at the Sanderson. It truly was one of my proudest moments.

If you have not had a chance to see Anthony’s new show…make sure you set aside a weekend sometime soon…and get ready to be Elvisized. It is VONtastic. However, give him some breathing space. Anthony is going to be hard to find over the next few weeks, as he prepares to break all of our hearts because he is getting hitched and then flying down south for his honeymoon.

From all of here at Lady Luck Music, Memphis Motion and all of your friends in the ETA world, we wish you and Shelly, your soon to be bride, all the best as you walk down the aisle on September 7th. We love you buddy. Best wishes for a happy and fulfilling life with your new Wife. Long may the KING live within you!!!

Elvisly yours,

Joan Minnery