Elvis Tribute Artists Radio
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This is Bill Kelly from Lexington, Kentucky and I was flattered when I was featured in a Lady Luck article a couple of years ago. I have always been proud to be an ETA and have strived hard to make sure that every performance was professional, exciting and respectful to ELVIS. I feel like I have been blessed to have been able to do this as my major source of income for the past several years and have always known that I owe all of this to so many great fans and friends. Over the years I have made some wonderful friends in the “ETA World” and have felt honored to be able to share the stage with some incredible talents.
On October 6th of this year, I underwent open heart surgery. On Wednesday, October 4th I had a stress test and my cardiologist was not happy with the results. The next day, October 5th, I underwent a heart cath and he REALLY didn’t like those results. He recommended that I immediately undergo a triple by-pass. I tried to put it off until spring because I had a lot of events planned and I was not prepared financially to be off work for an extended period of time. I was informed that with major blockages I might not make it to spring without having a heart attack. So, I was prepped that evening and underwent surgery that next day.
I was extremely worried about how I was going to meet our regular financial obligations while I was out of commission and also knew that there would be additional financial burdens due to surgery, recovery and medications.
My business partner, Kathy Stigers, immediately went to work to cover some of my show obligations and started talking about perhaps putting together a benefit type show for me. Well, I am humbled to say that the offers started pouring in from many of my ETA friends and it turned into several benefit shows and even the guys that were hired just to cover some of my shows then turned around and forwarded the money on to me. They all said that they knew I would do the same for them…but the outpouring of support and friendship has been overwhelming.
I have no words that can adequately express my appreciation to these guys. They put on awesome shows in my absence…and I was blessed to be able to join some of the events the past couple of weeks. Even though I am still limited in what I am able to do I have not felt better since the surgery than those times I have been able to be back on stage and performing. You gain a new appreciation for things when you realize you may never have an opportunity to do them again…when you realize it may all be taken away from you. So I look forward with a renewed energy and attitude to be back to doing what I truly love…performing.
I would like to acknowledge the wonderful ETA’s that stepped up to help me and my family when I needed it the most and relieved a lot of personal stress and pressure.
A very special thanks (in no particular order) to Freddy B from Clarksville, Tennessee – Paul Halverstadt from Cincinnati, Ohio – Quentin Flagg from Argos, Indiana – David Lee from Birmingham, Alabama – Danny Dale & ‘Lil D from Louisville, Kentucky – Brad McCrady from Owensboro, Kentucky - Elvis Nelson from Cincinnati, Ohio – Rick Staley from Lawrenceburg, Kentucky and Larry Corey from Lexington, Kentucky.
In addition, a special thanks to non-ETA performers, Steve “Rod Stewart” Bobbitt from Peoria, Illinois, Joe Clark from Morehead, Kentucky and Mike Fryman who owns and performs at a theater in Midway, Kentucky.
As you can tell, so many of these performers traveled a long distance in order to be of help and I will never forget their kindness and charity. For me, it has always been easy to step up to help others. To be the person that actually needs help is an entirely different and humbling experience. It let me know that none of us are immune to the trials of everyday life, but gave me a new appreciation for every new minute that has been given to me.
I wanted to share this story with the great ELVIS Fans that love Lady Luck because I know that many of the guys all over the country and the world go out of their way to be helpful to others, to each other and to various charities. I am proud to be a part of this fraternity.
If you ever have an opportunity to see any of the aforementioned ELVIS Tribute Artists, I will tell you to give yourself a present and go see their show(s). You will be thrilled by their performances and you will like them even better as people. They are all great guys and I am proud to be able to call them my friends!
As we head into this new Holiday Season I urge all of you to appreciate your family and friends like never before because you never know when it can all be taken away from you. I know that so many of you reading this have either been through something like this or may have a friend or loved one that has. I understand like never before what all of you have gone through. Although it is hard – stay tough and stay positive and try to be there for the ones you care about no matter what they may be going through. I depended on the support and energy of friends and family to get me through those first tough days. Believe me when I tell you they will forever appreciate your efforts.
For me, every day gets a little bit better but every day there are also physical and psychological challenges. I am obviously grateful to still be here and recovering and look forward to the time that I can resume the life I love. Even happier to be with my family and especially my 3 incredible kids! - “What A Wonderful Life!”
On October 6th of this year, I underwent open heart surgery. On Wednesday, October 4th I had a stress test and my cardiologist was not happy with the results. The next day, October 5th, I underwent a heart cath and he REALLY didn’t like those results. He recommended that I immediately undergo a triple by-
I was extremely worried about how I was going to meet our regular financial obligations while I was out of commission and also knew that there would be additional financial burdens due to surgery, recovery and medications.
My business partner, Kathy Stigers, immediately went to work to cover some of my show obligations and started talking about perhaps putting together a benefit type show for me. Well, I am humbled to say that the offers started pouring in from many of my ETA friends and it turned into several benefit shows and even the guys that were hired just to cover some of my shows then turned around and forwarded the money on to me. They all said that they knew I would do the same for them…but the outpouring of support and friendship has been overwhelming.
I have no words that can adequately express my appreciation to these guys. They put on awesome shows in my absence…and I was blessed to be able to join some of the events the past couple of weeks. Even though I am still limited in what I am able to do I have not felt better since the surgery than those times I have been able to be back on stage and performing. You gain a new appreciation for things when you realize you may never have an opportunity to do them again…when you realize it may all be taken away from you. So I look forward with a renewed energy and attitude to be back to doing what I truly love…performing.
I would like to acknowledge the wonderful ETA’s that stepped up to help me and my family when I needed it the most and relieved a lot of personal stress and pressure.
A very special thanks (in no particular order) to Freddy B from Clarksville, Tennessee – Paul Halverstadt from Cincinnati, Ohio – Quentin Flagg from Argos, Indiana – David Lee from Birmingham, Alabama – Danny Dale & ‘Lil D from Louisville, Kentucky – Brad McCrady from Owensboro, Kentucky -
In addition, a special thanks to non-
As you can tell, so many of these performers traveled a long distance in order to be of help and I will never forget their kindness and charity. For me, it has always been easy to step up to help others. To be the person that actually needs help is an entirely different and humbling experience. It let me know that none of us are immune to the trials of everyday life, but gave me a new appreciation for every new minute that has been given to me.
I wanted to share this story with the great ELVIS Fans that love Lady Luck because I know that many of the guys all over the country and the world go out of their way to be helpful to others, to each other and to various charities. I am proud to be a part of this fraternity.
If you ever have an opportunity to see any of the aforementioned ELVIS Tribute Artists, I will tell you to give yourself a present and go see their show(s). You will be thrilled by their performances and you will like them even better as people. They are all great guys and I am proud to be able to call them my friends!
As we head into this new Holiday Season I urge all of you to appreciate your family and friends like never before because you never know when it can all be taken away from you. I know that so many of you reading this have either been through something like this or may have a friend or loved one that has. I understand like never before what all of you have gone through. Although it is hard – stay tough and stay positive and try to be there for the ones you care about no matter what they may be going through. I depended on the support and energy of friends and family to get me through those first tough days. Believe me when I tell you they will forever appreciate your efforts.
For me, every day gets a little bit better but every day there are also physical and psychological challenges. I am obviously grateful to still be here and recovering and look forward to the time that I can resume the life I love. Even happier to be with my family and especially my 3 incredible kids! -
With sincere thanks!
Bill Kelly
Bill Kelly
