Early in September, three of the UK’s top ETA's (Martin Fox, Michael King and Paul Molloy) were invited along to the UK's premier seaside resort and entertainment town 'Blackpool'  (home of Europe's biggest and best Tribute Artist Contest and Convention -- 'Walk a Golden Mile in my Shoes') to assist the Lord Mayor of the town of Blackpool in switching on the famous Blackpool illuminations.

Blackpool illuminations (see photo) are displays of coloured lights and signs that illuminate the streets, shopping centres, and entertainment venues that stretch over six miles in length .They are switched on every evening at dusk between Setember and through to November, and there have been displays of lights for over a hundred years.
The cost of staging them is around 2 million pounds The lights and equipment are  valued at some 10 million pounds.  The lights are taken down at the end of each season, and to have them ready for the new season means that work starts around Easter time. There are more than 500 separate and distinct displays. There are approximately 8 million extra visitors to see the lights each year, taking the total number of visitors to Blackpool each season to some 16 million.

Every year there is a switching on ceremony where TV and music stars are invited to switch on the illuminations, but a few days before the official switch on, there is a full switch on and champagne presentation for the press TV and media.  It  was this switch on that the 3 ETA's along with the Lord Mayor were asked to do. The Lord Mayor turned out to be a big Elvis fan himself and along with Martin, Michael and Paul kept the crowd entertained with some Elvis songs.

The guys considered it an honour and privilege to take part in this prestigious event, and lots of Press and media coverage followed. Well done, lads!

Here we see the guys and the Mayor of Blackpool entertaining the crowd underneath the world’s largest  'glitter ball.'

Paul Smith from A.P.EP.T.A.  trying to get into the event by pretending to be a TV cameraman (it didn’t work!).

Michael King, Paul Molloy and Martin Fox at the champagne reception.

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A view of the main street at Blackpool lit up by the illuminations.

A view of Blackpool’s famous tower and giant ferris wheel lit up.

In August 2004 at the Queens Hotel Blackpool, a qualifying round for the final of the 'Walk a Golden Mile in My Shoes' Elvis Tribute Artist Contest was being held (www.elviscontest.co.uk),  the  winners of which going through to the Grand Final held every January.

Also on that day a SKY television crew came along to film the event for a new TV show titled 'The Secret Life Of' and the idea of the show is to show people who have interesting occupations, and pastimes.

Filming took place throughout the afternoon and evening with interviews on camera with Martin Fox (www.elvis2k.co.uk)  organiser of the competition, Mark Goddard (Officially Great Britain's Best Elvis  www.greatbritainsbestelvis.com ) and Patrick Byrne who were both entrants to the competition.

Typical of TV shows,nothing was heard about this TV programme for over a year, but just a few weeks ago the show was finally aired on SKY ONE. All the filming was condensed down to about a 5 minute slot.  The opening interview was given by Martin Fox who talked about why Blackpool was such a Mecca for Elvis fans, then ( (Paul Smith) and  Michael King and Martin were shown preparing the room and sound system for the evening event.

The interviews with Mark Goddard and Patrick Byrne were shown ,and both talked about entering competitions and what it takes to be an Elvis Tribute Artist.  There were then a few minutes footage of the evening show and competitors performing.

As well as the Contest at Blackpool,  the programme also showed and interviewed Steve Preston (www.elvistribute.org/frames.htm) in Concert who gave his views on competitions as well.

This was a good little TV spot that was a good advertisement for Elvis Tribute Artists and competitions in the UK.


Talking of competitions in the UK,my next report will concentrate on the next 'Walk a Golden Mile in My Shoes' competition in January 2006.


T.C.B
Paul Smith