ETA Blog

"I really never wanted to be Elvis"

2007-11-19T11:43:00.000-05:00

Hi there,
I am an Elvii. Yes, Elvii. That's what we have become to be known as, Elvis' Elvii. I am not ashamed to be an Elvii. I am an Elvis Presley Fan. I have been since I was 6 years old. I saw Elvis in concert on the Aloha Special and knew he was something special. I didn't know then I was going to be an impersonator. I then began getting Elvis records. Then it became a thing for every Birthday and Christmas someone would get me something Elvis related. But it was Aunt Kelly who started it. She is an Elvis Fan, well the rest of the family call hers the Elvis Nut. We were sitting in her kitchen and she had Elvis on her stereo. It was Jailhouse Rock. I acted like I was moving like him. She then showed me how to do it the right way. She said you kinda look Like Elvis. I paid no mind. We danced a little like Elvis.

We then left to go to my other Aunts, Aunt Sue. She needed a ride to somewhere. Aunt Sue was much older than Aunt Kelly. While Aunt Kelly and Aunt Sue both sitting in the front seat I overheard Aunt Kelly tell Aunt Sue I was going to be a good Elvis some day. Aunt Sue told her if she did that to me she would not speak to her ever again. "We have one Elvis Nut and that's one too many" Aunt Sue finished while getting out of the car. She kissed me goodbye and said to me "Don't you listen to a thing she tells you" She's Nuts, remember". I thought then to myself does everyone think Aunt Kelly is nuts? I didn't think she was. I liked Elvis too, am I nuts? I questioned myself.

Then not long after I began staying the night with Aunt Kelly because my mom changed shifts. We stayed up late and danced and sang Elvis while eating pizza. It was the best time of my life. I then began to imitate his moves and songs and my favorite conversation ending line was, thank you, thank you very much.

I was asked to sing at Aunt Kelly's friends birthday party. Aunt Kelly helped me get the music and made a list of songs for me to sing. We practised every night until the party. I had never been so scared and excited at the same time. I messed up on several songs ( forgot the words to Teddy Bear) but it didn't matter. They sang it with me. I was shaking and it wasn't from being Elvis it was from being scared.
But being scared at that party was only the beginning.

I was even more terrified when I was called by our local newspaper to do an interview. It was Elvis' Birthday and they wanted to do a story on why I wanted to be Elvis. Which it shocked them when the first question was asked "Why do you want to be Elvis" and I replied.

"I really never wanted to be Elvis"

I continued. I saw Elvis perform on TV and thought he was cool. I liked his outfit, his voice and the whole star thing.
The fans made me be like him. I got for all occasions Elvis stuff after I mentioned I liked Elvis and then even more when I began practising the moves and singing on a more serious level.

They want it, the fans, I guess it is to fill the void of not having Elvis. So, I keep trying the best I know how. I am not the best Elvis Impersonator and never probably will be crowned the best. But, it is MY tribute to him and if I make one person happy while doing so, then it makes what I do worth while. I do not need to be the best. I honor Elvis and enjoy the fans and the people who support me. I especially Love my Aunt Kelly and I know if I stopped doing Elvis, she would kill me, I truly believe.
So, I'll keep singing the songs.

Thanks everyone. That's where it all started for me.
Joey "Elvis Lil' Brother" Worthman

2008 National Finals and Fan Convention

2007-09-11T10:12:00.001-04:00

We have an important announcement for you regarding the Annual National Finals and Fan Convention.

This is the events that brings together fans and with top scoring performers from all over the world from regional rounds of the Elvis Impersonator Contest.

The event is customarily held in Las Vegas Nevada however this year we are excited to announce that the event has a new home in a premium 3000 seat professional concert venue on the eastern half of the country.

We have been getting tons of emails from fans and ETAs alike wanting to know when and where the event will take place. We will be announcing the location to our full list very soon.

If you would like to be on the VIP priority event notification list - visit

http://www.elvisconvention.com

and enter your name and email address so we can keep you up to date.

We have also been busy marketing the event to Elvis Tribute Artists local to the location of the event as well as confirming qualifying regional contestants for the show. We are very excited about the lineup and guest - it will be an event unlike any we've produced in at least 5 years!

Jake Sommers is back!

2007-09-11T10:11:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to write a quick note and let you know that Jake Sommers is back on the air weekdays on Elvii Radio beginning Tuesday at NOON Eastern Time; from Noon-6pm.

You can call in your requests and comments at 206-338-2538...

Welcome Jake back to the air!

listen in at http://www.elvii.com

and click the listen button.

Ultimate EPE Fixed Contests

2007-09-08T16:46:00.001-04:00

Williamson County Fair stated that their member Dave Crouch was in the choir with Ray Walker and that Ray Walker told Dave Crouch of the county fair to have the contest.

Then there was a meeting with Ray Walker, Dave Crouch and Diane Giddens to put the plans in place to have a contest. Sounds bad here...then Ray Walker told them how and who to hire for the contest. The contest only offered a $200.00 prize. And a free hotel room in Memphis during Elvis Week.

Which Klush used while he was being filmed for the "Elvis in Concert" concert while in Memphis during Elvis week.

There was also another meeting prior when EPE hired Klush to do the video for the Memphis "Elvis Presley in Concert"concert. The filming of Klush for this concert was held prior to his win, contest date at the Williamson County fair.

Which changes all demos for the Finals of the Ultimate Contest. If that contest was not held then there would have been other contenders.

What was the last contest before the Williamson county fair? Which was Collingwood and the winner was Jay Zanier.

So. could Jay Zanier beat Trent Carlini? Or was Trent Carlini a true top contender? Meaning it was also stated that the Texas contest was fixed for Trent Carlini to Win.

So...What do we have here?
A property which is EPE who had at all times held fraudulent contests to put there winners in place to have a good showing and ticket enhancer in Memphis during Elvis Week. They placed the top contenders in the Elvis Impersonator field to get tickets sold and media attention.

Well...Now for the Reality of it all...

There is no real so called Winner here.

Why? Because it is so crooked and fixed that a truly decent person who pays tribute to the man Elvis Presley is knocked out before he enters the race.

But as they say... it always come back to bite you when your crooked. There is just to many people involved to keep it all quiet. And people love to talk.

So all ETA's, Elvii, Elvis Wannabees, whatever you want called keep paying tribute to the man Elvis Presley as you do. He would be proud of you and your efforts and leave the EPE contests for the rats.

Walt Sanders Would have won the Viva Las Franklin Contest that was fixed

2007-09-08T16:39:00.000-04:00

I just got info that Walt Sanders was a contestant in the Williamson County fair Viva Las Franklin Ultimate EPE Contest. If Shawn Klush had not cheated Walt Sanders would have been the Winner and moved onto Memphis, TN. He was the next contender.

Would he have beat Trent Carlini. Probably so...

Who else was a contestant?

So the real Ultimate Winner would have been Walt Sanders

More Contest Chatter

2007-08-28T14:51:00.000-04:00

This just in from an ETA who didn't care about remaining nameless -but his wife wouldn't want his name printed so here it goes...

Did you see Ronny Craig’s contest page?
What I‘d like to know is…………….
How is it an “officer” of EEN (Irv Cass) is allowed to compete in EEN sanctioned/sponsored contests?
Why would a previous winner of “IMAGES” (Irv, Travis Morris)be allowed to enter if the top prize is a spot in the Images Finals?
And WHY am I the only person to see this farce for what it is?

I think that the past winners have been images winners too, like R. Washington who won AFTER having won Images previously………

A Note From Jamie Coyne

2007-08-28T12:13:00.000-04:00

There has been a lot said regarding the recent Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. I rarely comment on these things. A recent blog post was made stating that the reason that there was so much anti-EPE commentary here was because the Elvis Extravaganza is directly in competition with EPE. Blogs are arenas for open discussion and I exercise no control over that.

Contests as a whole always have their share of nay-sayers and sore-losers. Shawn Klush's talent is obvious. Everyone does know the professional relationship that exists between Dan Lentino and Shawn Klush. To suggest that Dan Lentino was 'surprised' at Shawn entering the contest is ridiculous. For this reason alone Shawn should have been exempt from the competition. All of the reasons about how good he was, or how good his voice is or how good he looks or that he's the best are all secondary to the fact that Dan Lentino has interest in Shawn doing well. In Shawn Klush winning. Lentino assisted in organizing the Franklin regional in some way - and at some point became aware of Shawn's participation. At that point Shawn should have not been permitted to compete. That seems obvious. You can argue the merits of Shawn's performance all day long.

Klush having been hired previously by EPE and it's associates is arguable. Utilizing him during the week that he won the EPE finals (for the FedEx opener) raises alot of eyebrows.

Is this really any different from the Miss America pagent? Doesn't the crown go to the runner up? And who would have moved on from the Franklin regional?

I'm not a Carlini Fan - but I'll bet money Lentino isn't either. Another dynamic worthy of scrutiny.

These are just questions.

The notion that I founded the Elvis Extravaganza many years ago (and it still continues to produce contests today) is a reason for this being a forum for this discussion is only natural.

When CKX first contacted the Elvis Extravaganza to promote contests for them - they were not interested in paying CKX $5,000 per event to 'license' something that the Elvis Extravaganza has been doing for years.

Personally I had expected much more from Elvis Presley Enterprises and CKX Inc than just copying how the Elvis Extravaganza has done it for so long. Contestants, band or tracks, regionals, prizes, a final, prize package inclusions, judging criteria, rules and regulations, entry fees and the list could go on and on.

(I might inform those who are new to this that even the "Images: contest never had regionals funneling into Memphis until the Elvis Extravaganza started doing it.) (The 'Images' is an institution by the way...)

What I would have expected from a world-class company and a leader for a new foray into an existing market would have been to totally reconstruct how it is done...

Example: (and feel free to use this without royalty)

It would have been far more momentous if EPE would have skipped the whole Contest circus completely and employed a means which truly would have 'Trumped' any contest. And I do mean 'Trumped' - ala Donald Trump.

CKX/EPE should have 'truly annointed' a representative of Elvis' legacy. What they did was put on an impersonator contest (i don't care what they call it.) Like GK used to say, "If you wear the white jumpsuit, you're an impersonator." Their process was about the sound, looks, moves, making an audience hoop and holler and having some of Elvis' cronies pick their favorite.

Sillerman should have stepped into the role as the Trump of the Elvis World - and personally hand selected the representative of Elvis' legacy. No contest. Nothing about a point system and a notion of impartiality. Rather, field resumes and materials from "tribute artists" from around the globe...spend a year sifting thru those - having meetings - teleconferences - interviews with potential candidates - and narrow all of that information down into bringing the top 10 selected to Graceland or New York or wherever for a meeting around the board room table followed by personal interviews followed by auditions in front of CKX/EPE managers. THEN send all 10 of them back home. Then at the beginning of Elvis Week fly all 10 in and put them up and wine and dine them (and use them up promotionally all week). Then - (and this is crucial) - have a press conference ON THE LAWN - in the middle of ELVIS WEEK YES, the middle - so they could have taken advantage of all of the media and attention in Memphis for the balance of Elvis week instead of doing it at the end after everyone goes home.

(... and gleening post-elvis week publicity from a gun being 'stolen' from Graceland only to be found in a toilet behind the building (don't they keep the cabinet locked? And have you seen the surveillance footage of the theft - who walks in all by themselves - straight to an unlocked display case and walks out with a gun! - but I'm digressing here aren't I) -

- back to the press conference: with Graceland as a backdrop

(why not? they're starting to whore it out like the Lincoln bedroom anyway don't forget about the half-naked chicks from the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue (Gladys would have been so proud) - and the topless chick at Humes Middle School (it's a school for God's sake!)

and at a podium- Robert Sillerman should open the envelop and announce his personal choice for the person 'representing the legacy.' No idea of impartiality or 'who is better' - rather simply - Bob Sillerman's favorite. After all he's the head of the company. It would have been befitting of the 'new' ownership and 'new' view the company was taking of elvis impersonators to do something 'new' and 'different.'

(Did you ever read their faq before this new view about Elvis impersonators?! About face! Don't forget they've been pissing on impersonators and related events for nearly 30 years!)

Then they should have announced and already had in place a worldwide tour with the 'winner' and complete cast and crew (and other finalists ala 'American Idol'). They could be promoting their brand (their only true function) and selling out venues all day long.

Under these terms they can pick whoever they want. It is what it is.

Finally, the poster assumed that the Elvis Extravaganza has "suffered now that EPE is involved." On the contrary...they've had their best year yet.

No animosity exists for EPE/CKX at the Elvis Extravaganza.

They've each got their own thing going.

If CKX wants to truly become the only game in town they just need to bring their checkbook.

Johnny Harra: The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of All Time?

2007-08-25T09:56:00.000-04:00

Elvis impersonator is pretender to the throne
09:42 AM CDT on Thursday, August 16, 2007
By NANCY MOORE / Staff Writer

More than luck, more than the mojo needed to make every day a good pompadour day, Johnny Harra, 61, of Wilmer, seems to have a divine calling to sing like the King of rock 'n' roll.

Mr. Harra started imitating Elvis Presley as a teenager in Kansas in 1958.

Singing and prayer had liberated Mr. Harra from a childhood stuttering problem. Evangelist Oral Roberts knew Mr. Harra's father, who was a minister. Mr. Roberts prayed for the young Mr. Harra.

"God healed me of stuttering," he says.

At age 11, he sang at his father's church and at revivals. And then, in his teens, he heard Elvis.

"His songs would come on the radio, and I just started singing with him. Mom said 'Son, you sound just like that guy.' It came natural to me," he says.

Mr. Harra was still a teen when his parents moved to St. Paul, Minn. There, he started doing an Elvis impersonation show professionally at the Belmont supper club.

For the next few years, he would audition for talent scouts, in between runs as a truck driver. (Trivia buffs will remember that Elvis was a truck driver, too.)

While entertainers who did impersonations were popular in the late '50s and early '60s, few were putting on full-time Elvis Presley acts, as many do now, including TV's Next Best Thing winner Trent Carlini.

When Mr. Harra came to Dallas while in his 30s, he was poised to catch the crest of what would soon become a tidal wave of Elvis impersonators. He and his band had arrived in Dallas on Aug. 16, 1977, to do a stint of shows at Club Gigi in a Holiday Inn near Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. That's the day the world found out that Mr. Presley had died. And that's the day Mr. Harra started taking care of a whole lot more business.

"I was lying in my suite at the hotel. I had the TV muted but I looked up and saw it on the screen," Mr. Harra says. It said 'Elvis dead at 42.' Right after that everything went crazy."

Courtesy

Elvis Presley impersonator Johnny Harra performs.

His shows at the Holiday Inn started selling out. Within a couple of weeks, Mr. Harra was invited to headline a KBOX radio station music festival on Aug. 28 at the Cotton Bowl.

Randall Stewart, 50, of Dallas, worked as a roadie at the concert, which featured a laid-back country lineup of artists such as Rex Allen Jr. and the Side of the Road Gang. But, Mr. Stewart says, nobody was prepared for the crowd's reaction to Mr. Harra.

"Everything was cool ... I didn't anticipate any real big deal," Mr. Stewart says. "But when Johnny Harra came out everybody just crushed. I've since been in many a mosh pit. But at the time, I'd never seen anything like it.

"It was crazy, it was scary. It was so loud I could hear it over the band. The cops were all freaking out. We didn't know whether to pull the plug and run or what. I kept thinking, you know, c'mon people, this is not Elvis. But here they come like it's Elvis – I guess it was their last chance to connect or something like that."

The whirlwind of fame landed Mr. Harra a gig at the Mint Hotel in Las Vegas. After a few weeks, he signed a $6 million contract at the Silver Bird Hotel and Casino. "It just went boom, boom, boom; everything went so fast," he says.

But more than timing was on Mr. Harra's side. Many Elvis impersonators and fans say that Mr. Harra bears such a natural resemblance to Mr. Presley that it's astonishing. And his voice can fool the most trained ear.

He was cast as a 42-year-old Elvis in the 1981 docudrama This Is Elvis (Warner, released Aug. 10, 2007, on DVD). That's him in pajamas playing the infamous Elvis death scene.

For the movie, Mr. Harra says, the producer told him he had to gain some weight. "So, I went to Marie Callender's and ate a lot of pies," he says.

He lost the weight later, but it seemed to come back on him with a vengeance, and he has struggled with it ever since.

At 61, he has diabetes, he says, and he's often in pain due to rheumatoid arthritis. Still, he performs and records whenever he can, usually not for pay.

He had pneumonia recently and was in the hospital. But that didn't stop him from singing at the Wylie Opry last Saturday night. He's performed there four or five times, and the opry expects to have him back, according to owner LeGrant Gable.

"He's the original and the best Elvis impersonator there ever was. There's been a lot over the years, but as far as I'm concerned he's the best. His voice is as great as it's ever been," says Mr. Gable, 65.

"He's comical; he's funny like Elvis was," he says. "If you close your eyes you'd probably think it was Elvis singing."

One entertainer who was indelibly influenced by Mr. Harra is Johnny Lovett, 38, of Fort Worth.

"I first saw him on TV. And I couldn't believe anybody could look so much like Elvis," says Mr. Lovett, who will perform tonight at the Lakewood Theater along with about eight other Elvis impersonators.

"He came through Texarkana, and my family went to see him at Texarkana College Auditorium," he says.

Mr. Lovett's mother and Mr. Harra became friends. She and her son moved to Frisco in 1984 and lived with Mr. Harra for a while.

Mr. Lovett, who'd already been doing Elvis impersonations since he was 11, started performing on stage with Mr. Harra. Sometimes there would be two Elvises on stage at once.

"I learned from the best," Mr. Lovett says.

In all, Mr. Lovett has done Elvis impersonations for 23 years. (For eight of those years he was the official Elvis impersonator of KLUV radio station.) But after the show he's booked to play Aug. 25 in Seven Points, he says, don't ask him to be Elvis any more.

Mr. Lovett says that the entertainment market is too flooded with Elvises. "You've got 10 Elvis guys going for the same job."

He's now ready to pursue a career as a country singer. His new outfit, Johnny Lovett and Neon Therapy, has recorded some demos and plans to do a formal project soon.

But he says that as long as there are Elvis fans, there'll be impersonators.

"If it wasn't for those fans that go to Graceland twice a year and wait for a man that's not going to come out ... if it weren't for those people, then people like me, Trent Carlini and Johnny Harra would be out of a job," he says.

He and Mr. Harra predict that the King will continue to reign sovereign.

"I've always told people there was never going to be another Elvis," Mr. Harra says.

Singing along with Elvis

Favorite Elvis song to perform?

Mr. Harra: "I Can't Help Falling in Love" and "I'm Yours"

Mr. Lovett: "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin,' " "Pieces of My Life" and "Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain"

What's the hardest Elvis song to perform?

Mr. Harra: Anything in Spanish.

Mr. Lovett: "Hurt," "American Trilogy" and Elvis' version of "Rags to Riches"

Shawn Klush should do the right thing and step down.

2007-08-24T13:08:00.000-04:00

Shawn Klush should do the right thing and step down.

He did not get it fair and square from what it seems. I feel he had to know it was his band don't you think? So, it was the winners band who backed the contestants at the fair?

Hmmm. Do you think the fair had something to do with it also? Maybe they were promised this shot in the arm advertising for their fair nationwide by EPE. The fair booked the band and the jordaniares (Shawn Klush said in that newspaper interviews he was contacted and kept being urged by the jordanaire to enter the contest) and if you look at the fairs website they have only been a fair for 3 years.

Something smells here and now they get instant notority from their contest winner. ANd...They only offered $200.00 prize...WHAT!!! Everyone knows better.

I read the post about the consumer thing and called them. They said it is not a grand formal thing all they will do is write the contest hoster and EPE and ask them for a reason and they have 10 days to answer. So I urge the contestants to get the answers if they feel the need to.Here is the link again... http://www.state.tn.us/consumer/consCompFrm.html I

I'd like to hear the answer to this one. And Really it is not fair to everyone who entered all the contests if you look at the big picture. And I suggest there should be an investigation into all the licensees that held these contests. I have heard so many complaints about persons being hired before the contest and then winning, family members being judges and all kids of stories.

Well, I feel congratulation goes out to Trent Carlini the True Ultimate Winner. It will all come out in the wash as they say...

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest

2007-08-24T10:01:00.000-04:00

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest

During 2007, for the first time ever, Elvis Presley Enterprises held the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. The contest was a search for the Elvis Tribute Artist that is the "best representation of the legacy of Elvis Presley."

Congratulations to all the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest preliminary winners and contest finalists!

Shawn Klush named
Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2007
Pittston, PA
Preliminary Winner of Viva Las Franklin

Born and raised in the small coal-mining town of Pittston, Pennsylvania, Shawn's love for music led him to begin imitating his musical idol, Elvis. While Shawn loves performing Elvis on stage, he says he is first and foremost an Elvis fan.

2nd Place Winner: Trent Carlini
Henderson, Nevada
Winner of Love Me Tender in Texas

3rd Place Winner: Donny Edwards
Las Vegas, Nevada
Winner of The Promised Land Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest

Other top 10 finalists included (listed in alphabetical order):

Brandon Bennett - Tupelo Elvis Festival
Jeff Golden - Alabama Ultimate Elvis Contest
Joseph Hall - Chingawassa Days Ultimate Elvis Contest
Kjell Henning Bjornestad - Last Man Standing Ultimate Elvis Contest
Ben Klein - Kelowna Elvis Festival
Paul Larcombe - Walk A Golden Mile In My Shoes
Jay Zanier - Collingwood Elvis Festival

Trent Carlini came in as the USA Today Reader Favorite in their online poll.

First ever EPE CONTEST A Fix?

2007-08-23T12:39:00.000-04:00

There is much discussion about the recent winner of the ultimate EPE contest.

Shawn Klush was crowned the winner but now new evidence is being reviewd in
which may have his crown in jeapordy.

So hold on to your hats as we go for another EPE Spin of tales and cover ups.

In a news article published Shaun Klush as stating that he was urged by a Jordanaire and that Dan Lentino was his personal manager.

In further review Shaun Klush was contacted by Ray Walker of the Jordanaires to compete in EPE's last US contest prior to Elvis Week in Franklin, TN at the Williamson County Fair.

Seems that the band hired for this County fair was the Dan Lentino band and the advertising was that all tribute artists got to sing with the Jordanaires.

The Grand Prizes for this Contest was a mere $200.00 and a stay at the Marriotte in Memphis. An unusual low amount for the contest industry.

Also it has been uncovered there was a private meeting among two Williamson County Fairboard members and Ray Walker of the Jordanaires prior to the contest hiring the Dan Lentino band and the Jordanaires. The Williamson County Fair board memers are Dave Crouch (a church choir member at the same church as Ray Walker) and Dianne Giddons the contest contact on EPE's website.

Elvii News is following this story along with other national media outlets and requests that any or all of the contestants who performed or was contacted by the Willaimson County fair or others representing the fair or Applause Entertainment to contact them.

Ask for Judy or leave a message.

Her contact number is 206-600-5708

Should Shaun Klush loose his Crown?

Ultimate EPE Contest Winner

2007-08-18T00:32:00.000-04:00

Shawn Klush

Elvis impersonator George Wagner dies

2007-08-08T11:44:00.000-04:00

The Canton Repository Feature Today on George Wagner

Wednesday, August 8, 2007
BY Dan Kane
REPOSITORY ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

WAGNER DIES George Wagner, who conveyed the Presley persona onstage and off, was found dead in his Pike Township home Monday night.
Repository file

George Wagner wasn’t a guy who’d glue on a black pompadour wig and sideburns at showtime.

His Elvis impersonation went deeper. From his eye-catching hairdo to his Southern accent and gentlemanly charm, Wagner conveyed the Presley persona onstage and off.

“It’s like he was born to play the part,” said Sue Jeske, office manager of ESPN Radio 990, which hired Wagner to do his Elvis show four years running at downtown Massillon’s Cruise-On-In and Dance Party.

Wagner, 44, was found dead Monday night at his home on Overlook Drive SW in Pike Township.

His death is being investigated as a possible prescription-drug overdose, said Harry Campbell, chief investigator for the Stark County Coroner’s office.

“There were a lot of medications at the scene,” Campbell said. Investigators found no evidence of foul play.

Wagner had spoken with a neighbor Friday morning, Campbell said, and it appears he had been dead since shortly thereafter. There were 16 cats in the home, Campbell said.

WEEKLY SHOWS AT MOUNTAINEER

At the Mountaineer Gaming Resort in Chester, W.Va., Wagner had built a loyal following with his weekly shows.

“He was absolutely loved by our patrons down here,” Tamara Cronin, Mountaineer’s director of public relations, said Tuesday. “He performed here on Monday nights for years. We had groups of people who’d come in for the express purpose of seeing and hearing George. He certainly drew crowds in.”

Wagner’s wife, Linda Moffet Wagner, died of cancer on July 15, 2005.

“He loved his wife dearly. She kept his life in order,” Jeske said. “He personally said, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to make it without her.’ ”

Jeske said the last time she saw Wagner — when he performed at the Cruise-On-In party in June 2006 — “he looked good. He was laughing and smiling. He looked like life had come back into him again.”

Wagner “was down here a couple of weeks ago. He seemed fine,” said Warren resident David Jones, Linda Wagner’s son. Wagner’s funeral arrangements will be handled by Roberts-Clark Chapel in Warren, he said.

A native of Foscoe, N.C., George Wagner moved to Canton in 1993. He met his wife after her name and Canton address appeared in a newsletter for Presley fans. He wrote her a letter, they began corresponding and then chatting on the phone. After three years, he persuaded her to fly down to North Carolina and meet him. They married in Canton in August 1994.

CAREER PROSPERED AFTER MOVE HERE

George Wagner has an adult son, Josh, who lives in Boone, N.C.

“When I moved to Canton, things really began taking off,” Wagner said in a 2002 Repository interview. A good-humored and sincere guy, he talked about overzealous female fans — in Vegas “they call them ‘sideburn chasers,’ ” he said — and expressed discomfort at being compared to Presley.

“There will never be another Elvis Presley,” he said with reverence. “I just want to give people back the music and let them relive it through me.”

In 2002, Wagner placed second out of 42 contestants at the King of Contests, a national Elvis impersonator showdown held in Las Vegas. In June, he won an Ultimate Elvis Extravaganza Impersonator Contest in Bryant, Ind.

A fan to the end, Wagner was wearing Elvis pajamas when he died.

Wagner’s singing can be sampled online at:

www.myspace.com.gwagner

ETA George Wagner has passed away

2007-08-07T08:49:00.001-04:00

10:07 PM 08/06/2007

ETA George Wagner has passed away. I just got the call. They found him just a short while ago. More details as available. George lost his wife two years ago to cancer and George never got over it. I just spoke with him about the upcoming show tomorrow...and he was up for it and wanting to do more...looking forward to more shows...this is a terrible tragedy. We are just in shock.

Ultimate Elvis Contest keeps getting more interesting

2007-08-06T11:29:00.000-04:00

EPE needs to get out of the contest business.

This just in...

Another completely unacceptable practice...this time at the Ultimate Elvis Contest held in Nashville last weekend.

Winner: Shawn Klush. Congratulations to Shawn. No one can deny the quality of his illusion.

However what is arguable is that he wins the contest - when the band for the contest is contracted
to Dan Lentino (The Dan Lentino Band).

Isn't Dan Lentino Shawn's manager?

Smells doesn't it?

It's really no different then those other contests that have winners with family members and friends and judges and sound people. When are people going to wake up.

Getting screwed is one thing. Paying to have it happen is something else.

So what will “Elvis Week” 2007 be like…in three words…a rip off !!!

2007-07-27T14:02:00.000-04:00

Just in from Sid Shaw "Elvisly Yours"

So what will “Elvis Week” 2007 be like…in three words…a rip off !!! Who would have thought in 1987 for the 10th Anniversary, the first big anniversary since Elvis died that it would cost $250.00 to see an Elvis Concert for so-called VIP seats? There will be no variety of Elvis souvenirs to buy as EPE controls the entire market. There is only ONE independent store in the Graceland area “Boulevard Souvenirs” and that is being forced out of business by EPE after a directive from their stupid management that Elvis licensees cannot supply any store within five miles of Graceland. That ridiculous Soden-inspired directive is against all competition laws in the USA. EPE are being sued for $13 million and $26 million punitive damages. I wonder what Bob Sillerman now thinks about keeping the same EPE Management on the payroll after landing him in a massive lawsuit that they will lose because of the very powerful Anti-Trust Laws in the USA. Boulevard Souvenirs do not rip off the fans; their prices for exactly the same Elvis memorabilia are a lot cheaper than that of Graceland.

"Ultimate ETA Contest" - Rapid City - Questions

2007-07-14T13:45:00.000-04:00

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Festival
Preliminary Round Location: Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Rapid City, South Dakota
Contest Date: June 22 & 23, 2007

Winner coming soon!
-
Fans have written us to ask what is up with the ETA Contest winner listings at elvis.com.
Emails to EPE have not been returned.

All of their regional rounds list name and photo of the winner.

We were told that Justin Edwards was the winner of the contest above. Congratulations.
Justin also won the EPE Ultimate ETA Contest Regional at Lake George.

Although his name and photo are posted as the Lake George Winner - the Rapid City result
still have yet to be posted in spite of the fact that other winners since then have been recognized.

Is he entered into their finals in Memphis twice?

We'll see...

Visit Elvis Extravaganza at www.elviscontest.com.
Visit Elvii Radio - The Elvis Tribute Artist Radio Station at www.elvistributeradio.com

TCB!

Elvis Cruise a Fun Nightmare

2007-07-11T11:24:00.000-04:00

Our friend Hilda Obuseka and her husband ETA Don Obusek took on the task of planning a group Elvis Cruise and in spite of a great time and the company of Kathy Westmoreland - the planning and communication process with Carnival was a nightmare...read on...

Continued success to Don and Hilda...Keep at it! We need more independent people promoting independent events in the Elvis World...

Hi friends - well, I finally got around to getting our cruise pictures on our website. My husband, Don, is an Elvis Tribute Artist and we wanted to do something special to commemorate 2007 being the 30th anniversary of the passing of Elvis. We came up with the idea of a group cruise. Our special guests were Kathy Westmoreland, who was Elvis' lead female singer of the '70's, and her assistant, June Moore.

Kathy and June are very lovely ladies and a lot of fun. Kathy was very kind to the fans, posed for pictures and talked about her memories of Elvis.

The cruise itself was fun, lots to do and the Bahamas were very beautiful. Pre-cruise, I had a lot of problems with Carnival. We were originally told that we could sell merchandise on the cruise. In preparation for the cruise, we bought some things that we wanted to sell and June started to make special 'Bahamas Cruise CD's", etc. to sell. One month prior to the cruise, Carnival supposedly came up with a "No-Solicitation Policy" and they said we couldn't sell anything. This caused us nothing but grief and problems as we already had invested a lot of time and money for special things we wanted to sell. We've had many other groups tell us that they sold lots of their merchandise, and many said they have upcoming cruises planned and they still plan on selling their products.

At any rate, for whatever very strange reason, (and I have my theories on this, can't prove anything yet tho), Carnival came down hard on me and insisted if I didn't sign this agreement, they wouldn't let Don do his shows.

Some of you know that my mom is in poor health and almost everyday, I spend time taking care of her. Instead of doing all I normally do for my mom, I had to spend many, many hours on the phone with various Carnival reps and all I got was the run-around from them. It took up tons of my precious time, time I desperately needed to take care of my mom and our business.

Pre-cruise, I spoke to various Carnival employees, but never got thru to the executive offices. I also had my legal firm write a letter to Carnival, asking that we either be allowed to sell our merchandise this once, ( since we were originally told we could) or for them to compensate us some way. They never responded. Unbelievable. I figured I better not try to contact them again until after the cruise, coz with my luck, I figured we'd get on the ship and we wouldn't have cabins or something.

Post-cruise, I wrote TWICE to the president of Carnival, and never got a response. After several weeks, I got a letter, saying my complaint was forwarded to another department, but I never heard back from them.

In November, we were originally told we could sell our merchandise, so we started to get things ready to take with us. One month out, they tell us we can't sell anything and they won't do anything to compensate us for the money we spent making special cruise souvenirs. Then, they don't answer my lawyer's letter and two of mine to the president! Had I known that we couldn't sell things or that they would be this difficult to deal with, we would have used a totally different cruise line. To those of you planning a group cruise with Carnival, just be careful.

visit:
www.elvistributeradio.com
Elvii Radio
The Elvis Tribute Artist Radio Station

AdelaideNow... Elvis Andy swan song

2007-07-10T13:35:00.000-04:00

"ELVIS has left the building. Well, he's leaving, soon. Adelaide's favourite Elvis tribute artist Andy Seymour is leaving to live permanently in the United States.

Before he goes, Andy's going to do one final show, The Elvis Story – The Man and His Music with part proceeds going to the Make a Wish Foundation.

Charlie Hodge, Elvis' best friend and backing vocalist, once said 'Andy has the closest voice to Elvis I've heard'. Don't miss a last chance to see Andy and help a great cause, at the Highbury Hotel, Friday, July 20."

2007-07-10T11:46:00.001-04:00

Elvis Extravaganza Fan Club Theme
Elvis Extravaganza the Worlds Largest Elvis Presley Fan Club free membership has announced it's theme for the upcoming season. " Take me to the Fair".It is fitting being they tour the fair market with their World Known Elvis Contest.The Elvis Extravaganza International Contest Finals and Fan Convention location and 2008 date to be announced August 8th, 2007

Happy Summer!

2007-07-02T10:02:00.000-04:00

Greetings...

The contests have been a real pleasure this year.

Be sure to join us for the double-header in Michigan in July:

Elvis Contest

July 22 in Lewanee Fair in Adrian, MI and
July 23 in at the Ionia Free Fair in Ionia, MI

Another note: Elvii Radio (www.elvii.com) went thru a server upgrade last week and things are slowly getting back to normal.

Look for a new and exciting show from Jerry Presley and Patsy Andersen very soon...

Still playing all the ETAs and going strong. We love bringing Elvii Radio to the people.

See you in Memphis!

Elvis Extravaganza Las Vegas Nov 10 - 12

2006-11-13T14:11:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Justin Shandor on his first place win at the Elvis Extravaganza Impersonator Contest at the Mardi Gras Inn Casino in Las Vegas.

Runner Up: Brad Boice 3rd Place: Robert Ely

Thanks to all of the ETAs who participated in the event and to everyone who phoned us afterward to tell us what a good time they had! That makes it all worthwhile.

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO MADELYN JOHNSTON

At the last minute Madelyn stepped in to completely oversee the entire event.
No easy task! And she did a great job.

Thanks to Gail and Mark and the rest of Madelyn's staff for jumping in too!!

Also a special thanks to ETA Seve Botello (and Sheila!) who handled the sound and lights and organized the perfomers.

Looking forward to next time...

Indiana State Fair

2006-08-21T18:38:00.000-04:00

This was a fun event to witness. It wasn't too hot, it didn't rain and 14 performers made it out to the event.

Congratulations to winners George Wagner, Fred Wolfe and Tim Biddinger!

A few words:

Thanks to the Indiana State Fair for 7 great years.

Thanks to Eric Swannson and his crew for all their help!

Thanks to the Indiana fans who make it such a fun event.

We had a great group of singers and many performers who are greatly improved.

Mark Stephan: Pros: A real crowd pleaser and a good singer.
Cons: get replica costuming

Duane Fortune: Pros: A very powerful delivery with a great song: Tomorrow Never Comes
Cons: none

Tim Biddinger: Pros: Look for more from this performer. A terrific voice.
Cons: Spend the money and get an outfit that complements your voice. There
are even some painted suits out there that are outstanding.

Andy Kern: Pros: Best job he's ever done. Great delivery and great singing.
Cons: None
Randy Norman: Pros: His voice was excellent.
Cons: Polish your look. One Word: HAIRSPRAY. Get replica costuming

Shane Banning: Pros: A real crowd pleaser. Catch his show when you can
Cons: Practice. Focus on pitch,

George Wagner: Pros: His best performance in two years.
Cons: Just keep doing it.

Fred Wolfe: Pros: Very dynamic and excellent audience interaction
Cons: Dynamics are good. Sometimes, relax. Learn when to do each.

Scotty Zion: Pros: Scotty's best performance ever, recreating the Roustabout theme.
Cons: Recreate the vocal performance. Good voice. Focus on phrasing and
delivery.

John Patrick: Pros: Best singing performance yet.
Cons: Relax, lose weight, get a hair solution. keep at it!

Mike Porter: Get replica costuming; better sideburns; fine tune your look to your build. focus on finetuning your vocal performance.

Bill Zowd, Jeremy Oswalt, Johnny Parkhurst: (our oldest performer even) - Keep pleasing the people!

Note that these are only opinions about PERFORMANCE and have no connection to contest or competition.

On a final note- this was the 150th anniversary of The Indiana State Fair. In marking this occassion a commemorative book of the fair was produced chronicling the 150 years of the fair. We were pleased to learn that of all the years of the fair The Elvis Extravaganza Impersonator Contest was featured in the book and they saw fit to include three photos of the shows over the years in the book.

Oh, and we got great Italian Sausages (with peppers and onions) from Spageddie Eddies! And an outstanding Sirloin Steak Sandwich from Murphy's...Yum!

Look for some event photos in the photo gallery at www.elviscontest.com

Thanks to Shannon Wolfe for her photos...

Pinks Hot Dogs

2006-07-24T21:21:00.000-04:00

Leaving Las Vegas on June 28, the valet at the Flamingo when asked where to get a good hot dog (now that my favorite 3/4 pound all-beef hot dog is gone along with the Westward Ho) replied - "Pinks - at the Aladdin." Off I went - following the signs in the Aladdin to the Zanzibar Cafe.

I order for the group - 7 Pink's Hot Dogs to go - with mustard and onion.

Imagine my shock when I got my credit card statement! Almost $70 for 7 hot dogs!

Upon calling the Aladdin the manager was almost incredulous that we thought it a bit much! "That's how much we charge for hot dogs." - $6.95 + 18% for the carryout (packaging I guess).

The $6.95 includes a side and the dogs ala carte should have been less. After all, at Pink's in Hollywood - the cost is a mere $2.85.

Pink's Hot Dog was excellent - but not worth $6.95. Nathans and Dearborn Sausage still remain the dawgs of choice.

Busy June!

2006-07-03T15:06:00.000-04:00

June was a busy month!

It was great seeing everyone in Las Vegas. Our thanks to the fans, guests and vendors who made our time in Las Vegas memorable.

We look forward to your comments so that we can continue building bigger and better events - and we are looking forward to returning to Las Vegas soon.

Congratulations to our June Winners:

Bearcreek: Kavan/George Wagner
Elbow River: Will Reeb
Las Vegas: Liam Murphy

ETA's and fans - be sure to contact us to cash out your Elvii Radio gift certificates.

Have a great day!

"Images" Founder Doc Franklin has Passed Away.

2006-07-03T15:01:00.000-04:00

I would like to express my sincerest condolences to Jackie and the whole Franklin family on the occassion of "Doc's" passing. I was sorry to hear the news earlier today. You are in our thoughts and prayers. JC

Welcome!

2006-03-05T14:42:00.000-05:00

Welcome!