Fan Feature: With Doreen, Cathy, and Deb

Double Trouble

Doreen Mikolasek, centre, at a Flamboro show in 2018. Photo Credit: C. MacArthur

by Doreen Mikolasek

I have two favorite ETAs, Dean Z and Pete Paquette. My subject title refers to a show they put on together that was phenomenal.  The show was awesome at the beginning: They were in black leather.  Spotlight on Pete to the left; then, bang!  Spotlight on the right!  You wonder how Pete could get there so fast.  Because Pete and Dean are the same stature, it seemed like Pete flew!   Then bang!   Lights on TWO Elvi.  Fantastic show!  Such talent on one stage!  

Pete Paquette with Chris Connor, 2018. Photo Credit: C. MacArthur.

Pete is actually a relative, and because, when talking to Dean at a show, he found out my name was Doreen, he said he would remember because he has an Aunt Doreen. Now when I comment on his posts on Facebook, I always sign as his Canadian Aunt Doreen. Besides their vocal talent, they both play the piano, and Dean plays just about any instrument you can throw at him.  They both move like the King and sound like him and are an awesome tribute to Elvis Aron Presley, King of Rock and Roll.     

The incomparable Dean Z performs in Collingwood, 2018. Photo Credit: Lori-Crewe, LA Crewe Photography.

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 Questionnaire Answers

Submitted by Catherine Wood

Who is your favourite ETA?

Gordon Hendricks.

What makes your favourite ETA so special to you?

He is the real deal, I feel like Elvis is still alive when he sings.

Cathy Wood waiting for Gordon’s Hendricks’ show at the ScotiaCentre in Niagara Falls, 2018. Photo Credit: C. MacArthur.

What song does your favourite ETA sing better than all other ETAs?

“Where No One Stands Alone”.

What costume does your favourite ETA wear the best?

All of them !!

How far would you travel to see your ETA in concert?

Hours for sure.

What is your favourite venue where you have seen your ETA perform?

At a venue in Niagara Falls.

What would you like to know about your favourite ETA, but are afraid to ask?

Could we sit down and chat ?

Gordon Hendricks captives the Collingwood crowd in 2018. Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe, LA Crewe Photography.

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My Favourite Moment with Anthony Joseph

by Deb Curran

Deb Curran with Anthony Joseph. Photo Credit: Deb Curran.

I gave Anthony a teddy bear (large one), and he had a huge smile and made funny faces.  Also I had a dance with him while another ETA sang.  I first met Anthony Joseph when he was 12 years old, and I became a fan instantly of the little boy with a big voice.  He was so shy--until he went on to perform; then there was so much maturity.  Anthony shows appreciation to fans.  I have seen him help other ETAs with music, costumes and anything they may need.  I have witnessed his graciousness when he has won competitions; and when he has not won, Anthony is quick to congratulate and praise the other tribute artists.  I look forward to watching Anthony continue grow as a performer.  I wish him much success .

Anthony Joseph and Mathew Boyce with big white teddy bear. Photo Credit: Deb Curran.

Deb Curran’s favourite ETA, Anthony Joseph, in performance. Photo Credit: Deb Curran.

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Thank you, Doreen, Cathy, and Deb for your contributions to today’s Fan Feature. And thank you to others who have already sent in their answers to the questionnaire and memories to share of their favourite ETA experiences that will appear in upcoming posts. I look forward to hearing from other dedicated fans who make the ETA world go ‘round! For convenience, here is information I posted on FB on how to contribute:

Fan Feature:  I am adding a new segment to SIDEBURNS Magazine that allows fans to pay tribute to their favourite ETA and share their special memories.  It is an easy process:  Go to www.sideburnsmagazine.com  and you will see “Questionnaire” listed under Fan Info.  Also, there a link in the Questionnaire that will lead you to a form where you can share special memories you have had with your favourite ETA.  If you have photos you wish to post (especially one of you with your ETA), please send your photos to sideburnsmagazine@gmail.com   Thank you so much for participating in our fan tribute to some wonderful ETAs.  Best regards, Carolyn.

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Happy Valentine's Day!

Love is All Around

Yes, indeed, it surely is! I put together a “walk down memory lane” slide show of some couples—friends, relatives, lovers, fans—whom I have had the pleasure of meeting at ETA shows, competitions and concerts, and some whom I have gotten to know through interview and bio postings. While I tried to include all photos that contained a twosome, it was not possible to include everyone. I hope you find your photo in the mix; but if not, rest assured, if I snapped a photo of you, or if you sent one for me to post, sometime in the future your photo will pop up in SIDEBURNS Magazine!

Have a lovey Valentine’s Day with those you hold closest in your heart and thoughts. Until next time…XO

Videos

I added the following videos for a special reason: Today, February 14th, marks the third month since my knee replacement surgery. Last night, while watching “Blue Hawaii”, I attempted to dance along with Elvis to two songs, “Hula Rock” (easy, because most of the dancing involved hip action with no knees), and then “Slicin Sand” (which is pretty well all legs). Happy to say, no ill effects today! I hope you will join Elvis and dance around your space. As someone once said, “Dance like no one is watching.” What a great way to beat the winter blues! Cheers, everyone.

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Great Upcoming Contest and Show

On the weekend of February 22nd to 24th, 2019, ETA fans will be entertained by many fan favourites at the Elvis Tribute and Legends Contest (details in poster below). Joey Cundari will headline the event, with Gord McNeil competing in the Senior Division, Dustin Bricker in the Elvis Division, and Cathy Carbone in the Open Division. Hosted by Chris Cooper and Anthony Joseph, the competition and show welcomes special guest Caden Gamblin. Since Caden, the 2018 winner of the Ninth Annual Elvis Rocks Mesquite Competition, may be new to SIDEBURNS Magazine followers, I have included a great video by Anthony Joseph of Caden’s performances, and an article by Teri Nehrenz.

(The following photos of Joey Cundari, Gord McNeil, and Dustin Bricker were taken by professional photographer Lori-Anne Crewe, LA Crewe Photography. The photos of Chris Cooper, Anthony Joseph and Cathy Carbone were taken by Carolyn MacArthur for SIDEBURNS Magazine.)

NEWBIE CROWNED KING AT THE NINTH ANNUAL ELVIS ROCKS MESQUITE COMPETITION

Posted by Teri Nehrenz | Jun 27, 2018 | Entertainment, Slider, Top Stories | 2 

Eighteen year old Caden Gamblin, new comer to the Elvis Rocks Mesquite Competition, was more surprised than anyone when his name was called as the 2018 ERM Winner on June 23. This was the night year Mesquite Gaming has hosted the annual competition and Gamblin claimed victory over Elvis Tribute Artists who have been performing more years than he’s been alive. Photo by Teri Nehrenz

Mesquite Gaming is synonymous with the word entertainment in Mesquite. When it comes to bringing in quality stuff, there simply isn’t any competition… unless you’re talking about Elvis Tribute Artists; now there’s a competition that is also synonymous with Mesquite Gaming.

The showroom was sold out for the Ninth Annual Elvis Rocks Mesquite Finals Competition on Saturday, June 23 and Elvis was in the house; everywhere. The pseudo Kings of Rock-n-Roll were ready and waiting to get their rock-n-roll on. Competition was fierce across all three eras, the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s.  There was a diverse age range among entertainers, including a 73-year-old great grandmother and the world’s oldest Elvis tribute artist, Doc Elvis, a local who, at 83-years-old, just had back surgery the week prior but couldn’t let that stop him from missing the annual performance.

The competition had been narrowed in the days before the finals; the players reduced from 20 to 12. Preliminary rounds brought about the best of the best of all three decades; those winning or placing in the preliminary rounds went on to compete for the $10,000 in the finals.

Dave Hoover, the last contestant in the finals and longtime Elvis Tribute Artist, was the only contestant to receive a standing ovation; the crowd obviously being more than pleased with his rendition of “Glory, Glory Hallelujah.” All the finalists were great and their singing on point, but it’s the moving and shaking that won the crowd and the judges over and secured the win for two contests in the Ninth Annual Elvis Rocks Mesquite Competition.

Rob Ely shook up the crowd on June 23 in the CasaBlanca Showroom and took the title of Elvis Rocks Mesquite 2018 Fan Favorite. Ely also won the best of the 70’s era and took third place in the finals of the ninth annual competition sponsored by Mesquite Gaming. Photo by Teri

Rob Ely is a huge Elvis fan and multi-award winning Elvis Tribute Artist (ETA) from Northern California. Ely’s mom, dad and grandmother were big fans so it’s no wonder Ely got hooked on Elvis at a very young age. Ely does over 150 shows per year and all that performing has certainly given him the opportunity to perfect his Elvis moves.  Ely shook up the crowd and took the title of ERM 2018 Fan Favorite. He also won the best of the 70’s era and took third place in the finals.

With hundreds of years of combined experience between the 12 finalists nobody was more surprised than newbie, 18-year old Caden Gamblin when his name was called as the 2018 ERM Winner and winner of the $3000 grand prize. This young new comer claimed victory over Elvis Tribute Artists who have been performing more years than he’s been alive but Gamblin has been listening to ‘The King’ all his life.

Gamblin would sit and listen to his dad play Elvis records when he was a young boy.  When he became a teenager, he found those same records and gave them another listen. The songs were an instant hit with Gamblin; he fell in love with the music.  He learned to play the guitar and sing Elvis songs; things grew steadily from there.

Gamblin says his goal in performing is to make everyone happy. “If they’re not happy, neither am I.”

Gamblin had no problem making the fans happy during the competition. His dance moves are very impressive, full of energy and he rocked the stage from one side to the other.

Gamblin’s charisma and energy, not to mention his impersonation of the king, won over the scrutiny of the judges, the appreciation of the audience and the hearts of the girls and Caden “Elvis” Gamblin left the building that night in glory; glory hallelujah!

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