Countdown to Collingwood

As we all look forward to this coming weekend at the 2019 Collingwood Elvis Festival, I thought it would be nice to pay tribute to last year’s festival in photos. The photos are from my own collection, and not professional quality by any standard; but I posted them all anyhow. Some may even be a little blurry (Dean Z is a moving target!); but each photo holds a special memory for me because 2018 was my very first visit to the Elvis festival and I took a LOT of photos. If you were there as a fan, you may be in one of the photos. If you are an ETA who performed, mingled, or competed, most likely I took your photo. If you were at the festival, or even in the vicinity of the festival, chances are you are in the slide show, grid, or carousel. It wasn’t possible, of course, to be at every venue—there are so many! But if I missed you last year, there is always this year ;) See you soon. Cheers! C.M.

Photo Slide Show of ETAs from 2018

Photo Album of ETAs, Fans, and Others

Carousel of Photos

See You In 2019!

Introduction

UK ETA, Matt King, had a lot to celebrate this past week. Matt was inducted into the International ETA Hall of Fame along with fellow ETAs, Donny Edwards, Matt Chantelois (US Matt King), and Gordon Hendricks. In a future post, we will talk more about Matt’s great success as an ETA; but today’s post is all about romance. Matt and his lovely wife, Monica, celebrated their first anniversary this weekend, and with their permission, I am happy to share the great story of how they celebrated. Congratulations, Matt and Monica, from fans, friends, and followers of SIDEBURNS Magazine. And thank you for the great story!

Matt’s Story

“Well, what can I say... About 6 months ago I received an email enquiry re my Elvis show and a man named Mr. Butwell proceeded to book my services for July 20th. The assignment he had in mind for me was probably the most unusual set of circumstances that I’ve ever experienced in 30 years of performing, but being a professional and open to new challenges I was a little intrigued if not very nervous of what lay ahead.
So, last week after I hadn’t heard from him, and after non replies to two or three emails, I thought he was ‘bumping me’ and that the gig wasn’t happening. Then ‘ping’ a text message came through and it was Mr. Butwell apologising for not being in contact but the booking was still happening, with a slight change of plan.

I was instructed to arrive at the posh hotel/spa and set up one speaker and no lights, back drop etc. (just wanted it low key) in his parents’ bedroom suite; and he sent me a list of ‘love songs’ that were their favourites. I asked him, “How many people will be there?” “Just my parents,” he replied.
At this point I’m starting to think, ‘What have I accepted here?” I was really starting to get cold feet about the whole thing.
I set up; and dressed as Elvis, I waited for the parents to come up to the room escorted by the concierge.
The door opened, and in walks a hotel porter with a bottle of red and two glasses, and he said, “Enjoy” the evening,” as he left.
Please picture the scene: I’m in full wig and make up, in an Elvis jumpsuit, standing by a bed with two strangers about to walk in, sit down, and watch me sing for an hour.
The door opens, and the concierge comes in and informs me that ONLY Mrs. Butwell senior is coming up, and her husband will follow later. GULP!!!

I’m actually thinking of jumping out the window and legging it down the M3 to the safety of the real world, when in walks my wife, Monica.
I’m actually lost for words for the first time in my life.
She is obviously the phantom “Mr .Butwell “ and had planned this for 6 months to coincide with our first year wedding anniversary.

It slowly dawns on me that I don’t have to sing to the ‘Butwells’, AND we are now staying overnight in this amazing place.
We had a wonderful meal and drinks, and I spent an evening just counting my blessings that this woman found me in this haystack that we call life.
Oh, the one condition to the evening was that I still sing to her for an hour in our private suite.

“Love you darling. Happy Anniversary ❤️ “

(Photos: Courtesy Matt King, Facebook. Edits by C. MacArthur.)

Editor’s Note:

When I was checking for photos to use in this article, one thing became apparent: UK ETA Matt King has a terrific sense of humour. Matt’s humorous captions are below the photos. Best regards, Carolyn.

Matt King UK anniversary_Stan Laurel.jpg

1) “& my next tribute is... 2) “Me, auditioning for the part of ‘Matteus Elvisius’ for ‘Gladiator II’...(this is the ‘actual’ entrance they used when entering the arena to meet there fate 🦁🐯⚔️)” 3) “Check out the length of my arms?? (I’m gonna sign up for the next ‘fantastic 4’ movie)”

Zach Peddie

Tim E Hendry

Sylvain Leduc