Introduction
I wish to thank Benjamin Dalske’s mom, Cheryl, for sending along Benjamin’s bio to be posted on SIDEBURNS Magazine. It was such a pleasure meeting Benjamin at the street party and seeing him compete in the 25th Anniversary of the Collingwood Elvis Festival. We wish Benjamin continued success with his ETA pursuits and thank him for keeping the memory of Elvis alive for the next generation. C.M.
(Collingwood photos by Lori-Anne Crewe, LA Crewe Photography, for SIDEBURNS Magazine. Ben’s early photos by Eva Brand. Edits by Carolyn MacArthur.)
Bio
Benjamin Dalske is a thirteen year old international award winning Elvis Tribute artist. His love for Elvis Presley began at the age of four when he heard “Suspicious Minds”. From that moment he began watching and listening to everything he could with Elvis in it. Within days of his discovery of the greatest entertainer that ever lived, he began dressing like him and singing along with Elvis via the computer. The fire was lit! Benjamin’s passion had taken over every spare moment he had. Not only did he continue watching everything he could about Elvis, he spent countless hours researching all the names and years of Elvis’s jumpsuits, as well as where and when he wore them and what he sang while wearing them. You could also find him drawing pictures of Elvis and making his own jumpsuits out of paper, and anything he could find, and re-enacting scenes from his movies. Benjamin spent two years performing “concerts” in his living room for his family; but he was itching to get out on a real stage to sing in front of a bigger audience. His dream came true in April of 2013 when, at six years old, he was invited to make his first public appearance ever at the Philadelphia Elvis Festival. Little did he or any of his family know what was in store for him. Since then he has traveled throughout the US and Canada performing his tribute to honor and remember the King of Rock and Roll at benefits, festivals, private shows and more. He has been on TV and the radio. He has met so many amazing people who share the same love for Elvis that he does. Ben has had many opportunities to sing with his big brother ETAs, and he is very grateful for the time they have spent with him and all they have done to help and encourage him.
Because of what Benjamin does, his mother, Cheryl, who is also a huge Elvis fan was able to for the first time in her life visit Graceland. It was an incredible experience that they shared together, and one that neither will ever forget. Benjamin loves performing and making people smile. He is especially touched when someone tells him his performance made them cry happy tears. He is very proud to be the 2015 and 2016 Collingwood Elvis Festival Jr Youth Grand Champion, the 2019 Collingwood Silver Anniversary Youth Grand Champion, the 2015 Flaming Star Festival youth champion and the 2013, 2017, and 2018 Lake George youth champion. He is a very shy young man, but when he steps onstage you can see he is immediately at home. He loves and performs all eras, but has a deep connection with Elvis's later 70s music.
Benjamin plays the trumpet in his school’s band and also acts in the school plays every year. He plays soccer and basketball and is a big NBA fan as well as WWE. He attends religious education classes weekly and is very faithful. He is an honors student and strives very hard to always do his best in his classes. Benjamin is a very family oriented young man and loves spending time with his parents, little brother Ryan and his fur brother. He loves animals. He’s a very busy young man, but there is always time for Elvis.
Benjamin Dalske Wins Youth Division Title
In a very exciting Youth Division competition at the 2019 Collingwood Elvis Festival that featured three very talented young competitors, Benjamin Dalske, from Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, was crowned the winner.
Congratulations on your First Place win, Benjamin! Congratulations, also, to Second Place winner, Agostino Trombello and Third Place winner, Spencer Young. All three of you wowed the audience and judges with your great performances.
Wishing each of you much happiness and continued success following your ETA dreams.
