Introduction
ETA John Carpenter behind Centre Stage at the 2018 Collingwood Elvis Festival. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.
I first saw ETA John Carpenter (Jean-Philippe Carpentier) when he competed at the Collingwood Elvis Festival in 2018. In our conversations before and after his performances, John was exceedingly pleasant, and I looked forward to hearing more about the career of the handsome and talented young ETA from Quebec.
On the last day of the 2018 Collingwood Elvis Festival, photographer Lori-Anne Crewe, fan Dot Farr, and I had a chance meeting with John on Hurontario Street in downtown Collingwood. Looking relaxed and unfazed by the rigors of competition, and feeling very happy with his first Collingwood experience, John engaged us in delightful conversation. A striking figure on stage, John shared with us that when ordered his jumpsuit from B&K Enterprises, he was told that he has the same measurements as Elvis—right down to his shoe size. Pointing at himself and his shoes, John’s animated and amusing delivery had us all laughing along with him. We also learned that he had made a new friend in ETA Matt Cage, whom he pointed out has a similar build to him, and like most Canadians, enjoys ice hockey as much as he does. (Photos in grid below are credited to Lori-Anne Crewe.)
ETA John Carpenter behind Centre Stage. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur, Collingwood 2019.
John competed in the 2019 Collingwood Elvis Festival, and once again wowed everyone with his energetic performance and his winning personality. Prior to his appearances in Ontario, John had been performing and competing in Quebec. Since 2017, John also travelled to the USA to perform and compete in ETA events.
I wish John continued success with his ETA career and thank him for sending his bio to be posted. Lori-Anne, Dot, and I hope to meet John once again in the not too distant future for another chat. Best regards, Carolyn MacArthur.
ETA John Carpenter at the 2018 Collingwood Elvis Festival. Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe for SIDEBURNS Magazine.
Bio
ETA John Carpenter in a photo taken by his dad.
John Carpenter has been passionate about Elvis since the age of four. Following his visit to Quebec to see actor/singer Martin Fontaine in the live show, the “Elvis Story”, he said to his father, “Dad that's what I want to do later.” Since that declaration, he has not stopped learning the gestures and the songs of Elvis. John has won several titles since becoming an ETA: three time winner of the 1st public prize at the Quebec Elvis Convention; winner of the Provincial Elvis Tribute competition in Levis in the spring of 2017. In June 2017, he finished 4th at the prestigious Lake George Elvis Festival in the Professional Early Years category. Subsequently, he went on to win the grand prize at the St-Eustache competition, and finally won first prize from the judges at the Quebec Elvis Convention. In May 2018, John won the honor of first place at the Elvis tribute competition in St-Georges de Beauce. John’s list of other awards and honours includes: second place at the Last Chance Competition in Memphis in 2018; a finalist in New York, 2019; a two time finalist in the 2017 and 2018 Lake George Elvis Festival; and winner the TJ Jackson Spirit of Elvis award at the 2019 Tweed Elvis Festival in Ontario.
