Phantompolooza in Winnipeg!

In 1975 Brian De Palma made the movie "Phantom of the Paradise". Starring Paul Williams it is the a movie taking the viewer through the history of Rock-n-roll while slicing up a juicy horror story stealing equally from "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and Phantom of the Opera". I loved this movie when it first came out. I have the soundtrack on vinyl and the movie on VHS and DVD.

When it was first released in the US it bombed. But in Winnipeg it ran 62 weeks straight! Way to go Winnipeg!

Now 30 years later they are having a festival celebrating one of the classic movies of our time at the original theater where it first ran so long.

Phantompolooza!

Saturday, April 23rd, 2005
Ramada Marlborough Conference & Entertainment Centre(aka Garrick Theatre)
330 Garry Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

William Finley AND Gerrit Grahamhave confirmed their attendance, and will participate in a one-hour Question and Answer Session!

A Special Presentation will immediately follow the Q&A Session. It will last for approximately 91 minutes.

A Social Event will follow in Eton Hall of the Ramada Marlborough,featuring a cash bar, snacks, a musical performance/tributeby the Chocolate Bunnies From Hell, and more surprises!

Man, do I wish I could go to this! Go here for more info!
http://www.phantompalooza.ca/

Las Vegas Reality Show on ABC Family

ABC Family is an interesting cable channel. One time they're showing Power Rangers, then it's "Austin Powers" (which doesn't seem to be all that family oriented with all that "shagging" about), and then Pat Robertson is preaching late night. Now they go to Vegas for a new non-reality show. Bring on Elvis.

For better or for worse, 'til 12 half-hour episodes do we part, the ABC Family cable channel unveils "Las Vegas Garden of Love," a hybrid documentary-reality series airing at 9:30 p.m. Monday.

The show takes a behind-the-scenes look at the Las Vegas Garden of Love Wedding Chapel, a 24/7 chapel that features an Elvis impersonator who can not only sing "Heartbreak Hotel" but preside over services, with the added bonus of a capuchin monkey named Harley.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Mar-20-Sun-2005/living/26083340.html

Andre Norton (1912-2005)

Andre Norton, 93, the “Grand Dame of Science Fiction and Fantasy,” author, poet, editor, whose published works span seven decades, died of congestive heart failure in her Murfreesboro, Tennessee home, early Thursday morning, March 17th.

http://sfwa.org/news/anorton.htm

An Iowa Night of Impersonators

Wow, does it get any better than this? Every way you turn you'd see an another impersonator.

Elvis impersonator Junior Talley is back at the Col Ballroom, Davenport. And Talley, a Monmouth, Ill.-based Elvis impersonator, has brought other celebrity tribute acts with him. The 2 1/2- to 3-hour show Saturday night will feature a Blues Brothers act, and impersonators of Rod Stewart and Roy Orbison. They’ll be backed by the ExSpence Account Band, a Chicago-based group that’s a longtime backup of Elvis acts. The show is hosted by a comedian who impersonates Otis from “The Andy Griffith Show.”

http://www.qctimes.com/internal.php?story_id=1047399&t=Clubs%2C+Music&c=5,1047399

Matt Cordell

Matt Cordell doesn't attempt The King's trademark expression "thank-you, thank-you very much." America's best Elvis Presley tribute artist by one national competition's standards, Cordell isn't one of the estimated 35,000 in the Elvis-emulating industry. And March 26, he has the legend's background vocalist Charlie Hodge to prove it.

Hodge, a Decatur native, and Cordell will conjure memories of Elvis' gospel years for the audience at Princess Theatre Center for the Performing Arts. "I'm looking forward to it so much it's not even funny," Cordell said of his first performance with Hodge.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/livingtoday/
050317/tribute.shtml

Casting Call

This was received today from the Elvis Entertainers Network.

Terrance Green of the Production Division of the Discovery Channel is looking for at least 10 ETA's [Elvis Tribute Artist] to be in Memphis on April 30, 2005. They WILL pay for the ETA to pass out promotional items and meet and greet. There may be some singing involved. This is the weekend of the Beale Street Music Festival - so - it should be an exciting weekend.

Contact Mr. Green at his email - Terrance.green@gmmb.com

Impersonators Fill Jacko Re-enactments

I hadn't realized that E! network had sunk so low until I heard Lewis Black rail about it on The Daily Show last night. It seems that in their never ending quest for knowledge E! has decided to re-enact the entire Michael Jackson trial as it happens, but using a real professional Michael Jackson impersonator. Is this the crest of entertainment journalism, or an all time low?

I suppose it all started with Elvis Presley...

After that dark day in August 1977 when Graceland changed from a residence into a museum, there followed a bumper crop of folks mining that same showbiz vein, so many that they hold Elvis impersonator conventions from time to time...

So it was only inevitable that we would have impersonators for the biggest pop star of the past 25 years. Yes, I'm talking about Michael Jackson. And Edward Moss, the King of Pop's best-known professional doppelganger.

Until recently, you would have had to be a fairly obsessive Jackson fan to realize that Moss even existed. He's turned up in commercials and music videos and did a brief Jacko impression in the film "Scary Movie 3."

Now he's made his break for the A-list with his latest gig — as the star of the latest TV innovation, Michael Jackson trial re-enactments. For those of you who missed this development, cable channel E! is bringing modern technology to bear on the venerable tradition of having artists render courtroom scenes in crayon and charcoal...

Let's just hope that Moss isn't so successful aping Michael that he carries his re-enactments too far. From what I hear, one Neverland Ranch is apparently one too many.

Written by Francis Volpe for The Sentinel of Carlisle, Pa.
http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2005/03/08/
editorial/francis_volpe/volpe01.txt

Mount Morris, IL Elvis Is Leaving the Building

After 33 years Chris Corcoran is hanging up his jumpsuit.

"Everybody liked my voice," he said. "I do it because I have fun doing it and I enjoy entertaining people. But at the same time, it's been humbling that people appreciate it."

Ever since his brother bought him Presley's "Don't Be Cruel" record when he was 6, Corcoran has oozed "The King" from every pore. He cites seeing him perform when he was 17 as the most memorable moment in his life...

Through the years, Corcoran has bought 33 Elvis jumpsuits; one for eachyear he has performed. "I told Ruth that when I die, I want to be buried in it," he said. "That's what people remember me for."

When he mentions how Mount Morris residents always recognize him in stores and restaurants, Ruth rolls her eyes.

"I'm going to drive you to Timbuktu where nobody recognizes you," she said with a laugh.

One of Corcoran's last wishes as the man behind the man behind the sequins is to make sure his fans remember that he appreciates them as much as they appreciate him.

"God gave me a talent to give to people," he said. "I'll miss the people and I'll miss the attention, but I have to go on and remember the good times I had."

By Dustin J. Seibert for the Rockford Register Star
http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050307/NEWS0106/503070314/1004

'Elvis' monitors Jackson trial

Look carefully at the reports of the Michael Jackson trial. You might just see Elvis impersonator Matthew Tuttle. On Wednesday Tuttle was chosen by lottery and able to sit inside the couortroom.

"I just thought it would be kind of a funny thing to do, something to tell my grandkids," Tuttle said yesterday from Santa Maria, where he's been staying in a motel room since Monday.

As an Elvis impersonator, Tuttle said he also went because Jackson was briefly married to Elvis' only child, Lisa Marie Presley, in the mid 1990s...

He also said several other tribute artists gather outside to do the moon walk and Jackson's signature crotch grab.

"There's a female that's pretty good. That's the thing, you can be a man or a woman and be a good Michael Jackson — it doesn't really matter," Tuttle said. "It's kind of funny to watch the spectacle."

Remember this is coming from a man who was wearing his Elvis jumpsuit as he spoke to reporters. Costumes are not allowed in the courtroom.

Mike Morris for The Union Democrat
http://www.uniondemocrat.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=16715

Martin Denny, 94, has died

Martin Denny, the man who created “exotica” music in the 1950s and lived to see it enjoy renewed world-wide popularity as “lounge music” and “tiki culture,” died last night [March 2] at his Hawaii-Kai residence, five weeks short of his 94th birthday.

Christina Denny, his daughter and primary care-giver, said that her father “passed peacefully at 9 p.m.” and that he had been “ready to go.”

“With the passing of Martin Denny, the world has lost one of its great popular musicians,” said Michael J. Largarticha, Musicians Association of Hawaii. “He created a sound that remains unique to this day; an entire genre of music which Martin described as a fusion of Asian, South Pacific, American Jazz, Latin American and Classical.”

He had been in declining health for the last two years, and had appeared to be near death several times in recent months, but he always dealt stoically with his increasingly limited diet and mobility, and all the related inconveniences. Denny drew crowds of admirers whenever he appeared and thrilled audiences wherever he performed...

Although some writers over the years described his music as “lightweight entertainment” or even “kitchy,” the trademark “jungle noises” and bird calls usually overshadowed surprisingly substantial musical arrangements that reflected Denny’s formal training as a pianist and decades of professional experience...

Denny’s first recording of “exotica” was made for Liberty Records in 1956. He re-recorded it in 1958. When Liberty released “Quiet Village” as a single in 1959 it reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and a new genre of music was launched.

He was — and still is — one of the very few Hawaii recording artists to appear on any of the six major Billboard record charts.

Denny’s visibility as a pop chart hitmaker had waned by the end of the ’60s but his music remained popular in many parts of the world until it was rediscovered by a new generation of music fans in the ’90s. Much of his early catalog was re-issued on CD with Denny providing extensive additional annotation, and web sites and “fanzines” were devoted to him.

http://starbulletin.com/breaking/breaking.php?id=3289>http://starbulletin.com/breaking/breaking.php?id=3289

Wallace & Gromit Movie!!!

It's called "Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" and I can't wait. I have been a fan of this claymation duo since the very beginning. They are clever, witty, and very very funny. The trailer is online now. Check it out. I promise you won't be disappointed. In Theaters October 7, 2005.

The offical website for Aardman Animation Ltd
http://www.aardman.com

The official Wallace and Gromit website
http://www.wallaceandgromit.com

See the trailer for the new movie here
http://www.wandg.com

Michael O'Connor Pays Homage To Elvis

"My grandmom got me interested in (Elvis) when I was 6. I watched him in 'Aloha from Hawaii Live via Satellite,'" the performer said. "When I first saw Elvis on the screen I thought he was amazing. When I saw Elvis on stage, he was kind of a superhero to me."

"I like (performing) because I like to touch people's hearts. I try to do it as passionately and professionally as possible," he said. "I joke around on stage and I try to entertain people. I try to give them more than they expect."

But the best part is the audience. "The thing for me is I just get a kick out of watching everybody. It's a connection with me. I am able to feel the audience," he said.

He will be performing at the Cottage Green, 9001 Ashton Road, on Friday, March 4 at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets, please call the Cottage Green at 215-673-1000.

Story by Jeannette Ryder for Philadelphia's The News Gleaner
http://www.newsgleaner.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14073140&BRD=2340&PAG
=461&dept_id=488595&rfi=6

A New Elvis in Newark?

Elvis fans shouldn't have to travel all the way to Graceland; they should be able to see The King shake his hips right here in town. That's what Newark Days organizers are hoping for, as they continue their search for a professional Elvis impersonator to wow audience members during the city's annual birthday bash.

Organizers of this year's four-day celebration, which will run Sept. 22-25, promise this will be the largest production ever, as it commemorates the city's 50th birthday.

They're planning to transport people back in time, with the unveiling of a revised Newark history book, a video pavilion that will play television shows and commercials from the 1950s and a drive-in area with servers on roller skates, Newark Days President Shirley Sisk said.

They're also hoping to have Elvis gyrate on stage that weekend.

"When you think of the '50s, the first thing that comes to mind is Elvis," Sisk said. "We want to find Elvis. I know he's out there. He's been spotted many, many times."

Elvis impersonators should send a video tape or other recording of themselves to Newark Days, c/o Betty Cole, P.O. Box 608, Newark 94560. For other inquiries, call (510) 793-5683.

http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_2589021

"Elis tribute song for Dundee debut"

Why Can’t They Leave Him Alone? was penned by former Dundee entertainer George Christie in 1987 to express his disgust at people profiting from the death of the King by selling stories and scandalising his memory. The song was adopted as the anthem of the official Elvis Presley Fan Club of Great Britain, who empathised with the feelings in the song. It also struck a chord with Elvis impersonator Richard Atkins, who started performing it live on tour with Rockin’ on Heavens Door, a performance of covers from the likes of Buddy Holly, Elvis, Eddie Cochran and Roy Orbison.

The tour comes to the Whitehall Theatre on March 25 and will be the first time George’s song has been performed in his home town.

His friend Alec Brown, a piano tuner with the BBC in London, who tuned the piano for Elton John to perform at Princess Diana’s funeral, said, “It’s a powerfully emotional song at the best of times and I heard it the first time it was sung live and could hardly speak afterwards. We’ll be up in Dundee for the show on the 25th and will be taking George’s widow Fay along with us and I’m sure she’ll be very moved to hear it.”

George, who died two years ago, was a well-known entertainer in Dundee venues throughout the 50s, 60s and 70s. He died two years ago.

from The Evening Telegraph and Post
http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2005/03/02/
story6868993t0.shtm

Velvet Elvis, Velvet... Me?

The Velvet Store offers a great one-of-a-kind service. They will take a photograph of you or a loved one and create an original hand-painted black velvet painting with you starring as Elvis! You have to check this out. They do all the traditional velvet poses, of one shoulder, straight on with a scarf, even the single tear on the cheek. They'll even customize it with jumpsuit color, style, anything you want.

What a cool idea. It's a little pricey for me right now at $150 for a 8x12 to $300 for a 24x36, but all I know is that if I had the money I'd want one, the bigger the better. I wonder if they'd paint one of my wife as Elvis. Better not, she'd never let me hang it in public.

http://www.thevelvetstore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=vs02&Category_Code=13