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ELVIS SHOW, Casey’s Restaurant, Brantford, ON. April 2004.
We attended this jam-packed Elvis show Saturday April 24. We got there early to have dinner and got increasingly excited as the place kept filling up with more and more people. My husband would nudge me every time another Elvis guy came through the door. The staff were decked out in jeans, running shoes and ponytails and they offered specialty drinks and snacks all within the theme of the night, which most assuredly was Elvis. We were getting a little alarmed as the place started filling up and seats were becoming increasingly unavailable. But it all worked out. In walked the Queen of the Elvis World, Joan Minnery and you just know that it's her domain. All eyes and attention falls to her and we were amazed at how she just took over things, as did her special cohorts and let everyone know that they are appreciated, "Welcome To My World". One of the absolute best parts of the evening was when Joan introduced us to her new children's group, Starr Sensations. Dressed in matching poodle skirts, blouses, shoes and pony-tails, these young girls, about 6-14, electrified the crowd with their fun toe tapping songs from Connie Francis, Brenda Lee and Lesley Gore and a great crowd pleasing finale of I Will Survive, which was so cute. It really was a hard act to follow. We found out that these girls are now considered the Junior Memphis Motion. Look out ladies, you've got some steep competition on your heels. Of course the greatness of the night continued with the performances and the overwhelming camaraderie and voices of Elvis Tribute Artists: Geph Mitchell, Alex Aaron, Happy Johnson, Eric Kirkham, Steven Pelleriti, Dan Granger, Officer Elvis, Doug McKenzie, Rick Duin, Peter Schofield, Jeff Marsh and Bruce Herron along with the performances of Tina and Caroline from Officer Elvis' band and the appearance of the girls from Memphis Motion. This was a fun evening. It was free for everyone to come and get together for a party; we had great food, wonderful entertainment and we can't wait for the next one. Special thanks to the gals of Memphis Motion, especially Joan, for putting on another fabulous night. George and Celia Wilson,

KRAIG PARKER, Dallas, Texas. Recent shows.

We have caught several of Dallas-based ETA Kraig Parker's shows, including his "Elvis Night Live" at the Hard Rock Café in Dallas every Tuesday, as well as having hired Kraig for two private parties. Kraig is a very talented performer who brings down the house at every show. We have also found Kraig to be a great person who really cares about his fans. The Nix Family, Euless, Texas

SHON CARROLL - Legion, Orillia, Ontario, Recent Performance

I recently attended my first Shon Carroll show and would recommend the show to all fans seeking an evening of great entertainment. Shon did a great job paying tribute to Elvis' career-- starting with a tribute to the 50s dressed in the black pants and shirt and white jacket, then the GI Blues for the movie years, followed by the ‘68 Comeback leathers and ending in the jumpsuit with the tribute to the 70s. When Shon wasn't on stage he was interacting with the audience. The show offered something for all fans and if they were not clapping and singing along, they were up dancing. I’m sure all left having really enjoyed the show. Nora Cleaveley, Orillia, Ontario

TIM E AND THE YES MEN, The Wing Shack, Whitby, ON April 2004

It was a packed full house on Saturday, April 24 at the Wing Shack with Elvis fans from all over who came to see Tim E and the Yes Men. Tim E and his band put on a spectacular show. Tim did all the eras: movies, black leather and, of course, the 70's Vegas years. With his good looks, excellent voice and great moves he truly gives fans the ultimate Elvis experience. When he sings songs such as “Just Pretend” his voice fills the air with “Elvis.” The ladies stand at the stage all night. The band is truly one of the best Elvis bands around..they are so tight and they only play together as “Tim E. and the Yes Men.” It is, by far, a show you can’t miss! Sandra Gold, Mississauga, Ontario

BILL STILES, Memories Theater, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. April 2004.
I went to the Memories Theater and was privileged to see Bill Stiles perform. I didn't know what to expect since I had never seen him but was truly impressed with him. His voice was 'extremely close' to Elvis's in singing and speaking. It was also great to see Charlie Hodge and hear him perform with Bill as he played a gospel song on the piano and Bill sang. It was like seeing him with Elvis together again and they also interacted in humorous ways the same as Elvis and he used to do. It was a thrill to get a scarf during the show, the first one that Charlie placed around Bill's neck, as he once did for Elvis. I highly recommend the show to all Elvis fans out there. Afterwards, I had the pleasure of speaking with Bill and Charlie who were both very kind. It was definitely a very memorable experience! Betsy Humphries South Carolina

JESSE ARON’S Elvis Story. Wisconsin. April 2004.

The fabulous two night concert was for charity -- the Special Olympics of Wisconsin. It was presented by Jesse Aron, an extremely talented ETA also from Wisconsin. The hosts for this event were Wisconsin's own Jimmy "The Big Bopper" Prince and Lady Luck Music's Joanna. Meeting Joanna in person was a definite highlight for me. Jesse had invited his ETA friends John Loos, Doug Church, Peter Alden, Matt Joyce, and Garry Wesley to join him for this great two evening event. Backing the ETA's was the Exspence Account Show Band. The concerts were five hours each night with a completely different show both nights. Wow, one never tires of Elvis songs. I had never seen Matt, Peter, and Doug, so I was excited to see their part of the shows. John, Jesse, and Garry were marvelous, as always, once again performing with such passion for the one and only Elvis. All of the ETA's were superb and I look forward to attending next year's event. Marjorie Jurgensen , Iowa

GINO MONOPOLI Rideau Carleton Raceway Slots, May 2004

As soon as Gino entered the stage it was certain that we were in for a very entertaining evening. Gino Monopoli is a very personable, energetic, charismatic entertainer. It was soon obvious why he has earned the title “World’’s Finest Elvis 2004” in Las Vegas. Gino performed Elvis from the ‘‘50s, ‘68 special, and an electrifying 70's set. I like the fact that he didn’t just stick to the safe Elvis songs which are always performed. He did an excellent performance of 3 songs in particular that I personally have never seen performed““Such a Night”, “Your Time Hasn’t Come Yet Baby” and “I Got Lucky” He also did great renditions of “Let Yourself Go”, “A Little Less Conversation” and “Rubberneckin”. The ‘70’s set was spectacular as it showed off the fact that Gino Monopoli is not only a great ETA but also has a very powerful voice which was apparent in “Just Pretend” & “Bridge Over Troubled Water”.All in all a great evening. Gino had the crowd on a first name basis, did requests and if he didn’t have the music did a fine “A Cappella.” Someone once said to me if you ever get the chance to see Gino Monopoli, he is the ETA to see...and I certainly have to agree and pass it on. Lola Saffioti, Ottawa, Ontario

SCOTTY DAVIS, Cultural Center, Ville LaSalle, Quebec, May 2004
I really had a good time seeing Quebec ETA Scotty Davis and his band perform at the Cultural Center in Ville LaSalle, Quebec, on May 6th, 2004. Because the evening show was sold out, my friends and I attended the matinee performance, and were surprised to see so many Elvis fans there. In Scotty's first set, he sang songs from the 50's era plus a few movie songs and in the second set he sang popular songs from the 70's. The band was incredible, especially the bass player, who was jumping around the stage. The ladies went nuts for a scarf from Scotty and I was among the ones who got one. It was a very enjoyable afternoon and I'd go back to see that show again any time. Lise Dionne, Montreal

DAVID LEE, Private Show, Pell City, May 2004

On May 14th, David Lee did a private show for my mom's 50th birthday. I have to say he is the best performer I have ever seen. He may not be the real Elvis, but he is close enough in my mind. I am so glad we got to book him for the party. We will most definitely be seeing more of his shows. I would recommend him to anyone. Thanks a bunch, David. Liz in Pell City

MARK RENO, Roebling, New Jersey, April 2004
The first time I saw Mark Reno was at an ETA Convention in March 2004 where he performed with about 18 other ETAs. He was stunning in his white satin shirt! His voice, good looks, and, oh, those moves, captivated the audience. I then went to see his show in Roebling, NJ on April 3, 2004. He was fun, energetic and versatile. The first half of the show was his Elvis tribute, which was awesome. In the second half, he did impersonations of several other singers such as Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, and Dion (he also does about 40 other impersonations). I'm looking forward to seeing his next show on June 4th in Collingswood, New Jersey. For more photos and information, please visit Mark's web page http://hometown.aol.com/markrenofan/index.html (which I created) or his main website at www.MarkReno.com . TCB, Mark Reno's #1 Fan,

Jeanne Weber, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

RYAN PELTON, Legends in Concert, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. May 2004.

Ryan Pelton was at his best last Friday night at Legends in Concert Myrtle Beach, S.C., coming out in 'top form' as Elvis doing a few segments of the earlier years where he wore the gorgeous gold lame jacket, was so classy. He had all the moves down pat! He has the look so close to Elvis and many people were making that comment about him. During part of the show he tossed out some cute teddy bears, one of which I managed to catch. It was a high energy performance and when he came out in the white jumpsuit I made my way to the stage for a scarf where he nicely presented it to me and several others. I heard so many compliments about Ryan throughout the show and afterwards. He ended his performance singing America the Beautiful and combining it with American Trilogy to which everyone stood and applauded. After the show he was available for anyone who wanted to speak with him and have pictures made and autographs taken. I highly recommend coming to the S.C. coast to see him! Betsy Humphries South Carolina

THANE DUNN, Moncton, New Brunswick. May 2004
On May 8, we went to see Thane Dunn and the Cadillac Kings’ tribute to Elvis on Tour in Moncton. I brought brought my mother for Mother's Day, but really wasn’t expecting to enjoy myself–and was I wrong! This guy looks, talks, walks, moves and sounds so much like Elvis that it was scary at times. My eyes never left him the entire night and he had the audience believing he was Elvis. Everyone was in disbelief. The songs were fantastic and his version of Never Fall In Love brought tears to my eyes. I never cared for impersonators of any kind but this man had such a bond with the audience and such charm that I couldn't help but enjoy myself, If you ever get the chance to see Thane Dunn, don't miss it. Angela Belliveau, Moncton, New Brunswick

BILLY WAYDE, Old Town Theatre, Huntsville, Texas, May 2004

For an Elvis fan, Saturday night couldn’t have gotten any better. Fifteen-time Elvis Tribute Artist winner Billy Wayde performed to a packed house, and the audience went wild. Elvis Presley has been a huge part of my life for a long time. I was 8 or 9 years old the first time I heard a song on the radio. The image of Elvis was plastered to just about everything I owned at one time or another. That’s why Saturday night was so special. Wayde is so very close to the real thing. He’s got the look and the moves, but mostly, he’s got the sound and the spirit of the King of Rock and Roll. He takes his gigs as Elvis seriously, shaking as many hands and signing as many autographs as possible. He’s not in a hurry to rush through niceties, and he is humbled by the hordes of women, young and old, hoping to shake his hand. I have seen impersonators before, and they all have something that makes them stand out, but Wayde is definitely the whole package. I have never seen the Old Town Theatre so packed. There were about 400 people there, and the show also included Kristy Casey as Marilyn Monroe and Wayne King as Dion, Roy Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis. Being an Elvis fan is pretty serious business for me. It¹s not funny or silly, and for a lot of us Wayde is about as close as we’ll ever get to the real thing. I saw older men and women in the audience who were obviously as enthusiastic as I was. Wayde did his best to bring them all into the mood, with everything from Elvis’ most famous songs to those not in the mainstream. He sang songs from three different Elvis eras, and managed to do it all very well. He handed out leis to several lucky women in the audience and didn’t hesitate to kiss, hug or sing directly to them. Wayde, a national finalist for the Images of the King contest, will be taking his talents to Memphis in August to compete for the King’s crown. When he visits the area again soon, I’ll be in the front row! (Condensed from a recent article in the Huntsville Item by Kelly Prew, reporter and Elvis fan).