Special Feature: ETA Chris Connor

Mattamy Theatre - FirstOntario Arts Centre Milton, Ontario, Canada:
After a short intermission, ETA Chris Connor from the UK stepped on stage looking splendid in his light blue jumpsuit with gold detailing, and wearing a gold scarf around his neck.  He looked and sounded exactly as he does in videos—handsome and amazingly talented!  Chris had great rapport with the audience throughout his set, but his story of the Morris Dancers in Great Britain was perhaps the most amusing.  He started out by talking about how country music that is so popular in North America is loathed in the UK, which led to ramblings about the Morris Dancers, which then segued into Elvis’s country music songs, and ended with Chris singing “Honky Tonk Angel”.

After being encouraged to sing “Suspicious Minds” during a “should I sing this or this” discussion with the audience (it was already on his playlist btw), Chris removed his gold scarf and donned a passel of scarves provided by someone off stage to give out to the group of ladies already assembled in front of the stage—a group that included me.  I never seem to have much luck at being selected to receive scarves during such handout sessions (that is why one of the questions I ask during interviews is, “How do you decide who gets a scarf?”); so as Chris said, “Sorry, I am out of scarves,” and proceeded to shake the hands of the unlucky ladies, I, as the last one in line, kept hold of his hand.  Maybe it was because he kept looking at me while he was holding my hand as he sang, or maybe it was because he made no attempt to remove his hand, but for whatever reason I stood there transfixed in the moment.  I just could not let go of his heavily ringed hand!  Not sure what goes on in the UK during shows, but it is not unusual for ETAs I have met in Ontario to bend down and give a kiss on the cheek to each woman as they shake their hands.  I guess maybe I was waiting for that special moment. 

Nearing the end of his song, Chris did get down on one knee (as seen in the photo posted earlier on FB) and gave me a kiss on the cheek.  It is such a strange feeling to be standing at the stage in front of an audience knowing all eyes are peering at the back of your head.  If you read what I wrote about my MDQ experience with ETA Matt Cage, you will know what I mean when I say this was a similar experience.  For a brief moment in time, it is as if you and the ETA are the only two people in the entire theatre.  The band, the singers, the audience all seem to drift away.

Chris ended the evening with “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You”, which was quite fitting seeing that he left many an audience member feeling that way about him.

Original post date: October 4, 2018. All photos used in this post are credited to Lisa MacArthur, for SIDEBURNS Magazine.

Recap of "Return to Grace"

Introduction

“Return to Grace”, September 9, 2019. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.

You might say that seeing Steve Michaels in “Return to Grace” has brought me full circle.  Since Steve was one of the reasons I went on a mission to discover what it takes to be a top ETA, it would have been nice to start out year three with his interview.  What I have received, so far, is a four part series of writings from Steve’s manager, Mark Erwin, which he calls “Confessions from my Desk”.  I have been saving his “confessions” about his meeting and subsequent managing of Steve’s career to post with Steve’s interview.  Mark did a great job of “telling it like it is from his point of view” and I thank him for sending his writing to post. In the meantime, I will be working on some outstanding—literally and figuratively—interviews that have already taken place. 

My first post for year three, a recap of “Return to Grace”, is a little different than what I usually post.  I wanted to give you a glimpse of the years before SB Mag; and since those years mostly centred on Steve Michaels, I thought it tied in nicely with the recap. 

Today as we officially begin SIDEBURNS Magazine’s third year, I wish to thank you all for following, liking, sharing and commenting on what I post. ETA fans are so important to us that they are mentioned in our tagline: SIDEBURNS: The Ultimate ETA Fan Magazine. The fans, my love of writing, and ETAs are the reasons I signed on for one more year.  A special thank you to all the ETAs I have posted. You are rockin’ awesome! Love and best regards, Carolyn. 

“Return to Grace”

“Return to Grace”, Sept. 9, 2019. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.

Yesterday, in celebration of the beginning of year three for SIDEBURNS Magazine, it seemed fitting that I see Steve Michaels in “Return to Grace”.  It was the fourth, and fifth, time I have seen the production, and it still holds all the charm for me that it did when I first saw it on September 13th, 2015.  Steve’s performance as Elvis in 2015 was the first time I had ever seen an ETA perform, and I was so awestruck by his tribute that I went a second time on September 21st, 2015. 

From the 21st onward, I went to every one of Steve Michaels’ shows that I could find within driving distance.  I drove as far away as Port Hope, which required an overnight stay, two years in a row, so I could see back to back shows at the Capital Theatre.  I drove to Fergus, Ontario, for a show in a church that turned out to be one of the best evenings in my ETA experience.  In a span of 24 months, I saw Steve perform in twenty shows. 

Fergus, Ontario.

In 2017, I saw “Return to Grace” for the third time.  Fallsview Casino had loosened its policy on taking photos in the Avalon Theatre by that time; but disappointingly, there were no meet-and-greets after any shows.  As much as I enjoyed every minute of every ETA performance, it has always been the time after the shows when fans chat and take photos that I enjoy the most.  Away from Fallsview, there were signs within Steve’s own shows that things were starting to change.  In October 22nd, 2016, at the Lincoln Alexander Centre in Hamilton, ON, there was a definite shift in Steve’s availability after his shows.

Based on my experience after Gordon Hendricks’ show at the Linc, on July 16th, 2016, where Gordon spent a generous amount of time posing for photos and chatting with fans, I expected Steve would also do a meet-and-greet at the Linc. 

Hamilton, ON, Oct. 22, 2016.

Upon arriving, I learned that only invited guests would be meeting with Steve for a chat and photos.  Disappointed but not daunted, I decided it wouldn’t hurt to ask if I could be part of the select group.  The ticket agent upon hearing my story of how many times I had been to Steve’s shows gave me a wrist band.  The after show room was a much more intimate setting than what I had previously experienced; but the small room seemed to provide a more relaxed atmosphere for Steve.  I was thankful for the wristband because, except for a chance meeting after a show at Mohawk Raceway a year after the 2017 launch of SB Mag, this would be the last time I would have a photo opt with my favourite ETA, as meet-and-greets for all of Steve’s fans were becoming a thing of the past.

I purchased tickets as a birthday gift for one of my daughters for the big event, “Aloha from Hawaii”, well in advance of the show as I wanted the best seats available to treat my daughter.  Once we were seated in the Hershey Centre, it was announced that any group of people who bought at least twelve tickets in a bundle were invited to a meet-and-greet after the show.  While I understood the mere size of the audience made it impossible for Steve to talk to everyone individually, I couldn’t help feeling disappointed. 

“Aloha from Hawaii”, Hershey Centre.

I saw Steve twice in the months following the Aloha show:  Once, as mentioned, at a chance meeting at Mohawk; and before Mohawk, I saw Steve briefly at a show at Flamboro Racetrack, where I was given a special pass for the meet-and-greet before the show.

Until yesterday, I have not been to any of Steve’s shows since Mohawk.  Steve has been travelling the world dazzling audiences in his “This is Elvis” shows (no meet-and-greets in the UK, btw).  There have been several shows locally since Steve’s return from abroad, but timing has not been right for me to attend.

I am extremely happy for Steve and his success on the big stage, but I miss the up-close and personal shows that we all enjoyed at small venues. At yesterday’s show, I was hoping to see a glimmer of the humble, small town, caring ETA that I first met four years ago before his meteoric rise in worldwide popularity.  I wanted to know if fame had changed him.  At yesterday’s matinee, I got my answer.

Woodbine Racetrack.

I do not wish to spoil the enjoyment for those who are seeing “Return to Grace” for the first time; so I will simply say for the benefit of those who have seen the show before, Monday’s show was scripted exactly as earlier shows.  It is a highly successful production, so why would they change it.  Steve has never looked, sounded, or performed better than in yesterday’s shows.  I saw both the matinee and evening performances.  The show covers the three decades of Elvis’s career.  As often happens with big shows at casinos that run for days, some attendees were there to see the show as a one off.  Others attended because they are Elvis fans.  And some, the “noisy ones”, are dedicated ETA fans, and who came specifically yesterday to see their favourite ETA.  ETA fans who were in the audience knew that during “Suspicious Minds”, Steve would be giving out scarves.  I was sitting stage right, so I could see Ashley, choreographer, back-up dancer and Steve’s wife, holding scarves stage left.  As soon as Steve was wearing the first scarf, I went up to the stage.  It was a beautiful moment, receiving a scarf and a kiss.  It reminded me of the early shows and why I was, and still am, very fond of Steve as a person.  Of course, what followed was the utter mayhem that always happens when a large group of women vie for a limited number of scarves.  I couldn’t quite see what happened, but it appears that one lady snatched a scarf from another lady.  After everyone was seated, Steve, who was obviously aware of what happened, consoled the offended lady with, “I will get you a scarf.”  Steve was in the low to the ground “I hope this suit don’t tear up, baby” part of the song when he asked for a scarf from backstage.  In what seemed an eternity, Steve commented that he didn’t know how long he could hold that position.  Wanting to help, I went to the stage and gave him back my scarf so he could give it to the lady.  The audience responded with a collective ahh, to which Steve replied, “Don’t worry.  She (meaning me) has received lots of scarves!”…LOL.  And as he was exiting the stage, Steve looked at me and said, “I will get you another scarf.”  Steve came back on stage with a red scarf for me, and a second kiss.  It was just the right ETA/fan connection reminiscent of earlier shows that I was hoping to experience.  

“Return to Grace”, Sept. 9, 2019. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.

At the evening show, I was able to sit back and enjoy Steve’s performance.  I had found the answer I was seeking at the matinee, so I was fully relaxed. My ticket for the evening show was on the floor, eleventh row, but I asked if I could sit at the back if seats were available.  I knew I would not be able to relive what I experienced in the matinee; so I wanted to be far removed from the stage.  For this show I wanted to be an observer, not a participant.  It gave me a very different perspective.

There are only a handful of experienced ETAs who can perform all three decades of Elvis convincingly.  Steve Michaels is at the top of the list.  He moved flawlessly through each decade using nothing more than a change of outfit and his voice.  It is a tight show with little room to wander during the hour and a half.  Polished and very professional, Steve’s timing was impeccable.  Even with an unexpected comment or two from the audience, Steve was able to keep the pace.  Backed by a terrific band, gorgeous dancers, and talented singers, Steve covered each decade with grace (pun intended).  Confident and comfortable on stage, Steve received well deserved standing ovations at the end of both shows.

If you have not had a chance to see “Return to Grace”, or if you want to experience it again, performances run until September 15th.   I wish to thank Kevin, Jason, and Tara at Fallsview Casino for their assistance yesterday.  And most of all I want to thank Steve Michaels for all the enjoyment he has brought to me and other fans through his honest tribute to Elvis.  He has succeeded in “Keeping His Memory Alive”.    

Before the show. Sept. 9, 2019.

Special Reminder:  Photographs are allowed at “Return to Grace”, but no flash photography or recordings of any kind.  If you have a camera, be advised that even with the setting marked “flash off”, there is a red light that can be seen on stage.  I was politely informed by security personnel that she received a message in her earpiece during Steve’s performance that he could see the red light, so I desisted from taking any more photos. 

Avalon Theatre, back row, floor. Narrator is seen on stage and on screens.

Editor’s Note:  In front of me, there was a young man with a great camera, so I gave him my email and said I would really appreciate any photos he could share.  During our conversation, he said he knew an ETA by the name of Brent Freeman.  What were the odds that in an audience of 1500, I would meet someone who knew Brent, my very first interviewed ETA! At the time of posting this article, I have not received any photos.  Neil was taking photos for a friend, so maybe the friend did not okay sending them.  I understand.  If the photos arrive later, I will be happy to post them.  In the meantime, I am including some photos of Steve from very early shows.  I apologize for me being in so many photos.  At the time I was a fan doing what fans do--take photos of themselves with their favourite ETA.      

I will end my article with the last line spoken in “Return to Grace” that speaks to the dedication of fans and ETAs who still remember and honour Elvis Presley:  For those who are Elvis fans, no explanation is necessary; for those who are not Elvis fans, no explanation is possible.

I managed to take two really great photos of three of the four wonderfully talented back-up singers: Sharon, whom I met in the restaurant; and sisters Rochelle and Camille whom I met in the lobby.  The rest of the photos from yesterday are like all photos taken without a flash in a foggy room with poor lighting…not great.     

Photos from Some of Steve’s Shows

Guelph

Fergus

Port Hope

Milton

Woodbine Racetrack

Brampton

Mohawk Racetrack

Flamboro Racetrack

Hershey Centre, Mississauga

Recap of ETA Garry Wesley's Show

ETA Garry Wesley and Elaine Wesley as Patsy Cline

It was such a pleasure seeing ward-winning ETA Garry Wesley in concert twice this year.  In May, I saw Garry for the first time at East Plains United Church in Burlington, ON.  If you read the write-up I posted about the May show, you will know that the circumstances that led me to the first show are rather interesting.  To briefly recap:  Months earlier, in ETA Donny Edward’s interview that I was preparing for Spotlight On (posted June 27th), Donny mentioned that ETA Garry Wesley mentored him early in his career.  When Frances, a SB Mag friend and ETA fan, told me she had tickets to see Garry Wesley at a church in Burlington, I was astounded by the coincidence.  It seemed unfathomable that an ETA from Wisconsin with a connection to an ETA in Las Vegas, whom I had recently interviewed, should be appearing local church in Burlington, Ontario!

Elaine Wesley, Harmony United Church, Brantford, ON, August 26, 2019

It was a great show at East Plains United Church, and I was extremely happy to hear that Garry was returning to Ontario for an extended summer tour.  I was equally happy when I was able to offer a lucky fan a prize package of two tickets, a DVD, and a CD to one of Garry’s shows, through the generosity of Garry Wesley and his Ontario agent, Nigel Husing.

On August 26th, I travelled to Brantford to see Garry’s show and meet with our winners, Ozzie and Dorine from Cambridge, ON.  For the August run of shows, Garry was joined by his wife, Elaine, who is a Patsy Cline tribute artist.  As a Patsy Cline fan, I was looking forward to hearing Elaine sing my favourite PC songs. I was also looking forward to meeting Elaine, whom I knew only through Facebook messages, in person. Both Lori-Anne and I were surprised to find Elaine waiting at the door as we entered. Off stage and on stage, the talented Mrs. Wesley is charming, warm and friendly.

Elaine’s performance gave me chills.  With each song about love lost (“I Fall to Pieces”) and love found (“Back in Baby’s Arms”), Elaine took me back to the days when I played Patsy Cline tapes over and over on my cassette player. 

Throughout her performance, Elaine told wonderful stories about her time singing with the Jordanaires; and she shared the highlights of Patsy Cline’s short, but stellar, career.  Elaine said that she had the option of performing tributes to other artists—Connie Francis, Loretta Lynn, June Carter, for example; but Patsy Cline stood out among the others.  Elaine relayed the story of how Loretta Lynn at age 14 contacted Patsy Cline after Pasty was in a serious car accident and said she would sing for Patsy on radio that night.  In memory of that broadcast, Elaine sang the hauntingly beautiful “She’s Got You.”

Irene Lobsinger, SB Mag follower, and her friends.

Elaine, who worked for seven years in Nashville and thirty-one in Memphis, introduced the Patsy Cline/Jim Reeves song “Have You Ever Been Lonely” by reminiscing about her mom playing the song as she did the dishes.  Recalling the first time she ever danced, at age four with her dad, Elaine dedicated “Tennessee Waltz” in memory of her dad and to all dads.  

As a final tribute to Patsy, who left us too soon in her 31st year in a tragic plane crash, Elaine ended her performance by singing with “Crazy”. 

Della, Carolyn, and Sandra.

During intermission, I had the opportunity to say hi to SB Mag’s followers and friends.  It warmed my heart to see so many familiar faces.  Irene brought along some friends and her cousin, Della.  Sandra, whom we know from many ETA shows, was there to enjoy the show with her cousin, Bonnie.  Our prize winners, Ozzie and Dorine Bertin, came to see the show and receive their CD and DVD, plus purchase more of Garry’s DVDs, CDs, and 8 x 10s.  The church volunteers offered ice cream bars and light refreshments for very reasonable prices, and also sold tickets for a 50/50 draw.  Little homey touches such as this are appreciated very much by an audience, and as one fan said in her message, “That’s what I like about smaller shows like at the church…more fun and personal!”  I couldn’t agree more. 

Reverend Robert Lawson and volunteers.

I missed seeing Nigel Husing, Garry’s booking agent in Ontario; but I had the pleasure of meeting Diane Gordon Markell and Bill Watson, who, in his words, is Garry and Elaine’s chauffeur for their Ontario tour.  Bill first met Garry 12 years ago through his distant relative Bernie Jessome who was a Roy Orbison tribute artist who was working with Garry in a tribute show.  Bill and Diane have been travelling to Wisconsin for the past four years to see Garry’s Elvis Fest Jamboree.  Of special interest to SB Mag readers, ETA Ron Tutor Jr., from Illinois, won the title of Grand Champion at the 2019 Elvis Fest Jamboree.  Ron was featured in Focus On in SIDEBURNS Magazine, September 22nd, 2018.

Contest winner, Ozzie Bertin, Elaine Wesley, ETA Garry Wesley, and Dorine Bertin at Harmony United Church, Brantford, ON, August 26th, 2019.

After intermission, award-winning ETA Garry Wesley hit the stage wearing a dazzling white fringed jumpsuit.  Performing songs from the concert years, starting with “CC Rider” and “Burning Love”, Garry honoured the King of Rock ‘n’ Rock with every movement and note.  Asking if there were any Beatles fans (“Wrong show!”), Garry superbly sang George Harrison’s “Something”.  Reminding us that Elvis considered “You Gave me a Mountain” as a gospel song (perhaps because it is sometimes credited as “Lord, You Gave me a Mountain”), Garry’s singing of the classic song earned a hearty round of applause.  As with the East Plains United Church show, the Harmony United Church audience, which was mostly church members who were there to support the church event and not specifically Elvis fans, was starting to really enjoy themselves. You can always spot the dedicated Elvis and ETA fans at church shows because they are the ones who will shout out titles of songs they want the ETA to sing, and they know when to participate in songs like “Sweet Caroline”and “Stop, Look, and Listen”. They also have no qualms about getting up to dance if the music moves them. Whatever the mix people or their reason for being there, this palpable shift in an audience’s response at church shows is my favourite part of the evening. It is the moment the entire audience “gets into” the show.

Leaving the stage to hand out teddy bears during “Teddy Bear/Don’t Be Cruel”, Garry made lucky ladies like Joyce, who is pictured in the photo holding her bear, feel very special and happy. 

Back on stage, Garry paused to take a drink and joked with the audience about what was in the bottle. Someone in the audience shouted, “Moonshine.” Garry quipped that if he was drinking anything but water, he would be doing Dean Martin and wearing a black suit…lol.  With that said, Garry wowed the audience with “Johnny B Goode”. After the song, which received rousing applause, Garry told the audience that he still has some trepidation about performing rock and roll songs in his Elvis tributes held in churches.

When Garry was just starting out on his ETA path as a teenager, he was invited by his friend to her church so he could practice on the piano in the church basement.  Garry was learning to play “I Can’t Help Falling in Love”, when his friend took over the keys and pounded out “Tooty Fruity”.  Within two minutes, the pastor appeared at the door and adamantly announced, “That stuff does not play in church!”  From that moment onward, Garry always felt hesitant about playing rock music in church…until he made his first appearance at Uxbridge Trinity United Church a few years ago.  Still scared to pay rock and roll in his church shows, the Reverend at Trinity United church said, “Go for it!”  And at his Harmony United Church show, and at all of his United Church shows in Ontario, Garry did go for it, singing some of Elvis’s greatest rock and roll songs. As Reverend Robert Lawson, minister at Harmony United Church aptly stated, “Elvis is making money for churches one hip swivel at a time!”

Garry’s set also included “In the Ghetto” and “Why me, Lord”, which touched many hearts, and “How Great Thou Are” that brought audience members to their feet.

SB Mag follower, Susan Hughes, whose two passions are Elvis and horses, was at an earlier Garry Wesley show, but missed getting a scarf.  Susan has a room in her home where she displays her horse memorabilia and her ETA scarves. She has almost every colour of scarf, except for purple, and pink, which is her favourite colour.  On August 30th at the Uxbridge Trinity United Church show, in the company of her grandson, Wyatt, who knows all of Elvis’s songs, Susan received a lovely pink scarf. At the Harmony United Church show, another happy recipient of a scarf, this time in blue, was our friend Sandra.  It was her first ever ETA scarf!  On the same night, Bernice was presented with a red scarf.  Thank you, Garry, for making my SB Mag friends and ETA fans very happy!  

Perhaps one of the most difficult songs for an ETA to sing—so difficult, that some ETAs leave it out of their shows, is the song “Hurt”.  Garry sang the song with such power and conviction that appreciative audience members cheered. 

Nearing the end of his splendid set, Garry dedicated “Don’t Stop Loving Me” to Elaine.  Garry and Elaine, who celebrated their 31st anniversary on August 20th, closed the show with a duet.  Garry thanked the audience for making them feel so welcome, and gave a special nod to conductor and musician, Julian Warme, for looking after the music for the show.

After their show, Garry and Elaine spent a generous amount of time chatting, signing autographs, and taking photos with fans and friends. It was a great ending to a wonderful evening of entertainment.

“It was excellent!” (Sandra)

On behalf of everyone who had the pleasure of seeing your Ontario shows, thank you, Garry and Elaine Wesley, for sharing your love of performing with all of us.  We looked forward to your return. Love from your fans, friends, and family at SIDEBURNS Magazine. C.M.

Photo Album

(Photo Credits: Lori-Anne Crewe, Bill Watson, Garry and Elaine Wesley, Susan Hughes, and Carolyn MacArthur).

“It was excellent!” (Sandra)

On behalf of everyone who had the pleasure of seeing your Ontario shows, thank you, Garry and Elaine Wesley, for sharing your love of performing with all of us.  We looked forward to your return. Love from your fans, friends, and family at SIDEBURNS Magazine. C.M.