Collingwood Elvis Fest Founder's New Event in Markham

Introduction

by Carolyn MacArthur, Editor, SIDEBURNS Magazine

Two years ago, I contacted Dorian Baxter, aka Elvis Priestly, about the possibility of an interview. After a phone call, several messages and emails, and a lot of research, I sent an interview questionnaire to Dorian. Jump ahead to 2020, and the most interesting turn of events has happened.

Wisconsin ETA Garry Wesley with his Canadian agent, Nigel Husing. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.

You may remember an article I wrote after ETA Garry Wesley’s performance in Burlington, ON, May 29th, 2019. In the article, I mentioned Garry’s agent in Canada, Nigel Husing. Nigel shared a story of how he first met Garry and how he subsequently became his manager. Besides managing Garry Wesley’s shows in Ontario, Nigel has also booked other well-known ETAs, such as Gino Monopoli and Bruce Stewart; and it was Nigel’s suggestion that I interview Jay Zanier.

During our messages last week, Nigel asked if I would like to interview Elvis Priestly which prompted me to check my old emails from Dorian. When I contacted Dorian, he said he thought he had answered my questions (“unless I was dreaming!!! Lol!!!”). Turns out he was dreaming; so I sent him another copy of the questionnaire.

Archbishop Dorian Baxter talks about the self-published book, From Mombasa to Memphis, which details key moments in how Elvis Presley changed his life. Kim Champion/NewmarketToday

Dorian has been very busy since we last spoke. In his recent email, he wrote about the "take-over" of the Collingwood Elvis Festival by ‘myself’, the originator Billy Cann and the World Famous Johnny Stuart of Las Vegas; and he suggested, “Our website may be a good place to start  wtac.info.  Although Elvis is the obvious headliner, we are expending it exponentially by making it The World Tribute Artist's Convention and Competition".

On February 23rd, 2020, Dorian posted a photo of himself in a bed at the Toronto Western Hospital after emergency brain surgery the night before to deal with a "delayed brain bleed" that was initiated in December, 2019 when he slipped on ice delivering Christmas hampers. Fully recovered, Dorian, an Archbishop at the Federation of Independent Anglican Churches of North America, offers daily sermons on his Facebook page.

ETAs Donny Edwards and Garry Wesley with a vendor fan. Photo Credit: Donny Edwards.

So, over the past two years, an amazing web of ETA connections has been created: In his interview, Donny Edwards mentioned Garry Wesley, who performed in my town, which led to me meeting Nigel Husing, which led to posting Jay Zanier, and then back to Dorian Baxter! Sounds a little like “This is the House that Jack Built”…lol. There is something in the works that involves ETAs, Nigel Husing, 89.7 radio personality Jim Glover, and Dorian Baxter; but that is all I am at liberty to say at the moment. Keep following SIDEBURNS Magazine for some exciting news.

Jim Glover, 89.7 FM Northumberland Small Town Radio. Photo from Jim’s FB page.

Continuing on with the subject of Dorian Baxter and his new festival venture, and the new look of the ‘old’ Collingwood Elvis Festival, the following three articles - the first two by Erika Engel, posted in Collingwood Today on January 27th, 2020, and on February 2nd in Orillia Matters, and the third by Kim Champion, posted in Newmarket Today on January 3rd, 2020 - provide valuable information about both festivals.

Editor’s Notes: Due to CoVid 19, many of the planned events mentioned in the articles had to be cancelled. With the uncertainty of the times we live in, it must be extremely difficult for organizers to plan any events.

For your enjoyment, I have added my own photos of happy times at Collingwood to the articles and a photo album at the end. All other photos have been credited. If you wish to read my ETA interviews, please click on any of the names that appear in brighter white. Best regards, Carolyn MacArthur.

What's an Elvis Presley experience without a little handshake or kiss from the performer? Erika Engel/CollingwoodToday.

Collingwood Elvis Festival Under New Management...Again

by Erika Engel, Collingwood Today, January 27, 2020

There will be an Elvis event in Collingwood in 2020, but the town announced the private enterprise that originally signed on to run it will no longer be doing so, and it will move to the next company in the queue. The town has confirmed it is working with a new (second) private company for the special events permit process. 

Group photo of ETAs, 2019. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.

Collingwood's Elvis Festival is changing hands again. 

Last year the town received proposals from private companies to take over the Collingwood Elvis Festival, and began working with a proponent to plan for the 2020 festival.

However, the town announced today it has switched proponents and is now working with Jason Sherry Management for the permitting process for an Elvis event in 2020.

"After several months of working with the initial proponent through what is an extremely challenging business case, a joint decision was made with the initial proponent to move on to the second proponent in the interests of trying to ensure a successful festival for 2020," states a notice posted to the town's website this afternoon.

Last year, council voted to end municipal funding for the annual Collingwood Elvis Festival, which ran for 25 years, most of them as a town-run event. 

ETA Bruce Stewart and his wife, Blaze, at the 2018 Collingwood Elvis Festival. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.

The plan was for the festival to continue under the operation of a private enterprise, and the town would issue a special event permit for the festival organizers. The permit applications are received and reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. 

In April 2019, the town already had an unsolicited proposal from Gardhouse Enterprises Inc. to take over operation of the festival, and the town received two more proposals after the Gardhouse submission. The town did not release the names of the companies who submitted the other two proposals. 

According to town staff, the applicant of a special event permit must meet conditions put forward by the clerk, the parks, recreation and culture department, the fire department, OPP, public works, and the BIA for events in the downtown district. The applicant in the special event permit process is typically asked for traffic management plans, security and emergency plans, noise control plans, and proof of insurance, according to the staff report.

Enthusiastic fans gather at Blue Mountain Village in Collingwood to enjoy ETA Gino Monopoli’s show in 2018. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.

Karen Cubitt, manager of culture and events told council in the spring, the town would also be asking to see proof of the licensing agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises. 

If the first applicant is unable to meet the conditions, staff will not issue a permit, and will move on to the next proposal in queue.

The fee for a special event permit for the Collingwood Elvis Festival would be $750, and the town would also receive revenue from the rental of town-owned facilities and property for the Elvis Festival should a successful applicant be issued a permit.

Ultimate ETA Gordon Hendricks at the 2018 Collingwood Elvis Festival. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.

As of mid-January the town has been working with Jason Sherry Management for an event tentatively scheduled from July 23 to 26 and tentatively titled Collingwood Tribute Festival, states the town's website.

The town notice also states more information can be found at the proponent's website here.  According to that website, TributeFestival.rocks is the company behind the new Collingwood Festival. The company's website states it was founded in Lake George, New York and has since produced over 60 festivals and hundreds of concerts. 

More to come. 

Collingwood Elvis Festival Still Needs a Host

by Erika Engel, Orillia Matters, February 2nd, 2020

Grand Champion winner, Tim E Hendry, at the 2018 Collingwood Elvis Festival. Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe for SIDEBURNS Magazine.

Mayor Brian Saunderson said the town is working with proponents on a 2020 or 2021 festival.

The town announced at the beginning of this week it was working with a second proponent, Jason Sherry Management, in the permitting process for an Elvis festival for Collingwood.

The town recently posted an update to that announcement, saying it was moving down the list again to work with a third applicant after Jason Sherry Management withdrew its application.

The town has not announced the name of the third proponent.

Rosemarie Garrity O’Brien was honoured with an autographed framed photo for her many years of dedicated service to the Collingwood Elvis Festival. Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe.

Mayor Brian Saunderson, in an email to CollingwoodToday, said the town was working with proponents to facilitate the festival in 2020 or, possibly, 2021.

As of now, no event permit has been granted.

Last year, council voted to end municipal funding for the annual Collingwood Elvis Festival, which ran for 25 years, most of them as a town-run event.

The plan was for the festival to continue under the operation of a private enterprise, and the town would issue a special event permit for the festival organizers. The permit applications are received and reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.

In April 2019, the town already had an unsolicited proposal from Gardhouse Enterprises Inc. to take over operation of the festival, and the town received two more proposals after the Gardhouse submission. The town did not release the names of the companies that submitted the other two proposals.

Collingwood Elvis Fest Founder Planning New Tribute Event in Markham

by Kim Champion, Collingwood Today, January 3rd, 2020

Billy Cann and Newmarket Archbishop Dorian Baxter are part of a trio that will bring the 2020 World Tribute Artists Convention and Championships to York Region this July. Missing from the photo is Legends in Concert creator John Stuart. Kim Champion/NewmarketToday

The resurrection of a world-class fest begins Sunday with a celebration of the King's birthday in Newmarket.

The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s 85th birthday celebration packages may be sold out at Graceland, but you can get your blue suede shoes on and head down to the Newmarket Legion Sunday for a party that promises to be fit for a king.

Newmarket Anglican Archbishop Dorian Baxter (left) and Billy Cann, founder of the now-defunct 25-year-long Collingwood Elvis Festival, are part of a trio that will revive that event into the new 2020 World Tribute Artists Convention and Championships to be held in York Region this July. The pair visited NewmarketToday Jan. 2 and drove up in Baxter's 1989 Cadillac Eldorado, a personal favourite vehicle of the King of Rock 'n' Roll himself. Kim Champion/NewmarketToday

The legendary cultural icon Elvis Presley died more than four decades ago, but his music and timeless talent live on locally through Newmarket Anglican Archbishop Dorian Baxter, who is known by the moniker “Elvis Priestley” for his rousing tributes to the rock star on the pulpit and off.

In honour of the King’s birthday and 17th anniversary of the founding of Baxter’s Independent Anglican Church of Canada parish, Christ the King, Graceland, the community is invited to attend a service and celebration that begins at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 5 at the Royal Canadian Legion, Milton Wesley Branch #426, 707 Srigley St., Newmarket.

A band, other musical guests and tribute artists round out the event, which includes a free buffet lunch hosted by the parish’s Anglican Church Women group.

Archbishop Dorian Baxter and Christ the King, Graceland church members are shown here at the 2016 Newmarket Santa Claus Parade. The church theme was Touched by two Kings: Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, who worshipped Jesus Christ, the King Of Kings. Supplied photo/Dorian Baxter

“After the service, I take off my robes and jump on the stage and turn into Elvis,” Baxter said with enthusiasm about performing his all-time favourite Elvis gospel song, How Great Thou Art. “It’s like Bob Barker, the price is right, it’s free.”

This Sunday’s event may get local Elvis fans particularly all shook up.

That’s because Baxter, together with the founder of the 25-year-long Collingwood Elvis Festival, Billy Cann, and the creator of the award-winning Vegas production, Legends in Concert, John Stuart, known as the father of the worldwide tribute artist movement, have joined forces to revive the world’s largest Collingwood fest after that town council voted unanimously last year to end its support.

The Collingwood festival was awarded to a private company, but is slated to occur at the same time (last weekend in July) in 2020.

Billy Cann is shown here in an undated photo during his starring role in Memories and Reflections of the King. Supplied photo/Billy Cann

Cann, who gained international acclaim as an Elvis tribute artist for the 25 years preceding his retirement in 1994, founded the Collingwood Elvis Festival in 1995 when he was living there. The event went on to become one of the world’s largest celebrations of Elvis and his music.

The trio have expanded the Collingwood festival concept to include a multitude of tribute artists and celebrity look-a-likes, with Elvises remaining as the headliner, and will launch the 2020 World Tribute Artists Convention and Championships in York Region in July.

The new event will be held July 22 to 26 at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel at highways 404 and 7 in Markham, which would coincide with the Collingwood dates. 

“Billy Cann rescued the Collingwood event and we’re bringing it to York Region,” Baxter said. “We’re moving forward. There’s enough Elvis fans to sustain Collingwood if they want to resuscitate it, and for this new one that we’re doing, it’s actually a world tribute artist convention and championship. The good thing about ours is that Elvis is headlining, but we’ve opened it up. We’ve got people coming from Europe, Australia, and all over the U.S.”

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“You wouldn’t believe how thankful the Elvis fans are that Billy has stepped back in,” he said. “There’s enough Elvis fans for everybody. I’ve got 5,000 followers on Facebook and most of them are Elvis tribute artists or fans. There’s a lot of them who’ve been faithful to Collingwood, but it’s a long journey, and they are absolutely thrilled about this because they live here in York Region.”

For more information about the 2020 World Tribute Artists Convention and Championships, visit here.

Photo Album: Collingwood 2018

Congratulations, Wendy King!

Honestly, my whole life I just wanted to do something that would promote or share or educate about Elvis. Wendy King.

Today Wendy King picked up her much deserved award for her 25 years of service to the Collingwood Elvis Festival. Wendy was “over the moon” when she learned in December 2019 that she was a recipient of the prestigious award given to only ten individuals for their “unyielding loyalty, enrichment and dedication”. Winter weather, and then CoVid restrictions, prevented Wendy from collecting her award earlier; but today Wendy received her award from Rosemarie Garrity O’Brien. On her Facebook page, Wendy wrote of the experience and shared some memories:

I took a solitary drive up to Collingwood today on the day we should have all been there for the Elvis Festival if things were as we wish they were. I went up to receive a beautiful award from Rosemary and the town for working with the festival over 25 years. I had no idea how emotional it would be. Everywhere I looked a memory. From the first Tim Horton's I hit which was always where I got a couple dozen King Cookies for the gang. Past the Curling Club which years ago was where the vendors were set up. Mostly I remember it being crowded and hot. Always promoted as air conditioned but all I remember was a giant fan. Past the Gayety Theatre where we enjoyed so many great performances. Also hot. Main street where we couldn't walk 2 feet without meeting a friend and having a chat, a hug or a kiss. We were all celebrities in Collingwood. Memories of bad motels and really nice ones. The times we got to meet and greet so many of Elvis family and friends and co-workers who to me were the true stars of the show.

Emotional and amazing wins by so many guys who became great friends Marcus Wells, James Gibb, Tim 'E' Hendry, David Lee and 2 time Collingwood champion Gordon Hendricks to name just a few. Their well deserved wins almost make up for the "deaf, dumb and blind" slings hurled every year at the judging panel. I was always so proud to serve in that way--I felt it was my calling. I was supposed to go get the award around Christmas but then winter happened and then Covid, so today was the day and as luck would have it the first day we could go inside a restaurant for lunch and that's what ,Rosemarie Garrity O'Brien and I did. Timing was actually meant to be. I thought of all the intensity of the competitions and of how I took every win and loss to heart. To receive this beautiful award now puts a perfect bow on 25 years.
All done for the love of one man who means everything to me--Elvis. The plaque reads "For your unyielding loyalty,enrichment and dedication to our Festival, our community and our lives. You will forever be a part of its memorable history and success. Presented to Wendy King." So honoured. Thank you.

Tributes to Wendy

Just a few of the many congratulatory messages Wendy received.

James Gibb I’m so happy this happened for you Wendy!..Nobody tries to do what’s best for Elvis than you..It’s about time you were awarded for what you do for him!

Marianne Rose Congratulations once again my dear friend. You certainly deserved it for all you did to promote and support the Collingwood Elvis Festival!! No one could be a better ambassador for the celebration of Elvis!! Your knowledge of all things Elvis is incredible! Your value as a knowledgeable judge is priceless!!
I hope you have been able to relax this evening as I am sure it was an emotional day! Well done Wendy!!

Vicki Howe Congratulations! Most deserving!!! Whenever I hear Elvis, I think of YOU!!!

Irv Cass BEAUTIFUL, well DESERVED,,,,, ENJOY, be SAFE, be WELL.

Rosemary Cancilla Congratulations Wendy what a beautiful honour

Mark Campbell I think it’s awesome when someone is so passionate about someone who meant the world to them. Congrats , well deserved.

Marcus Wells Oh Wendy King. You so richly deserve this... I'm super nostalgic right now. Kisses and hugs to you. I'll forever be grateful for Collingwood giving you to me.

Kelee Goodfellow-Sanford Congratulations on your award Wendy!! It's so nice that you were able to go down memory lane and have a nice visit and lunch with Rosemarie!!

Cherie Card Dalske Beautifully expressed. I’m so grateful that my family had the honor to come and experience your country and festival and even more so that we were there for the last year. Thank you and everyone for all you did and making us feel at home and like family ❤️ Congratulations!

Meredith MacKinlay I was pretty late to the party on the whole Elvis world (WTF, am I dating an Elvis impersonator, I yelled to my sister before my third date with Mike), but I am missing it all so much.

From all of us, thank you, Wendy, for enriching the ETA world with your knowledge, grace, and dedication to Elvis.

Spotlight ON: ETA Jay Zanier

Introduction

ETA Jay Zanier at Collingwood 2018. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.

The first time I saw ETA Jay Zanier was when he performed in two great shows at Casino Niagara’s Silver Aces series a couple of years ago. I saw Jay for the third time on the outdoor stage at the 2018 Collingwood Elvis Festival, but missed his Saturday main stage performance because I was interviewing in the media room. Luckily, Lori-Anne Crewe, SIDEBURNS Magazine’s photographer, was able to capture the evening in stunning photos.

The following day, Lori-Anne and I went to the Blue Mountain Village to see ETA James Gibb’s gazebo gospel show where a surprised Jay, who had come to enjoy his friend’s show, was asked by James to join him in singing some impromptu gospel songs. It was a spectacular performance by both. I discovered while working on both James and Jay’s interviews, that the Sunday show we enjoyed so much was not the first time these two ETAs joined voices to sing Elvis gospel. As seen in the video in the interview, Jay and James were part of a spectacular gospel show that included Dwight Icenhower, Mark Anthony, and Diogo Light on the 2013 Malt Shop Memories Cruise.

Other than knowing that Jay has a beautiful singing voice, won a competition at Collingwood, which earned him a ticket to the Ultimate, and that he lives somewhere in Ontario, I knew little else about Jay prior to his interview. I can now say with some confidence: Jay has a great sense of humour; he is a dedicated employee; he loves to entertain; and he listens to his wife. I hope you all enjoy reading Jay’s “enlightening” interview as much as I did preparing it. Cheers! C.M.

The Interview

Q.  Where were you born and raised?  Where do you now reside?

A.  I was born and raised in Toronto and now reside in Guelph Ontario.

ETA Jay Zanier. Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe.

Q.  Describe your life as a teenager.  

A.  I was raised in downtown Toronto and loved playing ball hockey with the nearby kids. I also loved swimming and taking long bike rides along the lake and meeting new people along the way. 

Q.  What career path did you decide to take after high school? 

A.  I got a job in construction right away and began working towards getting my electrical licence.

Q.  Did you take any lessons related to the performing arts?  Please explain.

A.  No I didn’t take any lessons regarding performing arts.  My music teacher was Elvis himselvis.  I would listen to his records over and over till I got it right.  I was also self-taught to play guitar.

Q.  What music was most often heard in your home?

A. Being form an Italian family, the music most played in our household growing up was Italian pop and folk music, and Elvis of course also.  My siblings and I loved Elvis. 

Q.  Were you a performer prior to becoming an ETA? 

A.  I most definitely was.  I would played guitar and sang at restaurants and little clubs around the city.  

Q.  What made you decide to embark on a career as an ETA?

A.  There was a show called Speakers Corner on City T.V. that was having an Elvis competition which I joined and won first prize.  I liked the feeling of performing as Elvis and continued to do so.  

ETA Jay Zanier. Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe.

Q.  Describe what you were feeling before, during, and after your first performance as an ETA.

A.  It was at my sister’s wedding.  I was nervous because it was her special day and I didn’t want to mess up.  It ended up better than I could have expected.  We even had all her ushers walk me into the hall like the Memphis mafia. 

Q.  Describe the atmosphere before a competition (or performance) backstage.

A.  Everyone is nervous, but at the same time wishing each other luck.  We usually try to go to a quiet corner of the room to warm up.  If anyone needs help or is missing something, there is always one of us that will lend a helping hand.  

Q.  Describe the process of turning yourself into a stage ready ETA.

A.  It is all in the suit.  Get an authentic suit and you’re in the force…LOL

Q.  Describe how you felt before, during, and after your first competition.  Did you achieve the outcome you desired?

A. It was at York Cinema Movie Theatre in Toronto during the finals of the City T.V. Speaker’s Corner Elvis Competition.  I looked around and saw all these other Elvises with these authentic suits, and they all looked so professional.  I was wearing a jumpsuit that my mom made for me in four days time.  No one was even paying attention to me, which made me even more nervous.  When it was my turn to sing, all I had was my guitar.   Everyone else had tracks or some other musicians and backup singers to accompany them. 

ETA Jay Zanier. Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe.

With my palms sweating and my whole body shaking from nervousness, I managed to sing my favourite Elvis song at the time, “One Night with You”.  At the end of my performance, the roar that was coming from the audience made me blush for the rest of the night.  They actually had to let the crowd calm down before the next performer could take the stage…Oh ya…I won!  

Q.  What is the biggest mistake that young ETAs make in their tribute?

A.  They wear jumpsuits and sing power ballads that are too out of their range to sing.  They also move too much at unnecessary times.

Q.  What valuable life lessons did you learn from your parents, or mentor, that you still use today?

A.  Treat your fellow man with respect and kindness.  Treat people the way you want to be treated. 

Jay Zanier, Dwight Icenhower, Mark Anthony, James Gibb and Di Leichtweis perform Elvis Gospel Songs on the 2013 Malt Shop Memories Cruise.

Q.  Describe the highlights of your ETA career.

A.  Being the first and only Canadian to make the top 10 in the very first Ultimate Elvis Competition held by Elvis Presley Enterprises in Memphis in year 2007 was a highlight, winning the “Crowning Of The King” Competition held at The Collingwood Elvis Festival where for the first and only time the judges were “The Imperials”, one of Elvis’s original Vegas quartet groups, being asked to perform on “The Elvis Cruise” sanctioned by EPE, and becoming part of the Star Vista family and performing on The Malt Shop and Country Cruise are the highlights of my ETA career. 

Q.  What is the best part of being an ETA?

A.  The best part of being an ETA is being able to see new cities and countries around the world and travelling and meeting people. 

Q.  How are you different on stage compared to off stage?

A.  I am actually the same person off and on stage.

Q.  What ETA title would you like to have that has so far escaped you?

A. The Ultimate Elvis Competition title held by Elvis Presley Enterprise.

ETA Jay Zanier in a photo by Lori-Anne Crewe.

Q.  Would you want to judge an ETA competition?  What do you think are the challenges of being an ETA competition judge?

A.  I have judged one time and it was the hardest thing to do.  They are all my friends up there and I didn’t want to hurt any ones feelings.  But they were all great and understanding.  I judged accordingly. 

Q.  What makes you sad?  How do you cope with sadness?

A.  Sad movies make me sad; so I try not to watch sad movies.

Q.  In what international cities have you performed?  How are audiences different in different countries?

A.  I have performed in many international cities around the world and loved everyone.  I found that London and Glasgow have fun crowds to perform for; they really get into the songs and love to dance.  I found that in Quebec City they like to listen and sit more than any other venues I have been to.  In Italy, they like to sing along to the songs they know, mostly the ballads.

Q.  Is there a country where you really want to perform as an ETA?

A.  I would like to perform in Australia. 

ETA Jay Zanier at the 2018 Collingwood Elvis Festival. Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe.

Q.  What are your strengths as a performer?

A.  My ability to capture the feelings in the songs is my strength, especially ballads and gospel songs. 

Q.  Describe your typical non-performance day.

A.  I love to watch movies and play my ukulele.  Then my wife gets involved and makes me do my chores around the house like cleaning the garden, planting new flowers, cutting the grass and hedges.  Don’t forget to vacuum the floors …LOL 

Then it’s Costco time…go buy groceries and come home with extra stuff we don’t need…LOL

Q.  If it were possible, what would you like to ask Elvis?  What would you say to him?

A.  I would ask Elvis what he thinks about all the artists paying tribute to him. 

Q.  If you weren’t an ETA, what career would you choose?  Why?

A.  I have a career in HVAC.  I always liked to challenge myself in learning about how things are built, how they are installed, and how they work.

Q.  What has surprised you most about being an ETA?

A. The reaction I get when fans say hi to me at a meet and greet.  For some reason they get very nervous, which always makes me laugh. 

ETA Jay Zanier interacting with the audience at the 2018 Collingwood Elvis Festival. Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe for SIDEBURNS Magazine.

Q.  Describe a special moment with a fan or audience member.

A.  I was on “The Elvis Cruise” a few years ago, and we were doing a meet and greet after one of our performances.  People were lining up for pictures with all the performers, and I noticed that there was a woman at the end of the room by herself.  I left the line and noticed the woman was in a wheel chair.  I asked all the performers to follow me, which they did; and we all surprised the lady by giving her all of our attention.  She and her family were so grateful for what I and the other ETAs did, that we are still in touch on Facebook today after many years.  It turned out that she was a stroke survivor and it was her first trip since the incident.

Q.  How do you decide who receives a scarf during a performance?

A.  Usually the scarf will go to whoever comes to the stage first.  If no one comes to the stage, I will hand them out evenly through the room and try not to favour a side. 

The scarves wearing flying at ETA Jay Zanier’s show the Collingwood Elvis Festival. Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe for SIDEBURNS Magazine.

Q. What sacrifices have you made for your ETA career?

A. For me it is the opposite: I have given up many shows and travel through my years of paying tribute to Elvis because of my HVAC career.  Even though my boss is very understanding, I try not to leave the company guys over worked; but things usually work out for the most part.  

Q.  What Elvis costume is your favourite?  Why?

A.  The Aloha suit is my favourite.  “Aloha from Hawaii” was the first concert I remember seeing as a child, and it was at that moment that Elvis would change my life. 

Q.  How do you care for your costumes so they are always stage ready?

A.  I throw them in the wash and then hang them to dry--very easy maintenance. 

Q.  Who taught you how to apply your Elvis makeup?

A.  There is not enough make-up in this world that would make me look like Elvis.  I just put some on to hide my beard. 

Q.  What special care does your hair or wig require to keep it looking good?

A.  I have very curly hair so I straighten it with a very hot iron and put a lot of hair products to keep it in place which usually lasts for about two songs before it goes crazy…LOL 

ETA Jay Zanier. Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe.

Q.  What annoys you?

A.  My curly hair.

Q.  What do you fear?

A.  Going bald. 

Q.  What makes you laugh?

A.  A great joke! 

Q.  How do you handle disappointment?

A.  I just do.  I have always had a way of looking at things in a good way, even if it ends in disappointment. 

Q.  How will you know when it is time to retire from being an ETA?

A.  The time that I feel my singing and performance is suffering and not up to par, I will say goodbye to my tribute.  But that doesn’t mean quitting singing all together.  I will still do shows as myself here and there.  As long as people keep coming, I will entertain.

Jay and his wife, Lynn, in Rome, Italy.

Q.  What will you do in retirement?

A.  Hopefully travel and see the world with my wife and a few friends. 

Q.  Who are the people you would like to thank for being there throughout your ETA career?

A.  First my mom.  She was there from the beginning, from making my first of many costumes to compete in, to making all my scarves throughout my career. 

A second first, my wife, Lynne, who supported me from the first day she met me.  She was my person to go to when I needed help to put all my tracks on the computer, to doing my sound and lighting when doing a track show.  She was there when I won the first Ultimate Elvis preliminary in Collingwood and kept my head on my shoulders.  In all the ups and downs I have gone through with this thing we call the Elvis world, Lynne has always been there by my side. 

I would like to thank Linda for believing in me, and asking me to perform alongside other ETAs on the Malt Shop and Country Cruises for the last 10 years; and Gerie and The Koasters for being my incredible band for the last 20 something year-- you guys rock and roll!

Stunning photo of ETA Jay Zanier by photographer Lori-Anne Crewe.

Q.  What question would you ask a fellow ETA?

A.  Where did you get those blue eyes? 

Q.  What would people be surprised to learn about you?

A.  I love to bake, and I love to eat sweets. 

Q.  What would you like to say to the backup singers and band members with whom you perform?

A. They are more like family to me than anything and I wouldn’t want to share the stage with anyone else.  I feel honoured to share the stage alongside them every time we do a show. 

Q.  What song do you wish Elvis had recorded so you could sing it on stage during your tribute to Elvis?

A.  An Italian song called “Non Ti Scordar Di Me” (Do Not Forget Me). 

Q.  What question do you wish I had asked, but didn’t?

A.  I think you got it all.  Thank you. 

Slide Show with Photos by Lori-Anne Crewe

Photo Album

With Jay’s permission, I borrowed photos from his Facebook page and put together the following album. You will no doubt recognize many faces in the photos. Thank you to the following people whose photos appear: Karen Craig-Frappier, Wendy King, Sue Harris, Ethel Howse, Lisa Gibb, Darren Evorglens, Eva Brand, Cathy Carbone, and Jay and Lynne Zanier.

Videos

Elvis Tribute Artist Jay Zanier performs 12 songs at the Black Forrest Inn in Conestogo, Ontario on Saturday, May 10, 2015. With Gerie And The Koasters.

For our Malt Shop Memories Cruisers - we present a special set from home with Jay Zanier and John Jarvis! We know these are strange times for us all as many ...