2022 Niagara Falls Elvis Festival: Album One

Niagara Falls, April 21st, 2022

ETA Steve Michaels with SB Mag editor, Carolyn MacArthur at the 2022 NFEF.

The four day Niagara Falls Elvis Festival got off to a fabulous start Thursday afternoon with a matinee featuring headliner Steve Michaels as Elvis in the Concert Years and Joe Passion paying tribute to Barry Manilow. 

I had not seen Steve Michaels since his Return to Grace show at the Avalon Theatre, Fallsview Casino, in September 2019, so I was looking forward to seeing him perform again.  For those of you who many not know, Steve was my first ETA; and he was, in part, the inspiration for my first SB Mag article, Keeping his Memory Alive, September 2017.

Scarf time…my favourite time of the show! Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.

In the seven years since I first saw Steve perform, he has not changed.  He still looks as handsome as ever on stage; and if his matinee performance is any indication, his dedication to paying the perfect tribute it Elvis is as outstanding as ever.

With permission from Hailey’s mom, Christine Denise Nickolson, I am pleased to post this photo of Steve Michaels chatting with Hailey that I took at the 2022 NFEF. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur, editor, SIDEBURNS Magazine..

Filling in for Bill Cherry, who could not make it, Steve came to conquer, and he did just that!  Looking great in his powder blue jumpsuit, there was not one inch of stage that Steve did not cover during his energetic performance.  Steve is rightfully very comfortable on the Greg Frewin Theatre stage, since he performed at the GFT regularly before his career led to biennial appearances at Fallsview, shows in other venues in Canada, and international tours. 

A master of repartee, Steve engaged the audience in friendly and humorous banter, and in a touching moment, chatted with fan, Hailey Nickolson. 

One of the things I missed at the Fallsview shows was the lack of accessibility to take photos with Steve after his performances.  At the Greg Frewin Theatre, patrons were given the option to buy a ticket to a private meet and greet, and unless you were party to this event, photo opts were left to chance meetings with your favourite ETAs who were entering or leaving the building. 

I had just arrived at the NFEF, and feeling a bit fatigued and anxious, it was reassuring to see my friend and award winning ETA, Sylvain Leduc.

As media, I was fortunate in being present at the meet and greet and got a few photos. I tried whenever possible to take photos of fans with their favourite ETAs.  Kudos to headliner Sylvain Leduc who was visibly present throughout the day (and not just in the meet and greet room). Sylvain, winner of the 2019 NFEF, graciously chatted with fans and posed for photos.

Steve made a surprise appearance on Friday night, but more about that in Album Two, coming up shortly. Cheers, everyone!  C.M.

〰️Thank you to everyone who made my 2022 visit to the Niagara Falls Elvis Festival such an enjoyable experience.

〰️Thank you to everyone who made my 2022 visit to the Niagara Falls Elvis Festival such an enjoyable experience.

It takes a lot of people to put on a big event like the Niagara Falls Elvis Festival. From the reception area to the kitchen, from the stage to the office, from the on-stage talent to those who work tirelessly behind the scenes, every individual contributes to the success of the Niagara Falls Elvis Festival—an event that has risen to stellar heights in just four years. Congratulations, everyone! Thank you for including me. Best regards, Carolyn M.

〰️Tony, Heather, Alanna, Greg, ETAs, reception, Serena, front office staff, ticket sales, agents, judges, fans, Wendy, media, Karen, lighting and sound, Marcus, photographers, advertisers, cleaning staff, Pam, Sue, after show talent, Connor, Casino Brothers, singers, Jim, Joe, Victor J, and YOU!

〰️Tony, Heather, Alanna, Greg, ETAs, reception, Serena, front office staff, ticket sales, agents, judges, fans, Wendy, media, Karen, lighting and sound, Marcus, photographers, advertisers, cleaning staff, Pam, Sue, after show talent, Connor, Casino Brothers, singers, Jim, Joe, Victor J, and YOU!

Video

Priscilla Presley Opens Up About Her Marriage to Elvis

I found this interesting article by Geraint Llewellyn that was published on March 31, 2022, and thought you would enjoy reading it. Credits for the article and photos have been included per copyright.

'I found out how vicious the public could be': Elvis Presley's ex-wife Priscilla recalls horror over intense public scrutiny she faced after she wed The King at 21 - admitting it made first years of marriage 'very difficult'

• ·         The 76-year-old actress opened up about her marriage to the late singer at the launch of a new exhibition, 'Elvis: Direct from Graceland', in Australia 

• ·         Priscilla wed Elvis in 1967, eight years after they met for the first time when she was just 14 years old and he was 24 

• ·         She has now spoken out about their six-year marriage, detailing the struggles that she faced in dealing with public scrutiny and gossip

• ·         Priscilla admitted that she 'knew what she in for', but says that didn't make the 'vicious' rumor mill any less 'difficult' to deal with 

• ·         The actress had one child with Elvis, Lisa Marie Presley, who was born on February 1, 1968, exactly nine months after their wedding

• ·         Priscilla and Elvis divorced in 1973, having both engaged in extramarital affairs; 

• ·         Speaking about the split in a 2016 interview, Priscilla said she still 'loved' Elvis but wanted to 'find out about the world' having wed him at such a young age

By GERAINT LLEWELLYN FOR MAILONLINE and BANG SHOWBIZ

PUBLISHED: 06:15 EDT, 31 March 2022 | UPDATED: 12:56 EDT, 31 March 2022

Elvis Presley's ex-wife Priscilla has opened up about the 'very difficult' first years of her marriage to The King - detailing the extreme toll of the 'vicious' public scrutiny she faced after tying the knot at the tender age of 21. 

The 76-year-old actress, who met Elvis when she was just 14 and he was 24, spoke out about the earliest days of their marriage while visiting a new exhibition, Elvis: Direct From Graceland, at the Bendigo Art Gallery in Australia. 

'I found out how vicious people could be… there were rumours I was pregnant, and that’s why he got married and I’m going, "Oh my God, this is not gonna be good for me,'" she recalled.  

Priscilla spent eight years in a relationship with Elvis before they wed in a Las Vegas ceremony in 1967 - having first met the music heartthrob, who was ten years her senior, in Germany, when he was serving in the Army. 

Rumours: The 'Naked Gun' star said the rumours surrounding the 'Can't Help Falling in Love With You' hitmaker were a struggle for her but was assured to not 'pay attention' by her husband, who she divorced in 1973

She now admits that the years she spent with the King of Rock and Roll before their marriage helped to give her insight into what life might be like after they tied the knot - but says it didn't prevent her from going through a 'very difficult' time in the early years of their union. 

'The beginning [of the marriage] was very difficult, but I knew what I was in for because I saw it at a very young age,' she said.  

The 'Naked Gun' star said the rumours surrounding the 'Can't Help Falling in Love With You' hitmaker were a struggle for her but she was advised to not 'pay attention' to speculation and gossip by her husband, who she divorced in 1973.

Priscilla said: 'That's when I started not reading papers anymore or [magazines] in the grocery stores.' 

She added: 'It was hard to get accepted. But he always told me, "Don't pay attention… don't even listen and don't look at the tabloids."

'You know what the truth is so just be cautious, but be aware.' 

Priscilla was still a schoolgirl when she met Elvis, who had been drafted into the US Army and was stationed on a base in Germany, near where her family was living. 

After he returned home to the US, they kept in touch via phone calls - before she eventually convinced her parents to let her move to Memphis, Tennessee full-time to be with him in 1963. 

Family: Priscilla - who had daughter Lisa Marie, now 54, with Elvis in 1968 - described the late-night dates they used to have together in their courting days that made her 'not do well' in school (pictured with their baby daughter in 1968)

However, while she has spoken in the past of her deep desire to be with Elvis, Priscilla now admits that merging their very different lifestyles was not without its complications, explaining that his party-hard ways and love of late nights quickly began to take a toll on her schoolwork. 

The mother-of-one - who had one daughter, Lisa Marie, now 54, with Elvis - recalled how the rock and roll legend would take her out for private movie screenings late at night near his home at Graceland, which oftentimes saw them returning in the early hours of the morning.  

Priscilla recalled how they would leave Graceland shortly after the start of Johnny Carson's late-night talk show, saying: 'We would head out for the theatre, sometimes coming home at three, four or five o'clock in the morning.

'At that time I was going to school by the way, so I would go to bed and then get up at 7.30… I didn’t do well with the grades.'

In contrast to his glamorous persona, Priscilla also revealed that Elvis was a bookworm behind-the-scenes and would often read into the early hours. 

'We could come home at two o'clock in the morning or later, and he would go right to the books and start reading,' she said. 

'And he would read [out loud to me] and I would be so tired… and he would say, "You aren't listening to me," and I would say [to myself], "Okay, keep your eyes open."'

Priscilla has previously detailed how she gave up her teenage years in order to 'adapt' to Elvis' lifestyle - revealing that part of the reason for their divorce was her desire to experience the world on her own. 

'I lived his life, you didn’t live your own life, so you kind of lost yourself,' she said during a 2016 interview with ITV's Loose Women.  

'I didn’t have my teenage years as a normal girl obviously so I had to adapt, and I did adapt, I just followed.' 

Priscilla said: 'We could come home at two o'clock in the morning or later, and he would go right to the books and start reading (pictured in 2019)

Photo credit: Ken McKay/ITV?REX.

Both Elvis and Priscilla were known to have engaged in extramarital affairs during their union, however she said during her 2016 interview that their divorce did not come as a result of her falling out of love with him - rather her need to experience the world for herself. 

'I did not divorce him because I didn’t loved him, he was the love of my life, but I had to find out about the world,' she said.

Priscilla's latest appearance in Australia comes as a new trailer for Baz Luhrmann's highly-anticipated biopic of Elvis has been released, with Austin Butler taking on the role as the King of Rock 'n' Roll alongside Tom Hanks, who plays his larger-than-life manager Colonel Tom Parker.

The 30-year-old Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood star proved to be a dead ringer for the iconic All Shook Up hitmaker as he performed some of the late legend's iconic dance moves. 

Elvis will be released in theatres this summer on date June 24, 2022.

Editor’s Note: The above article by Geraint Llewellyn appears unedited. Photos, that are credited via watermarks, were added for interest.

Introducing: Writer Sheree Homer

Introduction

Today I am pleased to post my interview with writer Sheree Homer. 

A self-described “old soul”, Sheree Homer has an enthusiastic interest in all things related to the ‘40s and ‘50s.  Her love of music from the mid decades of the twentieth century led to her penning four books on the topics of rockabilly, country classics and rock and roll.  In the writing of “Dig That Beat!”, Sheree interviewed musicians at the root of rock and roll. Her second book, “Rick Nelson:  Rock ‘N’ Roll Pioneer”, focuses on the life of iconic singer/musician/actor, Ricky Nelson. It is a must read for all fans of the ‘50s/’60s teen idol.

For her soon to be released fifth book, “You Sound Just Like…” (Fall 2022), Sheree spent over two and a half years researching and interviewing 40 artists who pay tribute to 14 different music icons, including Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Cher, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, James Brown, and Little Richard, to name a few.  Of special interest to SIDEBURNS Magazine followers, several ETAs (Elvis tribute artists) are included, many of whom have been featured in SB Mag. 

Although I have enjoyed communicating with Sheree Homer via Facebook message, I have not had the pleasure of meeting the prolific writer in person.  To add a personal touch to Sheree’s introduction, I reached out to writer and film historian—and fellow Wisconsinite, James L. Neibaur, who shared the following:

Sheree is a fine writer and music historian with great insight.  I have learned a lot from her books.  Her latest, on tribute artists, might be her best yet.  She really gives us a solid understanding of the various performers, their approaches, and their passions.  Sheree is also a truly great person, who writes about these performers because she genuinely cares about them.

Thank for your comments, James.

Thank you, Sheree Homer, for allowing us to know you, your work and your interests through your insightful interview answers. Your story about your first ETA artist is delightful and I am very happy to include it below. I look forward to reading all the interviews in your book and wish you great success with your fifth publication.

Best regards, Carolyn MacArthur, Editor, SIDEBURNS: The Ultimate ETA Fan Magazine.

My First ETA…

The story behind the photo, as told by writer, Sheree Homer, to editor, Carolyn MacArthur…

When I was little, my parents used to take me to see ETA Tom Green perform.  Tom lived in Milwaukee and did shows there and other places in Wisconsin.  We saw him many times over the years. 

“I gave him many teddy bears and danced to the music.” Sheree Homer.

 Tom was great at looking like Elvis and sounding like him, too.  He was my first ETA; and his show, when I was just three years old, was my first concert experience.  I never got to see Elvis, so it was thrilling for me to see Tom. 

I was about the only kid at those shows, and Tom was always very nice to me.  He got a kick out of a kid being that into Elvis. I also became friends with the girl in the band. She sang backup, but also songs of the day like “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar. 

 I was born too late to see Elvis, but if I could have seen him, I'd pick three times—on the Louisiana Hayride before he got famous, as an audience member for the ‘68 Comeback, and front row in Vegas.  ETA Tom Green allowed me to experience some of the magic of Elvis in his tribute. 

 Editor’s Note:  Sadly, ETA Tom Green passed away in 2007.  For articles on Tom Green, Sheree’s first ETA, please click here and here,

Books by writer, Sheree Homer. Artists in photos below: Johnny Thompson (Elvis), Amberley Beatty (Patsy Cline), Gib Maynard (Elvis), Jesse Aaron (Roy Orbison), Elaine Wesley (Patsy Cline), Garry Wesley (Elvis), Jay Dupuis (Elvis), Jake Slater (Elvis) and Laura West (Ann-Margret), Laura West (Ann-Margret), Ted Torres Martin (Elvis).

The Interview

Adorable photo of writer Sheree Homer as a child. Photo provided by Sheree Homer.

Q.  Where were you born?  Where do you now live?

A.  I was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and I still live there.

Q.  What five adjectives best describe you as child?

A.  Imaginative, outgoing, kind, playful, and cute.

Q.  What were your favourite subjects in school?

A.  Art and Reading early on and then later English, Algebra, and Chemistry.

Q.  What hobbies did you enjoy as a child?

A.  Playing with my Barbies, watching Looney Tunes cartoons (I loved Bugs Bunny), Sesame Street, The Muppets, and music videos on MTV (Michael Jackson’s video for “Thriller” always scared me), talking on my pretend telephone, dancing at ETA Tom Green’s concerts, and listening to my mom read me my favorite stories, which included the Sweet Pickles series of books by Richard Hefter, The Man Who Didn’t Wash His Dishes by Phyllis Krasilovsky, and Henry’s Awful Mistake by Robert Quackenbush.

Q.  When did your interest in writing first begin?

A.  My interest began when I took a journalism class in college.  I then wrote for the university’s magazine and newspaper.

Writer Sheree Homer. Photo provided by Sheree Homer.

Q.  Was there a particular teacher who encouraged your writing?

A.  My favorite college professor, Walter Graffin, was instrumental in leading me in the direction of writing.  I almost dropped out of school because at the time I was a business major and wasn’t doing too well in my classes.  Professor Graffin, who was also my counselor, asked me, “Is there a particular subject that you really enjoy?”  I answered “English,” and it changed my life’s course.

Q.  After high school, did you pursue higher education? 

A.  Yes, I graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Parkside with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a concentration in journalism.  I also have a minor in French.

Q.  What jobs did you have in your teens and early twenties?

A.  My first job was as a sales clerk at Walgreens.  Throughout college, I tutored English and French.  Then, I had my own music magazine for two years, was a booking agent for several different artists, and had an internet radio show.

Q.  Do you have a favourite author (or authors)?

A.  I don’t really have a favorite author, but I do have books that I enjoy, such as The Awakening by Kate Chopin, Last Train to Memphis by Peter Guralnick, On the Road by Jack Kerouac, and Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller.

Q.  Tell us about your career as a professional writer.

A.  I have written five musical biographies and have contributed articles to various magazines, including Vintage Rock, Blue Suede News, and Keep Rockin’.  I even received the cover story twice.  My first book, Catch That Rockabilly Fever, was a finalist for an ARSC award in the category of Best Pop/Rock Recorded History. 

A 2019 Facebook photo of Sheree Homer.

Q.  What is the process for getting a book published at McFarland and Company Inc.?

A.  I’m established with them now, but for first timers, you have to submit a query letter and a proposal plus a sample chapter.  For me, I usually just tell them an idea, and they either say yes or no.

Q.  Is the publisher for all your books McFarland and Company Inc.?

A.  Yes, McFarland has published all five of my books.

Q.  What are the highs and lows of being a published author?

A.  Highs- The best part is the fact that I am preserving history for generations to come.  With each book, I establish a longer list of credentials.  To publish your own book is expensive and time consuming, so I am thankful that a company does it for me.  Plus, they handle some of the promotion.  My books are in several libraries and colleges around the world, including the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.

Lows- I am not the greatest salesperson, so that’s always a challenge.  It’s difficult for me to ask others to buy my books.  However, thankfully I have a legion of fans, and many of them have all of my books sitting on their shelves.  Sometimes it is not the easiest to find magazines or radio stations that are willing to promote my latest book.  

Q.  What inspired you to write biographies about music icons?

A.  When I graduated from college I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but then my mom and I attended the Ponderosa Stomp in New Orleans.  At the festival, we saw several roots music acts- Dale Hawkins, Elvis Presley’s musicians Scotty Moore and DJ Fontana, Joe Clay, Rocky Burnette, etc.  I suspected that the general public didn’t know who they were, and I wanted to try and change that.  Once I returned home, I contacted Dale for an interview.  He agreed, and that’s how it started.  I’m very glad I have spoken to as many as I have since several are no longer with us.  Once they pass away, their stories go with them.

Sheree Homer was a big fan of Elvis Presley from an early age.

Q.  Who are your favourite singers and bands (living or deceased)?

A.  My number one favorite is and always will be Elvis Presley.  There will never be another artist like him.  He could sing anything.  However, there are many others that I love too, such as Chuck Berry, Sonny Burgess, Dale Hawkins, Eddie Cochran, Ray Charles, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, Bobby Darin, The Mavericks, Waylon Jennings, The Rolling Stones, Ricky Nelson, Dean Martin, Ray Price, and LaVern Baker.  My list of favorites is quite long as I have a broad taste in music.

Q.  How did you become a “Roots Music Expert”?

A.  Friends of mine have called me that.  I am assuming it’s because I am so knowledgeable about dates and occurrences.  It comes from years of hard work, extensive research, and interviews.

Q.  Explain your interest in the 1940s and 1950s.

A.  I’m a big classic movie fan.  I am not sure when that started, maybe twenty years ago.  Anyway, I just love the glamour of old Hollywood—the costumes, actors/actresses, producers, cinematography, etc.  I enjoy some of the movies of today, but they don’t compare with those of yesteryear.  I especially love the movies that star Cary Grant or Barbara Stanwyck.  It is definitely a bygone era, magic in a bottle that will never be repeated.  As for the 1950s, my mom introduced me to the music, thanks to her 45 RPM record collection.  When she was pregnant with me, she played Elvis, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, etc.  She said I would move around to the music.  Over the years, I’ve discovered a lot of songs and artists from that era on my own, and I’ve developed a passion for the cars, fashion, and movies too.  If I could time travel, I’d want to go back to 1957 and stay there.  I personally identify more with the values and simplicity of the 1950s.  Life seemed much happier back then.

Q.  What led to you being named an inductee into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame?

A.  To be honest, I am not sure.  One day, I got notification from the founder, Bob Timmers, of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame saying I had been inducted.  He was familiar with my writing, and he had seen me many times over the years at various rockabilly concerts, so I am sure he knew that I was very supportive of the scene.  I am not sure if someone recommended me, or if it was his idea.  Either way, I was very humbled and honored.  Being inducted has been one of my career highlights.

Q.  Please tell us about your new book.

Writer Sheree Homer with Diana Ross tribute artist, Tammi Savoy. Photo from 2018 via Facebook.

A.  You Sound Just Like… Behind the Scenes with Forty Tribute Artists is a musical biography.  Within its contents, each singer describes their background, life on the road, and musical influences.   Many of the featured performers also detail their process in getting ready to hit the stage. This is the list of artists who are profiled: Johnny Rogers (Buddy Holly), Leo Days (Elvis), Gib Maynard (Elvis), Lisa Irion (Cher), Doug Church (Elvis), Al "Fats" Jackson (Fats Domino), John Mueller (Buddy Holly), Tammi Savoy (Diana Ross), Pete Storm (Johnny Cash), Jesse Aron (Roy Orbison), Travis LeDoyt (Elvis), Pete Hutton (Ral Donner), Elaine Wesley (Patsy Cline), Garry Wesley (Elvis), Zach McNabb (Johnny Cash), Scott Hinds (Carl Perkins), Ricky Aron (Elvis), Julie Myers (Stevie Nicks), Dave Bogle (Ricky Nelson), Michael St. Angel (Elvis), Laura West (Ann-Margret), Jake Slater (Elvis), Finley Watkins (Elvis), Luke Stroud (Jerry Lee Lewis), Doug Cooke (Jerry Lee Lewis), Jacob Tolliver (Jerry Lee Lewis), Caden Gamblin (Elvis), Amberley Beatty (Patsy Cline), Christopher Essex (Johnny Cash), Bill Cherry (Elvis), Ted Torres Martin (Elvis), Johnny Thompson (Elvis), Kavan Hashemian (Elvis), Jared Freiburg (Jerry Lee Lewis), Ty Stone (James Brown), Dwight Icenhower (Elvis), John Lyons (Elvis), Jay Dupuis (Elvis), Garry Moore (Little Richard), and Rick Lindy (Roy Orbison).

Q.  Please describe your writing process.  What do you find most difficult about writing?

Writer Sheree Homer with her mom, Carole. Photo credit: Sheree Homer.

A.  First, I figure out a topic that I want to write about.  I always write about what I know and a subject that interests me.  Then, I submit the idea to my publisher.  Once approved, I begin researching information via the internet, books, and magazines.  I also make sure to personally speak to as many of the artists as possible.  That’s an important aspect, to hear the stories firsthand. If the singer is dead, then I talk to their musicians or a producer.  Sometimes, that can be tricky, tracking someone down.  For my country book, I had to contact the artists’ agents.  When an artist agrees to an interview, I then call or email him/her questions.  Transcribing the tapes from the telephone conversations is the hardest part.  It takes the most time, too, because you have to keep rewinding the tape to get the quote exactly.  I never want to misquote anyone.  When all the information is collected, I gather it together and decide what I want to use.  The actual writing is usually the easiest and comes the most naturally.  Before submitting it to my publisher, I reread my work several times to ensure there are no errors.  My mom also serves as an editor.  Each book must also feature an index, endnotes, a bibliography, and a discography.  It typically takes me two and a half years to complete a manuscript.

Sheree Homer with her dance teacher, Alec Lachman.

Q.  Of the many tribute artists that you interviewed for your book, how many have you seen perform live?

A.  I feature forty different artists, and I have seen seventeen of them in concert.

Q.  What was your inspiration to include ETAs in your new book?

A.  I thought it would be an interesting concept for a book, but mine is different in that it profiles tribute artists in general, not just ETAs.  Therefore, guys and gals who pay homage to Buddy Holly, Fats Domino, Johnny Cash, Stevie Nicks, and Cher are also featured.  Elvis is the most popular among tribute artists, so it was only natural to want to speak with guys in that industry.  The book is about half ETAs and half other tribute artists.

Q.  When will your latest book be released?

A.  You Sound Just Like…Behind the Scenes with 40 Tribute Artists will be released in Fall 2022.

Q.  Are you presently working on your next book?  

A.  I am currently conducting interviews and doing research for my next book on Dale Hawkins.  He wrote, sang, and had a hit with “Susie-Q” in 1957.

Q.  Other than writing, what are your favourite past-times?

A.  I love attending concerts, taking photos, thrifting, going to the Racine, Wisconsin zoo to see their tiger, ballroom, swing, and Latin dancing (Jitterbug and Merengue are my favorites), and sightseeing.