Introducing: Elvis Artist Barbara McLean

Introduction

Introduction

I wish to thank Kelly McLean for sending information and photos that will interest Elvis and ETA fans everywhere. Perhaps some fans may remember seeing Barbara McLean’s beautiful Elvis triptych that was displayed in Memphis in 2002. Barbara’s commissioned work is now for sale! Contact information is included at the end of the article.

Who is Barbara McLean?

Barbara McLean was born and educated in London, England, moving to Canada as a young adult. She displayed an interest and a talent in art from a very young age but didn’t take it seriously until the early 90’s when her interest in portrait art developed further and took her to Memphis, Tennessee regularly with her portraits of her favorite singer, Elvis Presley. Barbara was quickly licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises at Graceland, and at that time was their only Canadian artist. She won several awards and had much recognition with her beautiful Elvis portraits, also appearing on Canadian radio and television. In addition, much time and effort were spent using this art to support various charities such as the Make A Wish Foundation, the Memphis Humane Society, Special Olympics, and others. Barbara branched out again and used her artistic ability to start and run her own bakery in Ontario. Her cakes were one-of-a-kind creations, with patterns, faces, pets and various locations being painted directly onto the cake surface. As you might imagine, she also found an opportunity to paint a couple of Elvis wedding cakes. In 2015 Barbara’s focus completely changed when on vacation in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, she took a trip on a whale boat. She moved to St. Andrews in the summer of 2016 and her attention turned to painting beautiful East Coast scenery. Barbara has now teamed up with her daughter Kelly whose creativity and design sense has enabled them to combine their talents and produce a lovely 3D Art collection, as well as many other interesting art pieces. This art is now being used to raise funds for the Canadian Whale Institute and specifically the Campobello Whale Rescue team. Inspiration and love combine to make a difference! (Article on Barbara McLean is credited to Walk D’ Craft.)

Elvis Presley Boulevard paintings can be viewed at That's Amo' EH Emporium.  

“Elvis Presley Boulevard”

This incredible oil on canvas triptych titled 'Elvis Presley Boulevard' is now for sale!  This stunning painting by That’s Amor’EH Emporium’s very own Barbara McLean was commissioned by Carol Butler in 2001 for the 25th anniversary week celebrations in Memphis. This amazing mural was exhibited in the lobby of the Heartbreak Hotel across the street from Graceland in the summer of 2002.  This triptych consists of 3 panels of canvas each measuring 8 ft. x 4 ft. and depicts Elvis’ full life story.  It is presently being displayed at our store location in the lovely Saint Andrews by the Sea. This stunning mural is priced at $150,000.00 with 15% going to the Canadian Whale Institute to help the Campobello Whale Rescue Team in their mission to save entangled whales. 

More information about the painting and the artist can be found on our website http://wakdcraft.ca.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvW61lLJL3g - Local news segment on the painting is the last story of the episode or at minute 2:38. 

A Tribute to ETA Garry Wesley

A Gentleman ETA Representing Elvis so Well

ETA  Garry  Wesley.  Photo Credit:  Garry Wesley. 

Necedah, Wisconsin native, Garry Wesley, is a multiple and international award-wining Elvis tribute artist who was honored with the Heart of the King Lifetime Achievement Award in July, 2013, in Las Vegas.  In addition to receiving the award, Garry was given the opportunity to perform on one of Elvis’s most noted stages, the Las Vegas Hilton (now known as the Las Vegas Hotel and Casino).  

In the same year, 2013, which marked his 25th annual tribute show, Garry was inducted into the Elvis Tribute Artist Hall of Fame in Memphis--a fitting tribute for an ETA with the longest-running Elvis tribute show in Memphis.

Over the years, Garry travelled to many parts of the world performing his tribute to Elvis and has sung with some of the same people who shared a stage with Elvis.

Garry’s shows in Ontario, are arranged by Canadian booking agent, Nigel Husing, whom Garry first met at the Hill Top Restaurant in Oshawa in 2006.  Nigel said in a previous article that once he heard Garry sing “Hurt”, he didn’t need to hear more.  Nigel has been booking all of Garry’s shows in Canada for over 15 years. 

(For more information on Garry’s career achievements or to read about Garry’s Burlington show and Brantford show in 2019, links are provided at the end of this article.)

It was wonderful seeing ETA Garry Wesley in Brantford, Ontario, on Tuesday, August 20th, 2024. It has been a few years since I last saw Garry, so I was very pleased when Garry’s agent, Nigel Husing, invited me to attend his show. I arrived at 7:20, only to find the show started at 7:00 (not sure how I missed the time, seeing I posted posters for all the Ontario shows lol). Unfortunately, all the doors were locked, and it wasn’t until the intermission that Garry saw me on his way to change for his second set. But what I missed seeing in the first set, was well made up for in the second set.

Garry looked splendid in his Arabian jumpsuit that I learned was made in British Columbia, Canada, by ProElvisJumpuits. It was such a surprise when Garry momentarily left the stage and gave me the royal blue scarf he was wearing, saying that it was nice seeing me again as it has been a while. Garry mentioned that he and his wife were celebrating their anniversary on August 20th, 2024. Elaine was not able to join Garry on his Ontario tour this year, but it was lovely that he mentioned their 36 years together. The highlights of the evening for me, vocally, were Garry singing “Unchained Melody” acapella to a fan listening on the phone, hitting the notes in the challenging song “Hurt”, and demonstrating his award-winning voice in several Gospel songs. Garry shared that he had 12 shows over three days in Memphis before coming to Ontario, and at almost every show, someone wanted to hear “Hurt”. Tuesday was the first time on his Ontario tour that Garry sang “Hurt”, and he hit every note.

When I had a moment to chat with Garry after the show and take some photos of Garry with fans, Garry told me he had performed in Niagara Falls a few years ago at one of our two casinos. It was pre SIDEBURNS Magazine (and before my first ETA show in 2015), so I would be interested in hearing from anyone who saw Garry’s NF show). We talked about the NFEF and other shows and also about the ETAs I had met. Garry had kind words to say about each ETA I mentioned. Garry asked if I had heard of a young ETA named Logan Ramey. I said, “Yes.” In fact, we are friends on Facebook. Garry had great praise for Logan. It demonstrated once again how supportive and caring Garry Wesley is to other ETAs. Donny Edwards stated it best in his answer to my question, “Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping you in your career?

ETA Donny Edwards with his mentor and friend, ETA Garry Wesley.  Photo Credit:  Donna Edwards. 

Garry is my mentor and "big brother".  He is a class act.  Garry is always kind, and never partakes in the "ugly" side of this business in any way.  Definitely a great role model for anyone, and I feel lucky that he was mine.  He helped by pointing me in the right direction when I was a young, up and coming, ETA.  Garry was the voice of reason and experience that I needed early on and I still bug him every now and then.  The best advice he gave me was not to watch him or any other ETAs like so many do today, but to let Elvis alone be my teacher.  I knew he was right, so I took that to heart and I tried to get footage of everything Elvis ever did. Well said, Donny! (Excerpt from Donny Edward’s interview, June 27th, 2019. Click here.)

Photos from Garry’s 2024 Brantford Show

Thank you for a wonderful evening of entertainment, Garry. On behalf of fans and everyone at SIDEBURNS Magazine, we look forward to seeing you on your next tour of Ontario. Wishing you safe travel home. Thank you, also, to Harmony United Church volunteers in Brantford,. You made the evening so much fun with your silent auction and offer of ice cream bars during intermission.

Best regards, Carolyn,

A lovely message on my scarf from Garry Wesley.  Garry also mingled with the audience and gave out several scarves at his  Brantford show.  During the singing of "Teddy Bear", a young fan was the lucky recipient of a brown teddy bear.  

Unless otherwise credited, all photos used in this post are credited to Carolyn MacArthur, Editor, SIDEBURNS Magazine.

(To read more on Garry’s career achievements, click here. To read about Garry’s Burlington show, click here. And to read about Garry’s Brantford show in 2019, click here.)

Ultimate ETA Gordon Hendrick's Niagara Show

I always look forward to Gordon’s return to Ontario. Gordon’s interview was one of the first I posted on SIDEBURNS Magazine. I also interviewed Sandra Gold on the same day, and had the pleasure of seeing so many wonderful ETAs that Sandra booked at local casinos.

Just for fun, I am posting photos of Gordon and fans from other venues that Sandra booked in Ontario over the past few years, plus two videos from NF. Whether dinner/show or concert, it is always an exciting evening of stellar entertainment and fun. Thank you Gordon and Sandra!

News Flash: Ultimate ETA Gordon Hendricks is coming to the Niagara Falls Convention Centre on August 16th, 2024!

〰️

News Flash: Ultimate ETA Gordon Hendricks is coming to the Niagara Falls Convention Centre on August 16th, 2024! 〰️