4th place 1989 “Bad Bob’s Vapors” Elvis Contest- memphis

Made with Xara

The Beginning

I never thought that I'd wind up performing

Elvis shows when I was younger. I enjoyed

his music and sang along with his songs in

my room as I built model kits. It used to

drive my Dad nuts, little did we realize that I

was laying the groundwork for a future

career.

I belonged to a church group as a teenager,

that had an annual convention at the Jubilee

auditorium in Calgary where I live. Some

members knew I could sing Elvis' songs, and

they talked me into performing at the

convention.

I'd never appeared in front of any group

bigger than a campfire singout! I was scared

to death! We rehearsed 2 songs, Blue Suede

Shoes and All shook up if I remember

correctly. We had to fake our way through

Hound Dog as an encore. I repeated my stint

at the convention the following 2 years,

improving my costuming and gaining more

confidence.

For years after that I played the occasional

show and even got paid every once in a

while. I remember going to California in the

winter of 1978, to audition for the "Gong

Show". I managed to get an audition but

couldn't hang around for 6 weeks to be on

the show.

Rebirth In the late 80's the first of the karaoke tracks arrived (on 8-track no less). Well up to this point I'd worked with a few bands now and then. There was always the problem of keeping them together, and rehearsing. Well now that problem was solved! I bought up every track that that was available, even used versions from other artists! I had a good weekend thing going, one day I was approached by a gent who offered to send me to Memphis. He wanted me to enter the "Bad Bobs Vapors" 3rd annual Elvis impersonator contest. I was flattered, and I accepted soon afterwards. Memphis At the time it was ironic, I was working for Federal Express in Calgary, a Memphis based corporation. Fred Smith The CEO was flying the employees of Canadian stations to Memphis on his private jet. I was one of 2 people who had to stay and run the store while the other employees went for a weekend that included a trip to Graceland. It seemed so far away and mystical to me then. In 1989 I finally got my chance to visit Memphis, it was during tribute week in August. I was thrilled and terrified at the same time. I entered the contest at Bad Bob's Vapors and managed to make the finals! Looking at the video I can see where I was shaking..not to be sexy...out of fright! A friend made an inquiry after the contest and was told I had managed 4th place, I was extremely honoured and surprised as the competition was pretty intense that year. It did give me the confidence to put myself out there and to pursue the next level of my career! In the winter of 1991 I decided to start performing Elvis full time. I've enjoyed it thoroughly and I'm having a blast and I hope that it shows in my performances. Elvis has been good to me, thank you Elvis for being the king of Rock and roll! It would be a pleasure to perform my show for you, for more information contact me at my email and we'll discuss how I can help make your next event..... something to remember! For more information contact Will at: willreeb@shaw.ca Or call (403) 269-8296