Introduction
Ultimate ETA Gordon Hendricks with SB Mag’s Editor, Carolyn MacArthur, Colllingwood, 2019.
If you were, or are, a fan of the show “So You Think You Can Dan”, you will recognize the title of this post as the words that emcee Cat Deeley used in her introduction of the judges’ panel. I point this out for very good reasons: First of all, this post is an introduction to the 2019 Flaming Star judging panel; and also, Cat Deeley is connected, in a way, to Ultimate ETA Gordon Hendricks. In 2005, Gordon was on a show in the UK called “Stars in Their Eyes”. Surprisingly, Gordon did not make it through to the finals the first time, and there is a reason why. On voting day, the in-studio audience was given a choice between keeping Elvis Presley or Phil Collins tribute artists. The college students, who were a large part of the audience on that particular day, and obviously not Elvis fans, voted to save ‘Phil Collins’. However, viewers at home got to pick a wild card contestant to bring back to the show for the final round. They voted overwhelmingly for Gordon. The video that follows the judges’ profiles at the end of this post is of the 2005 show. At minute 38:15 you will see the amusing way Gordon finds out he is returning to the show; and at minute 124:22, you will see the amazing results of the voting (clue—it was a landslide).
We at SIDEBURNS Magazine wish the judges the best of luck in a job that will be extremely difficult given the great line-up of talent at this year’s Flaming Star. To all the ETA competitors, best of luck during competition; and remember, whatever the outcome, you are all winners! Cheers! C.M.
Your Judges
A Message from Pam and Sue: We would like to introduce our very knowledgeable 2019 Flaming Star Festival judges to you. We will focus on one judge at a time highlighting their attributes and experience in making them reputable and respected judges. Sue and I are very honoured and proud to have these people as our judging panel. The wealth of knowledge among this group of people in relation to Elvis’ music, attire, jewellery to his biography is incredible.
Wendy King
Our first judge to present is a lifelong Elvis fan and certainly an authority on all things Elvis, Wendy King. Wendy saw Elvis perform live in concert twice - once in 1975 and again in 1977 and those performances are etched forever in her mind. She has made 50+ trips to Graceland to learn more about the man and the entertainer. Her knowledge of Elvis is immeasurable. Wendy King has judged numerous Elvis competitions including Memphis, Kentucky, Collingwood, Niagara and Tweed. We are honoured to have Wendy as an integral part of our judging team.
Marcus Wells
Please welcome Marcus Wells as a distinguished judge for Flaming Star Festival. For ten years, Collingwood Champion Marcus Wells was an award-winning Elvis Tribute Artist, gathering accolades and several top prizes. He has shared the stage with the Jordanaires and the Imperials and many other singing sensations. Marcus makes an experienced judge of Elvis Tribute Artists, drawing on his years of tribute to the "King of Rock and Roll". He has also judged Elvis competitions in Niagara Falls, New York, Windsor, Tweed, Belleville and Kitchener. Thank you Marcus for being a valued member of our judges' panel.
James Gibb
The next judge on our prestigious judging panel to introduce is James Gibb. Growing up in Harrow, Ontario, James got hooked on Elvis after watching the Elvis' Aloha Hawaii TV special. He began his tribute to Elvis in 2006 and has won many championships - 2014 Tweed Tribute to Elvis Festival Grand Champion, 2014 Flaming Star Festival Gospel Champion, 2012 King of Saginaw Champion and 2011 Collingwood Champion Pro Early Years to name just a few. His love for Elvis has provided the building blocks for one of the most accurate portrayals of the early Elvis and led him to become a very respected judge. James has to be one of the most knowledgeable Elvis trivia masters ever! James also hosts the Flaming Star Gospel Competition. Thank you James for sharing your talent with Flaming Star Festival.
Photo Credit: C.M.
Darrell Lacasse
We would like to introduce another one of our knowledgeable judges to you - Darrell Lacasse. Darrell became an Elvis fan at the age of 6 after watching the Aloha concert and there has been no stopping him since then. While on his frequent Graceland visits. Darrell likes to collect Elvis memorabilia. You can find in his collection many original Elvis items including scarves and autographs. He was busy in the 80's helping to organize many Elvis events in Toronto. Darrell began judging Elvis contests 11 years ago at the Collingwood Elvis Festival and can been seen judging at the Tweed Tribute to Elvis Festival, the Niagara Falls Ultimate Preliminary Festival and many other smaller contests. Darrell is known for his uncanny knowledge of the many costumes Elvis wore and the songs Elvis sang in concert wearing the different attire. We like to call Darrell the Elvis walking encyclopedia.
Darrell was a firefighter for 20 years and is now an equipment operator in the construction field. When not exploring the Elvis world for any trivia he can find/read, he is an avid American civil war enthusiast and was a re-enactor for 15 years. Welcome back Darrell to the Flaming Star Festival panel of judges.
Frank Cross
Photo Credit: C.M.
We are pleased to announce another member of our judging panel Frank Cross. Frank is a lifetime Elvis fan and in 2008 he became an Elvis Tribute Artist. He successfully competed in many competitions and is an award winning ETA. He credits his success to his many loyal fans and the encouragement and support from the brotherhood of tribute artists. Frank states that, "The Flaming Star Festival is definitely the best he has ever competed in and is proud to be a member of the Judging Panel. For those who attended the 2018 Flaming Star Festival, you will also know Frank for being our on board carpenter hero. He saved the day when an unexpected mishap occurred with the stage. A moment we will all never forget. We are very pleased to have Frank and his expertise of Elvis on board for the 6th Flaming Star Festival.
Bonnie Jussila
We would like to introduce the next judge on our fine panel, Bonnie Jussila. Bonnie has been an avid Elvis fan since she was a little girl and being the youngest of five, she heard Elvis music being played by all four siblings as she was growing up. For the past eight years, Bonnie has been part of the planning committee for the Tweed Elvis Festival as both Vice President and Treasurer/Sponsorship Manager. More importantly her role during the Tweed Festival weekend is that of Head Scorekeeper. Working with all the judges. Bonnie sees and hears what the judges do and this gives her a good perspective of all the integral parts of judging a competitor's performance. She too must know and understand Elvis' songs, movement/choreography, gestures, costume and fit, and accessories, to ensure competitors are capturing the essence of Elvis. She has travelled to Memphis, Lake George, Collingwood Festivals and more studying and recognizing all the talent in the Elvis world. Bonnie will be a valuable asset to the Flaming Star Festival team of judges. Welcome Bonnie!
Kay Shannon
Photo Credit: C.M.
The last judge to announce and also the newest member of our judging panel is Kay Shannon. She is the owner of Déjà Vu Tributes, a booking agency based in Dallas, Texas. Kay books Elvis Tribute Artists as well as others who pay tribute to the great legends. She is also known internationally as a professional emcee and Priscilla Presley look-alike. After meeting Priscilla, Kay received a written endorsement from her. For 9 years, Kay has emceed festivals, fundraisers, theater production shows, contests and cruises throughout Australasia and North and South America. She has worked with several hundred different Elvis Tribute Artists. First approved by EPE to judge an Ultimate contest pre-qualifier in Brazil, Kay has been judging EPE sanctioned contests in the United States as well as in Australia since 2013 and in Canada since 2017.
A lifelong fan of Elvis Presley, she grew up listening to his music and was fortunate as a young girl to get to see him when he appeared at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Interviews, photo shoots, meeting and greeting people from all walks of life comes naturally to Kay. Her ease in front of the public and the camera stems from her former career as a newscaster for a CBS television station. She held that position for ten years. During her tenure as a news anchor she was also an entertainment reporter and interviewed hundreds of famous people from Presidents to people who knew Elvis like Tom Jones and Frank Sinatra. Awwww, the stories!
Please welcome Kay to the Flaming Star Family!
Video
Except for the introduction, all written parts are courtesy of Flaming Star. Credits for photos, except as noted, are also courtesy Flaming Star. A couple of photos had to be changed because they were not compatible. Edits by Carolyn MacArthur, Editor, SIDEBURNS Magazine.