An Introduction by Dan Lentino
Hi. My name is Dan Lentino and I am a longtime friend and business manager for actor, singer, recording artist and Elvis Tribute Artist, Shawn Klush. I met Shawn at the First World Elvis Competition in Montreal, Canada over 20 years ago. I brought Trent Carlini, whom I was managing at the time, there from Las Vegas to compete in the contest. After the first day, I asked Trent if he was a little worried about anyone else there having a chance. He said “Well, there is this one guy, that guy Shawn”. Even though I already knew who he was going to point out, I asked him why. He said, “Because he is different than all the other guys. He just has something that is so natural and genuine about him and all the other guys are over-doing it and are too over the top.”
Shawn Klush and Dan Lentino on the Westgate red carpet
I met Shawn at breakfast the next day and really liked everything he had to say. He asked for my card and asked me if I would consider helping him get his career going. He called when we returned home and I agreed to give him a few suggestions and connections that would help move him farther along. That started a friendship and business partnership that has lasted over two decades.
When I look for an Elvis Tribute Artist, I try to find that rare someone who has what I call ‘the gift’. The gift is the unique ability, during a song or even in between songs, to affect the audience so much so that they lose it and they believe, even for just moments during the show, that they are watching and listening to Elvis. Something happens to Shawn each night. At a certain point after a few songs, his body and demeanor change and it is as if from that point on, Elvis takes over. The transformation is truly amazing.
Shawn Klush has ‘the gift’--the strongest out of anyone I have ever seen. It is this gift, along with his talent, his love for Elvis, his love for the music, his love of each and every person in the audience and of course his humble and caring nature, that makes him the most popular Elvis Tribute Artist in the World today.
He is an absolute pleasure to work with. He has unquestioned loyalty, he seeks advice, listens to it carefully and applies it on stage and off. There is not an egotistical bone in his body. Everyone loves him, from the band, to the crew, to the producers; and he is especially loved by the fans.
If you are an Elvis fan, you need to experience Shawn’s show. If you have the chance to meet and talk with him and get to know him, you will walk away a friend.
Editor’s Note: Thank you, Dan, for your informative and heartfelt introduction to Shawn’s interview. It was a pleasure meeting you both at the 2019 Collingwood Elvis Festival; and although I had only a few minutes to chat with Shawn, I “walked away a friend”.
Spotlight ON: Shawn Klush
Actor, Singer, Recording Artist, and First Ever Ultimate ETA
Ultimate ETA Shawn Klush with the Tonettes in 2014. Photo Credit: Eva Brand.
The Interview
Q. Where were you born and raised? Where do you now reside?
A. I was born and raised in Pittston, PA. I currently live one town over from where I was born.
Q. Tell us five interesting things about your childhood.
A. I was an only child. My dad was in the entertainment field. I had a love for music from a very young age. I loved to go fishing and hunting. I loved to collect model cars.
Q. What are the pros and cons of growing up as an only child?
A. Pro—I had the full attention of both parents. Con—I missed out on having that special relationship people have with their siblings.
Q. Describe your life as a teenager.
A. I enjoyed science and history in school. I loved all sports. I played basketball, and my favorite was football. I started a band in my teenage years. I was a bit of a loner, so sometimes it was a struggle making friends. One of my best friends was deaf and mute. I actually learned sign language so we could better understand each other.
Q. What did you do with your time after your high school years ended?
A. I did a brief stint in the Marine Corp.
Shawn on his Harley.
Q. What career path did you decide to take after high school?
A. I started working. At one point I had two jobs and worked with my band on the weekends doing gigs in the Poconos.
Q. Did you take any lessons related to the performing arts? Please explain.
A. I had a few guitar lessons. I did work with an acting coach for a while as well.
Q. What music was most often heard in your home?
A. Usually Elvis, The Beatles, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole and Billy Joel. Later on you may have also heard some Motley Crue, Bon Jovi and Led Zeppelin.
Q. Were you a stage performer prior to becoming an ETA?
A. Yes, I performed with my band and performed in many small bars and such.
Q. What made you decide to embark on a career as an ETA?
A. I loved Elvis my whole life and the chance to showcase that was very appealing. I started to add Elvis to our sets and the audience loved it and kept asking for more. We finally made an entire set and show of just Elvis.
Q. Describe what you were feeling before, during, and after your first performance as an ETA.
A. Scared, nervous, happy, then relieved afterward.
Q. Describe the process of turning yourself into a stage ready ETA. Do you have any rituals?
A. No rituals. I contemplate the upcoming show and sing while getting ready to loosen my voice up, and have some coffee—normal stuff.
Shawn, wearing “the Aloha suit”, prays with Elvis's Sweet Inspirations.
Q. What Elvis costume is your favourite? Why?
A. The Aloha suit because it is Elvis’s most iconic suit and it represents America.
Q. What annoys you?
A. Not much.
Q. What do you fear?
A. Not being able to perform or act any longer.
Q. What question would you ask a fellow ETA?
A. Do you love what you do?
Q. How are you different on stage compared to off stage?
A. Not really different; I’m a joker on and off stage.
Q. Do you have tattoos?
A. Yes, I have one tattoo. It is a Superman emblem and the meaning behind it is personal to me.
Q. Do you still use karate to help you relax? At what age did you begin karate and was your interest in karate influenced by Elvis’s love of martial arts?
Shawn and Pamela on the steps of Graceland.
A. I do not currently practice karate. I studied it briefly years ago but have always had an interest in it, probably because of Elvis.
Q. Who are the important women in your life? Why are these women important to you?
A. My late mother, my daughter Shelby, and my fiancée Pamela. They love(d) and support(ed) me through everything. My daughter makes me proud every day.
Q. What valuable life lessons did you learn from your parents or mentor that you still use today?
A. Be polite and kind to people. Never be arrogant. Work hard.
Shawn interacts with the audience as he leaves the stage at his Las Vegas show.
Q. What is the best part of being an ETA?
A. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, it is seeing the smiles on the fans’ faces.
Q. What song do you wish Elvis had recorded so you could sing it on stage during your tribute to Elvis?
A. “The Dance” by Garth Brooks.
Q. What would people be surprised to learn about you?
A. I love to read and watch stories about archeology. I drive a pickup truck.
Q. Do video games still “rule your life”?
A. No, not at all. However, when my son Troy was into them, whenever I could, I loved playing them with him because it allowed us to spend more time together.
Q. What would you like to say to the backup singers and band members with whom you perform?
A. I’m the luckiest guy in the world and I’m extremely proud to share the stage with them. They rock! Also, my staff and everyone on team Klush is awesome!
Q. Would you want to judge an ETA competition? What do you think are the challenges of being an ETA competition judge?
A. I do not feel comfortable doing that. I don’t judge people in general.
Q. What can you tell us about your relationship/friendship with Dan Lentino? How did you first meet, and how has Dan influenced your life and career?
A. Dan is not just a “friend”, he is my family. He has influenced every part of my life, not only my career. He has always supported me, guided me, taught me, and treated me more like a brother or a son than a business partner.
Q. What other men have had a positive influence on your life, and in what ways?
Poster Credit: Tom Sadge.
A. My dad. He taught me how to be a good man.
Q. What sacrifices have you made for your ETA career?
A. I missed a lot of time with my family.
Q. Describe a special moment with a fan or audience member.
A. They are all special moments
Q. What makes you laugh?
A. I love a good comedy show or movie.
Q. How did you arrive at the "never expect all the attention" rule that you follow, as mentioned in an interview in 2002? Was it more difficult to follow this rule as your popularity as an ETA grew over the years?
A. My dad taught me to always stay humble, and that’s what I’ve tried to do.
Q. Describe your typical non-performance day.
A. Catching up with my kids, spending time with the dogs, and relaxing.
Q. If it were possible, what would you like to ask Elvis? What would you say to him?
A. I’d like to ask him how he coped with the fame. I’d like to tell him how much he has influenced people in a positive way, especially me, and how, to so many, he is the greatest entertainer that ever lived and I’d like to sincerely thank him.
Q. What do you treasure?
A. My family, my life and my health.
Q. How do you handle disappointment?
A. I take it all with a grain of salt.
Q. If you weren’t an ETA, what career would you choose? Why?
A. I always wanted to be a police officer. I have a great respect for law enforcement.
Q. What has surprised you most about being an ETA?
A. That my career has lasted as long as it has and is still going strong.
Q. What makes you sad? How do you cope with sadness?
A. I struggle with death. The saddest times in my life were losing my mom and dad. Music has always helped me cope during sad times.
Ultimate ETA Shawn Klush in Santiago, Chile, at a sold out show in the Movie Star Arena.
Q. In an interview early on in your career, you described doing an album with J D Sumner and The Stamps as your most memorable ETA experience. Are there other experiences over the years you would now add to the list?
A. There are so many: meeting Elvis’s friends, like Charlie Hodge, becoming a long-time friend of Joe Esposito, Jerry Schilling, Marian Cocke, Ray Walker and Gordon Stoker of The Jordanaires, Joe Moscheo, Joe Guercio, DJ Fontana, Donnie Sumner, Ed Enoch and Bill Baize of The Stamps Quartet, Estelle Brown and Myrna Smith of The Sweet Inspirations and of course meeting and talking with Priscilla Presley. Being the first ever to win Graceland’s Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition in Memphis and then winning the World’s Greatest Elvis competition on BBC Television in the UK, performing at Movie Star Arena in Chile, performing at White Sox Park in Chicago, doing the David Letterman show and portraying Elvis in ‘VINYL’ on HBO.
Shawn with Terry Blackwood and the late Joe Moscheo of the Imperials, and guitarist Ross Southerland, on Elvis’s Hilton stage in Las Vegas.
Top 4 photos: First row: Shawn at the piano with Donnie Sumner of Elvis’s Stamps Quartet; Shawn with Priscilla Presley. Second row: Shawn with Joe Esposito and Jerry Shilling in Las Vegas.
Q. In the same interview, you stated that, “I don't really feel like I am worthy of such affection.” What prompted you to make that statement? Do you still feel that way eighteen years later?
A. That’s the way I really felt at the time and I still feel that way today.
Q. Before winning Ultimate title in 2007, what other competitions did enter and win?
A. There were a few. My first one was the one in Montreal in the late 90s where I met Danny, then there was the $25,000 world competition at a big casino; and there was also one for ‘Best Concert Elvis’ for Gibson Guitar Company in Nashville.
Q. How confident were you entering the Ultimate that you had a real chance of winning the title? What were you feeling the few seconds before they announced that you were the winner? How did you celebrate your win? What doors opened for you after earning the distinction of being the first ever Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist?
A. It may be hard to understand but I wasn’t thinking about winning. I was just thinking I wanted to do my best to represent Elvis in the best way possible. I also wanted to do it for all my friends and fans who kept telling me I should enter the contest. I never thought I would win. There were some great guys there like the late Trent Carlini and so many others. I remember I drew 2 slow songs to perform, so I figured that I wouldn’t go over very well. I was so nervous, and I was exhausted. My final song was “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and I put my heart and soul into it, as I always do. At one point in the song, I made eye contact with the front rows of the audience and that was the first time I ever noticed that most of the woman and even some of the men, had tears in their eyes. It really moved me. When they announced that I had won, the audience response was just so loud and I thought it would never stop. I felt so humbled. After that whirlwind of emotions winning in Memphis, I don’t think I slept for a few days. I was in the middle of a tour, so there was no real time to relax and celebrate. I was already working so much, but some new opportunities did open up. However, I was most grateful because it caused EPE, the most ardent Elvis fans and especially the press, to finally embrace and respect ETAs.
Q. Was your role as Elvis in the movie “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” your first experience in acting on the large screen? Please describe your memories of the audition, and comment on your performance in the movie.
A. Yes! Even though it was much harder work than I thought, I had a blast.
Q. I have a few questions about your appearance on The Late Show on February 7th, 2013. How were the ETAs selected to appear during Elvis Tribute Week? Do you remember the names of the other ETAs that appeared that week? Please describe your experiences on stage and behind the scenes. Did you meet actress Sally Fields and Super Bowl Champion, John Harbaugh, who were also on the show? What was your impression of David Letterman? Do you know if he is/was an Elvis Presley fan?
Shawn on stage at the Late Show with David Letterman during Elvis Tribute Week.
A. The show’s producers contacted my manager, Dan Lentino, asking him to help out with the week-long show. He suggested a lot of different ETAs and then worked closely for weeks with the producers and Paul Schaefer (Dave’s musical director). They could only choose 5 ETAs for the week. Dan said Paul actually had the final say when it came to any and all musical guests, even over Dave. They actually wanted me to sing the “American Trilogy” to end the entire week. However, they had to film and record the last night show first, and unfortunately, I was still on tour in South America so they had to use the guy from the UK for that, so I wound up doing “Suspicious Minds” instead. The other ETAs that were chosen were Justin Shandor, Brandon Bennett and Cody Ray Slaughter, as Dave loved the play Million Dollar Quartet. Ben Portsmouth from the UK was brought in because they wanted at least one ETA to be from out of the country. I did meet Sally Field and actually John Harbaugh and I had some fun together with the press outside the back door just before I went on. I remember that, too, because being outside messed up my hair and I had no time to fix it before I went on. I was a little upset just before the show because they made me go into get make-up since it was TV and the person just slapped way too much on my face. Anyway, Dave was very gracious and he is a huge Elvis fan, especially of the Vegas and concert years.
Q. How did you land the role of Elvis Presley in the HBO series, “Vinyl: The King and I”?
A. Again, Dan contacted them when he heard about the role and we sent in an audition tape of a scene they sent us that Ben just quickly shot on his iPad in a hotel room while we were on the road. The director called back Dan a week later and told him that out of the hundreds of auditions they saw, that mine was the only one that got Elvis right, so several weeks later, in between my shows, I flew back and forth to NY to film the show.
Bobby Cannavale, left, and Shawn Klush as Elvis in a scene from the HBO’s series, “Vinyl”. Photo credited to PANTAGRAPH.
Q. In his Rolling Stones’ article ‘Vinyl’ Recap: Long Live the King, SEAN T. COLLINS wrote a glowing review about your role as Elvis in the HBO series. Why do you think Sean called your scene with Richie Finestra (played by Bobby Cannavale) “easily the best real-life rock-star cameo of the series to date”?
A. I don’t know. I just tried my best to do what Elvis would have done. It all felt so natural to me because it was about Elvis. I was honored and humbled by the very kind words he had written and I appreciated his comments very much.
Q. Did you work in close contact with Mick Jagger and Martin Scorsese? What would you like to share about the experience? What are your best memories about working with your fellow actors?
A. I worked with many talented actors and an amazing director. Unfortunately, you usually don’t get to see much of the executive producers, but they did review the footage every night and gave their input each day we filmed. There is a YouTube of Mick commenting on how the Elvis role was so important to him and how it had to be just the right guy.
Q. You had a line in “Vinyl” where Elvis says something about his lip and “kissing old ladies”? What did you think when you first read that line in the script?
A. I actually didn’t care for that line and tried to have it changed. I felt that Elvis would never have said it in that way, as he was very respectful to woman especially older woman. I was able to suggest changes to a lot of the script and also the set-up of the Hilton performance scene, which they had all wrong at first. I wanted to make things look more authentic, but some things, like that line about the ladies, they wanted to leave it in.
Q. In what international cities have you performed? How are audiences different in different countries?
A. I performed in numerous international cities numerous times, all over the UK, South America, Australia and so many more. The audiences are incredible everywhere we perform. They all love Elvis and his music.
Q. Is there a country where you haven’t been already where you would really want to perform?
A. Italy, Ireland.
Photo credited to “What We Do in the Shadows”.
Q. What can you tell us about your role as Elvis in “What We Do in the Shadows”?
A. It was a small role in a popular, quirky comedy about Vampires. We were able to change some things in the script to keep it in good taste. There is talk about bringing my character back for season 3 which would be great.
Q. Describe a future that is specifically designed for you.
A. I’d like to continue to do what I am doing right now, performing and acting.
Q. For you, what were the highlights of the Elvis Tribute Artist World Tour 2019?
Photo Credit: list.co.uk
A. The highlight of any of my shows and tours are the fans. The UK audiences are crazy loud and responsive and love to sing along with the songs. We have made many great friends there and we love to see them each time. It is always great to be on the road with the band and my good friends, Dean Z and Cody Ray Slaughter.
Q. In what ways has CoVid 19 affected your future plans?
A. We missed our entire Spring UK tour and some very big shows in Brazil with an orchestra, Las Vegas, and some of our best shows. It has been very tough being off of work for so long. I hope to be back on the road performing as soon as possible. I really miss the shows, the band, and especially the fans.
Q. How will you know when it is time to retire from being an ETA?
A. That word is not in my vocabulary now. I continue to work very hard and I try to better myself everyday so I can keep the memory of Elvis alive for as many people as I can. I will continue that as long as I am healthy and I am able to do it in a tasteful and respectful manor. It’s not over until it’s over.
Q. What will you do in retirement?
A. There is still so much work I want to do, but when and if the time comes—years from now, hopefully, I’ll move out west to California or Vegas and still enjoy life.
Q. Will you pursue your interest in archeology? What would suit you best: studying archeology from the comfort of your home, or travelling the world in pursuit of artifacts from long ago?
A. If the opportunity arises, maybe. However, traveling is the hardest part of this business so if and when the time comes, that is one thing I will not miss.
Q. Who are the people you would like to thank for being there throughout your ETA career?
A. First and foremost, the fans, my family, those that worked with Elvis that I call my friends, the band, all the producers who believed in me enough to continue to book me and Danny Lentino who never stops working for us all.
Q. What question do you wish I had asked, but didn’t?
A. You asked so many questions I never expected, so you covered it.
Q. How would you answer your own question?
A. Thank you for thinking enough of me to even do this article; and for all those who read this, I hope you continue to be healthy, safe and happy.
God Bless! Shawn
* https://www.facebook.com/ShawnKlush/ * https://www.instagram.com/shawnklush/ * www.shawnklush.com
Photo Album
Photos credit to Shawn Klush, Dan Lentino, SIDEBURNS Magazine, Ingrid Gockert, Rose Geoghegan, Eva Brand, and Almay Stock Photo.
Videos
In Episode 4: Don’t Be Cruel of the series, Marmaluke, special guest star, Shawn Klush, provides divine intervention to help a down-on-his-luck ETA who is entering a local contest. Be prepared to be dazzled by Shawn’s performance in this delightful comedy that begins at minute 8:05.
The following first two videos are of Shawn’s performances in The World’s Greatest Elvis competition on the BBC. The third video is Shawn’s appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman. In the third video, Shawn performs at the Collingwood Elvis Festival’s Silver Anniversary in 2019, followed by a link to an interview on WREG News Channel 3 in February, 2020.
To watch Shawn’s TV interview, click here.
