Confessions from My Desk: Part IV
by Mark Erwin
So, here we are, a couple of months removed from our one and only “personal” meeting and many years after taking in this incredible talent, and I find myself sitting across from Steve at a Milestone having a light lunch and entrenched in conversation about business. Business is what I do - all things business and that is strictly what we talked about. I was still reeling over the fact that he was doing this primarily on his own; to be this talented and string together these terrific shows all the while handling the business side of things was phenomenal. Back in the early stages of Steve’s career, Kathleen DeNike was instrumental in assisting Steve along and I have been fortunate enough over the years to become acquainted with Kathleen. She is plain and simple a beautiful human being who has a passion for Elvis and a GIANT heart for Steve.
I was volunteering my time and business ideas with Steve with no ulterior motive. I just wanted to create some sponsorship opportunity for myself and share some ideas for him to capitalize on.
Photo Credit: Elaine Wren.
The first hour of our meeting flew by, the second was almost up and we literally lost track of time; and quite frankly, we both felt that we just started to scratch the surface. I believe there was a kindred spirit among the two of us and we left that lunch with another meeting scheduled over the next few days. As we were parting, with a smile or perhaps even a snicker, Steve said, “Hey! Why don’t you be my manager as well?” I just chuckled and went to my car. It was a joke wasn’t it? I mean, I have a full time career in my business. I am heavily involved in the world of professional sports and I am a husband a father…lots of things on the go. Ya! It was a joke! Wasn’t it?
Next meeting was ramped up, meat and potatoes, per se’. I agreed to put together a Christmas playbill and just provide evidence that many of the fans in the audience would love to be a part of a “program”; plus, they would like a little insight of the man. We all know he is incredibly talented, but as many emails and facebook messages prove, they want more of him: Who is he? It just made sense that we let them know in a little BIO that we pieced together. The program was a success and a souvenir!
Steve Michaels gets a helping hand from his manager, Mark Erwin, at the meet and greet after the Wonderful World of Christmas show in Milton, ON. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.
Finally, Steve and I started to talk about his career. I promise you, we hadn’t uttered a word about his career…when it started, how it started; but we did begin to broach the subject of “Where would you like it to go?” It was intriguing. I knew nothing about the Elvis tribute world; but I sure as hell knew who was sitting in front of me. From the pit of my core, I felt the WORLD needed to as well. The minds came together and my head spun for hours, days and weeks on end to discover how I could assist. It was quite possibly the 4th or 5th meeting that we had that we “struck a deal” whereby I became his manager/agent. With all due respect, he may NOT have needed me at all at this point, but there was energy in this new found friendship (operative word friendship) and a deep desire to take this to another level. It was around this time that another producer had come on the scene and developed a project for Steve to star in. And there were a plethora of “things” all going on at the same time, so our connection actually became vital. Having someone handle the business side of things allowed Steve to hone his craft even more, and having someone to lean on and bounce ideas off of was also crucial. We wanted to get this party started, and we just needed to create an even bigger party--enter the endless possibilities of showcasing this young man’s talent and share it in a broader spectrum. And that is what we did!
If I Can Dream was developed by Steve and I within a matter of two months, with some refinement along the way. The show told the complete story of EP from top to bottom. It was a show told like no other before or to this very moment. If I Can Dream had to come to life and we were bound and determined to get it into the theatres and share it with his fans. Steve wrote and produced all of his shows prior, including his version of Aloha, Wonderful World of Christmas, That’s the way it Was, Teen Idol to King and certainly more to come. If I Can Dream was outside the box and it just had to see the light. We knew it was going to be a success. We were, however, a little over zealous and perhaps NOT as organized as we should have been. Fortunately for us, Ashley Goddard (now Kabakos) was from the Show Biz world and kicked us in the butt and into gear and became the 3rd producer of the show with her know how! She is also, by the way, an accomplished dancer who was responsible for the choreography of the show. Voila! If I Can Dream was announced to the ELVIS orld in December 2012 during the Wonderful World of Christmas tour in Burlington, Brampton, Milton, Guelph, Markham, Brantford; and the Bandshell at the CNE got a taste in May and June of 2013. This show gave us the momentum we needed and Steve went on to create One Night (Comeback to ‘68), MSG Live, American Trilogy and Grace to Gloryland, an original 100% Gospel show. Needless to say, the growth spurt was on and his stock rising!
Steve Michaels on stage in Ireland performing in This is Elvis. Photo Credit: Pamela Raith.
I guess it is fair to say that I have taken on the majority of the business side of things and Steve has simply exploded on the International scene. Over the last few years Steve has completed a tour of Australia, a stint in Thailand and most recently more than 200+ shows in the UK as the star of This Is Elvis. I do NOT take any credit for his success. He is the talent. He is the man behind it all. I simply line up the putt and he puts it in the hole…Lol!
If I Can Dream, by the way, is slated to play the Fallsview Theatre at the Scotiabank Convention Centre on September 29th, 2018. We expect a sold out crowd with our very special guest, Mr. John Rowlands (Elvis’s tour photographer), and VIP meet and greet for about 100 lucky fans!
I’m just along for the ride. It’s a fun ride and it’s an interesting ride; and along this ride I have met some interesting people in and out of the business. Outside of the business, I have encountered some of the most loyal and incredible fans who simply are thankful for Steve sharing his voice and craft. (I echo that sentiment). I am thankful that he is sharing it as well. His approach to everything is with perfection in mind. While he realizes perfection isn’t attainable, after all, there was and will always be only one Elvis; however, along the way, Steve has managed to capture excellence, and he has done so in a most soft and humble way. On and off the stage, he is exactly who you believe him to be. He is thankful to Elvis and honoured to portray him in music and stage. His fans are his lifeline. The respect he has for each and every one of them is immeasurable. Inside the business, I have met some wonderful theatre operators from top to bottom and of course, the ensemble. They have all become family and they are the music behind the machine. So, show after show, one rehearsal to the next, different cities, different towns and for Steve, many different countries, this vehicle (Steve Michaels) keeps rolling with one thing in mind: deliver the very best, which, coincidentally, is the name of his TVB band (TVB is an acronym for The Very Best). In my humble opinion, he does just that…he delivers the very best. Ah hell….It’s freaking unbelievable. I can’t lie, this should be routine for me by now. I’ve sat through how many shows in front of the curtain or behind? I still shake my head in utter disbelief just how incredible this young man is!
Together, we have formed a bond over the years. We have never shared an unkind word to one another even when we agree to disagree. And on that note…we incorporated Mojo Working into If I Can Dream and Steve said it was a “no go” to that when I included it in the set. Guess who won that one?? Lol! It’s in the show, he kills it and said to me afterwards, “I’m surprised Elvis really never performed it.” Mojo was primarily in rehearsal, but it is one heck of a song; and Steve agrees :)
I am honoured to be associated with Steve and the TVB ensemble. Together they have created an incredible homage to Elvis and his music. I am the most fortunate man on the planet to have a beautiful wife who allows me to share my passion for business with the likes of Steve. It’s a juggling act with many weekends spent away from my family. And on that note…if I may, besides being an avid Elvis/Steve fan, I am the proud husband of Cynthia, father of Kylee and father-in-law to Tyler who have blessed me with two beautiful grandsons, Onyx and Essyx.
What a journey! I’m excited to read Steve’s interview, your readers will experience what a soft, kind, caring and charismatic individual Steve is. And I have to tell ya: What makes it even cooler is the fact that he is a good ole Canadian boy taking the world of ELVIS by storm! GO CANADA GO!
Thanks for listening to my take.
If anything, you will no doubt believe that I believe, he is the very best on the planet! And if that’s what you believe I believe…
YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!
Adios…until we meet again.
Mark
Edits for “Confessions from My Desk: Part IV” by Carolyn MacArthur.
Photos: Credited to Steve Michaels, Mark Erwin, and Elaine Wren, unless otherwise indicated.