Introducing: Cameron Caton AKA COVID Elvis

When my daughter, Heather, saw a photo of an ETA on the front page of the Aldershot “Neighbourhood” magazine, she knew that the article would be of special interest to me.

Upon receiving Heather’s text, I contacted Cameron Caton to find out more about the featured photo and story; and in reply to my enquiry, Cameron shared the following information:

Craziest thing is I've never been an ETA. I am not an Elvis impersonator. I have never been in competition. I have never been to Collingwood or Graceland. I just started four months ago wearing a jumpsuit and using my gift for a greater purpose; so when people ask, “How long have you been a Elvis impersonator?” I tell them I'm not—I simply love to sing the music of Elvis Presley and play the part; but I'm not an ETA and have never claimed to be an Elvis impersonator.

It happened 100% organically and was never my intention; however, after I was dubbed COVID Elvis, I kind of just ran with it. I even have a Facebook group associated with everything I've been doing since April:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3014659741950660/?ref=share

Although I've never been in a competition, I've spent 15 years entertaining old folks. Up until recently, I never imagined dying my hair black, growing sideburns and wearing an Elvis Jumpsuit; but it has been an amazing experience to say the least.

I've always loved Elvis and his music; I just never imagined playing the part. It is amazing how more than 40 years since Elvis’s untimely death, his legacy continues and he is still appreciated long after his passing. It is the real tribute and testament to his influence and greatness.

It's been an absolutely overwhelming and amazing ten weeks of incredible generosity and kindness. I tell people all the time, "I am just the spark that got the fire started and people are the fuel to keep it burning."

Thank you, Cameron Caton, for all you do to help those in need and for putting smiles on the faces of those in isolation; and thank you for taking time from your sidewalk serenades to answer questions and send photos. Wishing you continued success with your ‘tribute’ to the King. Also, thank you to Heather for directing me to this very interesting article by Leslie Styles that was featured in the “Neighbourhood—Aldershot” magazine (pictured below and credited to the magazine). C.M.

For further reading about Cameron Caton and his travelling performances, I invite you to enjoy the following article written by Samantha Craggs, a CBC News reporter based in Hamilton, Ontario.

Article

COVID Elvis is Cheering Up Hamiltonians

The COVID-19 pandemic has people isolated in their personal heartbreak hotels, but one Hamilton man nicknamed "COVID Elvis" has eased the pain by serenading people from sidewalks and windows in exchange for donations to food banks.

Cameron Michael Caton has traveled around Hamilton with a speaker and a mic since April, crooning to the self-isolated to celebrate anniversaries and birthdays, or just to lighten the mood.

Caton says he performs for a living, particularly at nursing homes, with the skill of imitating "just about anybody." He'd resisted doing Elvis until this year though, because "does the world really need another guy jumping around in a jumpsuit?"

Then in April, he says, a friend asked him to serenade her parents from the driveway to make up for a cancelled 80th birthday party.

"I gave it a little bit of thought," he said, and said, 'How about I come dressed as Elvis?”

The Gourley Park resident has dubbed his effort the Helping Hands Van Tour. He's performing in exchange for food bank donations, and has dropped off several hundred pounds of food so far. In the case of Neighbour to Neighbour, the centre confirmed that he dropped off "nearly 500 pounds of food."

Caton has also started collecting money and donations for hygiene packages that include menstrual products, a campaign he calls "Basic Essentials for Her."

David Murkovich hired Caton to perform for his mother Carol in the east end last weekend. Carol, 77, lives alone and is a life-long Elvis fan. Murkovich says, "She has plates and calendars and posters and records and spoons." She was supposed to go to Graceland for the first time ever this month, and the pandemic forced her to cancel the trip. Caton arrived for a Mother's Day weekend performance and sang four songs, including "Don't Be Cruel" and "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear."

"She was in shock," Murkovich said. "She loved it, but she was silent. She was dumbfounded.

With this philanthropy, Caton says, he's found his calling. He's dyed his hair black to commit to the role. When he shows up to croon, he said, the reaction is "disbelief".

"I've never been more passionate about something. When the pandemic's dust settles, this isn't the end of it. This is just getting started." S.C.