Introduction
ETA Jesse Aron, who resides in Wisconsin, Illinois, with his wife Tarie, has been a professional ETA for more than two decades. Competing and performing across the US and Canada, and having been invited to bring his tribute to England in 2010, Jesse has fans worldwide.
Since his first festival competition in 2003, Jesse has placed in every competition he entered. In 2009, Jesse won the Images of the King title in Memphis; and in 2013, Jesse was crowned Grand Champion at the Collingwood Elvis Festival in Ontario, Canada.
ETA Jesse Aron performing at the 2018 Collingwood Elvis Festival. Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe.
During his lengthy ETA career, Jesse has made connections with many artists in the ETA world and counts among his influences, friends, and favourites: Rick Saucedo, whom he refers to as “my Elvis”, Garry Wesley, or “dad” as Jesse jokingly calls him, and fellow ETAs Bill Cherry and Dean Z. Jesse also credits many individuals, whom he mentions by name in his interview, for being there for him since the beginning of his career.
Plans for upcoming shows, including a trip to Australia, have had to be put on hold; so until the time when we can once again see Jesse perform live, there are wonderful videos of past performances on YouTube.
I wish to thank Jesse Aron for allowing us a closer look at his life on and off stage. And on behalf of fans, friends, and everyone at SIDEBURNS Magazine…
Happy birthday, Jesse!
Spotlight On: ETA Jesse Aron
ETA Jesse Aron. Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe.
Q. How many years have you been an ETA?
A. I have been an ETA for 23 years, this year, 2020 :)
Q. In what city were you born? Where do you reside now?
A. I was born in Chicago, Illinois, and now I live in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Q. Tell us five interesting things about your childhood.
A. Oh, wow 5! LOL Well, my mother and father were in a rock and roll band that had rehearsals in my house and my father did an Elvis tribute of his own in the show long before tracks were around.
A second interesting, or disturbing thing, depending on who you are…LOL, is that I used to impersonate Michael Jackson as a kid. I was a Jackson fan before I moved on to Elvis.
The third possible interesting thing—mainly to me, is that I am a long time collector. Even as a kid I would collect things of interest; and as a kid, it was comic books :)
The fourth possible interesting thing is that I am a lifelong artist. I have always wanted to draw or paint and I have tried all of those things at one point or another.
The fifth interesting thing is that as a child I would mimic everything I thought was either funny or unique, and even at a very young age, I would do the voices of all of my interests for my friends.
Q. Describe your life as a teenager.
A. Life as a teenager wasn't fun for me. I was into art and music and didn't do well in school. I had a small group of friends and two best friends, possibly three—if I remember correctly, that I hung out with. We did boy stuff…lol. We walked all over town and got into things we weren’t supposed to, and explored abandoned areas; but we also listened to records and watched movies a lot. I was picked on pretty severely in high school by a lot of older class jocks for my hair being done up like Elvis, so that was my nickname, which I didn't mind so much. Thank God for “Beverly Hills 90210” for making my hairstyle acceptable! As I said, my struggles were social acceptance and school in general. I got bored fast, especially if subjects weren't taught by interesting teachers with unique methods; so needless to say, my grades were not good. I graduated late because of it; but once I went back, my grades improved greatly and I graduated with a 3.9 average at the time.
Q. What did you do with your time after your high school years ended?
A. Well I settled down with my high school sweetheart and worked a job in an automotive supplier and powdered metal molding plant for 4 years, then I bounced around until I found something else I enjoyed doing, which was physical labor in a warehouse loading and unloading trucks packing and shipping supplies of children’s playground equipment for a company named Swing and Slide. I worked there for about four more years.
Q. What career path did you decide to take after high school?
A. I was a warehouse worker. As I mentioned, I wasn't a fan of school. My real learning experiences always came from being hands on, and I absorbed things better by watching and doing them, so I enjoyed physical labor in warehouses where I learned every job from shipping and receiving to forklift operator…just about everything to make myself more useful.
Q. Did you take any lessons related to the performing arts? Please explain.
A. I was self-taught in everything from a very early age. Everything from singing to recording I learned on my own without schooling, just by being hands on and around musicians my whole life.
Q. What music was most often heard in your home?
A. With mom and dad having the band, and with me collecting albums and singing along to them, music was very much my life from a very early age. As I recall, music was always on in the car on trips, too.
Q. Were you a performer prior to becoming an ETA?
A. I was not a performer. I was just a laborer and warehouse worker who would sing on my own time because I enjoyed it.
Q. What made you decide to embark on a career as an ETA?
A. Well a little thing called the internet and a push from a good friend of mine when Karaoke became a thing, pushed me into being an ETA. Seeing my parents as performers and seeing old footage of Rick Saucedo from Chicago and Alan Meyer and Pete Wilcox among a few, always interested me; and Elvis was just so cool I wanted to know more about him and I became a super fan.
Q. Describe what you were feeling before, during, and after your first performance as an ETA.
A. Fear! LOL. My first performance was a Lip Sync contest in my high school, so I borrowed my father’s jumpsuit and performed for my school and won 3rd place.
Q. Describe the atmosphere before a competition (or performance) backstage.
A. Pacing…a lot of pacing, butterflies, joking with my peers and getting to know some of the new guys and sitting side stage to watch everyone’s performance.
Q. Describe the process of turning yourself into a stage ready ETA.
A. Well I start with a fresh shower…lol…then the hair which is mine—no wigs for this guy, then the costuming goes on last. I don't use a lot of makeup on my face, just enough to cover whatever blemishes I may have at the time, then I turn on the music I am about to perform on my Android and give it a fresh listen so it is brand new in my head again.
Q. Describe how you felt before, during, and after your first competition. Did you achieve the outcome you desired?
A. Nothing but nerves…lol. It was nerve wrecking, but the outcome was amazing. Feeding off the energy from audience response is very much a rush and keeps you going, as it did me that day. I got so scared I made myself sick and lost my voice; but I placed high two days out of five, and made a lot of fans in the process :)
Q. What is the biggest mistake that young ETAs make in their tribute?
A. Thinking they can do it for a living and not counting on anything else for a career. Having a full time job and learning how hard you have to work to earn a living based on education and the choices you make teaches you humility. You can't just be an impersonator for a living; that's not how it works. Even the best of us have a better half who puts in the time to make up the difference to live a comfortable life worry free financially. Only a select few have been lucky enough to do it solo. Also, not wanting to take the proper steps and work their way up the ladder of success, falling down getting back up and always improving your talents. Learn humility. There is absolutely no shame in losing—only in losing badly.
Top five pros at the 2018 Collingwood Elvis Festival. Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe for SIDEBURNS Magazine.
Q. What valuable life lessons did you learn from your parents, or mentor, that you still use today?
A. I have lived my life making my own mistakes and learning from whomever was around me at the time; and mind you, sadly, they weren't always positive influences I took away from these experiences, but I learned from them. Once the positive influences came around, my biggest most positive influence I would have to say is my wife, Tarie. She taught me to find the silver lining in every given situation no matter how difficult.
Q. Describe the highlights of your ETA career, so far.
A. Winning Images and the Collingwood Elvis Festival would be top two for me because both were goals I set out to achieve and reaching them was the best feeling in the world. I have been very fortunate to have had several other highlights along the way such, as singing with the Jordanaires and working with several of Elvis's inner circle and some of my heroes which has been an amazing journey.
Q. What is the best part of being an ETA?
A. The best part of being an ETA is making people happy by forgetting about reality for a while and taking them to another place…just the happiness and laughs it brings them.
Q. Who are the important women in your life? Why are these women important to you?
ETA Jesse Aron and his wife, Tari.
A. Number one, first and foremost, is my wife, Tarie. She supports me 100% on every decision I make. Whether right or wrong, agree or disagree, she lets me make my own decisions and mistakes and then talks about the pros and cons after the fact, and what could have been done differently or how it was a great idea or decision and how it was dealt with. I also have several devoted female friends and fans whom without them I wouldn't know what to do, as they have all helped me so much throughout my life: Dee Kerchoff, a strong mother figure who was the first president of my fan club and whom, to this day, always checks on me and makes sure I am alright; Patricia Blackford, who did my website for twenty years and was my best support system since day one of my career; and most recently, Tammy, Josephine, and Patty (they all know who they are :) who all helped me so much because they believed in me and went above and beyond to make sure I was taken care of (and still do).
Q. How are you different on stage compared to off stage?
A. I'm not trying to be Elvis; I am very different off stage as myself. The closest I am on stage to myself is my Roy (Orbison) or Variety shows because I implement a lot of my own personality for those tributes because I find it works best. Although, I do find the longer I do this, the more of me comes out on stage in my banter.
Q. What ETA title would you like to have that has so far escaped you?
A. I always wanted to, in another world and time, win the Ultimate; but I just don't foresee that in my future for several reasons.
Q. Would you want to judge an ETA competition? What do you think are the challenges of being an ETA competition judge?
A. I have judged before and I feel the biggest challenge a judge faces is working with a judging system that I feel does not work properly, especially after having done it several times myself.
Jesse’s former manager, Steve Kerchoff, with his wife, Dee Dee.
Q. What men have had a positive influence on your life? How?
A. I had a manager whose name was Steve Kerchoff who was a great influence on my life, and several others around him as well, and Bob Jessie, a good friend of mine, Rich Granlund, my wife Tarie's father, Doug Macdonald, and my Uncle Eddie to name a few. My father and I didn't have a good relationship, so I had to grow up raising myself and often making my own mistakes; but these men all taught me some amazing values on life since becoming a part of mine.
Q. What makes you sad? How do you cope with sadness?
A. 2020…LOL! People who hate without reason and sometimes feelings that overcome me during downtime; and losing people and things I love is a big one that haunts me, but it's a part of life. I work out, or distract myself by making others happy, listen to music, watch movies that make me laugh, or have routines that keep my mind occupied.
Q. In what international cities have you performed? How are audiences different in different countries?
A. I have performed all over Canada and once in England.
Canadians are the most polite awesome fans I have ever met. England made me earn their love and it was a great experience all polite, respectful people—very different from the States.
Q. Is there a country where you really want to perform as an ETA?
A. I was scheduled to perform in Australia this year but due to COVID, as you know, that was cancelled. I always thought Japan would be fun as several of my friends were there, and Switzerland.
Q. What are your strengths as a performer?
A. That's a tough one. I think confidence. Once I step on stage, it makes a big difference. Vocally, I feel like I can hold my own when I am on stage. My personality and sense of humor, though, I feel are my strongest.
Q. What makes you laugh?
A. Everything! I know that sounds vague, but humor has literally gotten me through life’s toughest obstacles and I use it daily to cope with whatever comes my way.
Q. Describe your typical non-performance day.
A. I wake up, take on whatever projects I'm involved in until they're complete, have coffee and breakfast, do a good work out, spend the day with my new pup and do my husbandly house duties…LOL
Q. If it were possible, what would you like to ask Elvis? What would you say to him?
A. Hmmm this is an amazing question. I'd probably say, “How come you never reached out and got real help from real professionals?”
The whole story of his life, while amazing, is also sad to me, so I always wondered had he gotten proper help how things may or may not have been different. We all need at least one person we can confide in and I just don't think since his mother passing he had anyone.
Q. What do you treasure?
A. The ability to be able to do what I love for a living. Not everyone gets that opportunity, so I definitely treasure every minute of it.
Q. If you weren’t an ETA, what career would you chose?
A. I'd probably be back on a forklift in some warehouse somewhere enjoying that physical labor that got me started in the work force.
Q. What has surprised you most about being an ETA?
A. The extent some fans go to help you or support you. There are some truly amazing people out there with whom I owe my life to and I will forever be grateful to them for all they do.
Q. Describe a special moment with a fan or audience member.
A. I've been called on more than once in my lifetime to help make people in hospice or in the last stages of their life be happy one more time, and that has not only been rewarding in itself, but it has taught me to never take life for granted…cherish every minute of it and be happy.
Q. What are sacrifices have you made for your ETA career?
A. Several, because I take a very active part in production and performance as I have ran my own productions and contests and events. When you are self- employed, it's 24/7. You don't punch out for the day or shut it off when people reach out to hire you or to talk to you about advice on something or needing your help, so this is very time consuming. Other things, like my marriage, relationships, and family events, always kind of get put aside because I get quite overwhelmed and exhausted. I just take what little time that's left to rest for my own personal and mental health.
Q. What Elvis costume is your favourite? Why?
A. The Mad Tiger and The Dragon and the Rainbow…well, all of them! I just always felt more the part when wearing them for some reason, and they look pretty cool.
Q. If you were to design your own jumpsuit, what details would you include in the design?
A. I'd make it light up like a Christmas tree you could see from space! LOL
ETA Jesse Aaron. Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe.
Q. What annoys you?
A. The term, "You are all winners."
Q. What do you fear?
A. Time.
Q. Describe a future that is specifically designed for you.
A. I'd just like to continue performing until the time comes when I am back in production behind the scenes helping keep the music of Elvis and all the greats around for future generations catering to the times and changes in the world, and making it exciting to everyone.
Q. How do you handle disappointment?
A. I vent to my loved ones and discuss my disappointment until it's out of my system. They help boost me up again and refocus on the silver lining at the end of it all.
Q. How will you know when it is time to retire from being an ETA?
A. When I'm good and ready! LOL
Q. What will you do in retirement?
A. Production and taking the Elvis tribute industry and tributes, in general, to the next level.
Q. Who are the people you would like to thank for being there throughout your ETA career?
A. The list is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy too long to type; but I will just say thank you to all who have been there from the start.
Q. What question would you ask a fellow ETA?
A. Where do you see yourself in 10 years realistically?
Q. What would people be surprised to learn about you?
A. I actually listen to a huge variety of music other than Elvis.
Q. What would you like to say to the backup singers and band members with whom you perform?
A. I appreciate all of their hard work and dedication to the craft as I know it's not easy whatsoever.
Q. What song do you wish Elvis had recorded so you could sing it on stage during your tribute to Elvis?
A. If I hear Elvis in my head doing it I would just take a stab at it, but none come to mind. He had over 700 to choose from of his own, so I think I'm good with his for now.
Q. What question do you wish I had asked, but did not?
A. My favorite color or food—purple and Italian :)
Q. How would you answer your own question?
A. Depends on the question, but honestly and direct and to the point has always been my approach.
Photo Album
Videos
Thank you to photographer Lori-Anne Crewe (credited photos) and Jesse Aron (all other photos).