I like to go to the Village Restaurant in Stoney Creek., ON, for their cheesecake . That they use is the same one that my mom used, fills my heart with joy.
Messages of Love
Whether they expressed their love in a few short sentences or lengthy paragraphs, one thing for sure, ETAs who answered my questions on relationships are loving, expressive, and very grateful for the wonderful people in their lives. As a Valentine gift for SIDEBURNS Magazine’s family, friends, fans, and followers, this article is dedicated to all of you with a heartfelt thank you for continuing to support my writing by reading, commenting, and liking my Facebook pages and website. Wishing everyone a very Happy Valentine’s Day. Love, Carolyn.
Shawn Klush
Shawn Klush in a photo provided by Dan Lentino.
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 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.
Jay Zanier
Q. Who are the people you would like to thank for being there throughout your ETA career?
A. First my mom. She was there from the beginning, from making my first of many costumes to compete in, to making all my scarves throughout my career.
A second first, my wife, Lynne, who supported me from the first day she met me. She was my person to go to when I needed help to put all my tracks on the computer, to doing my sound and lighting when doing a track show. She was there when I won the first Ultimate Elvis preliminary in Collingwood and kept my head on my shoulders. In all the ups and downs I have gone through with this thing we call the Elvis world, Lynne has always been there by my side.
I would like to thank Linda for believing in me, and asking me to perform alongside other ETAs on the Malt Shop and Country Cruises for the last 10 years; and Gerie and The Koasters for being my incredible band for the last 20 something year-- you guys rock and roll!
Johnny Thompson
Johnny Thompson in a photo by Justice Howard.
Q. Who are the important women in your life? Why are these women important to you?
A. First of all my mom, of course. She supports me, not so much show business, but she supports me and has always believed in me. First reason, my mom was super strict when I was growing up. Had she not been, I am sure my brother and I would have been in trouble a lot. But, she is also a sweet and loving person. She is a devoted Christian and everyone at her church over the years has loved my mom immensely. Now, my wife, April, she is a sweetheart. Ten minutes after meeting her, I told my friend, “I think I just met the girl I am going to marry.” When you know, you know. She has been a great wife and companion for the past eight plus years and recently a fantastic mother to our baby boy, Zander. We are both devout Christians as well. It’s a blessing to have a wife who also shares the same faith. That makes for a happy marriage.
Steve Michaels
Steve Michaels in a photo by Carolyn MacArthur.
Q. What do you treasure? And what brings joy to your life?
A. My wife, Ashley, and my two children.
Q. Are there individuals you would like to thank?
A. There are so many close friends, and family who are a part of my story and if I accidentally left one out it would be devastating to me. I know I couldn’t have done any of this without you guys in my corner. However, I believe there is one person that I can mention without exception and that is my mom —the ultimate Elvis fan. I love and thank you all.
Q. Is there a question that you wished I had asked, but didn’t?
A. This has been the most insightful, and wonderful interview that I have taken part in for a very long time. You hit all the marks, and thank you, Carolyn.
Dean Z
Q. Who were/are the important women in your life? Why are these women important to you?
Photo of Dean z and his wife Stefi is from Facebook.
A. The important women in my life are my beautiful wife, Stephi, who is loyal, funny, and a survivor; my mom Jackie, who is resilient, tough, and strong, who taught me all the values I have; and my sister, Marie Z, who is a country singer.
Q. Who are the people you would like to thank for being there throughout your ETA career?
A. My mother and father—I would not be here as a performer without them being there for me, and my wife, my brother and my sister.
Q. What would you like to say to the backup singers and band members with whom you perform?
A. I have the best team in my shows. I love them as people as well as talented individuals.
Donny Edwards
Q. Who are the important people in your life? Why are these people important to you?
Photo of Donny Edwards provided by Donna Edwards.
A. First, my beautiful wife, Donna. We have tons in common, and as a married couple and best friends, we love each other very much. She is also my business partner and we manage my professional ETA career together as a team.
Also important is my mother who’s always been super supportive and helped me early on with buying costumes and things to get me started. She is still a big supporter of what I do and helps in any way needed. My mother in law, Joan, is my second "mom" and also a big supporter of what I do. Two other important women are my Vegas, and third "mom", Cynthia Pepper, who was Elvis's co-star in "Kissin' Cousins". Also important to me is my fourth "mom", Shirley Morgan, who is my fan club president. Shirley is always there to lend a hand in absolutely any way she can. They are all very special to me.
Garry Wesley is my mentor and "big brother". He is a class act. Definitely a great role model for anyone, and I feel lucky that he was mine. Garry was the voice of reason and experience that I needed early on and I still bug him every now and then. The best advice he gave me was not to watch him or any other ETAs like so many do today, but to let Elvis alone be my teacher.
Rami Aslan
Q. Who are the important women in your life? Why are these women important to you?
A. Surely my wife. She is not the biggest Elvis fan…but anyway, lol.
Photo of Rami Aslan by B&K Costumes.
Q. Who are the people you would like to thank for being there throughout your ETA career?
A. Mostly my fans. They can make you; they can break you. So always be friendly to them. Good friends can call me anytime.
Q. What men have had a positive influence on your life? How?
A. Elvis Presley influenced me, because he gave me self-confidence. Because of him, I got positive feedback and support from many people. His music changed all: I knew almost 200 songs to sing on stage; but to be honest, from month to month, I learn songs by Elvis that I never had before on my radar, lol.
Michael Cullipher
Michael Cullipher in a photo by Lori-Anne Crewe.
Q. What do you treasure?
A. Several things: Getting to meet and perform for some of Elvis’s closest friends and family, becoming super close to Ms. Louise Smith (Elvis’s first cousin), meeting Priscilla, recording “Suspicious Minds” with Ben Cauley, and watching my children grow up, and teaching them things.
Q. Who are the people you would like to thank for being there throughout your ETA career?
A. There are so many to list because I am a lucky guy. Thanks to all of them!
Q. What would you like to say to the backup singers and band members with whom you perform?
A. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication! Elvis music is not the easiest to learn or play by any means, so thank you!
Eddy Popescu
Eddy Popescu in a photo by Lori-Anne Crewe.
Q. Who are the important women in your life?
A. My mom and my wife.
Q. What do you treasure?
A. My family.
Q. What valuable life lessons did you learn from your parents, or mentor, that you still use today?
A. I have learned so many things from my parents, from their advice, and even from their mistakes or my mistakes. Life is the best teacher you can have. I know one thing for sure: LOVE IS THE KEY THAT CAN OPEN ANY LOCKED DOOR. Hate is not an option; love is. Be good. Be honest. Be kind and humble…
Matt Cage
Matt Cage in a photo by Lori-Anne Crewe.
Q. How do you relax between concerts?
A. I like to spend time with loved ones--and by loved ones, mostly my cats Holly and Snowbird, haha. I got them at Christmas time and wanted wintery names that tied into Elvis somehow. So they are both named after songs he did: “Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees” and “Snowbird”, originally made famous by Canadian singer, Ann Murray.
Q. Why does the song “Danny Boy” have special meaning for you?
A. My dad had an eclectic taste in music, but he was not an Elvis fan. The only two songs that he liked that Elvis sang were Danny Boy and In the Ghetto. Shortly after my dad died, I decided to learn Danny Boy (I already knew In the Ghetto well and would sing it whenever he asked). I was driving home from Oklahoma (where I did a contest and finished 2nd--so close!) and decided to put the many hours to good use. I would listen and sing the song and ended up blubbering and crying half the time (people seeing me behind the wheel in that condition must have really wondered about me!), but eventually I got it down pat. To this day, every time I sing the song, I close my eyes and think of my dad.
Thane Dunn
Photo of Thane Dunn provided by the artist.
Q. What do you treasure?
A. I treasure my family, my wife, and especially my son. I treasure the people who follow me, and my loyal fans.
Q. Who are the important women in your life? Why are these women important to you?
A. My wife, Melanie Dunn, is important to me because she is my rock. When Melly was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, we thought there would be no children to carry on my dad’s name because I am an only child. It was a miracle when our son, Charlie, was born.
Q. What valuable life lessons did you learn from your dad that you still use today?
A. From my dad, I learned my people skills. He was very personable, and people trusted him. I learned right from wrong from my dad. I learned how to treat people and to expect to be treated the same in return. The lessons I learned from my dad, I still use today. My father and I always loved Johnny Cash gospel music, and when we went on trips together we would sing his music in the car. In 2012, I sang gospel at Collingwood—a year after I lost my dad, and that particular win meant more to me than the overall win in 2009.
Photo of Paul Hyu provided by the artist.
Paul Courtenay Hyu
Q. Who are the important women in your life? Why are these women important to you?
A. My wife, Maxine. We married a few years ago, and we have a son, Jonty, of whom we are very proud and who is doing great at school.
Ted Torres Martin
Q. Who are the important women in your life? Why are these women important to you?
A. My mom and my beautiful wife are special, supportive, and loving. Our wedding was a beautiful and very special wedding for many reasons. Our wedding day really exceeded our expectations, from so many special guests to, of course, the moment where she said, “I do.” She is the love of my life.
Q. What men have been positive influences in your life? How?
A. My father, God, and Elvis Presley. My dad taught me just about everything. He was a very loving, smart, talented, hard-working man--the best dad for sure. God, of course, because without Him nothing would be possible; and Elvis... well, he is very special to me for many reasons. I feel very close to him. He is my music idol.
Q. Who are the people you would like to thank for being there throughout your ETA career?
A. Also people that have always been supportive in the Elvis world , like the late Gordon Stoker from the Jordanaires. A good friend that I'll always miss, Mr.DJ Fontana, was always kind and encouraging. Mrs. Marian Cocke (Grandma). She's just the best, and I love her very much.
Oliver Steinfhoff
Q. Are there people whom you would like to thank for contributing to your happiness in life?
A. I would thank my wife and son, Elvis, all Elvis fans, Aneglika Springauf--who met Elvis many times, and many, many more people.
Q. Is there anyone you would like to thank?
A. Thank you to all my Canadian friends. You are all amazing. Canadians are friendly and polite. Canada is a beautiful country. I was in Penticton, British Columbia after Collingwood. Wow! I was deeply impressed with how nice this place is. I also visited Tweed, and you can’t imagine how nice the people are. I love Tweed, Collingwood, and Penticton.
Joseph Hall
Photo of Joseph Hall courtesy FB Timeline.
Q. What valuable life lessons did you learn from your parents, or mentor, that you still use today?
A. I learn lessons every day. This morning I learned not to always be in a hurry. Jesus told his disciples, “Anyone who wants to be first, must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35
Q. Who are the important women in your life? Why are these women important to you?
A. My wife, Amber, who is the mother of my 3 handsome boys. She is my best friend and my rock. She gives me the confidence to be the best I can be. My mother who plays a very important role in my “Elvis World” and in my life “and I love you so”. My sisters, whom I love, and will always be there for me.
Tim E Hendry
Q. Who are the important women in your life? How does each woman you mentioned bring meaning to your life?
A. My mom...what can I say. She is the most giving, loving, supportive, understanding mom anyone could ever wish for, and a HUGE Elvis fan I must say! My sisters Tammy and Terry...again huge Elvis fans, and two of the very best people I know. They are always there for me with love that never wavers. My nieces...two amazing kids that are so much fun to be around, and I am blessed to have them in my life. I love them very much. My girlfriend, Brandy...it is unreal how she has made my life so much better. She is so supportive of my career, and also makes sure I have a level head. She has also taught me so much about all other things. Brandy coming into my life was truly a blessing, and I cherish her and her family. Barb Mason, president of my fan club, is one of the best people I have ever met. I love her dearly and I am blessed to have her as a friend. Marie White...again a true friend who has done so much for me, that I can’t thank her enough. She is a gem, and man, she loves Elvis…lol. Sandra Gold has been one of my very best friends for years. Sandra and I have shared many, many laughs, and we have shed a few tears together as well. I cherish her and love her like a sister. There are so many more I could list, as I have met so many wonderful women, and people in general, in my life that I am truly blessed and lucky.
Marnie Mackintosh
Q. Do you have a favourite fan moment that you would like to share with us?
A. There was this one time I walked out into the audience to give away scarves and a fan picked me up, threw me over their shoulder and was carrying me out the door. Security arrived in the nick of time.
Marnie Mackintosh in a photo by Lori-Anne Crewe.
Q. Are there individuals you would like to thank? Why?
A. There are many people along the way who deserve thanks. “But Renée, a special one goes out to you! You convinced me to take this to the next level and always believed in me."
Sylvain Leduc
Sylvain Leduc in a photo by Lori-Anne Crewe at the 2018 Niagara Falls Elvis Fetival.
Q. What charities have benefited from your performances as an ETA?
A. I have done several for Sick Children, Wish Foundation, American and Canadian Legions to raise funds for them.
Q. Is there a particular encounter with a fan that stands out in your memory?
A. There are many. I guess there are too many.
Brent Freeman
Q. What do you treasure?
A. Family and friends.
Q. What circumstances led to the photo of you and Mike Holmes?
A. I have many friends in high places…lol. Actually, he’s dating Suzy’s sister ;)
Q. Are there particular people you would like to thank? Why?
A. My children…who are wonderful, and Suzy (girlfriend) for putting up with me. Both stepdaughter, Alexya, and my oldest child, Myra, love going to Elvis events, which is a blast. My musical brain-washing has really worked too well on them. But I’m glad they share the same love for Elvis music as me.
