Introduction
ETA Roy Leblanc at the Collingwood Elvis Festival. Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe.
I was asked by Ontario booking agent, Nigel Husing, if I would consider doing an interview with ETA Roy Leblanc whom he hopes to book for an upcoming show. I only knew Roy from his work as an emcee at the Collingwood Elvis Festival, so I was interested in getting to know more about Roy Leblanc, Elvis Tribute Artist, through his answers to my questions.
Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe for SIDEBURNS Magazine.
Roy competed this past April at the Niagara Falls Elvis Festival; however, I was not able to attend the day of competition and missed seeing Roy’s performance in the top twelve and the opportunity of talking to him in person, which would have given insight for an introduction to Roy’s interview.
I did, however, find a biographical outline from Continental Entertainment and I am happy to share my edited version:
From performing on his fan club cruises to the countless sold out shows throughout the Caribbean, USA, Europe and Australia, Roy Leblanc is one of the most sought after tribute acts working today.
Roy’s claim to fame, and what truly launched his career, was being the first non-American contestant to win the title of World’s Finest Elvis at the Elvis Extravaganza in Las Vegas.
Those who have met Roy or have seen him perform had the following to say about their experiences:
ETA Roy Leblanc looks splendid in his American Eagle jumpsuit.
“Roy Leblanc has an amazing stage presence and a powerful voice; but what is most impressive is his respect for others which truly reflects the same values as my cousin, Elvis Aaron Presley.” Respectfully – Donna Presley
“(Roy) had people of all ages up dancing and singing. The way he interacted with the crowd was truly amazing. At Defasco Steel’s Canada concert, all 15,000 in attendance couldn’t believe their eyes or their ears. Elvis lives!” Dan Kay – Defasco Steel
“There are many Elvis acts and the ones that have the look rarely have the voice. Roy Leblanc has been blessed with both. Combine that with his charisma and you can see why Roy and one of the most sought after shows on the planet!” Will Chambers – Collingwood Elvis Festival
It is with much pleasure that I present my interview with ETA Roy Leblanc for the enjoyment of SIDEBURNS Magazine readers. Thank you to Roy for answers that allows us to get to know the ETA and emcee we see on stage more intimately. Thank you to Nigel Husing for suggesting an interview with Roy.
Interview
Q. Where were you born, and where do you reside now?
A. I was born in London Ontario and that is where I presently live.
Grade 8 grad with lifelong pals Kelly McGrath, John McNorgan, and Joe Groot McLaren.
Q. Tell us five interesting things about your childhood.
A. Five interesting things about my childhood:
· I have lots of family.
· I always liked lots of attention…lol. Some might even say I was the class clown.
· I didn’t sing until I was in my early 20s.
· I was more into sports when I was younger and didn’t take an interest in performing arts until grade 10.
· I won public speaking contests at an early age; and I was a published author by grade 6.
Q. Describe your life as a Teenager.
A. I was a typical teenager and for the most part stayed out of trouble. I was always active in sports...hockey and baseball, mostly. I had a close knit group of friends and we could almost always be found at the park playing ball etc. No internet then, so we were always outside.
Fanshawe College,
Q. What did you do with your time after your high school years ended?
A. I took radio broadcasting at Fanshawe College, then I went into business for myself.
Q. Did you take any lessons related to the performing arts?
A. I took drama class in my last two years of high school. I really credit Peter Wintercorn, a great drama teacher at Montcalm Secondary School, for showing me the art of it all. Later on, I took vocal training with a teacher.
Q. Did you have other jobs before you became a professional ETA?
A. Yes, many: Wendy’s, Petro Canada, No Frills. I sold at trade shows. I’ve owned a marketing company and a pizza place. I was a plumber’s apprentice, had a flower shop, worked for Suncor Energy in Toronto and then Ford Motor Company in Talbottville, Ontario. I presently do high end finish renovations in London.
Q. What made you decide to embark on a professional career as an ETA?
A. I sang at a karaoke bar and was asked to sing at a wedding by one of the patrons—that, and I always loved Elvis music.
Q. What music was most often heard in your home?
A. Old country standards and Elvis of course.
Q. Describe how you felt before, during, and after your first competition. Did you achieve the outcome you desired?
A. I was always in it for the fun and to entertain the people, so I wasn’t so much nervous as I was excited to get on stage and get some smiles and reaction from a crowd. During my performance at the 1998 Collingwood, I vividly remember the excitement and smiles on the faces in the crowd. I won an award as best newcomer and was extremely pleased with that.
Q. What valuable life lessons did you learn from your parents, or mentor, that you still use today?
A. Life is short, so don’t sweat the small stuff. Always be the nicest person everyone knows and be a true good friend to people you care about. Be positive!
Q. Describe the highlights of your ETA career.
A. Way too many to list them all but these are a few...
· 1999 winning the non pro title in Collingwood.
· 2001 winning pro division in Collingwood.
· Being invited to be a guest entertainer at the Blackpool England Elvis Event where I first met Oliver Steinhoff and Rob Kingsley.
· Being named The World’s Finest Elvis at The Elvis Extravaganza in Las Vegas 2003.
· Meeting the Sweet Inspirations and Mr. D.J. Fontana in the same day and having them invite me to ride in their car with them in the parade! It was the Lake George Elvis Festival. We were friends from that moment on. I also got to sing, for the first time, with The Sweet Inspirations, Estelle, Portia, and Myrna Smith(who was still with us then, may she R.I.P. ) at that festival.
D. J. Fontana with ETA Roy Leblanc.
· Touring Ontario Canada with the Sweet Inspirations.
· My fan club cruises.
· Singing with the Jordnaires.
· Meeting and getting to speak with Priscilla Presley.
· Getting to meet and have Billy Ray Cyrus of “Achy Breaky Heart” fame open for me at a concert in Toronto.
· Playing with the 28 Piece Orchestra London At the Western Fair Grandstand.
· Hosting the Collingwood Elvis Festival for many years let me rub shoulders with all the V.I.P.s that attended the festival over the many years.
ETA Roy Leblanc with his girlfriend, Delora Skelton, on their Holland American cruise.
Q. What is the best part of being an ETA?
A. Travelling the World and meeting great Elvis fans from around the world and bringing oldies music to the people who grew up with it; but equally as great, is introducing the young kids to great old rock ‘n’ roll.
Q. Who are the important women in your life? Why are these women important to you?
A. My mother has just always been there for me no matter what She realized early on I was very outgoing, so she always encouraged me to do whatever makes me happy. This was very important because you will always have people in your life tell you what is impossible or won’t work. It’s important to be told that you can do anything you set your mind to. My girlfriend, Delora, is very encouraging and supportive of what I do as well.
Q. How are you different on stage compared to off stage?
A. Lol. I am Elvis on stage—no one can live up to that offstage all the time. Elvis was a dynamic, one of a kind, and I’m just Roy Leblanc, tribute artist from London, Ontario.
Q. What are your best memories of the Collingwood Elvis Festival?
A. Meeting so many great people from all over the world would be the number one thing. Other memories are when I first met Gary Elvis Britt who became a lifelong friend, and getting to meet and rub shoulders with members of Elvis’s inner circle. I got to recreate a scene from “Kissing Cousins” with Cynthia Pepper, his co-star from the movie. I also got to perform “Little Egypt” with Tanya Lamani, the belly dancer from the ‘68 Comeback Special.
Being the host for so many year, I got meet and to know the ETAs, many of whom I consider good friends. Other Collingwood highlights are singing with the Chilean Miner, Edison Pena, working many years with Ray Bandura and his wife, Sandy, at the Old Town Terrace, and performing in concerts at the Village at Blue Mountain.
Q. What men have had a positive influence on your life? How?
We got this album signed by Mel Tillis Jr. for my dad who is a huge Mel Tillis fan!
A. My dad, who always loved old country music, took me to live music early on in life. Paulo Frattini, who was the first manager I had when I got into sales, taught me about the power of positive thinking. Peter Wintercorn, my high school drama teacher, for convincing me there was more to life than being a jock. Bill Spiering, one of my foremen at Ford Motor Company, and a very good friend, has helped me immensely through the years. And my older brothers, Rick and Doug, and Gary Elvis Britt, one of my best friends—all these men have, in some way, formed or shaped who I am today and how I deal with everyday life and life in general.
Q. How do you cope with disappointment in life?
A. I don't seem to experience disappointment. because I just look at life like a learning curve. You win some; you lose some.
Q. How have the past two years under the shadow of COVID changed your view on life? How has your career been affected?
ETA Roy Leblanc shares a moment on stage with a fan. Photo Credit: C.M.
A. My view on life hasn’t changed dramatically, I don’t think. I’ve always strived to be a positive, outgoing person and that still remains. If anything, it will make me cherish every experience as an entertainer just a little bit more. As far as my career, the majority of Canadian work has dried up, due to restrictions, but I do get P2 Work papers and do some work in the U.S.A; but other than that, I am doing high end home renovations to get through the down time.
Q. In what international cities have you performed? How are audiences different in different countries?
A. Too many to list them all. I have toured Australia three times, all over the USA, Southern Caribean, the UK, and Poland. I have been across Canada several times. I guess the languages of the audiences are different, but an Elvis fan is an Elvis fan in all languages! I also found the most popular songs are different in different countries.
I’ll never forget when I sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in Liverpool, England, and then realized it was one of the soccer (football) teams’ anthems, so the entire crowd was standing and singing along. When I was doing a show in Stalowa Wola, Poland, not one person that I spoke to was fluent in English, but the entire crowd of several hundred sang “Love Me Tender” with me, word for word!
Q. Is there a country where you really want to perform as an ETA?
A. I’d like to bring my full theatre production to Australia. I was only a small part in an ensemble type show last time I toured there and I was playing the roles of Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison in a production called Sun Records All Stars. Abstract Entertainment, the company that toured the production, has had lots of experience with Elvis style tribute shows. The Australians have been very spoiled because Abstract Entertainment brought them Max Pelicano—Elvis to The Max as their main high quality touring Elvis show for many years. Max was awesome and quite possibly one of the best tributes ever to the King so they are used to the highest quality of show. I used to go see Max at the Windsor Casino when I was younger, and between his show and Ronnie McDowell’s, I had an idea of how professional and respectful I wanted my tribute to be. So I would love to bring my award winning show there!
Q. What is your greatest strength as a performer?
A. I love the people that come to my shows and how we interact and connect; so I would say that my ability to somehow connect with people is my greatest strength as a performer.
ETA Roy Leblanc entertains at the Blue Mountain Village, Collingwood, Ontario. Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe for SB Mag.
Q. Describe your typical non-performance day.
A. During Covid, I’m working like anyone else. Prior to Covid restrictions, I was a full time performer for nearly 11 years so I would be constantly rehearsing and working on new material and contacting clients etc.
Q. What makes you laugh?
A. I laugh very easily at good comedians, funny movies, and lately, I laugh at very opinionated uninformed people.
Q. If it were possible, what would you like to ask Elvis? What would you say to him?
A. I’d ask Elvis why he didn’t take time for himself and get healthy so we could have enjoyed him longer. I’d say thank you for giving yourself to the world and for leaving us such a memorable body of work
ETA Roy Leblanc as host and emcee at the Collingwood Elvis Festival. Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe for SB Mag.
Q. What do you treasure?
A. Friendships and life experiences.
Q. Have you, or would you like to, judge and ETA competition?
A. I have, but it’s really not my favourite thing to do.
Q. What has surprised you most about being an ETA?
A. That I’ve been able to make a career out of it, and the love and adoration that people still have for Elvis and how it continues to grow.
Q. Describe a special moment with a fan or audience member.
A. In Collingwood I had a young ETA that I introduced as the host. He couldn’t have been more than 6 or 7 years old. When he got offstage and I told him he did a great job in the contest, he took out his neck chain that had a ring on it. He then told me he started singing because of me. The year before, I had given the young boy the ring that was on his chain. This moment really made me realize the importance of my tribute to Elvis. That special moment, and all moments with every fan, are special to me.
Q. What sacrifices have you made for your ETA career?
A. Not having a modern hairdo for 20+ years. Being constantly on the road as Elvis can take its toll on relationships. You give up all your weekends. I have worked 23 of the last 25 New Years Eves.
ETA Roy Leblanc.
Q. What Elvis costume is your favourite? Why?
A. Black leather...I dunno...ask the ladies.
Q. What annoys you?
A. Poor losers! Things that don’t make any sense, and losing a button just before curtain call.
Q. What do you fear?
A. I fear my son won’t be afforded all the same luxuries and opportunities that I’ve had because the world is changing so rapidly.
Q. Describe a future that is specifically designed for you.
A. I’d like to be with my girl somewhere tropical with my own showroom—so I don’t need to travel as much, surrounded by great musicians and good friends.
Q. Looking well into the future, how will you know when it is time to retire from being an ETA?
A. I will retire when I can no longer do it justice.
Q. Who are the people you would like to thank for being there throughout your ETA career?
A. I would like to thank
v My mom and dad
v My first sound man, my brother Rick
v My other brother, Doug, for being my first booking agent
v Dan Jackman, a great singer and ETA, who took me under his wing early on in my career
v Billy Cann for my first paying gig
v Rosemarie Garrity O’Brien for all her hard work through the years
v Ray Bandura and Sandy who always had the biggest and best venue at the Collingwood Elvis Festival and worked with me all those years
v Barb Wider for being such a great fan and supporter and getting me the gig at Blue Mountain
v My good buddy and road man, Bill Spiering, and his wife Pat. The amount of help and support they have given me through the years is immeasurable.
v Bill Culp who I’ve done quite a bit of work with through the years
v Jim Prevost who was one of my agents
v Dan Dube and Howie at Continental Entertainment
v Ken Lamb from Music’s Greatest Icons
v Martin Kramer from Legends in Concert
v Michael McVeigh my agent in Arizona
v Jeff and Elizabeth from L.A. Music Productions, my agents for the states of Maine and Florida
v Pro Star Entertainment in Quebec for all the work
v Chris McHarge from C2 Entertainment
v Chico Sanchez my very first guitar player and band leader
v Dean Harrison my keyboard player and music director for many years
v All of these great musicians that I’ve shared the stage with: Doug Varty, Kim Ladd, John Kenny, Ian and Sandy Mackay, Aaron Juodelle, Bill Boyington, Bruce Tournay, Noel Lesperance, Guy Miskelly, Ryan Spong, Brian Salt, Arty Spades, Kevin Paul, Ted Peacock, Larry Smith, Steve Crew, Dutch, Joe Passion, Jonny Gardiner, Jerry Van Der Slot, Daniel Bruce, Pat Madden and Colin Stewart just to list a few of the musicians I’ve worked extensively with (P.S. I love you all even if you are not on this short list)
v All of my ETA brothers whom I’ve had so many memorable experiences with through the years...you all know who you are
v Most importantly all the fans that have supported my career through the years and attended my functions and my fan club cruises. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.
ETA Roy Leblanc entertains on stage at the Collingwood Elvis Festival. Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe for SB Mag.
Q. What question would you ask a fellow ETA?
A. Where’d ya buy your hair?
Q. What would people be surprised to learn about you?
A. I’m blonde to sandy brown in hair colour. My given name, Roy LeBlanc, is French in origin and translated it means “The White King”.
Q. What song do you wish Elvis had recorded so you could sing it on stage during your tribute to Elvis?
A. A song by Roy Orbison, “Love Hurts”; but that’s why I do a Roy Orbison tribute as well.
Q. What advice would you give to someone planning on a career as an ETA?
A. Seek out a professional singing instructor; and buy your own sound equipment.
Photo Album
Above photos feature ETA Roy Leblanc with 1) cohost Memphis Jones 2) French Montana, Moroccan-American rapper 3) Tanya Lamani, belly dancer from the ‘68 Comeback Special 4) Cynthia Pepper, actress from “Kissin’ Cousins” 5) Priscilla Presley 6) The Sweet Inspirations.
1) In the left photo above, Roy is presenting a medinilla magnifica, a species of flowering plant of the Melastomataceae family that is native to the Philippines, to Canadian TV personality, Marilyn Dennis. Roy, as the Ontario spokesperson/salesperson for the featured greenhouse was invited to be on Marilyn’s show. 2) In the photo above on the right, Roy poses with his mom, Heather Noel Arsenault.
Top left photo, Roy Leblanc with his girlfriend, Delora Skelton, in a recent photo. Top right photo, Roy and Delora at the Grand Ole Opry. Bottom left photo was taken in Venice; and bottom right photo of Roy and Delora was taken in Greece. Photos are courtesy of Roy Leblanc and Delora Skelton.