Introduction
It doesn’t say it on the poster, but Matt Cage announced during his performance that it has been 10 years since he, John Cigan, and Leo Doyle have performed in a show together. I wonder how many in Saturday’s audience remember the show from 2014? It was before SB Mag, so I was not there. I would love to hear from people who went to both shows.
This poster had a familiar ring to it when I first saw it. It looks very much like the one from a poster that Matt Cage and Brent Freeman signed for me at their Fort Erie show. Wondering now if the show was also presented by Doreen and Leo Doyle?
In the following article, I have tried to provide a glimpse into the evening from my perspective for those who were not there on Saturday. And for those that were there, I hope my photos and words bring up great memories of the evening.
Although I take a lot of photos, I find it is never enough when it comes time to write an article, so some photos I have used in this article are my favourites that were taken at other shows, festivals, competitions, and ETA events. Most of the photos from Saturday are quite good, however low ceilings and low lights present a challenge at any venue. Please enjoy…
A Night to Remember
Saturday, June 29th, 2024, Thorold, Ontario
The contrast between the entrance door to Club Belvedere and the excitement that lay behind the door was striking. It reminded me of a scene from the movie “Some Like it Hot”…the one where the undercover cops enter through the funeral parlour door to the frolicking Speakeasy . lol
The small parking lot was filled when I arrived just before 7pm and a man in a truck directed me to a secondary lot nearby. He then surprisingly added, “Good luck getting in. The doors are all locked.” Not sure why he said that because the door to the show was clearly marked with a sign, and definitely not locked. It was easy getting into the building, but by the time I found a parking spot, made the short walk to Club Belvedere, the show had already started.
Truthfully, I don’t remember every person’s name that I have met at the many, many shows and festivals I have attended over the past seven years, but I am almost positive the lady at the door handing out tickets is the lady in the photo that I took at Matt Cage and Brent Freeman’s show in Fort Erie many years ago. For sure I have met Doreen Doyle before because I have a photo of her and others with Matt in Perk’s Café in Casino Niagara in the glory days of Silver Aces shows that were held every Wednesday.
I was looking forward to seeing friends whom I have met over the years who told me they would be going to the show. Two of the first people I saw at Club Belvedere were Audrey Manasterski and and her husband, Doug, whom I first met at Flamboro Casino the weekend I started SB Mag in 2017. I will forever be grateful to Audrey for her kindness at our first meeting. Audrey showed me her photos, almost all of Matt, that she carries with her and she gave me a list of names of people in the ETA world that might be interesting contacts.
Penny and her husband with Cathy and Bob Wood. Cathy was one of the first fans whose photo I took at Gordon Hendrick’s show in 2017 in NF. Later in August, 2022, I saw Penny and Cathy in NF at Sandra Gold’s show featuring Ultimate ETA Gordon Hendricks. Photos Credit: Carolyn MacArthur
The rectangle hall was jammed packed with wall to wall tables and chairs, and every seat was filled. The stage was a fair distance from my table near the bar, but the lady at the ticket table suggested I go to the table where Doreen was seated, which was right next to the stage. I was able to get two really good videos, which I already posted on Facebook, and a few good photos; but the seat was reserved for others, so I rightfully had to move (unfortunately right in the middle of recording a video of Matt singing “A Little Less Conversation”). I found a spot next to the stage where I was able to take fairly good photos of the performances on stage. In fact, being able to move around allowed me to take great photos of Danny Granger creating his “live art” of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. Also, I was able to say hi to Penny Patterson and her husband who did a fantastic job looking after the music for the performers. The last time I saw Penny and her husband was in August, 2022 when they were celebrating their anniversary at Cameron Michael Caton’s (aka Covid-Elvis) outdoor show.
Throughout the evening, I kept a check on Danny Granger’s progress on his two paintings that were offered in a draw later in the evening. Using just black paint on a white canvas, Danny’s paintings of Elvis and Johnny Cash were stunning! It was an amazing feat considering the low lighting near the stage where Danny was working.
John Cigan had already started his performance when I arrived. Although John has been performing for years and is well known in the ETA world, it was the first time I was seeing him perform, having only seen his son Mason competing at Collingwood. John was a striking figure on stage in his gold sparkly jacket. During his performance, he exuded confidence, talent, and showmanship. Off stage, John was warm, friendly--a true gentleman. In his second set, dressed in his light blue jumpsuit, John sang “How Great Thou Art” that received shouts of appreciation from the audience, “Whoo hoo! Way to go, John!” (Side note: I have said it before, and I will say it again, Mason Cigan has a voice that should be heard on Broadway. I would love to see John and Mason in a show together. That would be awesome!)
Saturday night was also my first time seeing Leo Doyle in his tribute to Johnny Cash, and Leo was awesome as the Man in Black. Singing all my favourite JC songs, perhaps my favourite moment in Leo’s tribute was when he sang “Man in Black”. Leo prefaced the song by telling the audience that the lyrics in this particular song have special meaning to him:
Photo Credits: Carolyn MacArthur. Two photos below, courtesy of Leo Doyle.
I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down
Livin' in the hopeless, hungry side of town
I wear it for the prisoner who is long paid for his crime
But is there because he's a victim of the times
I wear the black for those who've never read
Or listened to the words that Jesus said
About the road to happiness through love and charity
Why, you'd think He's talking straight to you and me
Leo sang the song beautifully and you could hear conviction in every note.
The Other Man in Black
Matt in black leather…two thumbs up!!!
You can always count on Matt Cage to give his all on stage and Saturday night was no exception. Sharing news that he just got back from Lethbridge (“Wherever that is?), and that after this show he would be flying to Penticton (“Wherever that is?”), Matt warmed every heart in the audience by telling them that he is always so happy to be back performing in Ontario. There was a lot of love circulating in that room Saturday night. If Matt was experiencing any jetlag, you would not have known it. It was one of Matt’s best performances ever, I think, because he was having as much fun as the audience. It almost felt like a family reunion with Matt kibitzing with familiar faces in the audience.
What do you do when someone gives you a tissue to wipe your brow? If you are ETA Matt Cage, first you stick in your ear then you wipe your chest. And finally you throw the tissue to a fan and look very happy. LOL
Richard Wolfe and Bobby Allan
In an evening already full of fun and great entertainment, it was a treat to see Bobby Allan and Richard Wolfe give a surprise performance between the final sets.
The following carousel shows Bobby and Richard on stage. The first few photos of Richard are of him talking with the audience. He talked about his weight loss, joked about being the youngest performer on the stage, and shared a sentimental moment about how much Bobby Allan means to him. In the photo just before the ones with Bobby, Richard is doing his “model” pose. In the last photo, Richard shares a moment with Danny Grange
One of the first blogs that I wrote for SB Mag was about Richard Wolfe, which I am happy to share here:
September 14, 2017 Carolyn MacArthur
Two young women in their early twenties shared their ETA stories with me tonight. One of the two young women said there is a guy in her downtown Hamilton neighbourhood who has black hair and sideburns and an "Elvis has not left the building" sticker on his car. She isn't sure if he is an ETA, but she said he looks like Elvis. The other young woman said she went to Delta High School with a guy who used to perform as Elvis at school. "His name is Richard Wolfe, and he has won some contests." I truly enjoy hearing such stories. It seems everyone I talk to knows of an ETA, or at least knows of someone who looks like Elvis.
The next time I would write about Richard would be in October, 2017, when he performed in a show with Darren Evorglens and ETA Joey Cundari at a Legion in Oakville, ON. If you wish to read the article, Two ETAs and Darren, click here.
Rick and Lois had their tables set up to sell Elvis merchandise. I picked up some records from Elvis movies for my daughter, and based on Danusa’s recommendation, I bought a microwavable therapy bag with an Elvis fabric to give to my son-in-law. (Rick and Lois are pictured below in an earlier photo). Also, I would like to thank the staff at Club Belvedere for their courtesy and kindness and allowing me to take the photo you see below.
Hope to see you all soon!
There was barely time left to take a few photos of Matt with fans before I had to depart. I would have liked to have been part of a post-show chat with some wonderful fans who have become friends (you know who you are ;) Maybe next time. Please tell me, Matt, John, Leo, and Danny, that there will be a next time soon. Ten years is just too long to wait! Cheers
A special message to Clarence “Buck” O’Dell: Please accept my sincere condolence, Buck, at the recent loss of your dear mother. I hope you find comfort in memories of wonderful times with your Mom and knowing how much she loved you. It was nice seeing you at the show doing what you love to do, take photos. Fondly, Carolyn.
Thank you to Leo and Doreen Doyle and everyone who helped put together this fantastic evening. Photos, unless otherwise indicated, are credited to C.M. for SIDEBURNS Magazine. Writing and edits by Carolyn MacArthur.