Introduction: A Look Back
I wish I had recorded the number of hours I have put into writing articles, blogs, and interviews over the past seven years. It has been a labour of love, but a passion that has consumed much of my life since 2017. I thought I should have closed shop after I interviewed the first Ultimate ETA, Shawn Klush. But then Steve Michaels agreed to an interview. Steve was the first ETA that I saw, so maybe Steve should have been my last interview because his interview brought things full circle. But here I am, on the verge of starting year 8 wondering if keeping SB Mag going is something I want to put time and money into for another year. I have been going through all the posts I have done since the formation of SIDEBURNS Magazine on September 10th, 2017, because I think I needed to remind myself why I started an ETA magazine in the first place.
If you wish to go down Memory Lane with me, just click on the highlighted dates to read any of the archived articles that may interest you. Thank you. Best regards, Carolyn MacArthur, Editor, SB Mag.
September 11, 2017: I am hoping to report good news about upcoming interviews with ETAs, managers, promotors, and more.
September 12, 2017: My ticket to see ETA Tim E Hendry at the Sanderson Centre in Brantford on November 14 arrived yesterday. Lou Nelson/Tom Jones will also be performing. It promises to be an entertaining evening.
September 13, 2017: Everyone has their favourite Elvis Tribute Artist. I have prepared a short list of questions about ETAs that I hope fans will be happy to answer. Sample questions are; Who is your favourite ETA? What song does your ETA sing better than any other ETA?
September 14, 2017: 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."
September 16, 2017: I first saw Steve Michaels in Return to Grace on September 13th, 2015, and again on September 21st, 2015. Today, I saw Return to Grace for a third time, my eighteenth 'Steve concert ' in two years.
September 18, 2017: It was so much fun meeting and talking to people at Fallsview on Saturday before and after the concert. I look forward to hearing from everyone. I will see more of you on Wednesday, September 20th at Casino Niagara at Gino Monopoli's concert (3 pm/6pm).
September 19, 2017: ETA Numbers Keep Growing
September 20, 2017: My interest in ETAs came quite suddenly and unexpectedly later in life. Keeping His Memory Alive: Part One
September 21, 2017: No surprise, Gino was the hands down favourite ETA in answer to the first question, "Who is your favourite ETA?"
September 21, 2017: Results of ETA Survey
September 22, 2017: Spot 1: Steve Michaels and Brent Freeman
September 23, 2017: I am very excited about seeing Sylvain Leduc next Friday at Flamboro Downs. I have watched several YouTube videos of his performances, and what can I say, but "Wow!"
September 25, 2017: Chatting with Steve Michaels after a concert is always great fun.
September 25, 2017: I was given two free tickets to the Avalon Theatre in Niagara Falls to see Return to Grace. At first I was moderately interested in seeing the show; but after I spotted a promo advertising the upcoming event on a big screen outside the theatre, my interest piqued. Keep His Memory Alive: Part Two
September 28, 2017: If you are seeking a career as a professional ETA, entering a competition is a good place to start. It will require some work to take you from average guy to Elvis superstar, but it will be worth the effort. Keeping His Memory Alive: Part Three
September 29, 2017: Elvis jokingly changed the words in the song "Suspicious Minds" in his 1973 Aloha from Hawaii concert from "because I love you baby" to "I hope this suit don't tear up baby" as he took a deep karate stance. But it is real possibility. On March 21st, 1976 in Ohio, Elvis' jumpsuit did tear, and Charlie Hodge came to the rescue by tucking a towel in Elvis' belt. After the set, Elvis returned to the stage in a new outfit with the torn jumpsuit slung over his shoulder. Designer Bill Belew was horrified! KEEPING HIS MEMORY ALIVE: Part Four
October 4, 2017: Steve Michaels once said of his performances: "If Elvis didn't do it on stage, I won't do it on stage." Keeping His Memory Alive: Part Five
October 5, 2017: Keeping His Memory Alive: Part Six
October 5, 2017: On our second meeting after the Grimsby concert, I mentioned that my table was so far from the stage that he wasn't able to make it to my seat during his audience walkabout. After hearing this, Gordon reached into a box of CDs and handed me a copy of his CD, It's a Matter of Time, which he later signed. Keeping His Memory Alive: Part Seven
October 6, 2017: You really have to like people if you choose a career as an ETA. When I first spoke to Steve, Gordon, and Matt, I was struck by how down to earth they really are. Keeping His Memory Alive: Part Eight
October 8, 2017: During the first intermission, I took a brave step and asked if he would read part of the article I was working on. I was expecting Brent to read a few sentences out of courtesy, then hand back my article; instead, he kept reading.
October 10, 2017: My first ETA interview was with Brent Freeman, featured in SPOTLIGHT On: Brent Freeman.
October 12, 2017: Coming Soon...My Next ETA Interview
October 19, 2017: I just received a lovely comment from Joanne Bisson: "Keep up the good work! Your dancing partner." Dancing Partner
Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe for SIDEBURNS Magazine.
October 20, 2017: My second interview was with Sylvain Leduc, who was featured in SPOTLIGHT On: ETA Sylvain Leduc.
October 27, 2017: My third interview was with Marnie Mackintosh in Spotlight On: ETA Marnie Mackintosh.
November 13, 2017: Ultimate ETA Gordon Hendricks was featured in my fourth interview. Spotlight On: Ultimate ETA Gordon Hendricks.
November 18, 2017: ETA Matt Cage Concert
November 23, 2017: Little Sister (Don’t You) - An ETA Christmas Romance Story by Carolyn MacArthur
“Ellie, can you turn your music down! Enough with the Elvis songs! We will be seeing an Elvis impersonator in an hour!” Claudia was not thrilled with the prospect of sitting through two hours of someone trying to impersonate a long dead rock 'n' roll idol. She bought the tickets for the local concert, Elvis at Home for Christmas, as a birthday gift for her younger sister.
November 25, 2017: I posted photos from James Gibb’s shows in an album that you can access by clicking here. An Evening with ETA James Gibb
December 1, 2017: When I first sent my list of interview questions to ETA champion Tim E Hendry, this was his response, “Holy! That is a ton of questions!” I responded with the following message: “I have read everything that has been written about you before, and I wanted to make this interview interesting and unique. In one article, you said to the interviewer, “Same old question.” Well, I don’t want to ask you the same old questions. You have a long and decorated career as an ETA and have been interviewed several times, and with all due respect to other interviewers, after I read what was written, I still didn’t feel I knew the real you.” Spotlight On: ETA Tim E Hendry. Tim, my fifth ETA interview is one of my favourite interviews because Tim, who at first was reluctant, really opened up.
Photo Credit: Eva Brand.
December 5, 2017: Steve Michaels: December 3, 2017 Concert
December 6, 2017: ETAs Tim E Hendry and Zach Peddie
December 10, 2017: Spotlight On: ETA Ted Torres Martin Please note: For some reason, all the photos and videos that I included in Ted’s interview have disappeared! I am not sure how this happened. It may be something to do with copyright, which is strange since I always credit the photographer or videographer. This is the second time that photos have gone missing from a post, and it is very frustrating, especially seeing that I do NOT make any money from any of these posts!
December 12, 2017: ETA Joseph Hall was a contestant on America’s Got Talent in 2008. I was very happy to post his interview in Spotlight On: ETA Joseph Hall. (Photos below of Joseph Hall and Oliver Steinhoff were provided by the individual ETAs).
December 16, 2017: SIDEBURNS Magazine ran its first contest. (“Contest: A Chance to Win a Limited Edition SIDEBURNS Mug”). On December 23, 2017, a winner was announced. Debbie Gingrich won a limited edition SB Mag mug. (“We Have a Winner!”). Editor’s Note: No link to this blog because the contest closed long ago).
December 23, 2017: Prelude: The German Connection - Then and Now
December 26, 2017: Spotlight On: ETA Oliver Steinhoff
December 31, 2017: I end the first year of SIDEBURNS Magazine by featuring a beautiful story by Wendy King. Wendy King's New Year's Eve Story. The photo of Elvis was taken New Year’s Eve, 1975. Photo Credit: elvispreselyphotos.com.
So what I have learned from posting the links to the first three months of SB Mag? Well, I can see I put a lot of work into research, writing, inserting photos, contacting ETAs, connecting with fans. The question that I haven’t yet answered is, “Why?” Stay tuned.