Introduction
If there were an award given for “Most Enthusiastic ETA”, Michael Paul Callahan would be at the top of the judges list. With just four years of experience as an ETA, Michael has succeeded in making an indelible mark on the ETA world by his many appearances in multimedia, with his regular posts on Facebook, and by being selected as ETA of the Year for 2019.*
And it all began by happenchance.
Photo Credit: Cindy Bell Photograhy.
I have always been happiest singing along with Elvis’s music my entire life, but up until four years ago the only definition I knew for ‘ETA’ was estimated time of arrival. Four years ago this July, I made my first appearance as an ETA and didn’t even know I was. I borrowed a friend’s fringe suit and boots and was part of a Christmas in July themed float for an Independence Day parade. I was shocked at the response of people watching. From ages 4 to 94, they waved and screamed, “Elvis.” At the grandstand I sang “America the Beautiful” for the judges and crowd. People pulled me out of the parade to pose with their parents. Watching the joy in people’s faces seeing “Elvis” was a thrill I will never forget and why I continue to do this. The popular saying, “giving is better than receiving”, is true. The joy on their faces, their appreciation, and even making some folks’ final request come true to have “Elvis” sing to them, is the greatest reward. Unless an ETA is extremely good, available, has the resources, and is able to book full-time, ETAs do not break even financially…that is the proof an ETA does this for love. M.P.C.
Art, in many forms, has been a part of the Callahan family for generations. Michael’s father, Chester Robert “Bob” Callahan, who was a journalist, photographer, and sports editor for a paper in Burlington, VT, “hung with Kennedy, Nixon, and Reagan, and “did stories and photos”. Michael recalls that his dad was “tight with JFK” who gave him “royal Siamese cats, which he brought home…and they tore the house up! We got to meet celebrities all the time—like Frank Gifford at his peak.” Michael’s grandfather, Chet Callahan, was a professional photographer who owned studios in Burlington and Essex Junction, VT; and Michael’s uncle, Al Callahan, was a navy underwater photographer.
In the photos below, left to right, photographer Chet Callahan, Michael’s grandfather, is seen in a promo photo. The photo of former President Nixon exiting a plane, and the photo of former President Ronald Reagan and former First Lady, Nancy Reagan, relaxing in their home, were taken by journalist and photographer, Bob Callahan, Michael’s father. The beautiful photo of Michael as a baby sitting next to his mother, Elizabeth Callahan, is from Michael’s own collection. The middle photo of a pencil drawing shows Elizabeth Callahan’s talent as an artist. Photos credited to M.P.C.
Michael’s son, Nolan, who recently received the Meritorious Achievement in Acting Award from the Theatre Association of New York State, is following in his father’s acting footsteps. Michael’s wife, Connie, helps with Michael’s ETA costuming, hair and makeup; and son, Aaron, a sound engineer, works with stage setup in Michael’s shows.
In the photos below, Michael Paul Callahan is pictured with cast members of “First Things First”; and in the second photo, Nolan Callahan, third from the left, is pictured with some of the cast members of “Jill Trent: Science Sleuth”. (Second photo is credited to auburnpub.com)
Michael Paul Callahan continues to pursue his acting career while enjoying life as an ETA. I invite you all to enjoy this delightful student film, written and directed by Nathaniel Ahart. Michael stars in one of the two leading roles. (Winter 2020—SUNY Oswego, NY Film Dept.)
“Never forget those that helped you get where you are.” Michael Paul Callahan.
The Interview
Q. Where were you born and raised? Where do you now reside?
A. I was born in Burlington, VT. I currently live in Oswego, NY, and have lived there since 1998.
Feature newspaper story for the Burlington Free Press of young Mike getting his first barbershop cut. “When you have a photojournalist father, everything you do ends up on the front page.”
Q. Tell us five interesting things about your childhood.
A. Sports were all important. Anything I could pick up and throw, since two years old, flew. We tied towels around our necks to be superheroes, so no surprise that I love Elvis capes. My father and grandfather were famous photographers. At my first drive-in at five years old, I went to see “Bye Bye Birdie” with a four year old girl--a very pretty redhead, just like Ann-Margaret. I used to pedal my bike as fast as I could while singing, “Wheels on my Heels”. This is very relevant: In 6th grade my teacher loved my trumpet playing. Herb Albert was the big thing then, right before The Beatles hit USA. Weekly, my teacher would ask me to play my trumpet for the class, so I would buy contemporary sheet music with my paper route money. She then assembled a complete rock band in our class and we played the whole year for school functions. “Happy Together” by The Turtles was our signature song. I was lead singer and trumpet player, so I have always been in a rock band since 6th grade.
Q. Describe your life as a teenager.
A. Sports and girls! In Vermont, I was the #1 baseball pitcher, quarterback, and undefeated wrestler. Emulating stars of the times like James Bond and Elvis, I had girlfriends in every high school—at the same time! But I was found out, so I then had to find girlfriends from out-of-town. I was unique, in that, while an all-star athlete, I was also a trumpet player in a band, which was unheard of back then. To this day I feel bad that the high school chorus teacher begged me in front of my friends to join the chorus and I laughed in her face. Now I sing and act professionally after picking on chorus singers and theater students in school. I have been supporting myself since 16 years old, and others since 18 years old.
Q. What was home life like for you?
Michael’s grandfather and father, Chet Callahan and C. Robert Callahan, in a photo taken in Burlington, VT, where both won 1st Place for swimming and speed boat racing on Lake Champlain.
A. Home life was challenging. My father liked to hit me and my mom daily, until one day when I had enough, I picked him up and threw him through his windshield.
My father had seen an old Viking movie once starring Tony Curtis, and while I turned the other cheek for years when I didn’t have to, I believe he wanted to recreate the Nordic tradition of a son becoming a man when he overtakes his father in a wrestling match. So when I finally stood up to him, it was partially to meet his unspoken wishes.
Q. What did you do with your time after your high school years ended?
A. The day after I graduated, my girlfriend and her dad came to pick me up in Vermont and took me to live with them in Virginia. I was supposed to go to college as a baseball star, but went with them instead. While still 18, after working at a moving company as a truck driver, I was hired as a store manager for a Rite-Aid store in downtown Baltimore, Maryland. They thought I was older. At ages 18 and 16, my first wife and I looked more like Elvis and Priscilla than almost anyone else.
Michael and Sharon Callahan.
Q. What career path did you decide to take after high school?
A. Without a college degree, and supporting a 16 year old wife who was still in high school, retail was my best option; so I managed stores. It should be mentioned that it was seven years after marriage that we had a child. Her parents said, “Break up or get married.” So we got married by choice, not necessity.
Q. Did you take any lessons related to the performing arts? Please explain.
A. I took trumpet lessons since 5th grade and all through school years. At 18, I started Tae Kwon Do and became a tournament champion.
Q. What music was most often heard in your home?
A. Elvis, and Elvis. My mom loved Elvis and encouraged me also. I was the best dressed kid in school as she bought our school clothes annually in August and dressed me like Elvis. Even as a kid, I controlled the music in our house. When an Elvis movie came on TV, I made everyone keep extremely quiet so I could hold the handheld mic for two hours while the reel to reel tape recorder taped the songs.
Q. Were you a performer prior to becoming an ETA? Please explain.
A. Yes, ironically after all those years growing up in local rock bands as the lead singer, as an adult I sang to my current wife at our wedding reception full of our church members. I launched into a very successful International Christian Contemporary Music (CCM) career. I spent years singing in 500-7000 seat venues, performing and opening for the biggest Grammy and Dove Award winners in the world. For example, at one huge annual outdoor festival, right after my set, the next group was The Imperials, famous Gospel group and Elvis’s backup singers in concert for years.
ETA Michael Paul Callahan and his wife, Connie, at the 2019 Flaming Star Festival. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.
Q. What made you decide to embark on a career as an ETA?
A. Great story here. I rarely run to be first in line. My style is to do something when no one else will, when I know it is right. Four years ago I asked a local ETA to march in the area’s July 4th parade as “Elvis” because the theme was Christmas in July. He declined. (It is a two mile walk in July with 90 degree temperatures). But he expressed, “You look like Elvis, same height, weight, love his music, are a professional singer that sounds like Elvis, so why don’t I lend you my fringe suit, belt and boots and you do it”. So I did. What amazed and got me hooked was the incredible response to an “Elvis” in the parade by everyone from 4 to 94 years old. People were dragging me out of the parade to pose with their wheelchair bound Elvis fan mothers, kids, etc. It made a person so happy and that is my motivation; plus my favorite thing to do my whole life is sing Elvis songs.
Q. Describe what you were feeling before, during, and after your first performance as an ETA.
A. Inadequate by all measures. Three years ago I had never even heard of an ETA. I had no idea the scale of this endeavor or that professional costume companies existed. It was alright my whole life to be told that I sound like Elvis when I sing normally, but to then perform for people expecting me to emulate Elvis? That’s like expecting a painter to paint like Da Vinci…a fan’s deepest wish, but an “Impossible Dream”. I sound even more like Elvis if I can sing along to his song.
Q. Describe the backstage atmosphere before a competition.
A. Focus is always key, so most keep to themselves. Warming up, some chat quietly to settle nerves.
Q. Describe the process of turning yourself into a stage ready ETA (routines and rituals).
A. This I can nail with my cast in stone mantra: “Rehearse, Gym, Tan, and Starve”. Costumes are too expensive to not fit into.
ETAs Michael Paul Callahan, William Elvis Young, and Mark Shelton at the 2019 Flaming Star Festival. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.
Q. Describe how you felt before, during, and after your first competition. Did you achieve the outcome you desired?
A. My approach is different and realistic. The competition is the least important reason I am there. I can only do a select few a year, so my priorities are tangible predictable results: professional photographs and videos, parades, meeting fans and making friends, singing to an exclusively Elvis loving crowd, and meeting vendors and others we work with all year long.
Q. What is the biggest mistake that young ETAs make in their tribute?
A. I am not sure. Possibly downplaying that it is a tribute to Elvis, not themselves.
Q. What valuable life lessons did you learn from your parents, or mentor, that you still use today?
A. From my parents:, “Duck!” :) My mentor is Elvis’s life…I never had a person. Grandmother was a great influence and my one true relative that showed love. Bible is only real lessons.
Q. Describe the highlights of your ETA career.
A. Highlights for me are: performing for huge crowds, and very special occasions for special reasons; watching people dance, love his music; and definitely the documentary Syracuse University filmed and published on me as “Elvis” February 2019. I can’t do small events, but “The Golden Rule” is, all are important. Last February we were requested to make a terminal patient’s final request come true while in a huge hospital in Rochester, NY. In her long life, she had never seen Elvis, so her wish was to have “Elvis” sing to her. In my last song for her and the hospital, I pulled out a custom “Elvis” scarf to wear. She lit up like a beacon, asked if she could just touch it, while I was singing. I said I plan to do better than that, and placed it around her neck. She cried. We were told she survived the next day’s brain surgery, but passed two weeks later, never taking the Elvis scarf off. That’s the power and love of Elvis’s legacy, not me.
Q. What is the best part of being an ETA?
A. Honestly every time you open up your shirt and the “S” symbol is seen you feel like Clark Kent is Superman. It’s not a dream or fantasy anymore, for a brief time you get to experience a smidgen of what it must have been like to be Elvis.
Q. What movies have you been in, and who were the starring actor?
Michael Paul Callahan poses with fellow actor Jeff Goldblum.
Lead Actors:
Paper Spiders- Lili Taylor, Peyton List
Odd Man Rush- Jack Mulhern, Dylan Mayfair, Elektra Jansson Kilby
Clean- Adrian Brody
Looks That Kill- Julia Telles, Brandon Flynn, Ki Hong Lee
Sid is Dead- Mary Stuart Masterson
The Mountain- Jeff Goldblum, Tye Sheridan, Hannah Gross, Udo Kier
Venus Man Trap- Michael Callahan-lead
COUNTER- Michael Callahan-lead
The Businessman- Michael Callahan-lead
Q. What are your best memories of appearing with the named actors?
Actor, Michael Paul Callahan, right, poses with the AD director for “The Mountain”.
A. The in between takes, relaxing, and taking selfies.
Q. Who were/are the important women in your life? Why are these women important to you?
A. My grandmother was the only person I felt love from…loved spending time with her.
Q. How are you different on stage compared to off stage?
A. While confident in both, it actually feels more normal to be someone else, whether it's as an actor in character, an ETA, or in a Broadway musical or play.
Q. What ETA title would you like to have that has so far escaped you?
A. While it would be nice to win a competition, others place more value in this than I. I don't need a title; I have won championships in many areas my whole life.
Q. Would you want to judge an ETA competition? What do you think are the challenges of being an ETA competition judge?
A. This is a scary area. I would never want to judge a contest, and frankly I have seen judges picked for the wrong reasons often. I do not feel all people have the character required to ignore personal influences, opinions, and judge solely unbiased. I have seen people awarded prizes because they traveled the farthest (?).
Q. What men have had a positive influence on your life? How?
A. Elvis, and a true pastor in Binghamton, NY that married us.
Q. What makes you sad? How do you cope with sadness?
A. Injustice, children suffering, ignorance, addictions, and the loss of manners, courtesy, respect for our elders by current generations.
Q. In what international cities have you performed? How are audiences different in different countries?
A. Some in Germany, Canada, Denmark, Ireland. When they know you are from a different culture they are more tolerant and less judgmental.
Q. Is there a country where you really want to perform as an ETA? Why?
A. Really mostly interested in Germany and Ireland due to my roots and relatives.
A photo by ETA Michael Paul Callahan of his grandson, Seamus, posing for Lord and Taylor.
Q. What are your strengths as a performer?
A. Humor, karate, appearance, relating to the audience, while always nervous. Nervousness is only due to loss of memory, lyric concern, which Elvis himself experienced. All the normal stage fright issues never apply, except the terror of forgetting lyrics.
Q. Describe your typical non-performance day.
A. Buried in business, mine as “Elvis”, my “Legends” group, an actor, and my family’s daily needs…with two sons in college full time, and helping to raise a seven year old; and we are all signed actors, so I have to act as their business manager.
Q. What makes you laugh?
A. Some of my friends on my fan page are a riot and make me laugh daily, and it is so appreciated. Also a good movie, making others laugh, and Jeff Dunham with his puppets, all make me laugh.
Q. If it were possible, what would you like to ask Elvis? What would you say to him?
A. How the heck did you stay so tanned beginning in 1970 before tanning booths? How did you learn at an early age to play piano while your family was struggling financially Pianos are very expensive, and bulky. Do you also find it ironic that the world imitates your appearance and hair as you were imitating Tony Curtis? So we are imitating you, imitating Tony Curtis. Interesting, right? I would just like to thank him for sharing his talent and gift with the world. I honestly feel he made karate mainstream way before Bruce Lee, who by fact was also an Elvis fan; and by bringing Gospel into rock concerts he opened the door to making Christianity mainstream. Billy Graham and Elvis are only surpassed by Jesus at spreading the Gospel worldwide.
Q. What do you treasure?
A. Humor, family, humility, good manners, friendship, nice people.
Q. What has surprised you most about being an ETA?
A. The expense. Everything costs a lot of money. If you do it right, and as an “OCD Elvis”, I can only do everything 100%. And the scope of ETAs. The internet says there is approximately 80,000 ETAs worldwide. Not 80,000 Prince, the Beatles, Springsteen, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Cher--just Elvis.
Q. Describe a special moment with a fan or audience member.
A. It has happened a few times, including a few weeks ago. We do not hand out “Elvis” scarfs like candy because we do not cut them from fabric store. Our scarves are ordered top quality and we hand them out selectively. A few weeks ago I handed a scarf out to the hostess at the end of my show, and she immediately asked if she could present it to a special audience member in a wheelchair. I was impressed and crushed. With limited lighting, etc., we don’t see much. I did not see the lady in a wheelchair. I made sure her selfless act was not unrewarded; I brought the hostess one after everyone else left and posed for photos with the lady in the wheelchair.
Also, another special moment, as previously mentioned, was the terminal patient who treasured the “Elvis” scarf so much around her neck she wouldn’t let anyone in the hospital touch it for the two weeks before she passed.
Q. What Elvis costume is your favorite? Why?
A. GREAT question. As a unique personality, I am in accordance with the norm. I love the Aloha jumpsuit, the song “Hurt”, “Suspicious Minds”, but I purposely don’t own my favorite suit, the Aloha jumpsuit, or sing “Hurt” at festivals because so many others do both, a lot. The Aloha is my favorite, but I purposely chose not to own it. My favorites that I own and wear are the 1970 International Hotel karate style jumpsuits…Chain, Fringe, and Tapestry, and any jumpsuit with a cape!
Q. Who makes your costumes?
A. ProElvis, B&K, AJM. It’s an OCD thing. I must have the best.
Q. How do you care for your costumes so they are always stage ready?
A. Everything I have I take care of. (I still have the wooden tennis racket my grandmother bought me at 14 with green stamps, still in mint condition.) They are all stored in 1-2 hermetically sealed garment bags, and then the day of the show my wife irons and streams them to be wrinkle free.
Q. Who taught you how to apply your Elvis makeup?
A. Wish I was more self-sustaining like others, but this Elvis travels with support: a sound engineer, son’s setup equipment, and Connie, who does all make-up and hair and assists with costuming.
Q. What special care does your hair or wig require to keep it looking good?
A. Just routine maintenance.
Q. What annoys you?
A. Smartphones, and people addicted to Smartphones!! Rude, selfish behavior.
Q. What do you fear?
A. Weight gain!!!
Q. How do you handle disappointment?
A. Not very well. OCD does not accept even deviation from perfection well.
Q. Describe a future that is specifically designed for you.
A. I have thankfully accomplished a lot. Everything now is just icing on the cake. I will continue acting, modeling, doing limited special shows, assisting the community and family. And it would be nice to take one cruise and see and perform for family overseas.
Q. What is your five year plan?
A. Act, sing, help my family, community, and build several big annual shows I’m working on now.
Q. How will you know when it is time to retire from being an ETA?
A. In the Syracuse University documentary on me, in February 2019, I offered this myself: On a large and International scale, 1-2 years, maybe longer regionally. The day I see photos in which I don’t like what I’m seeing, and it’s not physically correctable, I’m done.
Q. What will you do in retirement?
A. Become a Tom Jones or Englebert Humperdinck Tribute Artist!!! LOL. No, I will act, do musicals, plays, theater, and continue to be a business manager for my family. My 19 year old son in college is an acting genius.
Q. What question would you ask a fellow ETA?
A. Where the heck can I buy the black t shirt for under the ‘68 Comeback leather outfit?? LOL.
Michael, Connie, Nolan, and Aaron Callahan, 2019. Photo from Michael Paul Callahan’s Facebook collection.
Q. Who are the people you would like to thank for being there throughout your ETA career?
A. Immediate family.
Q. What would people be surprised to learn about you?
A. People would be surprise to learn that, while I seem confident on the outside, I need constant encouragement.
Q. What song do you wish Elvis had recorded so you could sing it on stage during your tribute to Elvis?
A. “Only Make Believe” and “True Love Ways”.
Q. What would you like to say to the backup singers and band members with whom you perform?
A. I have expressed many times onstage the true heroes are the ones not onstage nor in the spotlight. The behind the scenes support staff, and the band and singers make the experience happen.
Q. What opportunities do you think came your way strictly from being an ETA?
A. The “Legends” group I Inc.™ and entertaining the community and making Elvis fans happy.
Actress Cynthia Pepper, Elvis’s co-star in ‘Kissin’ Cousins”, with ETA Michael Paul Callahan, Flaming Star Festival, 2019. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.
Q. How as being an ETA changed you?
A. I’m much poorer!!! LOL! It is actually a dream come true and a bucket list item to the tenth degree! While singing Elvis my whole life in the shower, around the house, and in the car, I never thought I’d be able to enjoy my favorite pastime in public. Also when people ask about it, it's a constant chance to break through non-ETA or unknowing ETA people that exist in this world, and that is fun. It is not something to chuckle at or look down your nose at.
Q. How did your fan club get its start?
A. Local high school students formed and started it. I didn’t know this option even existed, and it was done as an actor and what they call me, a meme--whatever that is. And after that I became an ETA. The fan page was actually solely started by them about me as an actor.
Photo Credit: Louis Young Photography.
Q. What plans do you have with ETA Justin Shandor regarding an upcoming event?
A. We both feel Elvis festivals could offer a unique perspective, reach a larger, broader audience, change several existing practices, so it's not the same handful of people always winning, by creating more categories, making it more public friendly, and be done in NY. We are formulating an annual Elvis/Legends festival, and also an Annual NY’s Eve celebration in NY, both at a theater twice the size of many Elvis festival theaters.
Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur.
Q. What question do you wish I had asked, but didn’t?
A. Unless you are so talented and available to be a full time paid ETA, this is costing you money, so why do you pursue an endeavor you are losing money on, i.e., just one good new Elvis costume is $1,800-$5,000 dollars. You have to pay a lot to attend every festival, then there's the cost of your own personal shows, sound equipment, etc.
Q. How would you answer your own question?
A. When it’s not a career, it’s a hobby. Hobbies cost money--fishing, camping, motorcycles, race cars, golf, etc.; however, this is a unique hobby that makes the participants and audience very happy, and sustains Elvis’s legacy. What’s that worth??
Articles
Videos
Notes on Fan Club from Jack D Lee: It started more organically than anything I’ve ever seen in my life. Just a small collection of high school students who were passionate about film in a place without a real film scene. When we discovered Micheal, we were amazed by his compassion and dedication to the art of acting. We decided to start up a little group, just a place to talk about Oswego’s biggest celeb among ourselves. Eventually it evolved into something bigger than our original group of friends, and then Micheal started an Elvis impersonation business, and since then it’s been all about that side of him.
The MPC Fan Club is even more active since he became an Elvis tribute artist! It went from only about 10 close friends to hundreds, even thousands of people. The younger crowd think it’s pretty cool having someone performing all the classic Elvis tunes in our fair little town and community. Micheal himself is an admin in the group so he frequently updates, contributes , kind of interacts, new goings, some unique comments kinda stuff. It’s very cool you know? He contributes a lot to the group, more than anyone, I’d say.
Slide Show
Editor’s Thank You Notes: *I wish to thank Debbie Acebo for answering my question about how an ETA is selected for the the title of ETA of the Year on her Facebook page ALL ETA'S ALL THE TIME AND ANYTHING ELVIS: As for ETA of the Year, the admins vote. They (ETAs) had to have made ETA of the Week which we usually do randomly. Then after they become ETA of the Week, if they continue to support the group and post when they have time, we put their name in a virtual hat and vote.
Thank you to Jack D Lee for his comments on the MPC Fan Club.
Carolyn MacArthur with ETA Michael Paul Callahan at the 2019 Flaming Star Festival. Photo Credit: C. MacArthur.
Thank you to photographers, Lori-Anne Crewe, Louis Young, and Cindy Bell.
And thank you to Michael Paul Callahan, actor, singer, and ETA, for sharing his insightful answers and providing many of the wonderful photos used in this interview. We at SIDEBURNS Magazine wish Michael continued happiness and success in the world of entertainment. Best regards, Carolyn MacArthur.
Edited by Carolyn MacArthur, owner and editor of SIDEBURNS Magazine.