Parkes Elvis Festival 2010

The Countrylink Parkes Elvis Festival will be held from 6 - 10 January 2010.

The Parkes Festival's events are held over a five-day period and in 2010 there are more than 140 individual events held during the festival. The 2010 Program features a multitude of well-known Elvis tribute artists with the main 'Keno Feature Concerts' starring Parkes’ favourite Mark Andrew. Other Elvis Tribute Artists appearing include international performers such as Jacqueline Feilich ‘She Is The King’, Mark Anthony, Scott Baker and Silas Lulic.

There is also the very popular Elvis Gospel Church Service, the famous Street Parade, free Elvis in the Park entertainment and various other novelty events such as the 'Back to the Altar with Elvis - Renewal of Wedding Vows', and the 'TransTank Miss Priscilla Dinner' along with other events such as a 'Cars of the Elvis Era Show' and 'Clubs NSW Elvis Poet's Breakfast.' Parkes also hosts one of the world's biggest personal Elvis collections on display courtesy of Australia's Greg Page (& former Yellow Wiggle).

Over these five days each year the annual festival brings over $1 million in direct income to the small rural community of only 10,000.

EIN’s Piers Beagley will be attending the Festival for the very first time in 2010 and recently interviewed some of the major personalities and performers who will be at this years’ 75th Birthday Festival.

---

Ellie Ruffoni – Parkes Festival Co-ordinator.

First of all EIN interviewed the coordinator of this year's Parkes Festival Ellie Ruffoni to see how things were shaping up with less than two weeks to go. EIN: This year will be the 75th Birthday celebration for Elvis. Will this be your biggest Parkes Festival yet?

Ellie Ruffoni: It's certainly shaping up to be! Ticket sales and accommodation bookings have been busier than ever before with a record number of visitors expected.

EIN: How does Parkes manage to cope with such an influx of Tourist and finding enough accommodation?

Ellie Ruffoni: As most visitors know motel and hotel accommodation is at a premium during Festival time so organisers have had to think creatively about increasing bed numbers in Parkes. The Committee have introduced two measures to help cope with the demand. The Home Hosting program is a very successful initiative which adds another 1,500 bed nights to Parkes accommodation during Festival time. Also, Tent City Hire are engaged to provide temporary tent accommodation to Parkes, with an additional 250 people being accommodated at the 2009 Festival. Both of these initiatives still have room to grow and are great options for people still looking for accommodation.

Many other visitors bring there own tents, caravans and motor homes and camp at the Parkes Showground which is a cost effective option. We also have shuttle buses running from nearby towns of Dubbo, Peak Hill and Forbes.

My favourite event would have to be the Gospel Service held on Sunday morning, its very inspirational and uplifting, but I'm also looking forward to experiencing the new events that we have on offer this year.

EIN: Mark Andrew is obviously your feature artist but there are plenty of other well-known Tribute Artists attending this year. How did you decide who to invite?

Ellie Ruffoni: It can be a very difficult. The Feature Artist is largely driven by visitor feedback with the majority wanting to see Mark back again. As the Festival has grown, demand has increased for more shows and entertainment. Most of the venues arrange their own entertainment, but the Committee decided to add two new shows to the program. Both the Elvis Evolution and She Is The King shows appealed to the Committee because they offered something unique and different.

EIN: I see that a few things have already Sold Out! Tell me more about the 'TransTank Miss Priscilla Dinner' and why it is so popular?

Ellie Ruffoni: The TransTank Miss Priscilla Dinner is a night of beauty, fashion, hair and glamour! Local hairdressers and, for the first time in 2010, local beauticians enter Miss Priscilla hair and make up models in the evening's competitions. Its a really fun, girly night out and is unique in that it appeals to locals more so than visitors, as locals often know the competition entrants. Once Miss Priscilla is crowned, she then becomes a Festival Ambassador for the rest of the Festival appearing at special events.

EIN: I have been personally written to by one of Elvis' closest friends (Patti Parry) telling me that she thought Australia's Mark Anthony was one of the best Elvis performers she has even witnessed!

Ellie Ruffoni: We have been lucky enough to secure the Elvis Evolution show on Thursday 7th January which features both Mark Anthony and Scott Baker. We have heard great things about this show, and have been told by their agent that the show isn't going to be around for much longer as Mark Anthony continues to pursue his career overseas. So if you haven't seen it already, come to Parkes - limited motel accommodation is still available for Wednesday and Thursday nights!

EIN: As the Parkes weekend is sponsored by Countrylink I was hoping that they would increase the number of carriages of the Elvis Express from Sydney. Once again it sold out within the first day the tickets went on sale. Can you do anything to pressurise Countrylink into providing a bigger Elvis Express or perhaps running them on two days? Ellie Ruffoni: The current CountryLink Elvis Express service is the biggest XPT train that has ever operated and it is for this reason why CountryLink can't simply add an extra carriage. The process would involve indepth testing and a dummy run to Parkes to check the service can operate with an extra carriage. We're hopeful that this can happen in time for the 2011 Festival. I think that CountryLink have seen the potential the service has and so it’s not completely out of the question for an additional service on another day - watch this space!

EIN: How's the feeling amongst the Parkes community as we head to the Event?

Ellie Ruffoni: Excitement! Shops are starting to take down their Christmas decorations and decorate Elvis-style! Elvis and Priscilla costumes have all been ordered and we're all eagerly waiting!

EIN: What about fans who decide to come at the last minute, where should they look for accommodation assistance? Ellie Ruffoni: Tent City is the best option for last minute accommodation, or fans can contact the Parkes Visitor Information Centre to enquire about any accommodation cancellations there may be. (Right: 10,000 Elvis fans!)

EIN: So after the Festival is over do you ever listen to Elvis or do you need a break!

Ellie Ruffoni: There's hardly any time for a break! After the Festival wrap up we will continue preparations for The King's Castle Australian Qualifying Event for the Elvis World Cup which Parkes is hosting on 20 March 2010. This is another opportunity for Elvis Tribute Artists and fans to come to Parkes for the quest for Australia's best ETA. More details will be available during the Festival, and afterwards on our website.

EIN: Anything else that you think fans need to know about this year's Festival?

Ellie Ruffoni: One important thing to note is that if you are considering entering the 2010 Street Parade, pre-registration is essential with all entries to be received by Wednesday 6th January. The registration form is available on our website.

Go here for 2010 Street Parade registration.

---

Mark Andrew - Parkes Feature Performer.

Mark Andrew has performed several years at Parkes and, like last year, he is 2010's featured Elvis artist. Mark also appeared in the TV documentary about Elvis and Parkes.   EIN: Hi Mark, I see that you are the feature artist again this year at Parkes. What was the highlight for you last year? Mark Andrew: I think the highlight last year would have to be 3500 people at The gospel service singing the gospel medley with my band.

EIN: That sounds fantastic and I can't wait to be there. How big a backing band are you bringing and will you also be involved in the Gospel service this year?

Mark Andrew: My band consists of a 10 piece and a couple of show girls for the Fri & Sunday shows as I stay true to the original, reenactments.
I am involved with the gospel service again & I always love when I get invited to sing at the service, it is a real moving experience.

EIN: How many concerts are you doing this year and which one are you looking forward to doing the most?

Mark Andrew: I am doing 4 concerts, Friday's show is based on the 68 comeback including Unplugged, Gospel medley, Road medley & If I can Dream, then 2 shows Saturday focussing on 'T.T.W.I.I' being the 40th anniversary, and Legends Showcase on Sunday afternoon. I love any show I do especially performing the intricate details for Die Hard Elvis Fans. EIN: How did you end up being chosen for the very enjoyable Parkes Elvis documentary that was shown last year on SBS? Mark Andrew: Being Involved with The festival, I was put forward and I'm honoured they chose me. EIN: How many years have you attended the festival? Mark Andrew: This will be my fifth year, I had one year off in 2007, I have seen it grow and grow, and I have always made suggestions to the committee from an Elvis Fan point of view.

EIN: What part of the Elvis weekend (outside your own concerts!!) do you enjoy the most?

Mark Andrew: The gospel service, The King's Castle Collection, and shopping for those original memorabilia items. Last year I bought Al Dvorin's original backstage pass and one of his kept menus and 4 original movie posters.

EIN: I hear that the organisers are expecting around 10,000 fans for the 2010 Festival. What is it about Parkes that you think attracts so many fans? Would the same Festival have the same impact if it was elsewhere?

Mark Andrew: I think they have done a great job and it's fantastic for the little town, it's central to most states, but Elvis fans would love any opportunity to celebrate The Man & his Birthday weekend.

EIN: This year is Elvis' 75th Birthday celebration. There are an extraordinary number of fans going to Memphis and EPE have laid on some special Events. Are you doing anything extra for this special year?

Mark Andrew: I am planning a national tour at the moment.

EIN: How many years have you been performing as Elvis?

Mark Andrew: 12 years.

EIN: What particular aspect is it about Elvis that makes him so special for you?

Mark Andrew: Elvis as an entertainer, artist, performer and actor has my full respect, he had everything and anything he touched he put his mark on it, and he did everything first.
It is a great feeling stepping into his shoes and giving the audience an illusion of living it again.

EIN: As we head into a new decade, can you tell me what was your favourite Elvis CD, DVD and Book release of the past ten years?

Mark Andrew: My favourite Elvis CD: 'Elvis That's The Way It Is' plus 'From Elvis In Memphis' 2009 special edition, Elvis DVD: 'Behind The Image' and Elvis Book: The recent 'Elvis Encyclopedia' 'Word For Word' and 'The King On The Road'.

EIN: Is there anything else you would like to add for the fans who are heading to Parkes?

Mark Andrew: It is a great weekend for Elvis fans, many get to dress up and have fun, make sure you get to the gospel service, The Kings Castle and of course my shows :) TCB ~

Go here to find out more about Mark Andrew and his Elvis show.

---

‘She Is The King’ (Jacqueline Feilich)

Australia’s ‘She Is The King’ is performing one of the main concerts in Cooke’s Park this year. ‘She Is The King’ is the only woman ever to be selected by Elvis Presley Enterprises to compete in the worldwide sponsored Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition. She is sure to put on a dynamic show that will be very popular with the crowd as well as being a little different to the other Elvis Tribute Artists performing in Parkes.   EIN: Hi Jacqueline, She Is the King, how many years have you attended the Parkes festival before? Did you go last year?

She Is the King: I went to Parkes for the very first time last year (2008). Unfortunately I couldn’t stay for the weekend because of show commitments in Sydney so I haven’t really experienced the whole festival properly. That’s why I’m looking so forward to this one.

EIN: I see that you are one of the weekend's main Headliners and you are doing a special show in Cooke Park on Friday night. Is this the first time that Parkes has had an internationally EPE recognised female Elvis perform and how did you get chosen to do this show?

She Is the King: I’m excited to be in an ‘Elvis’ environment like the Parkes Festival, on what would be Elvis’ 75th birthday, with 10,000 EP fans/devotees and getting to do what I love the very most!

I guess I am the first female Elvis tribute artist to perform as a headline act at Parkes. It all came about in early 2009 when one of the Parkes committee people approached me to perform there in 2010.

EIN: What can you tell me about the show?

She Is the King: Well we’re doing a 2 hour show covering the 50s, some 60s/movie tracks & of course the 70s. I’ve picked a broad cross section of 30 something songs (including some of my favourite, more obscure tracks) which collectively & hopefully, should give January 8th show-goers a pretty good idea of what EP recorded, performed live or performed in movies in his brilliant career. Also, a little bird told me that there could be fireworks after the show..!

EIN: That sounds great. Are you doing anything extra for this special 75th Birthday year?

She Is the King: Actually yes. In honour of EP’s 75th , I have just released my latest single on iTunes – "I Got A Feelin’ In My Body" – which I will officially launch on Jan 8th during the show in Cooke Park at the Parkes Festival. I’ll have with me a small amount of limited edition, signed singles which will only be available after the show at Parkes.

"I Got A Feelin’ In My Body" is an Elvis track (written by ‘Burning Love’ Dennis Linde) which most people tell me they’ve never heard of but it’s always been a big favourite of mine. It was originally recorded in 1973 at Stax Studios in Memphis so you can imagine how incredibly soulful it is. My version is an update on EP’s with a funky upbeat electro twist. (Go here to check it out)

EIN: And you have something more for later in the year?

She Is the King: Later in the year for the 33rd anniversary of Elvis’ death I’ll be performing on an Elvis Tribute Cruise aboard P&O’s "Pacific Sun" which sets sail from Sydney August 14th, 2010 for 8 nights.
(EIN note:For all Cruise details & Booking info click here)

EIN: The organisers are expecting around 10,000 fans for the 2010 Festival. What is it about Parkes that you think attracts so many fans? Would the same Festival have the same impact if it was elsewhere?

She Is the King: There are gatherings of thousands of Elvis fans all over the world, all the time & for various reasons but it’s simply amazing to realize that a small town in country NSW, (a far cry from the likes of Las Vegas or Memphis) could attract crowds of 10,000 to celebrate Him!

I think Parkes has become the Australian Mecca for Elvis disciples & those who just want to have a bit of fun. I believe the same Festival would have the same impact if it were elsewhere only in that crowds would be drawn to it out of sheer curiosity however, Parkes remains a very uniquely Australian salute to The King.

EIN: How many years have you been performing as Elvis?

She Is the King: I started performing professionally about 3 years ago but I had my first jumpsuit made over 10 years ago when I was still in the Elvis closet.

She Is the King: Can’t wait to see everyone & to feel that incredible bond that only Elvis fans know; particularly for this extra special 75th Birthday celebration.

She Is The King in Parkes
Main Stage - Cooke Park
FREE Friday night concert sponsored by MCA Group
Friday 7.30pm - 9.30pm.

 

Go here to find out more about 'She Is The King' and her Elvis show.

---

Mark Anthony.

As mentioned above EIN was contacted by one of Elvis' best friends Patti Parry from the US, who told us just how good Mark Anthony was as a performer. Parkes is lucky enough to also have him performing this year.   EIN: Hi Mark, as I haven't previously been to Parkes myself I have to ask you if you have previously performed at the Parkes festival or is this new for you? Did you go last year? Mark Anthony: No this will be my first time. EIN: What part of the Elvis weekend do you think might be the best? Mark Anthony: As I haven't been yet, I will have to find out. There is so much on. EIN: I see that you have just been added to the Parkes website as one of the weekend Headliners. Where and when are you performing? Mark Anthony: Parkes Leagues Club, Auditorium. Thursday 7th Jan. 8pm EIN: What can you tell me about the show? Mark Anthony: It’s a musical walk through Elvis' highest achievements.

EIN: Are you going to be doing anything extra as it is the 75th Birthday celebration?

Mark Anthony: At the moment nothing has been mentioned but there is always a possibility of a surprise or two.

EIN: How many years have you been performing as Elvis?

Mark Anthony: 2010 will be my 7th year.

EIN: I was contacted by Elvis' good friend Patti Parry who lives in LA to tell me just how good she thought you were. Now that is a great compliment!

Mark Anthony: WOW, thanks Patti. Yeah, Patti is one hell of a gal. I go and stay with her in Beverly Hills sometimes when I go through LA. We all love Patti, such a funny lady. We've gotten to know her quite well and refer to her as Aunty PP.

EIN: Where have you performed overseas?

Mark Anthony: Too many venues to mention so I'll just name the places,: (USA) Memphis Tennessee, Myrtle Beach South Carolina, Vegas, Dewey Beach Delaware, Branson Missouri, Baton Rouge Louisiana, Portage Indiana, LaCrosse Wisconsin, and many other places through the US that at the moment I can't remember all of them, (CA) Toronto Canada, Collingwood Canada, (AUS) NSW, VIC, SA, QLD, the list goes on and on but I won't waste your time with all of them

EIN: I also heard rave reports of your recent performance at the Memphis ETA contest. How was that? Mark Anthony: Memphis is always incredible. There is such a great feeling when you arrive in Memphis. And being in the Ultimate Elvis Contest since it started in 2007 and 2008 and especially placing top 10 in the world is incredibly motivating to me. The contest is the best you will ever see. Very high quality and truly the only contest in the world that can give you that notoriety. EIN: Do you feel that there is a "friendly rivalry" between you and the other performers? Mark Anthony: Very friendly indeed. Most of us are good friends and look forward to seeing each other at various festivals throughout the United States and Canada.

EIN: The organisers are expecting around 10,000 fans for the 2010 Festival. What is it about Parkes that you think attracts so many fans? Would the same Festival have the same impact if it was elsewhere?

Mark Anthony: I'm not sure, but 10,000 fans is nothing to sneeze at. I congratulate them for making it such a success.

EIN: What particular aspect is it about Elvis that makes him so special for you?

Mark Anthony: I think what I admire the most about Elvis, besides his Incredible Voice, charisma, good looks, stage presence etc. was his musical understanding. In my eyes he was a genius when it came to arranging a song to the way that he would have wanted it to sound. He had an ability to already know how he wanted a song to feel and sound and had a way of getting his musicians to play it in that way. He was the first at a lot of things.

EIN: As we head into a new decade, can you tell me what was your favourite Elvis CD, DVD and Book release of the past ten years?

Mark Anthony: My favourite Book: Last Train to Memphis by Peter Guralnik is the best book on Elvis you will ever read.
Favourite CD: All of the FTD releases which have a lot of previously bootlegged hard-to-find "live concerts" and rare in-the-studio recordings. Favourite DVD: 68 Comeback special edition 3 DVD box set.

EIN: Is there anything else you would like to add for the fans who are heading to Parkes?

Mark Anthony: Would like to see as many of you there as possible, please feel free to come and say hi. Make sure you bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water, they tell me that it is REAL HOT in Parkes.

Mark Anthony and Scott Baker in Parkes
Parkes Leagues Club
$35 adults. Call 02 6862 1499 to book
Thursday 7th January, 8pm

Go here to find out more about 'Mark Anthony' and his Elvis show.

---

Scott Baker

Performing along with Mark Anthony at the Elvis Evolution show will be Scott Baker. Scott's reputation for his great fifties music and rockabilly style proceeds him. It should be a great show. EIN: Hi Scott, how many times have you previously performed at the Parkes festival and did you go last year? Scott Baker: I've only been twice. Once in 2000, and then in 2007 EIN: What part of the Elvis weekend do you enjoy the most? Scott Baker: Meeting up with people we have kept up with over the years, and performing to "Elvis friendly" crowds EIN: Is the early Elvis era your main attraction or is it just the overall rockabilly/rock'n'roll era?

Scott Baker: My wife and I are heavily into American culture of the 1950s, so for us, you cant beat the early years

EIN: Do you think that Elvis' real burst of creativity was his mid fifties performances and that he tended to just "cruise" from then on?

Scott Baker: No, I don’t agree with that. I think he was bound by movie contracts which kept his creativity stimied. But once free to do as he wished, he brought us the fabulous 68 comeback special, and some great songs and Albums in the 70s. And I wouldn’t call his gruelling tour schedule cruisy.

EIN: Perhaps anybody can pretend to be Elvis by donning a white jumpsuit and gold glasses. Do you think the early era is that much harder to get right?

Scott Baker: I suppose people recognise the jumpsuit straight away, but I wouldn’t agree it’s easy to do that era well. In the early to mid 70s Elvis was very physical on stage. But the 50s are also challenging. Elvis moved with so much rhythm and style and that’s hard to get that right. Lately the hardest thing I'm finding is to keep looking young now I'm pushing 35!

EIN: I suspect there will be a few too many white-jumpsuits around, so I feel it will be great to see someone performing early Elvis. So where and when are you performing? Scott Baker: I am performing in a show with another ETA, Mark Anthony from Adelaide. The show is called 'Elvis Evolution'. We will be performing at the Parks League Club on Thursday 7th Jan 8pm with my friend Mark Anthony. EIN: What can you tell me about the show? Scott Baker: The show covers Elvis' music career from 50s Rockabilly, through to the Aloha from Hawaii concert. I do the first half of the show, and Mark the second half. We have performed it several times up and down the East Coast of Australia, and its always well received. Mark has won the Australian leg of the 'Ultimate Elvis competition in 2007 and 2008 (the Aussie leg of the comp didn’t run in 09), and I was runner up in 2007 and 2008. EIN: Will you be personally doing anything extra to celebrate Elvis' 75th Birthday? Scott Baker: It will also be my second last performance as Elvis as I've decided to focus on performing original 50s style rockabilly. So no doubt I'll have a quiet drink or too to celebrate.

EIN: How many years have you been performing as Elvis and have you performed overseas?

Scott Baker: I've been performing as Elvis for 11 years on and off. It’s only ever been a hobby for me. In 2007, I won a competition performing as Elvis, and first prise was a trip to America. While there I was able to perform in the Tupelo Mississippi leg of the 'Ultimate Elvis competition where I placed 4th out of 38 Elvises.

EIN: Do you feel that there is a "friendly rivalry" between you and the other performers?

Scott Baker: That’s probably a fair statement, and that’s a good thing. As long as it stays friendly!!

EIN: The organisers are expecting around 10,000 fans for the 2010 Festival. What is it about Parkes that you think attracts so many fans?
Would the same Festival have the same impact if it was elsewhere?

Scott Baker: In fear of upsetting the organisers, I'd have to say the location has very little to do why the festival does so well. I'd say it has more to do with the tireless work of the organisers to make it happen every year. Parks is extremely hot in Jan, so I do think another location, eg Melbourne? Would be able to have a festival just as successful. Remember, its Elvis people are coming to celebrate, not the location

EIN: What particular aspect is it about Elvis that makes him so special for you?

Scott Baker: That’s to big a question for me to cover here, but the fact the organisers are expecting 10,000 people at the festival this year, 33 years after his death, says a lot about what a very special person Elvis was to many people

EIN: As we head into a new decade, can you tell me what was your favourite Elvis CD, DVD and Book release of the past ten years?

Scott Baker: Favourite CD- 'Elvis 30 No1s', DVD- 'Elvis, the early years, with Jonathan Rhys-Meyers'

EIN: Is there anything else you would like to add for the fans who are heading to Parkes?

Scott Baker: Bring your sunscreen, bring your friends and We hope to see you there!!

Scott Baker and Mark Anthony in Parkes
Parkes Leagues Club
$35 adults. Call 02 6862 1499 to book
Thursday 7th January, 8pm

Go here to find out more about 'Scott Baker' and his Elvis show.

---

Silas Lulic

Silas Lulic was the 2007 and 2008 NSW Elvis Parkes Festival Winner. His voice sounds uncannily like Elvis' and he has a reputation for putting on a great show featuring some great replica Elvis costumes.  EIN: Hi Silas, how many times have you previously performed at the Parkes festival and did you go last year? If so what was the highlight for you last year? Silas Lulic: My first year in Parkes was back in 2007 being an Elvis myself how could you not love the place.  Since winning Elvis Idol in Parkes in 2007 and 2008 I have since put together my own show which I perform every year at the services club.  Last year was great, the show was a sell out thanks to Parkes local band Risky Business who did an awesome job of backing me up.

Its kind of hard to pin point the highlight as I was performing flat out so I didn't really get time to see the festival from a spectator's point of view, which is why this year I will be doing one show only in hope to get a feel of the festival and activities.

EIN: I know that you perform all of Elvis distinct eras. What is your personal favourite?

Silas: Of all the eras I would have to say I have respect for all Elvis achieved through out his career, but I am a big fan of the 50's era when Elvis was new, young, fresh and raw.

EIN: Perhaps anybody can pretend to be Elvis by donning a white jumpsuit and gold glasses. Do you think the other eras are harder to get right?

Silas:I guess you could say in order to disguise yourself the later jumpsuit Elvis would have to be the number one with the big sideburns and oversized sunglasses, it would be nice to see a few fans take a different approach and see more of the 50's style Elvis and movie era as the jumpsuits were only a snippet of his career.

EIN: How many concerts are you doing this year and where can people find you? Silas: This year I will be doing one show only at the Parkes Services club on Saturday 9th, I believe its sold out, but you can check the Parkes website for the details.  I am also appearing for 30 mins in the Park at 2.45pm on the Saturday. EIN: What part of the Elvis weekend (outside your own concerts) do you enjoy the most? Silas: The parade is an awesome event the people seem to go to great lengths in preparing for the parade, the costumes, cars, bikes and floats, its a great sight. EIN: Where do you perform most of your shows and have you been to any of the big Elvis festivals overseas?

Silas: Lately I've been performing in Melbourne's crown casino I also travel interstate to Brisbane Sydney and Adelaide, I haven't travelled overseas yet but its on the to do list.

EIN: I hear that the organisers are expecting around 10,000 fans for the 2010 Festival. What is it about Parkes that you think attracts so many fans? Would the same Festival have the same impact if it was elsewhere?

Silas: One word ''Elvis'' is there anything he cant do! Of course there are a few Elvis festivals worldwide and I'm sure they could work in any place but its the hospitality of the Parkes town people that sets it apart from the rest, that is why I am also  raffling off one of my guitars at my show and all proceeds are being donated to Parkes CanAssist.


EIN: This year is Elvis’ 75th Birthday celebration. There are an extraordinary number of fans going to Memphis and EPE have laid on some special Events. Are you doing anything extra for this special year?

Silas: Naturally I would like to be there however I just purchased a Cadillac being Elvis favourite choice in cars which I'm currently restoring in honour of the king so in between the shows and the car I really have my work cut out for me!

EIN: How many years have you performing as Elvis?

Silas: I've been a fan since a baby, but 2007 is the date id say it really kicked off for me.

EIN: What particular aspect is it about Elvis that makes him so special for you?

Silas: the guy had absolutely everything an Entertainer could ever want the whole package but above all his uniqueness that makes him stand out from all others.

EIN: As we head into a new decade, can you tell me what was your favourite Elvis CD, DVD and Book release of the past ten years?

Silas: Actually I've really been getting into the Fun in Acapulco soundtrack from the movie with the same name. The songs are very Mexican based but he delivers them so well. As for dvd his early films such as King Creole and Jailhouse Rock where his acting really shines.
I did purchase a book recently called The Prophet which is not based on Elvis but is the book Elvis carried with him everywhere. He must have read it hundreds of times, it's based on spiritualism a little hard to understand but a good insight on the things Elvis believed in.

EIN: Is there anything else you would like to add for the fans who are heading to Parkes?

Silas: A huge thankyou to all the fans and the Parkes towns people who make a great festival even better every year! without them none of this would be possible.

Silas Lulic in Parkes
Starlight Lounge, Parkes Services Club
$35 adults. Call 02 6862 1966 during office hours.
Saturday 7.30pm - Starlight Lounge, Parkes Services Club

Go here to find out more about 'Silas Lulic' and his Elvis show.

 

---

---

10,000 Elvis fans gathered together to celebrate The King - what more could you want!

See you there - Piers.

Click here for the Parkes Programme and to find out when all these great Elvis Tribute Artists are performing.

---

Interviews & Article by Piers Beagley
-Copyright EIN, January 2010

Click to comment on this Article

---