RETURN OF THE KING
Town, tribute artists ready to rock this joint
Posted By SHAWN GIILCK
Updated 6 months ago
If it's the third week in July and the streets are filled with pompadoured men sporting suspicious sideburns, it can mean only one thing.
Elvis lives -- or at least he does in the hearts of the 100-plus Elvis tribute artists converging on Collingwood.
Terry Campbell of Lakeside, Ontario, and Jim Bishop of New Brunswick were two of the earliest arrivals. They swaggered into the Enterprise-Bulletin Monday, full of bravado and soft Southern slurring drawls and odes to Elvis couched in the appropriate reverence.
For Bishop, it's his first time here in Collingwood -- or Elviswood, as it will be known this weekend. Campbell is back for the second time, having also attended the inaugural Elvis weekend, lo those many years ago.
Campbell said he had no intention of returning, but a persistent buzz in the Elvis stratosphere had it that this was to be the Collingwood Festival's swan song.
That's likely not something that local organizers want spreading on the grapevine -- or hairline -- but, hey, as the saying goes there's no such thing as bad publicity.
For the full schedule of events, go to www.collingwoodelvis.com
ALL WEEKEND:
MILLENNIUM PARK -- Kid's Fest
Family-themed event park Friday through Sunday from 9 a. m. until 4 p. m., with inflatables, kids activities, a Toddler zone, entertainment, food vendors and fun for all ages. Come listen to youth Elvis Tribute Artists perform from 10 a. m. until 4 p. m. on Friday. Nominal Admission at Gate
R. O. X. Rockin'Diner
Come out and relax while enjoying a waterside barbecue, Friday through Sunday. Great live entertainment on Friday featuring Anthony Von, Robin Kelly and Dwight Icenhower followed by Wayne Buttery beginning at 8 p. m. Entry cost varies.
For more events this weekend, see Page B12 Campbell said it was that lure that brought him back.
"After being at the first one, I thought it would be great to be here for the last one, too," he said.
Contrary to that line of thought, Elvis organizer Rosemarie O'Brien said that sales have been brisk and the ticket movement on the Saturday show have been "astounding."
That show is sold out, and the Sunday finals are three-quarters sold.
Campbell said he's not a serious competitor, despite more than 30 years of immersing himself in Elvis.
Campbell said he was never a big Elvis fan growing up. In fact, he hardly knew who the King was until he noticed young girls would swoon over the brooding rock-n-roller with the pulsating pelvis.
Up to that point, he was a shy, withdrawn type with "no social life', but he was also bright enough to size up an opportunity when he saw one.
Campbell said he began to mimic Elvis, and before long, his dweeby social standing had jumpedOut of the Ghetto and intoHeartbreak Hotelproximity. He didn't say whether the blue suede shoes helped at all, or whether he was transfigured into a complete hound dog.
"It sure did work," he said with a broad grin. "It brought me out of my shell and cured my shyness."
Bishop admitted to being a bit more of a fan growing up, but he didn't take up the Elvis performing mantle until five years ago.
Last year, he made the pilgrimage to Graceland, and he was eager to compare that experience to the Collingwood Festival, which he said has the reputation for being the world's top festival. Campbell agreed completely with that assessment.
"Yes, I think my feet were 10 feet off the field," said Bishop of his time in Memphis.
At least he didn't mention seeing the ghost of Elvis anywhere.
Both said they're here more for the experience than to win the competition. They insisted that the tribute artists should "show the proper respect" to the enduring legend of the King of Rock and Roll.
"You shouldn't be a caricature," Bishop said. "I saw guys in Graceland with sideburns sticking out three feet from their faces."
O'Brien said 119 tribute artists have registered for the festival. Eighty of them will compete. That's six fewer than last year, something she said might have been caused by some of the tribute artists choosing to attend festivals closer to home.
Overall ticket sales are down perhaps four per cent, she said, which didn't surprise here in the troubled economy.
"They're still selling quite well," said O'Brien.
"It sure did work. It brought me out of my shell and cured my shyness."
Terry Campbell, on how mimicking Elvis changed his life
