Elvis

On Thursday, friend Mary drove to Rice Lake from her home in Mason, WI and then we headed to Eau Claire to Fanny Hill Bed & Breakfast / Dinner Theater.  Fanny Hill is on the West side of Eau Claire, out in the country.  When I was living in Eau Claire attending the U, this place was called The Barr and was a popular spot for college students to enjoy a cold beverage or many.  

The building has been revamped and I think added on to, 

and now it is a nice spot with a great view of the Chippewa River.

But back to the show, more about The Barr later maybe.  

Mary & I were headed there to see an Elvis tribute.  It's not that either one of us are rabid Elvis fans, 

but we both like live entertainment and have been talking about finding things to do as we are both retired 

and we have the time.

So, the matinee show seemed like a good fit, an hour drive from Rice Lake, dinner & a show, and back to Rice Lake before dark.  And it was fun.  The meal was fine, both Mary and I are following the Weight Watcher's method for food choices, but the roast beef and mashed potatoes were doable and tasted fine.

The show was better.

The Elvis Impersonator was George Thomas.

His voice was very good and he sang all of the Elvis favorites that we expected.  His band was great, a base guitar, piano and drummer, accompanied his singing and also sang some backup.  Elvis's costumes were classic & classy and his act included contact with all those in the audience, 

especially those close to the stage.

The view from our seats

Mary and I were seated in the top tier of the theater, as far from the stage as possible, not by request, but we were both delighted to be away from the 'interaction zone' of the theater.

Joining us in the theater for the performance was a busload of folks from Southern Wisconsin.  Most of whom had some years of the two of us.  Several of the women were wearing Elvis shirts, or were toting purses with pictures of Elvis on the sides, obviously they were into this Elvis deal a bit more than I was.

These folks were seated on the main floor of the theater, some with tables butting up to the stage itself.  Elvis gave them their money's worth.  He interacted with many of the folks seated in this area, holding hands, sometimes inviting them on stage, singing directly to them and inserting their names into the song.  It was obvious that those who were interacting with Elvis, were delighted as they laughed and giggled.

After the performance, which was comprised of 3 sets / costumes changes, and lasted almost 2 hours, Elvis was available for photographs in the bar area.  I am sure that most of the crowd was headed there.  Mary and I slipped out before he sang his very last few notes so we could use the powder room and be on our way ahead of the many who would follow.

It was a fun day.  I enjoyed the music very much.  Mary and I are both taking piano lessons, so we were interested in the back up music by the piano player in the band as well.

I will go back to Fanny Hill, a nice venue not far from Rice Lake.

***

So, what about the life of this Elvis.

How do you decide to spend your life in tribute or imitation of someone who died before you were born?

Seeing this performance has sparked me to consider this strange way of life.

This young man, and many many others, have chosen this as their life's occupation.

Learning the songs, the mannerisms, the history and biography, wearing the costumes, and making adjustments to physical attributes to be Elvis seems like a very odd path to choose.

It can't be easy.

Lucrative? I guess it must be.  According to George Thomas's webpage, he charges between $250 & $500 per show. From that, I suppose he has to pay his band.  I'm not sure if that is 'good money',
but I suppose it is show business, and if it is your blood, maybe that is good enough.

Working the crowd of most 60+ years women, who want to pinch a butt, kiss a cheek, hold the hand of a memory.  Elvis has to act as if he loves every moment, and that he loves his fans unconditionally.

I'm not sure how he does it.

I can understand a performer loving to sing, or dance.

And I guess I can understand a performer connecting with his audience.

But to do it, as Elvis, show after show, sometimes twice in one day?

That I cannot conceive of.

Elvis Presley died in 1977, yet Google estimates that there are over 85,000 Elvis Impersonators out entertaining around the world.

A man that died before most of these folks were born,

 yet he inspires them to live their lives in his image.

Wow.