8 -TheCandia ChpionTueýqay, September , 1998 30 ewuskw I*'Ie By BRAD REAUME The Champion e's got them all shook up. Elvis tribute artist Steve Kabakos has taken his blue suede shoes on the road and brought back a couple of top finishes in serious Elvis competitions. Judges and fans alike heap accolades on his ability to sound and act like the King of Rock and Roll. There's money in creating the illusion of Elvis, as people will pay to be taken back into the world and music of the King. Mr. Kabakos says he hopes he can parlay his talent and love of the King into a career. Two years after doing Elvis in karaoke bars the self-described "shower singer" has honed his act into third best at the recent 13th annual Images of Elvis contest in Memphis, Tennessee. Mr. Kabakos said the Memphis competition is considered the world championship of Elvis trib- ute artists because of its location and size. There were 80 competitors vying for the title. In Memphis, Mr. Kabakos said he took time to pay his respects to Elvis during a visit to Graceland, the King's home, now a shrine to his memory. Elvis died on August 16, 1977. Second in Collingwood In addition to the fine showing in Tennessee, in July Mr. Kabakos finished second in a large Elvis competition in Collingwood. The Collingwood contest features several different categories, including ones for professionals and non-pros. "My mother got me into it," he said. "I grew up listening to Elvis. Then I started doing a little Elvis act at family functions when I was maybe eight or nine years old." The real breakthrough came, said Mr. Kabakos, when he was in a restaurant and saw someone do Elvis. He knew he could do it bet- ter. The transition from local pub to performances at the Canadian National Exhibition required a lot of work. After talking to musician Dave Coulter, owner of Coulter Music Studios on Main Street, the two got together, added some other elements and formed the six-piece Tennessee Valley Band. "I was just another Elvis off the block," laughed Mr. Kabakos, who added, articles on him appearing in The Champion and its sister publication The Burlington Post really launched his career. After initially dismissing him, Mr. Coulter saw the articles and realized Mr. Kabakos had some talent. "Without Dave's help I wouldn't be Elvis Impersonator Steve Kabakos says his mother encouraged hlm as a chIld to per- form like the sInglng legend ut famlly gatherIngs and now it's a major part of his life. where I am today," Mr. Kabakos said. "The band has really challenged me musically." Since then the band has been increased twice with the addition of a vocal quartet dubbed the Memphis Sound and a three-person horn section, which performs under the name Tennessee Valley Brass. So proud of the band is Mr. Kabakos that lie wears a TVB logo on a chain around his neck. However, in competition the advantage of a band is removed with performers working from back-up tapes. The group is a big part of Mr. Kabakos stage act. He refers to his performances as band shows rather than treating the musicians as a back-up unit. The only concession he'Il make is admit- ting he's the band's front man. Mr. Kabakos prefers to perform as the young Elvis. He also does part of his full-length show as the black leather clad Elvis from the famous 1968 comeback television special. In addition to performing as the young Elvis he says he likes to do more obscure songs. Given that judges in competitions are big Elvis fans, Mr. Kabakos reasons, the lesser known songs provide a pleasant surprise along side the better known, oft-performed hits. He does Girl of My Best Friend, Spinout, Rubbernecking, Thrill of Your Love and the gospel song Where No One Stands Alone. At both Elvis competitions this year Mr. Kabakos finished with the rousing If I Can Dream. Mr. Kabakos said in competition singers are judged on their performance, presentation, clothes and selection of music. Because he per- forms as the young Elvis, Mr. Kabakos said he avoids the 1970s music, "even though it's great stuff' because it's inappropriate for his act. Supported by family Mr. Kabakos, 27, said his parents Tainy and Gail have been extremely supportive of his career choice. In fact he says his whole family helps out. He said he has become a student of Elvis films and concert performances in order to hone his show. "You're not only up there to sing, but to share Elvis memories with people," he said, adding that he uses little bits of film dialogue as his pat- ter between songs. "I'm an illusionist. I introduce myself as Steve Kabakos, then slip into character," he explained. "People get moved. They don't treat me like Elvis but they get swept away." Mr. Kabakos said his favorite Elvis film is King Creole. He added that Follow That Dream and Roustabout are also high on his list. Among his favourite songs to sing is Don'cha Think It's Time. He said he really likes the raw Elvis sound from the 1950s. However he acknowledged the band ïs trying to manage a greater spectrum of Elvis' music. He said as he gets older he can see paralleling Elvis' career path as long as there are people who want to hear him. The E.C. Drury High graduate said he never took any drama in high school or had any other background training. Judging by his smile and passion when dis- cussing his Elvis tribute, it's likely that while in Memphis the Milton resident felt he was walk- ing with his feet 10 feet off of Beale. il, Echoes of 'The King' frame Steve's tribute