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WENDY KING …Judging
Chair
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Wendy has made it her lifelong goal to preserve
the legacy of Elvis Presley in any way possible. Whether it be on the air with B
101 FM in Barrie or The Peak in Colllingwood, she tries to promote Elvis and his
accomplishments whenever possible. She’s made 40 trips to Graceland during which
she’s met and interviewed Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis father Vernon ,
members of the Memphis Mafia and various band members.Wendy saw Elvis live in
concert in 1975 and 1977 in Detroit .
Wendy has been a judge at Elvis competitions here in Collingwood as well as
Kitchener, Windsor and Rockton.
Wendy is thrilled to be back for what she describes as an “ Elvis family re-union”
on Collingwood’s 15th anniversary!”
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GOSPEL COMPETITION JUDGES
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| JANE RYAN |
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Originally from Toronto and Mississauga , Jane
has lived and worked in Collingwood for the last nine years. She and her friends
have attended every Collingwood Elvis Festival since 2000. Jane first hear Elvis on
WKBW radio and years later, she saw him live in concert in Niagara Falls , NY .
Jane grew up with Gospel music and the familiar lyrics are more magical when sung
by Elvis. She is excited to be returning for a second year as a judge for the
Gospel Competition.
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| BERT PREECE |
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Bert has been involved with the Collingwood
Elvis Festival since its inception and has judged in both Canada and the US for
various competitions. Bert values his friendship with the remaining Elvis front men
including DJ Fontana, Dick Grob and Joe Esposito. Bert feels it is an honour to be
part of such a fabulous festival and looks forward to meeting his fellow Elvis
fans.
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| ANDY GINDROZ |
Andy hails from the Niagara
Region and is considered an Elvis 'Trivia' expert. His extensive collection of Elvis
memorabilia includes books, movies and CD's. Andy has been the champion of an Elvis
trivia quiz show on Sirius 12/XM 18 Elvis radio for the past three years and has
visited Memphis numerous times. Andy is also a student of music playing both guitar and
drums.
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| ECHO STARR PARKER |
Echo Starr Parker is from
Brantford. She watches or reads about Elvis on a daily basis and has a collection of
every song Elvis ever recorded along with the movies and documentaries. Echo has judged
Elvis' festivals in Toronto and Rockton and here in Collingwood for the past 3 years.
Echo is excited to join the judging panel for "Inspirational Elvis".
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| DENNIS THOMPSON |
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Dennis hails from Michigan and is a true blue
Elvis fan! He is an avoid memorabilia collector and has organized and emcee’d a
number of Elvis tribute shows across Michigan . As a knowledgable fan of the King,
Dennis is eager to try his hand at judging and joins us for the “Inspirational
Elvis” competition.
Welcome Dennis!
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REGULAR COMPETITION JUDGES
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| NEVIN GRANT |
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Nevin is a freelance broadcaster, playwright and
music historian. He spent 38 years as program and music director of Oldies 1150
CKOC in Hamilton . He has written numerous plays including “Forever Elvis” which
has been performed across Central and Southern Ontario . Nevin is a gifted pianist
and is often seen tickling the ivories at various Elvis events. Nevin is a veteran
Elvis festival judge and most recently organized the successful 1st Toronto Elvis
Festival at Mississauga ’s Stage West.
We welcome Nevin back to our judging panel this year!
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| JUANITA THOMPSON |
| Juanita hails from Michigan and is a first time
judge to the Collingwood Elvis Festival! She is not new to the festival, however,
visiting Collingwood annual for years and enjoying the various tribute artists. She is
a lifelong Elvis fan and collector of Elvis’s music and memorabilia as is her husband
Dennis. She enjoys travelling to many of the festivals in Canada and the U.S. as well
as visiting Graceland . Juanita says she’s learned a lot about Elvis on stage by
watching the various ETA’s and appreciates all of them for paying tribute to Elvis and
continuing his legacy. |
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| DON LUTHER |
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Don Luther is an acoomplished musician in his
own right—having studied at the Royal Conservatory of Toronto playing piano and
trombone. Don has been an Elvis fan his entire life and saw the King live twice in
the 70’s. He makes frequent visits to Graceland and enjoys the Elvis station on
Serius Satellite on a daily basis.
Don spent his professional career as a court “judge”. He and his wife Helen make
their home in Collingwood and always enjoy the Elvis Festival. We welcome Don back
to our judging panel.
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| DARLENE WATTERS |
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Darlene has been singing professionally for more
than 25 years mastering styles from hard rock to jazz. A skilled tribute artist in
her own right, Darlene appeared as “Stevie Nicks” at Atlantic City’s Trump Casino
for their 2008 “ Fake Fest”. Darlene has recorded with “Gowan”, “A Foot in Cold
Water”, “Moxy and “Coney Hatch.”
Among Darlene’s career highlights—a 7 month Middle East tour topped off with an
appearance at Dubai ’s world famous shopping festival.
Darlene joins the Collingwood judging panel for the first time and is eager to
enjoy all the various performances.
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| DARRELL LACASSE |
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Darrell is a professional truck driver. His love
of Elvis started early in life at 6 years of age when he first watched the “ Aloha
from Hawaiii” special on tv. He’s never looked back. Like many Elvis fans, he has
made many treks to Graceland and has helped to organize several Elvis events
throughout the GTA. Darrell has acquired many authentic and original Elvis items.
He is also an avid autograph and coin collector.
Darrell has judged at the “Days of Elvis” festival in Niagara Falls and takes his
seat at the judge’s table for the first time, here , in Collingwood. He’s sure it
will just add to the many great memories he has from the “Elvis World”. Welcome
Darrell!
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| DEAN HOLLIN |
Dean Hollin is a resident of
Collingwood and the former artistic director of the Gayety Theatre. Dean's theatrical
career began two decades ago and includes stints with Drayton Entertainment and Theatre
Aquarius. Dean has created a string of shows paying homage to some of his favourite
songwriters including Cole Porter and the Gershwins. He currently hosts Friday nights
on 95.1 the PEAK FM. Dean grew up watching Elvis movies and admiring his showmanship
and talent. Welcome back, Dean.
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