..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
PLEASE NOTE; My photos are donated to several sites, however please do not copy or reuse in any fashion without prior-permission as they are protected with my copyrite (they are not open stock photos). THANK YOU
Please view PHOTOGRAPHY Topic below.
Photos/graphics: ©Nostalgic Memories by Lea All Rights Reserved
More on Danny Vernon from Da Man himself!
Biography: Danny Vernon He enjoys performing all 3 decades of Elvis’ career including the "recklessly abandoned" hillbilly cat of the ’50’s, the sleek ’60’s movie years including the tiger man "68 comeback special", and the sexy 70’s jumpsuit era. Send Danny a hunk of burnin love at his MySpace site at
MY SPACE PAGE FOR DANNY VERNON SAY HELLO!.
He creates the "Illusion of Elvis" from many years of admiration of Elvis Presley. He has sought to create a show that will hold the excitement of Elvis on stage. "I try to recapture the charisma and sex appeal that helped spark a new direction in popular culture. In addition, I also aspire to show respect and support the integrity of the man and his music." Sincerely, Danny Vernon Illusion of Elvis
Danny has been professionally performing his Elvis show for 4 years and has performed everywhere from casinos to convention centers. He is currently associated with and performing with the "Ripley’s Believe It Or Not" national Marilyn Monroe Look-a-like, Karen Motherway. His show can be performed alone or with back-up singers. You can also see him perform with Ann Margaret, The Blues Brothers, Sammy Davis Jr. and others. Blues Brothers photos located here.
Danny found at a very early age, when he began singing along with his father’s discarded albums, that Elvis’ voice, soul and presence would always cut through the deepest of scratched RCA records. Though unaware of Elvis’ vast impact in American culture, Danny would sing and dance along with the king’s music, trusting that one day he would be recapturing his own "Illusion of Elvis" show on stage.
Danny is known for his high energy shows that focus on connecting with his audience.
Danny has entered a few national and international contests placing 1st in Penticton, B.C.’s Elvis festival 2002, 1st place in the "Weekend With The King" contest in Palm Springs, Ca. (judged by the old Elvis entourage) 2003, and voted top 3 in the Elvis Extravaganza world finals in Las Vegas, 2003.
Photos by ©Nostalgic Memories by Lea All Rights Reserved
As posted on Danny’s Online Fan Club at
dannyvernonfanclub@yahoogroups.com On Behalf Of Danny Vernon
www.DannyVernon.com AND SHARED WITH HIS MANY FANS AND MEMBERS
Danny Vernon interview - Posted 10-07 - A few questions answered.
1. Tell us a little about what made you become an Elvis Tribute Artist?
My father had some assorted scratchy Elvis records that I stumbled across when I was about 6 yrs old. I started singing along with him sort of instinctively as his voice and magnetism pulled me in. His voice was so welcoming and playful. I soon began envisioning myself singing along with him, then "through" him, and eventually "as" him I suppose.
2. How did Elvis affect you enough personally to where you ultimately became an Elvis Tribute Artist.
We’ll for starters he helped me explore and discover how much I love to sing. Secondly I soon found out how good it felt to be able to share, impact, and connect with an audience through a song. I’ve always loved the idea of taking part in a community event that is shared by all for a "righteous" purpose. That’s the way I felt about an Elvis concert. That something very exciting, enriching, and positive (yet controversial) was going to be shared by everyone. .I believe one of Elvis’ many gifts was to be very "in the moment" having sung with a very "present" state of mind with focus and intention. He had a very persuasive delivery that entices many to want to feel and partake in the emotion with him. He is simply makes you feel alive.
3. Is performing as an Elvis Tribute Artist your sole profession?
It is and has been for the last 7 yrs. Before then I had played guitar and sang solo shows with folk/Rock songs. They were really sing alongs everyone over 35 or 40 knows. Jimmy buffet, Jim Croce, Eagles, Cat Stevens etc… You’d be bound to recognize it if I sang it to you. I had some really fun moments singing on the dock at Salty’s restaurant in the Puget Sound. I think it helped me find my own voice singing so many other artists hits. I also believe it helped give me the unfabricated, unforced Elvis sound I have today. I always think if I can’t sound "just like" Elvis in one particular song I’ll make it sound as comfortable to the ear as possible.
.
4. Becoming an accomplished ETA can be a daunting world…some people love you and some people scathingly disapprove. Does it ever bother you the reactions you get while performing?
Most of my experiences with the general public have been very positive. As most ETA’s do, I try and do all I can to put Elvis in a positive light. For example...keeping in shape, singing on pitch, wearing clean and fitting costumes, not spitting on the sidewalks….(just kidding). All and all I try to be an ambassador for how he intended the public to view him and not the circus act that the media has twisted it over the years.
5. You seem to have an incredible grasp of the complexity of Elvis’ voice. The feathered echo vibratos’ of the 50’s, the operatic growth of the 60’s, and the rich, deep, fullness of the 70’s. Do you make a concentrated effort to change vocal style according to era?
Thank you and yes I certainly do make an effort. It’s not an easy task especially when you are performing a show using all three decades of his career. I’m also convinced that Elvis made a conscious effort to change his voice throughout his career. He had a very good ear and would pick up on other "voice fluctuations" from others and make it his own. We all pick up certain phonics, accents, and dialects, even subconsciously sometimes. The hard part is to make it sound different and unique. Elvis did it very well.
6. Is there a song that has proved too difficult for you to perform?
There are songs that I’ve found too difficult such as "Sylvia". It’s a hauntingly passionate song that I don’t feel do it justice. Elvis really poured his guts out on that one.
7. Do you have a favorite song to perform?
My favorite song is usually the next song on my list to perform live. Thank God Elvis has a huge repetua of songs to choose from.
8. How do you think Elvis himself would have felt to see the surmounting numbers of ETA’s?
It is really quite amazing isn’t’ it? His whole life and now death he could repeat the phrase "never ceases to amaze me". I don’t think I understand it any more that he did. When I first started doing this professionally I had no idea how many people felt compelled to do the same. I would guess maybe a hundred or so maybe but thousands upon thousands? Good grief Charlie! What a blazing pied piping troubadour!
9. What are you doing to carry on Elvis’ legacy in a positive manner?
My wife Marcia "Ann-Margret" and I try and make each show we perform a time for encouragement and celebration of the good times shared with Elvis from the past and bring them into the now. We donate our services at a discount rate for our own causes such as Leukemia foundations and kids camps. Recently I’ve been putting together a show a friend help to inspire called "Celebrating our differences". It includes the different styles and influences of music that Elvis used to accomplish the titles goal!
10. Where does Danny gets his jumpsuits? He gets them
from a company in Pigeon Forge, TN. They are beautiful no matter which
one he wears. The suits are all made to order so it takes awhile to
get one once it’s ordered. It is made then sent to Danny to try on. He
returns it and the finishing touches are done. His dad made all his
jumpsuits when he first started performing.
Please visit Danny’s web site at www.dannyvernon.com Thank you Kari, Darwin, and Elvis International Magazine!