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The local Elvis Presley Fan Club hosted its annual fundraiser dinner and show celebrating Elvis’ life, along with tributes to some of the musician’s show-business friends last Saturday at the Merritt Desert Inn.
Three Elvis Presley tribute artists (unlike impersonators, they sing rather than lip-synch) traced the King’s career, each depicting him in the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, respectively.
Chris Kelso represented young Elvis while his father, Joe, performed as Elvis following his 1968 comeback special.
Adam Fitzpatrick portrayed the King in the years after his discharge from the U.S. Army in 1960.
Joining the trio of Elvises were two tribute artists emulating his contemporaries, Darryl Weyman, as Johnny Cash, and former Merritt resident Linda Lynn, as Patsy Cline.
“She was chosen Miss Merritt in 1975,” said Dolly Jackson, the president and founder of the Elvis fan club. Lynn now lives in Armstrong.
Two bands, Appaloosa of Vancouver and Uptown Hornz of Kelowna, backed the singers.
The Merritt Desert Inn sponsored last Saturday’s concert.
The Elvis trio also appeared at the local fan club’s show last January.
“It was the same but it was different,” said Jackson.
Jackson said she was pleased with the turnout.
“It wasn’t overly crowded but it wasn’t uncomfortable.”
Proceeds from the evening will be donated to the Nicola Valley Health Centre’s patient transport program, which carries patients to health-care services in Kamloops. Jackson said the final donation amount should be determined in several weeks.
The Elvis Presley Fan Club is a longtime supporter of the program.
The club will host its next fundraiser in January, in honour of Elvis’ 76th birthday.
Since the Merritt chapter of the club was created in 2003, members have hosted two fundraising events consisting of dinner and a show each year, explained Jackson.
The fundraisers are timed to coincide with Elvis’ birthday on Jan. 8 and the anniversary of his death on Aug. 16.
The Merritt chapter of the Elvis Presley Fan Club is officially sanctioned by Elvis’ estate, Graceland, in Tennessee.
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Three Elvises, a Johnny Cash, and a Patsy Cline
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