8-year-old boy: 'Thank ya. Thank ya very much'

Cyndi Tucker, 40, of Rockford sat on Elvis’ lap when she was 6 years old. Her dad knew the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s family when he lived in Tupelo, Miss. A relative of Presley’s who was guarding Graceland let them in for a tour.

It’s one of her earliest memories involving the cultural icon. She’s handed down her Elvis fascination to her son, Austin Triplett, 8, a third-grader at Loves Park Elementary School.

Austin, who’ll don an Elvis get-up, as will a half-dozen other impersonators and tribute artists for the Young at Heart Parade on Saturday, said his mother is a big reason he digs Elvis.



“I like him because he is a legend, and he sings cool songs,” Austin said. “I get those words stuck in my head because my mom likes singing them.”

Among his favorites? “Hound Dog” and “(A Hunk, A Hunk of) Burning Love.”

And he can sing them, too. In his CD player much of the time: 31 Elvis hits.

Austin also has dark hair, and a lot of it, like Elvis. On Saturday, he’ll wear the Elvis outfit bought at a costume shop for $30, a knock-off of the famed white jumpsuit, topped off with sunglasses and sideburns. It was his Halloween costume last year.

By the way, there’ll also be adult Elvises competing for a $250 prize. Austin will compete in the Junior Elvis category for those 12 and younger, and the young winner will get $100. All the Elvises will do whatever their thing is at a reviewing area at Theodore and North Second streets.

In the parade, Austin will ride in a Midas muffler company truck, waving to adoring fans.

And what will he say if he wins? You guessed it: “Thank ya. Thank ya very much.”

Ask Geo runs Thursdays in GO. Contact columnist Georgette Braun at 815-987-1331 and gbraun@rrstar.com. She blogs at blogs.e-rockford.com/askgeo/.

I dont know if its me or not but i get really uncomfortable seeing kids that young dressed up like Elvis.

Its like their parents have forced them to do it and , like most kids, they will do anything to please their parents so they are not gonna mind.

Sean wrote:

I dont know if its me or not but i get really uncomfortable seeing kids that young dressed up like Elvis.

Its like their parents have forced them to do it and , like most kids, they will do anything to please their parents so they are not gonna mind.

I know quite a few young boys that are ETA's and are into this not because their parents forced them either.. allot of them that I know have parents (fathers) that do it and started imitating their fathers and that is how they got started.

For instance, the youtube I uploaded this past weekend of an event that I went to for Autism is a father and son gig and this young fella is into all of his own accord (Jackson Begley) and I feel he is starting to steal the show from his father. He is getting to be very, very good at what he does for his young age.. in fact I do believe Carol knows him...

I feel it is great these young kids that are probably also fans of Elvis (following in the steps of their parents), come to be tributes of Elvis

Hugs Charmaine

I disgree Charmaine,

Its like that young kid who's Dad was a bodybuilder and got his son to lift weights at a very young age and he was on a programme a few years ago called 'The World's Strongest Boy' and then they did an update version when he was a little older and he stopped lifting weights and he was having counciling cause of the pressure his Dad put him under.

Then there are these beauty contests for girls who are like 5 years old done up in dresses and heavy make-up etc.

There was another young kid back in the 80's who was about 11 and was an antique expert and could play the violin etc and was on the Wogan Show and flown out to Oprah Winfrey Show and quite recently he admitted he was 'pressured' into becoming this essentric young man back in the 80's and it messed his mind up and went on to have a sex-change.

Young children are very innocent and gullible and they shouldnt be exploited in this way and have pressure like this put on them.

If these kids want to wear a jumpsuit in their home then fine but they shouldnt be doing shows etc cause its just added pressure on them.

All children want to be like their Mums and Dads and its wrong for parents to encourage them in this way.
Let them have a fun childhood first and then they can make up their own minds if they want to be an ETA later on in their life.

Thats what i think anyway.

Sean...I have to disagree with what you say in terms of the Elvis Fests I've been to, most notably Collingwood. Maybe it's different in other places. We have a number of young people who participate in the Elvis Fests and they do a great job..some of them are really amazing. As someone who has worked with young people for over 30 years, I can tell you they aren't being pressured and they enjoy what they are doing and being part of a happy event. There is also terrific camraderie among these youngsters and, at the same time, they are developing their self-confidence and their musical talents. NONE of them wear big glasses and fake wigs. Most of them don't even wear jumpsuits but just a tasteful shirt, pants, and blazer.

It may be different in other parts of the world, but these kids are having a fun childhood at the several Elvis events they participate in each year.

Carol

My youngest Son, David, loves Elvis and early rock n roll music.

It is not because I forced him into this, it is because he listens to the music and watches Elvis, Billy Fury, Buddy Holly, etc, etc. He wants to start a band, wants to be the singer and wants to be Elvis.

In no way have I suggested to him he should do this. I have, however, taken an active interest because this is what he wants to do.

I have an 18 year old son who is a soccer coach. I played semi pro until the age of 31 in the Northern league. Again I did not force him into soccer.

My 15 year old daughter is into show jumping and has her own horses. I have ridden in the past but I can`t now due to allergies . Again, this is something she wants to do.

I will always take an active involvement in whatever the kids want to do or are doing but if my youngest said to me "Dad, I don`t want to be Elvis anymore" I would just accept it and get on with it.

I do agree that some parents do go way over the top with their kids, however it must be frustrating as a parent if you have a child with a real talent that just does not want to make the most of it. I`m lucky that my 3 have talents they are currently exploring so I have not been in that situation yet.

The worst think I see is when parents try to make their kids into something they are not. For example, an average singer and they push the kids out of their depth. There can be nothing worse for a child that to be made look stupid.

Anyway, I`ll try to get off my soap box without twisting my ankle

Well what worries me is the effect it will have on them when they get older.
Its great now, when they are young and they are getting all the attention and they are being like Dad but it worries me the effect it might have on them later.
As long as they dont start having Kids ETA contests cause that would be worrying.
I have seen very young kids with wigs,jumpsuits and sunglasses etc and i find that quite disturbing.

Michael,
I see what you mean and the way your bringing your kids up is a great way your doing it.
You are a good Dad.
As you said, there are some that go 'over the top' with their kids, not just to do with Elvis but all sports.
Your last sentence is what i was getting at

Sean wrote:

I disgree Charmaine,

Its like that young kid who's Dad was a bodybuilder and got his son to lift weights at a very young age and he was on a programme a few years ago called 'The World's Strongest Boy' and then they did an update version when he was a little older and he stopped lifting weights and he was having counciling cause of the pressure his Dad put him under.

Then there are these beauty contests for girls who are like 5 years old done up in dresses and heavy make-up etc.

There was another young kid back in the 80's who was about 11 and was an antique expert and could play the violin etc and was on the Wogan Show and flown out to Oprah Winfrey Show and quite recently he admitted he was 'pressured' into becoming this essentric young man back in the 80's and it messed his mind up and went on to have a sex-change.

Young children are very innocent and gullible and they shouldnt be exploited in this way and have pressure like this put on them.

If these kids want to wear a jumpsuit in their home then fine but they shouldnt be doing shows etc cause its just added pressure on them.

All children want to be like their Mums and Dads and its wrong for parents to encourage them in this way.
Let them have a fun childhood first and then they can make up their own minds if they want to be an ETA later on in their life.

Thats what i think anyway.

I guess then you are saying that in October 3, 1945 that perhaps Elvis should had have more of an opportunity being like other kids and out and about playing around... huh This was the day, this young boy who was very shy got up and sung Old Shep... and he was only 10 years old...

Although he was not taking after a parent when he did this...

BUT, Elvis career started at a very, very young age.

Most of these young boys that I know Sean, are NOT being pressured by their parents in the slightest... they are doing this because they want to and are having fun doing it and YES, they get to go out and have a good time with their little friends too and their parents encourage them still to be little kids...

Charmaine

Elvis3577 wrote:

Sean...I have to disagree with what you say in terms of the Elvis Fests I've been to, most notably Collingwood. Maybe it's different in other places. We have a number of young people who participate in the Elvis Fests and they do a great job..some of them are really amazing. As someone who has worked with young people for over 30 years, I can tell you they aren't being pressured and they enjoy what they are doing and being part of a happy event. There is also terrific camraderie among these youngsters and, at the same time, they are developing their self-confidence and their musical talents. NONE of them wear big glasses and fake wigs. Most of them don't even wear jumpsuits but just a tasteful shirt, pants, and blazer.

It may be different in other parts of the world, but these kids are having a fun childhood at the several Elvis events they participate in each year.

Carol

Carol is so very very true here....
I was at a show recently this past week and there was a young fella who is a ETA along with his father. This young fella name is Jackson Begley and most often when I see him perform he is wearing a nice jacket and pants... nice dress shirt and hair styled nicely ....

Here is a pic of Jackson..




Carol, you might even know Jackson (son of James Begley) and he is an excellent performer now. He has a blast at what he does. I noticed many of you watched the video I uploaded and I am sure many of you noticed that Jackson was have a great time.. This past weekend there were other kids there and when Jackson was not up perfoming, he was sitting at a table with other kids his own age and behaving just like a kid ...

When I first saw him perform, was a bit on the shy side.. not anymore

Hugs Charmaine

Sean wrote:

Well what worries me is the effect it will have on them when they get older.
Its great now, when they are young and they are getting all the attention and they are being like Dad but it worries me the effect it might have on them later.
As long as they dont start having Kids ETA contests cause that would be worrying.
I have seen very young kids with wigs,jumpsuits and sunglasses etc and i find that quite disturbing.

Michael,
I see what you mean and the way your bringing your kids up is a great way your doing it.
You are a good Dad.
As you said, there are some that go 'over the top' with their kids, not just to do with Elvis but all sports.
Your last sentence is what i was getting at

Sean,

actually in Collingwood we have a Youth Division, and we had one young ETA place 1st in 2006 and he was only 7 years old... Steven Pelleritti (sp?) and he is pretty amazing now...

and here is a pic of Steven Pelleritti



and he is 9 years old and I hear he is still knocking their socks off in his performance. I remember his first contest of the 25th anniversary in Brampton Ontario CANADA and he was only 5 years old and his father was more nervous than he was LOL... he was so very very cute then. This is another young fella where there is absolutely no pressure from family - he gets out to these events in Collingwood and out and about to other Elvis events and enjoys the comaraderie with other ETA's and other kids too that are at the events.... I remember when I first met this young fella and he was so very, very shy.... again you got to see him to love him...

Hugs Charmaine

charmainejensenvoisine wrote:

I guess then you are saying that in October 3, 1945 that perhaps Elvis should had have more of an opportunity being like other kids and out and about playing around... huh This was the day, this young boy who was very shy got up and sung Old Shep... and he was only 10 years old...

Although he was not taking after a parent when he did this...

BUT, Elvis career started at a very, very young age.

Most of these young boys that I know Sean, are NOT being pressured by their parents in the slightest... they are doing this because they want to and are having fun doing it and YES, they get to go out and have a good time with their little friends too and their parents encourage them still to be little kids...
Charmaine

Charmaine,
Before you go off on one maybe you should re-read what i posted then you might understand what i was actually getting at.
First off, for you to claim that Elvis' career started when he was 10 is laughable.

I have no problem with Children's Talent Shows but parents should be careful not to put pressure on their children to succeed so much just like the first article.

Take this 8-year old kid called Austin Triplett, says that he got into Elvis cause of his Mum and im guessing she went out and bought him a $30 jumpsuit and sunglasses and stick-on sideburns etc and now he is entering contests where the prize is $100.
To me thats gone over the top and this child is certainly being pressured by his Mum especially when they have prizes like $100 on offer.

Charmaine,

You said yourself you went to a show and saw, as you said, a 'Young Fella' called Jackson Begley.

Then you go on about another 'Young Fella' called Steven Pelleritti who is 9 and has been an ETA since he was 5.
Then you tell us that when he entered his first contest at 5 and his Dad was really nervous.Why was his Dad nervous? Cause he expected his son to win it??
The kid sees his Dad nervous that puts added pressure on the kid to win it.
To me thats just wrong.

Look at Michael Jackson.
He was the same when he was really young.Hid Dad pressured him into being a successful singer and look at the state of him now.
The man has some serious problems that go right back to his childhood, cause he didnt have a childhood.

Ive no problem with Children Talent Shows but it can very easily get out of hand and its seems thats what happened to this 8-year old Austin Triplett and 9-year old Steven Pelleritti.
Both obviously pressured to succeed by their parents and if they dont succeed they are gonna feel it much harder than if they were adults.

Just think parents should be careful not to let things like this 'get out of hand'.
As you called these children 'Young Fellas' you must remind yourself that these are not 'Young Fellas', but young children.

>>Then you go on about another 'Young Fella' called Steven Pelleritti who is 9 and has been an ETA since he was 5.
Then you tell us that when he entered his first contest at 5 and his Dad was really nervous.Why was his Dad nervous? Cause he expected his son to win it??
The kid sees his Dad nervous that puts added pressure on the kid to win it.
To me thats just wrong.<<

Actually, the nervousness was not there because the father feared the son would not success... he was extremely happy for him I feel all parents would feel happy and a little anxious when they have a child enter a competition and there was absolutely no pressure... I was there and this child was gleaming with total excitement!!! You had to be there to see it!

As for the terminology "Young Fella" that is a slang that is often used here in Canada, and there is nothing negative intended by it Sean and we are not pushing our children to mature beyond their years by calling them "young fellas" . I remember when I was much younger... My mother and some of my relatives would call me "young lady"... again very common here in Canada... it is a form of what would you call it here in Canada Carol "formal etiquette" amongst family members and friends during certain situations...?

Hugs Charmaine

No need for you guys to fall out

I think the point Sean is making is correct. This are young children, not `mini adults`

At the same time, charmaine is making a valid point that lots of these kids love doing what they are doing.

So, u r both right

Yeh I agree with Michael, I suppose its nice kids can get the opportunity to do this sort of thing if they want but you have to be sooo careful not to pressurize these kids or for the kids to feel that if they dont do it they will be letting down their parents.

Kids are like sponges and what they go through in childhood usually maps out how they are going to turn out. I dont mean be a "child ETA" makes you an adult ETA but if pressured they could become an worried teen/adult.
Its about getting the balance right I think.

I must admit Im not a huge fan of kids and dont mind seeing one 'cute' kid sing an Elvis song during a convention but they do get on my nerves a little bit after that! I know Im a mum but well I do love my own but thats it Im a witch I know

I don't think this thread is really going anywhere but I will say that there have been children's ETA contests/showcases for years in Canada (most notably Collingwood) and they've been run extremely well, with some terrific kids taking part. Some have gone on over the years to pursue careers in music, or even to become successful "adult" ETA's.

I am not sure that the parents of the children who have been specifically named here (and I know all of them) would appreciate their parenting skills being questioned by people who don't know them or their situations.

So..let's just agree that it works for some and might not for others and for all those who don't like watching children perform, no-one is putting a gun to your head to go and see them.

Most of these children do this as it's part of a fun family event that they like to be a part of, with no pressure and lots of fun and camraderie.

On another separate note, I've had the opportunity to interview many of the top ETA's and almost without fail (although there are exceptions of course), they all started singing, loving Elvis's music and "doing Elvis" at a very early age....there's something about Elvis that appeals to children..

I do have to disagree with you Carol, none of the parents or children mentioned have been scruitnised - it was and is hyperthectical

As i have said, i think Kids Talent Shows are harmless as long as its not taken too seriously.

Offering prizes like $100 i think is wrong.

>>[quote="Lorna"]Yeh I agree with Michael, I suppose its nice kids can get the opportunity to do this sort of thing if they want but you have to be sooo careful not to pressurize these kids or for the kids to feel that if they dont do it they will be letting down their parents.<<

Of all of the Elvis events or Elvis Festival that have had a Youth Division that I have gone to here in Ontario, Canada - where they have had children performing Elvis.... these kids have done it with no pressure from their parents and in fact of enjoyed it. You can see that they are enjoying it... by the way after they have gotten up to perform and during a break, they go around to mingle and chat with people in attendance and also with the other kids - they are all happy and excited about the opportunity of performing "ELVIS".... and the parents and relatives/friends are all smiles " about how cute they (the kids) are when they go about talking to people about their day and evening "..

I never at these events see parents pressuring the kids during the breaks (to do this and that, or that they have done this or that wrong).... here in Canada it is oh so common for both girls and boys at young ages to become fans of Elvis and to want to get involved in becoming tributes to Elvis... we see this more and more at each of the Elvis events and festivals... least I do.

*In each of these kids, I still very, very much see the personalities of young children*

Huuugs Charmaine

Carol,

>>I am not sure that the parents of the children who have been specifically named here (and I know all of them) would appreciate their parenting skills being questioned by people who don't know them or their situations.<<

This was my mistake Carol, giving exact names of these young boys. I am just so proud of these boys that have gotten into this over the years and to see how far they come have with their music abilities and acomplishments over the years as a result of these ETA Contests that I guess I wanted to show them off - especially knowing them personally - so you much forgive me there Carol and sure you understand...

>>On another separate note, I've had the opportunity to interview many of the top ETA's and almost without fail (although there are exceptions of course), they all started singing, loving Elvis's music and "doing Elvis" at a very early age....there's something about Elvis that appeals to children..[/quote]

Carol, I know that your articles are archived and I often reading them over and over, as I so love your articles. Would it be okay if I go thru them again and find just the right article and share it here?

Thanks so much Carol...
Hugs Charmaine