What makes a commercially successful ETA?

For the sake of discussion....instead of "bashing" or criticizing various ETA's at every level, why not think about:

What makes a commercially successful ETA?

What makes a classy ETA?

Very good question Carol, I think people's opinions will vary alot here.
For me you have to have a great clean cut image. Though Elvis was raunchy he was a very clean cut, wholesome man and always looked immaculate in his suites.
So the ETA must look presentable and suites/ costume be authentic and tasteful. I also think there is a line that an ETA can cross which is not a good move and thats being too flirty, it can turn from a flirtatious bit of fun and banter to sleaziness and smarminess which is very off putting. I have seen a few ETAs who have been leering at the ladies in the audience and its not very nice. Elvis would have never have done that, he didnt have to. lol!

Elvis3577 wrote:

For the sake of discussion....instead of "bashing" or criticizing various ETA's at every level, why not think about:

What makes a commercially successful ETA?

What makes a classy ETA?

Carol its not about bashing or critcizing at every level its just not with ETA's its with any Tribute show if people want to earn a living at portraying Elvis or any of the fav singers then they will always be criticized we are not being cruel towards them but i am an Elvis fan 1st 2nd and 3rd and i have a right as all Elvis fans do if they are to pay tribute to our man its a well known fact not all ETA's reach that expectation if they are good then they good if they are crap then they will know from us the fans they are crap same with any other Tribute Artist.
Dont forget Carol they aim to try and walk in the shoes of the Biggest Entertainer this world has ever known and if they cant cut it dont do it and thats me being honest why blow smoke up an ETA's ass if they were crap leave there parents and friends to tell them they are great

What I meant was out of 80,000 ETA's (or so it seems), what common traits do the small percentage who actually break through and have successful, long, full time careers have ...what does it take to become commercially successful..not necessarily as defined by Elvis fans or ETA fans but by the top guns in the industry and those who hire them, etc. In other words, thinking constructively....what does it take..what are the traits of those who have made it. What are the credible producers and talent agents looking for?

It was just a topic for discussion.

Here is an example of what John Stuart, founder of Legends in Concert, looked for. Not every ETA wants to work for an organization such as Legends, but for those who do, then this information might be useful. etc. etc.

http://www.ladyluckmusic.com/radio/interviews/johnstuart/

Here's one more example of what another show that hires ETAs looks for. This is a few years old so some of the ETA's mentioned have moved on, but the actual criteria for being hired is still relevant. Again, not every ETA wants to work in this type of setting, but for those who would like to, maybe there is some useful information here.

http://www.ladyluckmusic.com/radio/interviews/deegallon/

Elvis3577 wrote:

What I meant was out of 80,000 ETA's (or so it seems), what common traits do the small percentage who actually break through and have successful, long, full time careers have ...what does it take to become commercially successful..not necessarily as defined by Elvis fans or ETA fans but by the top guns in the industry and those who hire them, etc. In other words, thinking constructively....what does it take..what are the traits of those who have made it. What are the credible producers and talent agents looking for?

It was just a topic for discussion.

Here is an example of what John Stuart, founder of Legends in Concert, looked for. Not every ETA wants to work for an organization such as Legends, but for those who do, then this information might be useful. etc. etc.

http://www.ladyluckmusic.com/radio/interviews/johnstuart/

Here's one more example of what another show that hires ETAs looks for. This is a few years old so some of the ETA's mentioned have moved on, but the actual criteria for being hired is still relevant. Again, not every ETA wants to work in this type of setting, but for those who would like to, maybe there is some useful information here.

[url=http://www.ladyluckmusic.com/radio/interviews/deegallon/

http://www.ladyluckmusic.com/radio/interviews/deegallon/[/quote[/url]]


Carol,

these are both excellent interviews that I have gone and read again. I remember reading them when Joanna first did the interviews.

Dee, nice woman... Lou, Eddie excellent performers the Memories Theatre had and so was William Stiles who I do believe has gone off to Florida now ...

Their words in both interviews hold so true...

Hugs Charmaine

I think to be a top ETA, or a one that is commercially viable, u need to be 80% total Elvis rather than 100% `part`.

What does he mean - I`ll try to explain.

If you break down Elvis - it could be any singer, as it happens. So, what do you have???

Voice, look, moves, stage presence, audience interaction. (I`m sure there are more, but I can`t think of any )

It is my opinion that you would be better being 9/10 for all rather than 10/10 for one area and less than 8/10 for the other areas.

Does that make sense

Carol
I would think we all look for the same in an ETA.
Someone who can Sing not sound so much like Elvis but can hit them power ballads and hold them notes

2nd to have a good look not cheap or a tacky Look

3rd to be able to move in the correct way Elvis Did and not over do it

4th To have a good fun with there Audience and be entertaining

5th To have studied Elvis back to front upside down inside out AND be honest about there own performance and voice.if there are songs that are way beyond there range then simply dont sing keep within there own range
Do all 5 correctly then they will become a Top Gun in the ETA world be lazy and dont do the above then people like me will shoot them down because then they dont have HEART, PASSION AND STAMINA to be an ETA and it is a big help if your a fan of the man no good being an ETA and you dislike or dont understand what Elvis was about as this is Elvis we are talking about not a one hit wonder