Shawn Klush: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Elvis tribute artist}}[[Image:ShawnForSharan.jpeg|thumb|Shawn Klush live]] |
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== Shawn Klush == |
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'''Shawn Klush''' (born June 17, 1969, [[Pittston, Pennsylvania]]), is an American [[Elvis impersonator|Elvis tribute artist]] who regularly tours around the world. |
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[[Image:http://www.shawnklush.net/PicturePage1/Shawn2MackinawResized.jpg]] |
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Shawn Klush was born and raised in [[Pittston, Pennsylvania]].<ref name="Shawn kush site">[http://www.shawnklush.com], www.shawnklush.com</ref> He graduated from [[Seton Catholic High School (Pittston, Pennsylvania)|Seton Catholic High School]] in Pittston in 1988.<ref name="long">{{Cite news |url=https://www.timesleader.com/archive/212542/stories-shawn-klush-is100845 |title=Shawn Klush is the King |work=[[Times Leader]] |last=Long |first=Sherry |date=2007-08-19 |access-date=2021-06-10}}</ref> Klush's love for music led him to begin imitating his musical idol, [[Elvis Presley]]. Klush's father was a radio disc jockey. From an early age, Klush listened to Elvis singing. He studied guitar, and eventually joined a local band called Night Moves, with members [[Joseph Bruno]], Dan Gardner, George Guman, and Charlie Newcomb. |
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Shawn Klush is an ETA (Elvis Tribute Act), commonly referred to as 'The Closest Thing to the King in Concert'. |
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| ⚫ | Klush first began performing as an Elvis tribute artist at resorts in the [[Pocono Mountains|Poconos]] region of Pennsylvania. During a tour of Canada, he entered and won the $5,000 prize in the "Worldwide Elvis Competition" in Montreal. He was hired by the producers of the [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]] show ''Legends in Concert'' to star as 'Elvis' in the company's Branson, Missouri production in 2004. He also alternated in their Las Vegas and [[Atlantic City]] show rooms. Each January he stars in the "Elvis Birthday Tribute Tour," an Elvis show with Elvis' original musicians, singers, and closest friends, in multiple cities. Klush also performed at [[Burnley Mechanics]] and performed at the [[Bolton Arena]] with Justin Shandor, [[Gordon Hendricks]], [[Steve Preston]], [[DJ Fontana]], and [[The Sweet Inspirations]]. |
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== Personal life == |
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Shawn's wife Beverly died on April 2024. They have two children, Shelby and Troy. |
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==Competitions and honors== |
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As well as winning the "Worldwide Elvis Competition" in [[Montreal]] mentioned earlier on January 6, 2005, just two days before Elvis' 70th birthday, Klush became grand champion at the $25,000 "World Elvis Tribute Artist Competition". (Potawatomi Casino Contest). That year he received "The People's Choice Award" from [[Gibson Guitar]] in [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] as "Best Concert Elvis". In 2007, Klush was named the international champion of [[BBC One]]'s [World's Greatest Elvis Competition in the United Kingdom by BBC1 Network U.K.<ref>{{cite AV media |date=November 20, 2007 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i2a0irucB0 |title=Shawn Klush Suspicious minds on World's Greatest Elvis |publisher=Shawn Klush |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=November 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326182756/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i2a0irucB0 |archive-date=March 26, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Klush was chosen by [[Graceland]] as the winner of Elvis Presley Enterprises first ever Ultimate Tribute Artist Contest in [[Memphis, Tennessee]],<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.memphisflyer.com/TheDailyBuzz/archives/2007/08/18/shawn-klush-crowned-king-of-elvis-tribute-artists | title=Shawn Klush Crowned King of Elvis Tribute Artists}}</ref> and is the only Elvis tribute artist officially endorsed and approved by Elvis Presley Enterprises. |
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According to Klush in a rare interview "I've won every one (Elvis Presley tribute artist competition) I ever attempted. I don't like them. I don't feel Elvis felt like he was in competition with anyone. (However) I graciously accept the awards (for winning) but I never stop working on my craft."<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/king-for-a-day-shawn-klush-reflects-on-a-lifetime-of-imitating-elvis/Content?oid=3758546 |title = King for a Day: Shawn Klush Reflects on a Lifetime of Imitating Elvis}}</ref> |
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Shawn Klush was born and raised in the small coal-mining town of Pittston, Pennsylvania. |
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Shawn’s love for music led him to begin imitating his musical idol, Elvis Presley. |
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Klush has many times been dubbed by the news media as "The closest to The King in concert" including The Chicago Tribune, The Las Vegas Sun and Newsweek Magazine. |
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In 2024, Klush was announced as an inductee into the Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.timesleader.com/news/1651433/luzerne-county-arts-entertainment-hall-of-fame-announces-2024-induction-class | title=Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame announces 2024 induction class | date=13 April 2024 }}</ref> |
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==Television== |
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In 1999 Klush appeared in the VHI and NBC mini series "Shake Rattle and Roll" as Elvis. In 2013 Klush appeared on [[The Late Show with David Letterman]] at the end of the show as a featured performing musical guest singing the Elvis song 'Suspicious Minds' as part of the promotion of his Las Vegas show, a recreation of the original Elvis Presley performances at the [[Las Vegas Hilton]].<ref>{{cite AV media |date=February 9, 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7Gf8Jdz3Oc |title=Shawn Letterman |publisher=LegendsofRocknRoll |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=November 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116081350/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7Gf8Jdz3Oc |archive-date=November 16, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, Klush appeared in an episode of the HBO series ''[[Vinyl (TV series)|Vinyl]]'' playing Elvis Presley,<ref>{{cite AV media |date=March 31, 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps58kCiU494 |title=[Vinyl] Elvis performs in Vegas |publisher=Johannes Abrahamsen |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=November 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |date=March 30, 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8zppAOA8Jo |title=[Vinyl] Richie meets Elvis |publisher=Johannes Abrahamsen |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=November 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130161018/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8zppAOA8Jo |archive-date=January 30, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> in a fictional timeline where Elvis is considering leaving [[RCA Records]]. |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Klush, Shawn}} |
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== Fan Base and Quotes== |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:People from Pittston, Pennsylvania]] |
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Klush very quickly became very popular, with a large fan base and a string of standing ovations. Klush has a fan club which can be joined by visiting his official website. |
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[[Category:Elvis impersonators]] |
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[[Category:1969 births]] |
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<blockquote> |
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"It chose me. I didn't choose it." |
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- Shawn Klush when asked what inspired him become an Elvis Presley tribute artist. |
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</blockquote> |
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<blockquote> |
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You mean the sideburn chasers? They're pretty cool. |
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- Shawn Klush when asked what is the groupie scene is like on the Elvis tribute circuit. |
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</blockquote> |
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<blockquote> |
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Shaun was Elvis reborn. AMAZING. He took all of us, especially the ones of the same era, back to the exact moments I'm sure, when he first sang those heart rendering songs! Absolute magic!! Brings tears to my eyes.. |
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- Viewer of Worlds Greatest Elvis |
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</blockquote> |
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== Recordings == |
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Shawn has recorded 2 CDs and performed with Elvis’ closest friends, musicians and singers such as JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, The Jordanaires, DJ Fontana, Charlie Hodge, Myrna Smith, The Sweet Inspirations and Joe Esposito. |
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== Competitons == |
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Aswell as winning the “Worldwide Elvis Competition” in Montreal mentioned earlier, on Jan 6th 2005, just 2 days before Elvis’ 70th Birthday, Shawn became grand champion at the $25,000.00 “World Elvis Tribute Artist Competition”. This year he received “The Peoples Choice Award” from Gibson Guitar in Nashville as “Best Concert Elvis”. Shawn was recently named the international champion of BBC1’s World’s Greatest Elvis competition in the United Kingdom. In August, Shawn was chosen by Graceland as the winner of Elvis Presley Enterprises’ first ever Ultimate Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis TN. |
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== 'World's Greatest Elvis' == |
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'World's greatest Elvis' was a 2 part live show on BBC1 presented by Vernon Kay in September 2007. The audience panel of expert judges and the studio audience voted and Shawn Klush won the competition. He finished the entire show with 'The Wonder of You'. |
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[http://www.shawnklush.net/ Shawn Klush Offical Website] |
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[http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=135877779 Offical Myspace] |
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[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg3oanMp8YE Shawn Klush on Worlds Greatest Elvis] |
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--[[User:SharanTCB|SharanTCB]] 15:34, 1 October 2007 (UTC) |
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Latest revision as of 00:37, 30 November 2024
Shawn Klush (born June 17, 1969, Pittston, Pennsylvania), is an American Elvis tribute artist who regularly tours around the world.
Early life
[edit]Shawn Klush was born and raised in Pittston, Pennsylvania.[1] He graduated from Seton Catholic High School in Pittston in 1988.[2] Klush's love for music led him to begin imitating his musical idol, Elvis Presley. Klush's father was a radio disc jockey. From an early age, Klush listened to Elvis singing. He studied guitar, and eventually joined a local band called Night Moves, with members Joseph Bruno, Dan Gardner, George Guman, and Charlie Newcomb.
Early career
[edit]Klush first began performing as an Elvis tribute artist at resorts in the Poconos region of Pennsylvania. During a tour of Canada, he entered and won the $5,000 prize in the "Worldwide Elvis Competition" in Montreal. He was hired by the producers of the Las Vegas show Legends in Concert to star as 'Elvis' in the company's Branson, Missouri production in 2004. He also alternated in their Las Vegas and Atlantic City show rooms. Each January he stars in the "Elvis Birthday Tribute Tour," an Elvis show with Elvis' original musicians, singers, and closest friends, in multiple cities. Klush also performed at Burnley Mechanics and performed at the Bolton Arena with Justin Shandor, Gordon Hendricks, Steve Preston, DJ Fontana, and The Sweet Inspirations.
Personal life
[edit]Shawn's wife Beverly died on April 2024. They have two children, Shelby and Troy.
Competitions and honors
[edit]As well as winning the "Worldwide Elvis Competition" in Montreal mentioned earlier on January 6, 2005, just two days before Elvis' 70th birthday, Klush became grand champion at the $25,000 "World Elvis Tribute Artist Competition". (Potawatomi Casino Contest). That year he received "The People's Choice Award" from Gibson Guitar in Nashville as "Best Concert Elvis". In 2007, Klush was named the international champion of BBC One's [World's Greatest Elvis Competition in the United Kingdom by BBC1 Network U.K.[3] Klush was chosen by Graceland as the winner of Elvis Presley Enterprises first ever Ultimate Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis, Tennessee,[4] and is the only Elvis tribute artist officially endorsed and approved by Elvis Presley Enterprises.
According to Klush in a rare interview "I've won every one (Elvis Presley tribute artist competition) I ever attempted. I don't like them. I don't feel Elvis felt like he was in competition with anyone. (However) I graciously accept the awards (for winning) but I never stop working on my craft."[5]
Klush has many times been dubbed by the news media as "The closest to The King in concert" including The Chicago Tribune, The Las Vegas Sun and Newsweek Magazine.
In 2024, Klush was announced as an inductee into the Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame.[6]
Television
[edit]In 1999 Klush appeared in the VHI and NBC mini series "Shake Rattle and Roll" as Elvis. In 2013 Klush appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman at the end of the show as a featured performing musical guest singing the Elvis song 'Suspicious Minds' as part of the promotion of his Las Vegas show, a recreation of the original Elvis Presley performances at the Las Vegas Hilton.[7] In 2016, Klush appeared in an episode of the HBO series Vinyl playing Elvis Presley,[8][9] in a fictional timeline where Elvis is considering leaving RCA Records.
References
[edit]- ^ [1], www.shawnklush.com
- ^ Long, Sherry (2007-08-19). "Shawn Klush is the King". Times Leader. Retrieved 2021-06-10.
- ^ Shawn Klush Suspicious minds on World's Greatest Elvis. Shawn Klush. November 20, 2007. Archived from the original on March 26, 2021. Retrieved November 26, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Shawn Klush Crowned King of Elvis Tribute Artists".
- ^ "King for a Day: Shawn Klush Reflects on a Lifetime of Imitating Elvis".
- ^ "Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame announces 2024 induction class". 13 April 2024.
- ^ Shawn Letterman. LegendsofRocknRoll. February 9, 2013. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ [Vinyl] Elvis performs in Vegas. Johannes Abrahamsen. March 31, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ [Vinyl] Richie meets Elvis. Johannes Abrahamsen. March 30, 2016. Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved November 26, 2021 – via YouTube.