2018 Competitors
Keep checking this page for updates. As the Competitors register, we will post their participation in the Festival.
William Young, 20 years old from Belleville, Ontario, has loved Elvis since the age of 5 and began his tribute to the King five years ago. William enjoyed his first visit to Flaming Star last year and won First Place Non Pro Championship. His other awards include 1st Place, Sr. Youth Division in Tweed, 3rd Place, NonPro 2015 Tweed Festival, 3rd Place NonPro 2016 Collingwood Elvis Festival and most recently 3rd Place NonPro Tweed Elvis Festival. William is thrilled to be returning this year.
Sylvio Fontaine from Saskatchewan, Canada feels it is an honour to sing the songs of the greatest entertainer that has ever lived and hopes his tribute performance will bring back a few memories of Elvis. He wants to thank all of you for keeping the legend of Elvis Presley alive for all generations to come. Sylvio has wanted to participate in the Flaming Star Festival since 2014 and is thrilled that his calendar finally permits his participation.
From his early days growing up in the high desert of Lancaster, California, to stages across the globe, Dean Z has shown time and again that he is one of the very best entertainers in the business today. When Dean was a toddler he saw the documentary "This Is Elvis" on TV. He immediately jumped up on the coffee table and started to imitate Presley’s every move. Not long after, Dean's mother made his first Elvis jump suit and he was on his way. At the age of 17, after performing in several shows of his own, Dean took off for the bright light city of Las Vegas. He soon earned a spot with the World's Greatest Live Tribute Show, Legends in Concert. In 2007 he moved to headlining the show in Branson, Missouri. In 2013, Dean won the title of Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist. Sanctioned by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., The Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest™ involves hundreds of Elvis tribute artists competing in events around the world for an invitation to the finals in Memphis. Since becoming a world champion he has received the Heart Of The King Award in Las Vegas at the former Las Vegas Hilton, the same stage Elvis himself performed over 700 shows during the 1970s. He also fulfilled a childhood dream of performing a Las Vegas residency for Legends In Concert at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino. Dean also had the pleasure of joining the national touring production of “Elvis Lives,” a live musical highlighting Elvis’ career that features world champions from the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. Other opportunities have included winning the 2017 Elvis Tribute Artist of The Year Award in Memphis, TN, and also appearing in a international Philips advertising campaign. "I'm very lucky to have the opportunity to perform the greatest music ever made" Dean said in a recent interview for the Las Vegas Review Journal. "I'm so honored to help prolong the legacy of the greatest entertainer to ever grace a stage, Elvis Presley."
Mike Fitzner from Diessenhofen, Switzerland. Since I was seven years old, I'm an Elvis Fan and over twenty years I'm active as an Elvis Tribute Artist. My favorite album is "Moody Blue" and I love the decade of the early Vegas years. In 2007, I started my first competition in Switzerland. In 2012 I had the chance of qualifying for the pre-round of the Ultimate Elvis Contest in Memphis, TN for the first time. After many competitions in the United States and England, it’s a pleasure for me to be a second time in Canada. First time in 2015, I was performing at the Collingwood Elvis Festival. Since 2015, I’ve been asked again and again to come to the Flaming Star Festival in Toronto. Now it happens! I really enjoy it to come to this great festival in Toronto and I can’t wait to see all this great people there!
Lorensz Francke is an Elvis Tribute Artist from Scarborough Ontario. Lorensz always provides an energetic crowd pleasing performance and has been awarded the Spirit of Elvis Award twice. He performs all three eras of Elvis 50's, 60s and 70's. Lorensz is looking forward to being back again for 2018 to entertain the Elvis fans attending the Flaming Star Festival.
Marnie Mackintosh also known as Miss Elvis Lee is a one of a kind Tribute artist from Winnipeg, Manitoba, who captures her audiences with an alluring, authentic appearance, vocals and characteristics of "The King". Her dynamic portrayal delivers a fascinating, high energy performance showcasing all the legendary era's of this iconic performer. Miss Elvis Lee participated in the 2017 Flaming Star Festival and placed in the top 5 NonPro Division! Her performance is one that will leave you all shook up!
Mark Craig began his tribute to the King of Rock and Roll eight years ago performing Elvis' early years. Mark lives in Midland and can be seen at shows throughout the Barrie, Orillia and Collingwood area as well as at all the festivals. Mark feels honoured to be returning to the Festival and is looking forward to seeing all his Elvis friends and family.
Dustin Bricker is a relatively newcomer to the competition world and recently won 2017 NonPro Early Years at the Collingwood Elvis Festival. Dustin was also a Champion at the Kings and Classics Festival and the Orillia Festival. You may have also seen Dustin at the Tweed Tribute to Elvis Festival and the Rock and Roll Remembered Festival. Dustin is excited to be back at the Flaming Star Festival.
Doug McKenzie, from Tavistock, Ontario has been an Elvis Tribute Artist since 2002 and has been missing from the Flaming Star Festival for several years. He is very happy to be back and wishes everyone at the Festival a fan-tastic weekend!
Mike Calamusa, from Toronto, Ontario, has been an Elvis fan just about as far back as he can remember. He grew up listening to Elvis with his father, Joe, and one of his earliest memories is watching Aloha From Hawaii with his family. Mike has been performing as an Elvis Tribute Artist since 2002 and has been happy to win multiple awards in Canada and the US. Mike enjoys sharing his love of Elvis’ music with fans everywhere.
Edward Butski is from St Catherines, Ontario. He has bee an Elvis Tribute Artist for thirteen years. Hearing "Can't Help Falling in Love" on the radio is his first Elvis memory and his favourite song is "My Way".
Aidan Anthony, from Welland, Ontario is new to the Elvis Tribute Artist world. He recently won first place in the Sr. Youth Division of the King's and Classics Festival. Aidan is thrilled to be attending his first Flaming Star Festival.
Zach Peddie, Flaming Star 2015 Festival's NonPro Champion and People's Choice winner has been an Elvis Tribute Artist since the age of 5. Over the past 15 years he has grown as both an entertainer and musician and has achieved many awards. Zach looks forward to seeing all his Elvis family and friends.
Photo credit: Eva Brand
Michael Cullipher, from Massachusetts, will be making his first trip to Flaming Star Festival to compete. He has been an Elvis Tribute Artist for eight years. Michael knew early on that he wanted to be an Elvis Tribute Artist when at the age of four he saw his first Elvis Tribute Artist. Michael is excited to return to Canada to be part of the Flaming Star family.
Spencer Bristow is from Durham Ontario and this is his second year competing at the Flaming Star Festival. His love of music at a very young age, particularly Elvis songs, is what started his interest in being an ETA. He is looking forward to once again putting on his "Blue Suede Shoes", getting "All Shook Up" with Elvis fans in Toronto and sharing the stage with a "Viva Las Vegas" line-up of fellow tribute artists. Thank you, thank you very much to all the organizers for hosting a great event!
Eric Evangelista lives in Bolton, Ontario and has been a tribute artist for the last nine years. Eric's favourite years to pay tribute to are the Vegas/Concert years. Just a few of his accolades include 2nd Place 2017 Flaming Star Festival NonPro Division, 2015 NonPro Champion Collingwood Elvis Festival and Grand Champion Kings and Classics Festival 2015. Eric is excited to return to Flaming Star Festival to see all his friends and Elvis family.
Anthony Joseph, 24, is from Hamilton, Ontario. He is currently enrolled in university working towards his music degree. Although he performs all eras of Elvis' career, he specializes in the authentic recreation of Elvis' concert years. He looks forward to seeing old friends and making new ones. His favourite Elvis song is Unchained Melody.
Frank "D" is a familiar face to the Flaming Star Festival. He loves to entertain and is excited to be returning to the Crowne Plaza Toronto Airport Hotel to compete. Frank looks forward to seeing all his friends and fans again.
Jaedyn Pilon's, from Edmonton Alberta, love of music started at a very young age and his interest in Elvis began in 2015 after he performed at the Blue Suede Music Festival in Busby, AB. Since then he has successfully competed in Elvis competitions in Penticton, BC Collingwood, ON and Lake George NY. He has been thrilling audiences around the world including Puerto Vallarta, Mesa & Yuma AZ and Memphis, TN. He regularly performs his tribute shows at Royal Canadian Legions, senior residences and many other venues around Alberta. Jaedyn loves to perform his tribute shows to Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley to keep the memory and legacy of these incredible musicians alive as well as to pay tribute to great rock n roll.
Dave Elvis Collinson is pleased and proud to be attending his 3rd. Flaming Star Festival. Dave attends many festivals, Collingwood,Tweed, to name a few, and does tribute shows for charity. He has won the Paco Danesi Award and the TJ Jackson Spirit of Elvis Award . Dave is hoping to see all his Elvis Friends and ETA's, and rock the house.
Sam Elvis Calleri from Keswick, Ontario, has been an Elvis Tribute Artist for 11 years. He has won many awards for his tribute and has made the FInals in many competitions. Sam is looking forward to competing at the Flaming Star Festival for his first time. He is excited to meet new fans and see old ones.
Bryson Fuller is from Espanola, Ontario and began performing at the Collingwood Elvis Festival at the age of 10. Bryson placed 3rd in the 2015 Flaming Star Festival Professional Division and is excited to be back to celebrate the Festival's 5th anniversary.
Photo credit: Eva Brand
Oliver Steinhoff, from Germany, became an Elvis fan at the age of 8. Since then Elvis and his music has made a tremendous impact on his life. Oliver feels his tribute to Elvis is not just that he is a fan but is the means to bring a legacy to the next generation by sharing his love of Elvis music with new and old fans. Oliver is an international Champions winning many awards and the European Grand Champions twice. Oliver is pleased to be making his first visit to Flaming Star.
Ben King, from Australia, is here and ready to get you All Shook Up.
He is a young, passionate Elvis Tribute Artist who has performed in both Australia and USA, but this will be only his second competition.
His love of performing and Elvis began at just 10 years of age when he formed a band with friends and got his first Elvis jumpsuit.
Since then his passion for performing continued to grow and he now enjoys performing at private functions, and corporate and charity events. He fits this in around his work commitments and time devoted to personal interest causes such as organizing care packages for soldiers serving abroad.
As an ETA, Ben King lives and breathes Elvis and always aim to entertain the audience with his stage presence, giving them a unique experience that is memorable and entertaining!
Bill Gallant has been an Elvis Tribute Artist for twenty -one years. From Angus, Ontario Bill has won numerous awards as an ETA including the 2013 Paco Danesi Award at the Collingwood Elvis Festival. Bill is looking forward to seeing all his ETA family and friends.
Gordie McNeil is no stranger to the Elvis Tribute Artist world. You may have seen Gord at many of the Elvis Festivals throughout Ontario as well as at the 2015 Flaming Star Festival. Gord tributes the ballads of Elvis with all his heart and soul. Gord is excited to be returning to the 2017 Flaming Star Festival.