Tribute Artists Convention Features Artists From Around the World

 

Written & Photos by Nikki Artale

The Reel Awards brought many tribute artists from around the world, for their 23^rd production on February 20, 2017 to the Golden Nugget Hotel Casino downtown Las Vegas NV. Producers for the show were Janna Joos from California and Bernhard Kurz, Producer “Stars in Concert” in Germany. The Reel Award was started in 1989 by Janna Joos of International Celebrities Images and Alana Joos of Entertainment Express to acknowledge the Celebrity Impersonator, the Look a Likes and Tribute Artist. Instead of an Oscar they receive a film reel can which is known as “The Can” for the category they have been honored in. www.reelawards.com

Bernard Kurz & Janna Joos

Lana Joos & Janna Joos

 

The event started at 5:00 pm with a Red Carpet hosted by Dee De Hanson as Joan Rivers interviewing the celebrity Impersonators, much to the delight of many tourists, locals and camera crews and media reporters.

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the featured performers were Andrea Tyler as Adele, who won the Rising Star Award, Suzie Kennedy as Marilyn Monroe, Bill Pantazis as George Michael, Sherie Rae Parker as Bette Midler, Kathy Shelby and Connie Crawford as The Judds, Heidi Thompson as Cher and Gene Sironen as Elton  John.

Bill Pantazis as George Michael

Kathy Shelby & Connie
Crawford as the Judds

Gene Sironen as Elton John

Heidi Thompson as Cher

Bobbie Winslow as Fran Drescher

Dee Dee Hanson as Joan Rivers

Show Emcees

 

Celebrity Impersonators gave out the awards to the recipients to honor their work. The 2017 Winners of THE REEL AWARDS
Awards Winners of the 23rd Production of THE REEL AWARDS
Monday, February 20, 2017, Showroom, Golden Nugget – Las Vegas

·         Best Actor:  David Born as “Robin Williams” (Texas)

·         Best Actress:  Suzie Kennedy as “Marilyn Monroe” (United Kingdom)

·         Bea Fogelman Lifetime Achievement Award:  Dee Dee Hanson as “Joan Rivers” (California)

·         Comedy: David Born as “Robin Williams” (Texas)

·         Newshound Award:  Marcel Forestieri as “Donald Trump” (Nevada)

·         Peter Banks Humanitarian Award:  Camille Terry as “Marilyn Monroe” (Florida)

·         Tribute Band:  David Brighton Space Oddity Tribute to “David Bowie” (California)

·         Rising Star:  Andrea Tyler as “Adele” (Florida)

·         Country’s Hottest Hitter:  CJ Morgan as “Dolly Parton” (Tennessee)

·         Pop N’ Rock for Reel Award:  Keith George as “Boy George” (United Kingdom & Tenerife)

 

·         R & B Feelin’ Good Award:  Tony McKay as “Prince” (California)

·         Classic Crooner:  Gary Anthony as “Frank Sinatra” (Nevada)

·         Impersonator You Love to Work With:  Matt Kay as “Johnny Depp” (Florida)

·         Gene Greytak Most Professional Impersonator Award: Sherie Rae Parker as “Bette Midler” (Nevada)

·         Director/Producer: Kurt Brown, Brown Productions for “All Shook Up”, “The Man in Black,” “Man In The Mirror,” and “Superstars on Stage” (Nevada)

Kurt Brown & Melani Michaud

 

Marcel Forestieri

Mycki Manning as Melania Trump

Marcel Forestieri as President Donald Trump

I was moved by Sheri Rae Parkers performance when she sang a song dedicated to her mother Bea Fogelman. Sheri Rae was honored as Gene Greytak Most Professional Impersonator and she truly is a professional.

 

 

   https://youtu.be/gMoKyp1pCqM

Another high light of the evening was meeting Michael Bush who was the designer for all the clothes Michael Jackson wore on stage. Bush worked with him for 25 years and he wrote a book “The King of Style, Dressing Michael Jackson”. The book is fabulous and wonderful and I loved it just as I have loved Michael Jackson my whole life. I will be featuring Michael Bush in an upcoming story.

Michael Bush

 

Nikki Artale & Michael Bush

 

We appreciate all the Celebrity Impersonators and the tribute artist and look forward to seeing them again next year and also special thanks to Janna & Lana Joos and Bernard Kurz for another great convention and show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

King Errisson It’s Good to Be King

 

Nikki Artale &King Errisson

Written by Nikki Artale

King Errisson has written a book about his life from childhood in the Bahamas and his climb to fame as a world know percussionist. His book “My Life My Loves” tells the story of his early years of growing up in the beautiful Bahama Islands and knowing that one day he would be somebody. His grandmother knew he was special and she called him “King”. King is known worldwide as an illustrious percussionist, composer and actor.

King Errisson

King Errisson appeared in the documentary “Sample This” about the song Apache by the Incredible Bongo Band in which he was a featured artist. The song defines hip-hop culture and is called the national anthem of Hip Hop.  Filming the James Bond movie “Thunderball” with Sean Connery and the remake of the Jazz Singer with Neil Diamond was one of many films he did. Shortly after the Thunderball movie King released his first solo Album “Drums of Nassau”. www.kingerrisson

 

He worked with artists as a session musician and was called the unsung hero behind Motown’s fabulous, famous artists such as Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Ringo Starr, Neil Diamond and Lou Rawles were more of the famous artists he worked with.

King and his twin sister Aries was born on October 29, 1941 in Nassau to Josephine Brice Johnson & Pallaman Stevie Johnson. King said he always felt loved and protected by his parents who encouraged him in his love for music, singing and playing drums. He practiced drumming on wood and boxes and any flat surface until he made his first bongo drums from two coffee cans. His book “My Life My Loves” is a beautiful story of how his dreams have come true and having the love of so many people. It is the first of many other books that document his start in life as a jockey, a bongo master, actor, singer and his first world tour with Neil Diamond in 1976.

 

 

On April 21, 2016 Steve Tatone produced the “Diamondfest” show and King Errisson was honored with a fan tribute award and other members of the Neil Diamond Band were there to celebrate.

 

 

Neil Diamond Band Members

 Video https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=king+errisson+vegas+stars  

King Errisson has a passionate loving soul and he brings his love of music everywhere he goes. As you read his book you will see his private life that he wants his fans to read because in all his face to face with them, they always ask him to tell them about his life, starting with his childhood. This is just the first book and he said he will continue the story in the next book he writes. He will continue living his dreams and always be ready for whatever comes next.

Legendary Saxophonist Don Hill Celebrates His 95^th Birthday

 

Gloria & Don Hill

Written & Photos by Nikki Artale

A proclamation from the city of Las Vegas, making November 3^rd  Don Hill Day in Las Vegas, was presented to Don Hill at his splendid birthday party at the Italian American Club. Don Hill of the musical group “The Treniers” performed from 1948 through 2003. Along with Don Hill in the original group were Gene Gilbeaux, Buddy Trenier, Cliff Trenier, Claude Trenier, Skip Trenier, Jimmy Johnson and Henry Green.

Sonny Charles, Dondino &Skip Trenier

Skip Trenier & Kay Wade

 

Jeanne Brei wrote, narrated and showed a video documentary of the life of Don Hill and the band members of The Treniers and featured clips of the many movies and TV shows in which they performed.

Jeanne Breil

Dondino & Don Hill

 

Celebrity guest stars came to honor and celebrate the big birthday bash and entertained everyone with the “Speakeasy Swingers and Jeanne Brei. It was an epic celebration with roasts and toasts and singing to the one and only Don Hill.

Spot Light Dancers

 

 

 Don sat proudly on a king’s chair in the middle of the stage and at times he would close his eyes and just take in all the love and beauty of the night.

 

Don Hill & Dondino

Poo Poo Man

Jeanne Brei

 

It was our pleasure to honor Don Hill and let him know how special he is and how much he is loved by all his family, friends and fans. We can’t wait until next year for his 96^th birthday.