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.