Dear Friends and Fans:

Wow! So much to talk about! Let's get started!

New babies coming soon! Jim and Donna Barone expect their little bundle this summer. We saw them at Lake George and she looks SO beautiful!

Irv and Beth Cass will welcome their baby this fall. Just between us chickens.....is the world ready for a little Irv or Irvette? If anyone can handle Irv and a new baby, it's Beth - but - she has set herself quite a task! Beth also looks so pretty!

Friday, May 5th, was the date of "Elvis® Meets the Beatles." This exciting show starred American English, Dwight Icenhower, and Irv Cass.
The Lexington House was packed and sure rocked that night! Right in the middle of the show, who should appear but - Rod Stewart! Steve Bobbitt had the entire audience dancing in the aisles with his fabulous impersonation of the legendary rocker. Best of all, we raised lots of money for the Animal Welfare League and all the good things they do.

Early (way too early!) the next morning, Kathy, Dwight and I jumped (well, staggered) onto a flight for Ft Myers, Florida, and Elvis Wayne's Elvis® Invasion. Marie picked us up and we enjoyed a wonderful time there. Elvis Wayne and Donna did a wonderful job and the contest was hard fought! Winners were:

1st - Kavan
2nd - Scott Norton
3rd - Matt Joyce
4th - Peter Alden

After the weekend, Kathy, Marie and I drove to Ocala to visit my Mom. She is 86 years young and was very insulted that the hospital where she volunteers asked her to stop pushing the wheelchairs so fast.

After a short rest, the EEN gang headed for Branson, MO, and the Elvis® Explosion of Branson. We have moved our contest to the beautiful Lodge of the Ozarks and it is wonderful. The Crystal Hall is a perfect room and the staff was super-cooperative. Wayne and Susan Carman were our charming co-hosts and added to the enjoyment of the fans with her gorgeous singing voice and his martial arts demonstrations. Last year's winner, Todd Martin, thrilled the fans even with a few sound problems. After 3 days of intense competition, winners were:

1st - Cody Slaughter
2nd - Irv Cass
3rd - Joe Beavers

We are pleased to announce that we will be back in Branson on October 6th, 7th and 8th for another Explosion! Come and join us in the fun and exciting town!

We had one day at home to wash our clothes and repack before boarding our flight to the Lake George Elvis® Fest. As far as I'm concerned, this is the premier Elvis® event of the year. Lake George is so beautiful and the people are the friendliest ever!
Friday, June 2, was the street dance and preliminary competition held on the banks of Lake George. 60 contestants each sang 2 songs backed by the ExSpence Account Showband! This great band did a fantastic job! Throughout the long day, they played so well and cheerfully repeated all the songs the ETA's asked for. They deserve a medal for good sportsmanship! At 10:00 PM, we enjoyed a fabulous fireworks display over the lake compliments of Mayor Bob Blais. Then everyone headed over to King Neptune's Pub for a sock hop hosted by Steve Christopher of "Elvis® on the Air." ETA's and fans danced the night away - not breaking up until after 2:00 AM!

Saturday morning, the parade was canceled because of rain - so - we all enjoyed a small sleep-in. Not long, however, because the competition continued at the Lake George Forum at 10:00 AM. At 6:00 PM, the finalists were announced and we all went back to our hotels to change for the big show - "The Road to Vegas." What a fabulous show! Pete Paquette, 2005 Lake George Professional Champion, opened the show with his energetic 50's. He set the stage for high energy and the show continued with Stephen Kabakos doing the '68 Comeback. DJ Fontana joined Stephen for the recreation of the sit-down portion and it was beautiful and moving. After a short break, Shawn Klush took the stage and took us all to the International Hotel showroom for an unforgettable concert. The applause seemed to go on forever!

After the show, the crowd hurried back to the lake for the midnight cruise. Johnny Loos and Irv Cass entertained as the big boat circled the silent waters of beautiful Lake George.

Sunday morning, a large crowd gathered at the Forum for an Celebration of Elvis® Gospel Service. After a stirring prayer utilizing titles of Elvis'® songs written by Father Bernard Turner of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lake George, Irv Cass, Johnny Loos, Stephen Kabakos, Jim Westover, Ronny Craig, and Shawn Klush sang Elvis'® touching gospel songs.

Sunday afternoon, the ExSpence Account backed the finalists. As the judging sheets were being tallied, all of the contestants were presented with gorgeous guitar-shaped engraved paperweights to commemorate this great weekend. Winners were:

Youth Division

1st - Steven Pelleriti
2nd - Demi Downing
3rd - Nick Gutierrez

Non-Professional Division

1st - Joe Ramsey
2nd - Adam Scott
3rd - Mike Slater
4th - Kevin Hupka
5th - Bruce Herren

Professional Division

1st - Kavan
2nd - Dwight Icenhower
3rd - Gino Monopoli
4th - Don Romines
5th - (tie) Robert Washington
Justin Edwards

After the final ceremonies, everyone gathered at John Carr's Adirondack Pub and Brewery for great food and drinks and fellowship. I understand the jam session did not break up until the sun was coming up!

Kudos to Mayor Robert Blais, John Carr, Terry Collins, Doug Coon, Marci Hall, Mike McCarthy, Vinnie Spitzer and Jason Sherry for a job VERY well done!

While I struggle to keep my 2 acres of grass cut, summer marches on with the Horseshoe Elvis® Fest, Collingwood, Memphis, and the Elvis® Explosion of LaCrosse! Hope to see all of you again soon!

Nance