Friday, October 10, 2008 8:36 PM CDT
Viva Las Vegas for local Blue Suede Crew
By DAWN SCHABBING, Features Writer
dschabbing@jg-tc.com
A local group of musicians is taking its talents to a bigger venue next month in Las Vegas.
Blue Suede Crew was chosen from 120 applicants to perform at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Nov. 18-20. Only 10 musical acts were selected, said Blue Suede Crew Manager Ruth Furry of Mattoon.
Lead vocalist Scott Wattles said the group has created a Vegas-style show, and it continues to add more pieces since its inception in June 2005.
Furry said the Vegas act will last about 30 minutes and will be performed at the world’s largest conference and trade show for casino entertainment and gaming industry executives. The Global Gaming Expo, or G2E, brought an audience of about 30,000 people last year, she said.
While in Las Vegas, the Crew members will have a “meet and greet” time with casino entertainment directors, talent buyers and executive management.
The members of the Crew perform tributes such as Wattles, Mattoon, as the voice of Elvis Presley; Keith Furry, Mattoon, percussion, backup vocals and the voice of Johnny Cash; and Jan Daily, Mattoon, keyboard and the voice of June Carter Cash. Other band members are Bobby Reynolds, Charleston, lead guitar; George Miller, Mattoon, bass guitar; Dave Stephens, Gays, drums; Glenn Lewis, Mason, trumpet; and Dusty Maninfior, Mattoon, saxophone.
“Our biggest obstacle is the fact that many hear, ‘Elvis Tribute Show’ and automatically think of a 300-pound guy in a jumpsuit slobbering over a microphone ... Many don’t take the show seriously until they see it,” said Wattles, who performs as a slim Elvis.
“Elvis in his prime was the undisputed ‘king of rock ‘n’ roll,’ and we want to give you that kind of a show,” he said.
Wattles said the Crew also recently kicked off a show committed to the gospel music of Presley and Cash.
“What the Blue Suede Crew has put together is top notch entertainment that is ready for any stage and for any age of audience.”
Furry said the group doesn’t get paid for the Las Vegas performance, and must pay a fee for the “privilege” of performing at this venue.
“But, it is an incredible chance to get in front of and perform for people we otherwise would not have access to. We are looking at the expense of the trip and the fee to perform as investment in The Blue Suede Crew’s future, and hopefully it will all come back to us in time,” Furry said.
As manager of the group she said she’s always seeking new places for the group to perform and the G2E opportunity is lots of things wrapped up into one.
“Our goal has always been Vegas, and we are going to see that actually happen, but in a way we never thought possible. We not only get to perform for one company or casino, but literally thousands at once,” she said.
Other acts included at the Las Vegas expo will be Crystal Shawanda, Larry Bagby and comedian Gary Valentine. For more information check out the Web site, www.globalgamingexpo.com.
For more information about the Blue Suede Crew, visit www.bluesuedecrew.com.
Contact Dawn Schabbing at dschabbing@jg-tc.com or 238-6864.
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