|
Coming home after coffee at a local shop, I answered the phone to find on the other end, Eric McDow, a well respected agent. The question Eric asked caught me totally off guard. "Cecil, do you impersonate any country artists?" I noticed myself in the mirror. I was wearing sun glasses and my black cowboy hat. Without really thinking about it I replied, "Yes, Hank Williams Jr."
Eric's response was that he may have some work for me and asked if I wanted it. I said "Yes, call me when you're ready." At three o'clock that afternoon my phone rang again. A gentleman on the other end introduced himself. "My name is Dan Sapach. I understand you impersonate Hank Williams Jr. We are looking for someone. Are you interested?"
My response was "Yes, call me when you're ready to put something together." With a light chuckle Dan said, "We ARE ready; we need you TONIGHT!. There's a plane ticket waiting for you at the airport." Half past five that afternoon I was on my way to Penatangguieschene, Ontario, where I joined "The Legends Of Country Music."
Dan Sapach was the leader of the show and also impersonated Ricky Van Shelton. A true lady, Nancy Bickerton, impersonated Patsy Cline. Nancy and Dan had a son Colton. Colton was about two years old and was already entrenched as the show's mascot. Also featured was Mel Gregory, an exceptionaly unique, talented person. His impersonation of Willie Nelson is as close as anyone could ever be. He is known in the greater Vancouver area as "Sky Train Willie" and is one of the founding members of Green Peace. The featured artist of the show was Auto Van Ewing. Auto's impersonation of Kenny Rogers was on the money. His devil-may-care style kept everyone on their toes.
Dan! I would like to thank you for one of the most cherished weeks of my life. The week I speak of is the one we spent at the "Cadillac Ranch" with the late-great Buddy Knox.
Buddy! You are remembered and missed.
|
