2025
VIP Guests
&
Performers
Our VIP Guest
Blue Suede presents 2025 VIP
New Covenant Quartet
Based in Manitoba, Canada, New Covenant Quartet has been a cherished fixture in the Southern gospel music scene since the early 1990s. As one of the last travelling quartets in Western Canada, they have dedicated their lives to sharing the timeless messages of love, acceptance, and forgiveness through their performances.
The quartet focuses on the rich tradition of older Southern gospel music, captivating audiences with its harmonies and heartfelt lyrics. Over the decades, it has travelled extensively across the Upper Midwest USA and the Prairie Provinces of Canada, bringing its uplifting music to churches, festivals, and community events.
With an unwavering passion for their craft and a steadfast commitment to their message, the New Covenant Quartet continues to inspire and connect with audiences, ensuring that the legacy of Southern gospel music remains alive and vibrant. Their journey is not just about music; it’s about creating a community rooted in hope and faith.
We are super excited to have the New Covenant Quartet at Blue Suede in 2025!!!
Master of Ceremonies
Mike Schell
Master of Ceremonies
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Mike's Bio
Mike lives in Kelowna, BC in the beautiful Okanagan. Mike is a touring trumpet player with his Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) sanctioned band the “Cadillac Kings & The Uptown Hornz” who is in demand with all the best Elvis Tribute Artists in the business. He is also the Vice President & Music Director of the Pacific Northwest Elvis Festival held every June in Penticton, BC.
Mike was recently hired as a Judge for the 2022 Juno Awards.
Mike co owns LMS Entertainment and LMS Records and together with Trudy and TCB Rock and Roll Legends Mike promotes some of the top tribute acts in Canada.
Mike is very happy to be back for his 9th year as MC of the BSMF.
Performers
New Artists Joining the 2025 Festival Lineup
Jonathan Hicks
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Jonathan's Bio
Johnny Elvis (Jonathan Hicks) Johnny started his tribute to Elvis at the age of 17 at a 50s diner, “Brogans Diner” in Langley, British Columbia. From there, he brought the joy of his tribute into care homes, bringing back beloved memories to people who love those old classic hits. Johnny has competed in the Penticton Elvis Festival and received 2nd place in Non-Pro in 2019. He also received the coveted “Heart of the King” award in 2023 and 2nd place in the Pro division in 2024.
He has heard great things about the Blue Suede Music Festival and is very excited to be a part of it this year!
James Gibb
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James' Bio
James Gibb lives in Harrow, Ontario, and started his tribute to Elvis Presley in 2006. Since then, he has become a multi-award-winning tribute artist in Canada, the United States, and Europe. He has performed as Elvis on the Malt Shop Cruise and The Country Music Cruise for Time/Life.
So far, the highlight of his career was competing in the 2015 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis, Tennessee, after winning the 2014 Tweed Elvis Festival competition.
We are thrilled James is joining us at Blue Suede this year!
John Carpenter
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John's Bio
John comes to us from L’Assomption, Quebec. Since the age of 4, John has been passionate about Elvis Presley. At the age of 18, he began his professional career to personify Elvis Presley in the best possible way he knew. His attention to detail and respect for Elvis are of the utmost importance to him.
Since 2017, John has won several competitions in his home province of Quebec and placed in some large competitions in the US. In 2017, he was 4th in the Professional Early Years category at the Lake George Elvis Festival in New York, 2nd in the Last Chance competition in Memphis, and a finalist in Lake George in 2018 and 2019.
John also won the “People’s Choice” award 3 times at the Quebec Elvis Convention and went on to win the Provincial Elvis Tribute competition in Levis and the Quebec Elvis Convention in 2017. In 2018, he won the competition in St-Georges de Beauce.
He also won the prestigious “Spirit of Elvis Award” at the Tweed Elvis Festival (Ontario) in 2019 and was 1st at the “Flaming Star Festival” in Toronto in 2022. Recently, he won the 1st prize at the Daveluyville (Quebec) competition, made the semi-finals, and was one of the “Peoples Choice Awards” at the Images of the King competition in Memphis in 2024.
We are super excited to have John at Blue Suede this year!!!
Angel Saucedo
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Angel's Bio
Angel is 21 years old and comes to us from Los Angeles, California.
“At 12 years old, my dad snuck me into an old blues bar to listen to the older guys play and sing, initiating my dream to be like them. At 13, I began to play guitar at that same bar. In middle school, I joined the band, playing the tuba. The drummer suggested I join a non-profit community arts center, where I stayed there for 3 years, playing for and with artists such as “Earth, Wind, and Fire,” Kamasi Washington, and Jackson Browne.
At 15, my career would take a turn and change my life forever. I had been a big Elvis fan since I was 2 years old, and one day, I decided to learn “Love Me Tender.” I started singing at private parties and small venues. I’m a versatile singer of American and Spanish music. I have written two original Spanish songs. The first is a banda song called LA PROTAGONISTA DE MI CUENTO. The second song is a mariachi song called MI PRINCESA.
I have been fortunate to open concerts or share the stage with Spanish bands and singers. I perform for senior centers and a children’s orphanage in Mexico. I also perform for non-profit organizations. I started competing in 2024. My first one was in Yuma, Arizona, in February 2024, where I placed 2nd. My second competition was at the Vegas Elvis Fest, which I won! That win allowed me to go to Memphis, TN, to compete in the 2024 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest!
I also performed on the ” Princess and The King Elvis Cruise” on the Grand Princess cruise ship in Oct 2024.”
We are very excited to welcome Angel to Blue Suede!!
Returning Artists
2025 Festival
Jaedyn Pilon
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Jaedyn's Bio
Jaedyn lives in Edmonton and credits the Blue Suede Music Festival for opening the door to the amazing world of Elvis. He first set foot on the BSMF stage in 2015 and since then his love of Elvis has exploded. He has become a walking Elvis encyclopedia and has written and produced a stage show called Elvis: The Early Years which follow Elvis’s career from 1954-1961. Jaedyn is honored to
be a part of the incredible group of ETAs that help to keep the memory of Elvis alive.
Jaedyn has successfully competed in Penticton and in the US, always making the finals. He was the Non-Pro winner at the Lake George Elvis Festival in New York in 2018.
We are very excited to have Jaedyn with us this year!
Corny Rempel
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Corny's Bio
For over 20 years, Corny Rempel has played to packed audiences across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. You’ll also hear his lively, distinctive voice on many cartoons, websites, movies, and video games. Folks throughout Southeastern Manitoba wake up to the sound of Corny’s voice, with their radios turned to the weekday morning show that he hosts on MIX 96.7fm in Steinbach MB.
Corny was crowned the Elvis Gospel Champion at the 2015 Collingwood Elvis Festival in Ontario. He also came in 1st place as Grand Champion of the 2017 Penticton Elvis Festival in BC. In August of 2017, Corny competed with the top 20 Elvis tribute artists in the world at the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition at Graceland in Memphis TN.
Corny is very excited to be back at Blue Suede this year.
Sylvio Fontaine
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Sylvio's Bio
Sylvio hails from Whitewood, Sask and says “It is such an honour to be back on stage singing some of the songs of the greatest entertainer that has ever lived.
It is an even bigger honour singing them to the greatest fans that I could ever have dreamed of- you, the Blue Suede Music Festival fans! All of you fans are what drives me to keep on performing. The energy within you all has pushed me to strive on no matter what I endure.
And for that I truly want to say Thank You from the bottom of my heart.
In 2019 I was so incredibly honoured to win the Heart of the King Award at the Penticton Elvis Festival, which is voted on by my fellow ETA’s. This is an award that reflects the spirit that Elvis embraced in his life. I hope I can continue to fulfill that drive and spirit.”
Blue Suede is very happy to welcome Sylvio back this year!
Vic De Sousa
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Vic's Bio
A young Vic de Sousa was mesmerized upon hearing that first musical note by the King. Vic’s mom introduced him to her Elvis collection at a very young age.
Vic quickly became intrigued with learning how to sing, and portray the one and only Elvis Presley at a young age. Vic is also an established independent recording artist that fronts his own rock band called Stereo Villain (formerly DeSousa Drive). Stereo Villain’s debut EP was released July 2015.
Vic feels very privileged to help keep the memory of The King of Rock and Roll alive in front of audiences everywhere. He has been a regular performer at the Blue Suede Music Festival since 2009 and is excited to perform this year at the new location in Westlock, AB. He has performed in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Los Angeles USA and throughout Canada. Vic performs regularly as a cast member of The Louisiana Hayride show touring Western Canada.
Alessandro Votta
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Alessandro's Bio
I was born and raised close to Rome (Italy), this explains the heavy accent!
My love for music started very early, listening for hours to my dad playing every kind of music with his 12-string guitar or his organ. I’ve been an avid Elvis fan since the early 80’s, when my brother bought a cassette tape with the early rock’n’roll songs on Side A, and the 70’s ballads on Side B.
Working in the Oil &G as industry, I’ve travelled the world before finally settling in Calgary with my beautiful family in 2012. Since visiting Memphis in March 2019, all the puzzle pieces came together: the 1963 Cadillac, first jumpsuits, first Elvis tribute gigs.
I have done a lot of Facebook live shows during the last 2 years, being invited by various international Elvis fan groups to perform for them. The response from the fans has been amazing and it motivates me to keep on rocking! My goals while performing are to have fun, to challenge myself (will I ever stop struggling with the lyrics?) and to be able to transmit to the audience my unconditional love and passion for Elvis, the amazing entertainer and human being. To make it easier, please just call me Alex!
I am excited to be a part of Blue Suede this year!
Paul Ellis
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Paul's Bio
Paul’s hometown is Abbotsford B.C. He has been performing as an Elvis Tribute Artist since 2005.
In 2010 he won the non pro division at the Penticton Elvis Festival.
Paul started performing at The Blue Suede Music Festival in 2013, and has only missed a couple since
then. He enjoys singing any chance he can and says there’s nothing more satisfying then turning a frown upside down on someone’s face. He firmly believes that each and every one of us has their own talents and thanks God for blessing him with the gift of his voice.
Paul is also very thankful for the support of his beautiful wife Janet, his family, friends, fans and all the other great ETA’s.
He is excited and says “Thank you! Thank you! Very Much!!! to Trudy for inviting him back to the Blue Suede Music Festival. It is by far The Best Festival Ever!!! “
He can’t wait to get “All Shook Up” with everyone and hang out with all the other ETA’s .
Sylvain Leduc
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Sylvain's Bio
A native of Valleyfield, Quebec, Sylvain grew up in Massachusetts, USA until his return to his hometown at the age of 17. A life-long Elvis fan in his own right, he has been paying tribute to the king of rock & roll since the age of 15 years old. Since 2015, Sylvain has received several awards and accolades for his authentic tribute.
In 2019, he was crowned grand champion at the 2019 Niagara Falls Elvis festival the Lake George Elvis festival, and the Collingwood Elvis festival, making him the first and only Quebecer to ever receive the “Triple-Crown” for winning three (3) consecutive festivals sanctioned by Elvis Presley Enterprises.
In addition, Sylvain was a top-10 finalist in the ultimate Elvis tribute artist contest held at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, ranking him among the best Elvis tribute artists in the world.
A favorite among Elvis fans, Sylvain has been presented with multiple people’s choice awards for his connection with the audience, both on and off the stage. Sylvain performs year-round across Canada and the USA paying tribute to the King.
His Elvis Reimagined brand pays tribute to Elvis’ most iconic performances including the ’68 Comeback, Madison Square Garden, Aloha from Hawaii and Elvis in Vegas.
His newest tribute, “Unchained Melody”, is an emotional journey honoring Elvis’ final tour in 1977.
In 2022, Sylvain’s competition awards include, Empire State Tribute Festival in New York, Penticton Elvis Festival in BC and Elvis Explosion in Lacrosse Wisconsin.
Sylvain is very excited to be part of Blue Suede!
Larry Tschekalin
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Larry's Bio
Hello Friends!
My name is Larry Tschekalin. I’ve been performing my Tribute to Elvis for about 13 years now. I have traveled all over Canada and the United States with my Tribute show which I call “One Night With You”.
In my travels I have won multiple awards performing my Tribute to the King.
I just love getting up on stage and performing for the audience. I try to bring as much to my show as Elvis did.
My show is very energetic and very one on one with the people. Interacting with the audience is a big part of my show. I want everyone in attendance feeling good and wanting more.
I am very excited about meeting and performing for all of you at the Blue Suede Music Festival!
Fred Steen
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Fred's Bio
Fred is from Chetwynd, BC and has been a huge part of Blue Suede pretty much from the very beginning. Always a crowd favorite, Fred is known as the “King of the North”.
Over the years Fred has performed for thousands of Elvis of fans throughout B.C. & Alberta, as far away as Memphis, Nashville and Mexico and as far north as Tuktoyuktuk.
In 2015, Fred was crowned the Non Pro Champion at the Pacific Northwest Elvis Festival in Penticton, BC. He hopes to continue to perform for many years to come.
Fred is looking forward to seeing the Elvis fans at Blue Suede because he says he misses all his friends dearly.
July 26-28, 2024 Westlock, Alberta
