News

We have now reached the end of April and as promised, we would like to provide a definitive update regarding the status of the 2020 World Tribute Artist’s Convention and Championships.

Given the issues arising out of the CIVID-19 (Coronavirus), we have decided to postpone this exciting event until 2021. We will provide more details as plans materialize and we are indeed most grateful for your kind interest.

Sincerely on Christ’s Service,
Dorian+

The novel Coronavirus 2019, also known as COVID-19, is dominating the headlines. During this stressful time, We would like to share an update on the World Tribute Artists Convention & Championships with some tips on Coronavirus prevention and safety.

First and foremost, at this time we feel it is necessary to postpone this exciting event as we are most anxious to support both the Canadian and American government initiatives to fight this invisible enemy!

We will make an official announcement about the new event dates no later than April 30, 2020.

Although we are continuing to plan to ensure a very successful event we feel it is much wiser for us to monitor the world situation and keep our event planning in direct connection with the rate of success in neutralizing the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are overwhelmed by the outstanding global response to “The 2020 World Tribute Artists Convention and Championships” thus far and are confident that this unprecedented and very exciting event will indeed occur in 2020!

It is hoped that interested parties will continue to check the website for updates and be assured that we are very much looking forward to making this one of the most memorable music events in Canadian history! Onward and upwards!

If you feel need for further information in a timely manner with respect to the new dates, feel free to contact the Associate Producer Dorian Baxter at (289) 221-2687, contact his Executive Assistant Carolyn Puersten at (905) 751-9872, or contact us using the Contact Form on our website.

Second, the CDC is recommending “common sense” measures such as:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

We are very much looking forward to a fantastic worldwide event and we very much appreciate your support and understanding during these trying times!

Most Respectfully,

Dorian Baxter

New Market Today posted “A ‘holy’ trinity unite to rescue Collingwood Elvis fest, bring it to York Region” featuring the World Tribute Artist Convention and Championships, Billy Cann, and Archbishop Dorian Baxter.

The resurrection of a world-class fest begins Sunday with a celebration of the King’s birthday in Newmarket

The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s 85th birthday celebration packages may be sold out at Graceland, but you can get your blue suede shoes on and head down to the Newmarket Legion Sunday for a party that promises to be fit for a king.

The legendary cultural icon Elvis Presley died more than four decades ago, but his music and timeless talent live on locally through Newmarket Anglican Archbishop Dorian Baxter, who is known by the moniker “Elvis Priestley” for his rousing tributes to the rock star on the pulpit and off.

In honour of the King’s birthday and 17th anniversary of the founding of Baxter’s Independent Anglican Church of Canada parish, Christ the King, Graceland, the community is invited to attend a service and celebration that begins at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 5 at the Royal Canadian Legion, Milton Wesley Branch #426, 707 Srigley St., Newmarket.

A band, other musical guests and tribute artists round out the event, which includes a free buffet lunch hosted by the parish’s Anglican Church Women group.

“After the service, I take off my robes and jump on the stage and turn into Elvis,” Baxter said with enthusiasm about performing his all-time favourite Elvis gospel song, How Great Thou Art. “It’s like Bob Barker, the price is right, it’s free.”

Baxter delivered his first sermon at the legion on Jan. 5, 2003, the closest Sunday to Elvis’s Jan. 8 birthday. And this Sunday he will present his long-lived Elvis tribute concert, a show that Baxter has performed every August during Elvis Week for nearly 20 years in Memphis, Tennessee.

So beloved is Baxter’s tribute artistry acumen that Memphis’s Beale Street Merchants Association consecrated him the “Archbishop of Beale Street” in 2002.

“It’s amazing how popular Elvis is after all these years,” Baxter said. “I have found that Elvis transcends racial and age barriers, he is absolutely an icon.”

“You wouldn’t believe it, but there’s literally thousands of fans and young tribute artists now. Last August when I was performing in Memphis, there were at least nine three-year-olds in jumpsuits and they had every move. That means Elvis is never going to die,” he said.

This Sunday’s event may get local Elvis fans particularly all shook up.

That’s because Baxter, together with the founder of the 25-year-long Collingwood Elvis Festival, Billy Cann, and the creator of the award-winning Vegas production, Legends in Concert, John Stuart, known as the father of the worldwide tribute artist movement, have joined forces to revive the world’s largest Collingwood fest after that town council voted unanimously last year to end its support.

The Collingwood Elvis fest is expected to continue under private management as the town received three expressions of interest for the 2020 event, according to reporting by CollingwoodToday, NewmarketToday’s sister paper.

Cann, who gained international acclaim as an Elvis tribute artist for the 25 years preceding his retirement in 1994, founded the Collingwood Elvis Festival in 1995 when he was living there. The event went on to become one of the world’s largest celebrations of Elvis and his music.

The trio have expanded the Collingwood festival concept to include a multitude of tribute artists and celebrity look-a-likes, with Elvises remaining as the headliner, and will launch the 2020 World Tribute Artists Convention and Championships in York Region in July.

The new event will be held July 22 to 26 at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel at highways 404 and 7 in Markham.

“Billy Cann rescued the Collingwood event and we’re bringing it to York Region,” Baxter said. “We’re moving forward. There’s enough Elvis fans to sustain Collingwood if they want to resuscitate it, and for this new one that we’re doing, it’s actually a world tribute artist convention and championship. The good thing about ours is that Elvis is headlining, but we’ve opened it up. We’ve got people coming from Europe, Australia, and all over the U.S.”

“You wouldn’t believe how thankful the Elvis fans are that Billy has stepped back in,” he said. “There’s enough Elvis fans for everybody. I’ve got 5,000 followers on Facebook and most of them are Elvis tribute artists or fans. There’s a lot of them who’ve been faithful to Collingwood, but it’s a long journey, and they are absolutely thrilled about this because they live here in York Region.”

Cann and Stuart will be in attendance at the legion event this Sunday.

For more information about the 2020 World Tribute Artists Convention and Championships, visit here.

Read the full article here.

If you are a performing Tribute Artist, Elvis Tribute Artist (ETA), a Celebrity Look-A-Like or a Celebrity Impersonator, do yourself a favor — expand your horizons and make new contacts by joining us at the 2020 World Tribute Artists Convention & Championships!

This event is created, conceived, organized and implemented by former Top Tribute Industry Professionals who care for their fellow tribute artist and our Tribute Industry.

There will be talent buyers from Major motion picture production companies, TV producers, music producers, community event talent buyers and many others looking to book talent.

Every Industry has a convention — this is OUR industry and this is OUR convention!

Who Should Attend The 2020 World Tribute Artist Convention & Championships?

If you are a Tribute Artist to any of the following legends you should be at the 2020 World Tribute Artist Convention & Championships:

Come to where you are respected and celebrated! Make the trip to Canada meet new friends and fellow Tribute Artists. Enjoy the trip as a working holiday in Canada’s largest city Toronto. The city boasts lots to see and do.

We are looking forward to meeting you and wishing you all the very best! Be there or be square!

Award Categories

• Best Tribute to Actor
• Best Tribute to Actress
• Best Tribute to Comedian – “The Johnny S Award”
• Best Tribute Band
• Best Country Tribute Artist
• Best Pop & Rock Tribute
• Best R & B Tribute
• Best Classic Crooner
• Best Elvis Tribute Artist (ETA) – Early Years
• Best Elvis Tribute Artist (ETA) – Movie Years
• Best Elvis Tribute Artist (ETA) – Concert Years
• Best Look-A-Like (Non Performer)
• Best Costume
• Rising Star Award
• Show Stopper Award