Although Shawn Klush, due to illness, was not able to attend his induction into the Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame in November, I sat in the audience filled with memories of him and his dad.
Ed Klush was a ventriloquist, performing at all sorts of events throughout Greater Pittston. He had a keen sense of humor and a delightful way about him that brought his puppet Stanley to life. He was loved by children and adults alike.
I once wrote a feature story about Ed and was rather proud of my, perhaps cheesy, but what I thought clever opening line:
I included a marvelous story Ed told me about his little boy, Shawn.
One day, Ed spied Shawn, a toddler, opening Stanley's case. Ed hid in the doorway to see what would happen. He said, Shawn lifted Stanley out of the case, shook him a little, and then tossed him back in.
"Stanley won't talk to anyone but Daddy," little Shawn uttered as he walked away.
Who knew at the time that this little boy one day would be named "World's Greatest Elvis" by the BBC and win the first ever Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest sponsored by Elvis Presley Enterprises.
Often called "The Closest Thing to The King," Elvis Presley tribute artist Shawn Klush, native of Pittston, has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman and has performed all over the globe. He portrayed Elvis in the hit TV miniseries "Shake, Rattle and Roll" which aired on CBS and VH1 and HBO's Vinyl.
Shawn performed on New Year's Eve at the 7,500 seat Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville CT.
Following is Shawn's month-long concert schedule in tribute to Elvis's 90th birthday. Note that he will be in Bethlehem, Pa. on Jan. 30.
Jan. 4: The 4,000 seat Live! Casino, Hanover, Maryland. Elvis' 90th Birthday Celebration Concert and Party.
Jan 9: North Shore in Skokie, Illinois.
Jan 10: The all new Hardrock Casino in Rockford, Illinois.
Jan 11: Hardrock Casino, Northern Indiana.
Jan 12: KeyBank State Theatre at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio.
Jan 18: Staten Island, New York at the St. George Theater featuring Shawn Klush, Ryan Pelton, The Nashville Dreams, The Ambassadors of Elvis Band and The TCB Horns.
Jan 24: Marat Theater in Indianapolis, Indiana, featuring Shawn Klush, Cody Ray Slaughter, Ryan Pelton and the new Prince of Rock and Roll, 21-year-old, Moses Snow.
Jan 25: Aronoff Center for the Arts in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Jan 26: Brown Theater in Louisville, Kentucky.
Jan 30: Wind Creek Casino, Bethlehem, for The 3 Kings Ultimate Elvis 90th Birthday Experience. Starring Shawn Klush, Ryan Pelton and Moses Snow.