Desert Messenger

January 2, 2019 www.DesertMessenger.com 29 too much junk? CLEAN OUT THAT GARAGE List your items in Desert Messenger CLASSIFIEDS Email Editor@DesertMessenger.com or CALL RAIN @ 928-916-4235 MOBILE RV SERVICE Since 1988 OR and AZ Quality, Friendly, Personal, Cost-Effective On-Site Service For Your RV Needs! RV & TOW WIRING SERVICE & REPAIR We'll Tell it to you Straight, in Black & White Mark Fuller 541-497-4956 Music in the desert By Jackie Deal MICHAEL CULLIPHER 2019 Someone (I don't know who) es- timated there are 9000 Elvis im- personators worldwide. Nowadays they're called "Elvis Tribute Art- ists" and one of the very best is coming to Quartzsite. He was "One of Graceland's Top 20 Elvis Trib- ute Artists in 2017". He travels ex- tensively, worldwide, but for some strange reason he likes Quartzsite and always reserves January and February for us. You may be long-standing fans or maybe have never seen him but don't miss this opportunity to see one of the best. MILCHAEL CUL- LIPHER! He has all the moves, the sexy gyrations that Elvis was famous for and he has a gorgeous voice that ranges from rafter- rat- tling crescendos to a sultry purr on "Love Me Tender". It's hard to describe the range and impact of his show but a good word might be "joyous". His non-stop energy leaves you breathless but strangely re-charged, re-vitalized. Off stage, Michael is amazing. He's only 28 years old, yet he's poised, unpretentious, and real. He's comfortable with himself, with his work and with his audience. He offers to "sign pictures, CDs, even your babies." Someone in the audi- ence yells, "Michael, look at the age of your audience! No babies!" He doubles over with laughter. Michael lives in Sallisaw, Oklaho- ma, about 19 miles from the Arkan- sas border. He was 4 years old when he fi rst saw an Elvis impersonator. He thought "that jumpsuit was the coolest things I'd ever seen. And I prayed to have sideburns just like Elvis." He does! He says he "grew up doing Elvis" and many home- town folks knew him as Elvis. He cautions "at no time do I say I am Elvis. I just try to keep his music and his memories alive. There is only one Elvis." At age 19 he start- ed performing professionally and that's about the time he fi rst came to Quartzsite. What's a typical week like for him? He laughs heartily, "A lotta singing! You're up all night and sleep all day. Not quite," he amends. "I have so much adrenaline after a show that I can't get to sleep so I listen to music, edit CDs, and do ad stuff. It seems I'm always working." What if you're sick? "I can't cancel. I just go on and give 100%." His sound man/sidekick/friend/duet singer Alex Copeland says, "He's sung when he was so sick he was vomiting off stage and once we had to carry him from the backstage to his dressing room. There's no paid vacation or sick leave." Michael's favorite Elvis music is gospel and while he tones down the gyrations he raises the decibels. In a couple of duets Alex, who usually sits manning the electronics and quietly singing to himself, proved himself a worthy singing partner. In the schedule below, unless oth- erwise noted, the show will be "EL- VIS!" There is one "Michael Show" listed: a chance to hear Michael's beautiful voice singing "as himself". The two Gospel shows are not to be missed; they're Elvis and Michael at their best. Jan 3, JR's RV Park, "Michael" (928-927-5774) Jan 4, Desert Gold, Brenda, (928-927-7800) Jan 5, Burwood RV Park, La Paz Valley (928-927-6661) Jan 6, Quartzsite Senior Center (928-927-6496) Jan 8, QIA Elvis Birthday Bash (928-927-6325) Jan. 13, Burwood RV Park, Gospel (928-927-6661) Jan 15, Split Rail RV Park (928-927-5296) Jan 16, JR's RV Park, Gospel (928-926-5774) Call for times, cost and directions (if you're new to town). Michael is also appearing in Yuma, Salome and Wellton. Quartzsite, Brenda, La Paz Valley SUNDAY 1:00pm Wagons West RV Park, Brenda 6pm Black Rock RV Park, Brenda 6:30pm. Gold Star Gospel, Acoustic with Lee Black MONDAY 6:30pm. Arizona Sun RV Resort 6:30pm 88 Shades RV Park TUESDAY 1pm Split Rail RV Park 6:30pm Community Bible Church All Music 7pm. Desert Gold, Brenda, Gospel WEDNESDAY 1pm Crawford's RV 6:30pm. Holiday Palms RV Park, Country 6:30pm Gold Star THURSDAY 6:30pm. QIA Jams 1st & 3rd Country; 2nd & 4th Gospel 7pm. Brenda RV Resort FRIDAY 6:30pm JR's RV Park 6:30pm Mt. Quail RV Park SATURDAY 1pm Desert Gold RV Park, Brenda 1pm Park Place RV Park, Accoustic 4pm Mt. Quail #2 RV Park Quartzsite, Brenda, Quartzsite, Brenda, La Paz Valley La Paz Valley Music Jam Schedule Please contact Desert Messenger to list your jam session 928-916-4235 Editor@DesertMessenger.com DUMP THE DRUGS IN QUARTZSITE! Do you have expired or unused medications? Dispose safely at Quartzsite Police Dept. Mon - Fri. 8 am-5 pm Sponsored by QPD Town of Quartzsite, AZ

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