Jeffreys Bay: Potters Place | Theatre-Restaurant | Teater-Restaurant

Time: 18:30 for 20:00;
Tickets: R120 per person;

Husband. Dad. Music Lover. Idol

They say good things come to those who wait. And in the case of Elvis Blue, winner of South African Idols season 6, those good things have come. No newcomer to the music scene, Elvis Blue is a musician with a dream, a goal and an overwhelming desire to make music that matters. As he sings in first single ‘Things My Father Said’ – “If you have a dream you better hold on for dear life”.

“Being named the winner of Idols is such a privilege to me. It’s an incredible thing to know that thousands of people who you don’t know voted for you and are supporting your music. It’s humbling, an honour and such a privilege”, says Elvis on his win.

Elvis Blue’s journey did not begin, and will not end, with Idols. Having had music in his blood since he was a young kid singing in school choirs to busking the streets of Joburg and Scotland, Elvis has had one goal – and one goal alone – to make music. After a stint overseas as a street musician, Elvis returned to South Africa where he decided to study contemporary music. After appearing in numerous bands – “bad bands” he adds, Elvis started a project where he sang under the name MONO. A successful musician, he was signed to Gallo Record Company’s RPM division where he released 3 albums under the name MONO. Although he garnered his fair share of attention, MONO didn’t translate into the kind of success he was hoping for. “Poor Gallo. They really lost a lot of money on me. I feel so bad for them,” he laughs.

When MONO’s record deal came to an end, his career was stagnating. Playing endless gigs and spending many fruitless hours on stage, Elvis decided that he would move to George where he would become a music teacher, write his own music, and live a quiet life. This is where he would meet the friend whose name he would adopt. “My wife works at an organization that is a hospice and a children’s home and I met this little boy in the hospice when I used to go and play my guitar for them. He really wanted to be a keyboard player, and his name was Elvis Blue”. When he passed away, as a tribute to this amazing young man, Elvis adopted his name and Elvis Blue – The Idol, was born.

No better fitting tribute to a man fueled by his dreams and his passion.

After spending some time in George, Elvis was approached by a record company who wanted him to record an Afrikaans album. “The first album I did was under the name Jan Hoogendyk, my real name, and the album did really well. It won an ATKV Lier Toekening award. His second Afrikaans album, ‘Ontskemer’ also under the name Jan Hoogendyk ,was nominated for a 2010 SAMA Award. “That also didn’t sell so well,” he laughs – “Once again, poor record label.”

It was at this time that entries for South African Idols 6 opened and a decision to enter, which would go on to become one of the most important decisions of Elvis Blue’s musical career. “I had a dream about Idols,” he recalls. “I was visiting a friend and we were having some red wine, and then we ended up having way too much coffee and I couldn’t sleep. When I did fall asleep I kept on dreaming about Idols. Up until then, I had worked really hard at my music and nothing came of it, which was quite disheartening, because I believe that what I do is important, and good”. Five days before the auditions Elvis’s wife said in 5 days. Cape Town. Auditions. Sick and tired of making music which was ultimately unheard, Elvis decided to enter. “It’s the biggest platform for solo artists in our country. There aren’t many solo artists who make it, so this was my chance.”

Thinking back to that first audition, Elvis remembers wondering whether he would make it through. “I’m not a traditional pop singer” he adds. “I’m a folk singer songwriter, and I thought I wouldn’t fit the bill. I was so flattered when I got through, and it really has taught me that timing is everything. It’s the driving forced behind your success. I didn’t do anything different to what I had been doing for the last ten years. Right time, right place, lucky break”.

Besides the thrill of the bright lights and performing on TV to thousands of viewers, the most enrichening part of Elvis’ Idols experience was the opportunity to be heard. “That’s the biggest privilege for me. Having the opportunity for so many people to hear my music and make up their mind about me. That’s all any good musician needs, an audience who are willing to listen”.

Holding the coveted Idols title is an honour for any musician, but for Elvis, this journey is all about one thing, and one thing alone – the music. “If I am an influence in any way to my audience, I hope that when people look at me they see someone who truly enjoys and loves music. Whether you make it or don’t make it, it’s who I am, and that’s what It’s about at the end of the day. If you have that gift to make music, it’s such a privilege and you should cherish it.”

Now that Elvis has been given this golden ticket to the prime time, it’s important to see where he is going to take it. If people are to believe in the power of Idols, then their Idol needs to remain in the music industry for as long as they can, and make a successful career out of it. “There is so much hype around winning. In a few months time when the hype has died down, I want to make sure that I am still around and will be for a long time, not just for one album. That’s the best way you can repay the fans who voted for you. The only way you can make sure you get to stay in the biz is if you write good music. That’s my goal, at the end of the day, and how I choose to use this gift”.

Elvis Blue has released his debut album through Universal Records in December 2010, which will feature the profound and moving single ‘Things My Father Said’. A song that speaks about the journey Elvis has been on the last 12 years of his life. It’s a song about following your dreams and the rewards at the end of it. “There’s a line in the song that goes – “If you have a dream you better hold on for dear life” Elvis smiles, “and that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing for a long time – holding on for dear life.” The song also deals with the theme of losing a loved one, and how you remember that person when they are gone.

The double disc debut album is an exploration of the music Elvis loves. Mostly original music penned by Elvis himself, fans of the band are going to get a double dose of hits. As Elvis explains – “The album is going to be great. It’s a double album and the 1st disc will be a traditional rock album and the Disc 2 will be more like an Elvis Blue Unplugged. It will have beautiful melodies and lyrics that speak to the heart. Good and hearty down to earth music. Well, that’s what I’m trying for at least”, he laughs.

When reliving the moment that his title was announced, Elvis Blue is emotional and relieved. “It all made sense. It made me think of all the dingy nightclubs Id played, all the months I gigged and paid my band and I didn’t make any money, all the songs I submitted to radio that never got played and those albums that never sold – you think of that and you cannot believe your luck. It seems worth it after all of that.”

The idol has been announced. The stage has been set. The musical journey has been taken to a whole new level.

Elvis Blue is South Africa’s Idol – but above all – Elvis Blue is a musician who is about to embark on the most important musical journey of his life.