TRURO, N.S.
Get set to be entertained with a brand-new show, featuring country’s golden country oldies performed by the “Rhinestone Cowgirl” when Thane Dunn returns to Truro this month.
“We are coming back with something that’s actually called our best show yet,” the New Brunswick-based Elvis tribute performer said.
“Anyone that knows me or has been to our show over the years knows that we’re always working to make it better. It’s never the same twice.”
Dunn will be appearing at the Cobequid Educational Centre (CEC) auditorium on Jan. 19, accompanied on stage by his wife, Melly Dunn. Billed as the Rhinestone Cowgirl, she will perform beloved country classics by such queens of country music as Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and Patsy Cline.
“People love Elvis and they always will, and we’ve been really blessed. We always get a great turnout but I think she puts the icing on the cake,” he said.
“I’m understanding now that she has the ability to sound almost like anybody. People have given her standing ovations left, right and centre and, basically when she comes out and people hear her singing, jaws drop.”
Another addition to this year’s show will be the performance of a number of songs by the 20-piece CEC choir. Some of the songs they will be performing with Dunn include Suspicious Minds, How Great Thou Art and Can’t Help Falling in Love.
As for Dunn, his repertoire will entail the normal gamut of Elvis hits of rock and roll, country and gospel but he also plans to introduce tunes he has not covered here before, including the classic love song, Are You Lonesome Tonight.
“There’s a lot of songs that we’ve never done there that we are doing for the very first time. If you’ve seen us and you’ve seen us 10 times, you’ve never seen this show,” he said. “And that’s what we’ve tried to do. I want people excited. I want people wondering what’s he doing next.”
Concert-goers will also see an improved show from a presentation standpoint, which Dunn said “is much better this year than ever before.”
This is the only show Dunn will be presenting in Truro this year but he has performed here many times in the past and credits the local audiences as being some of his most loyal and original fans.
“Your audience is one of the reasons that I got fanatical about this and decided to do this for a living,” he said. “The support that I’ve gotten from down your way has been amazing. It’s like the love affair just grows and keeps getting bigger and never stales.”
Dunn said his show is family friendly and he has created a three-tiered pricing schedule that makes it easier for everyone to afford, with tickets running at $25, $30 and $45 for VIP seating, which are sold out.
Last year, all tickets were priced at $40.
Tickets can be purchased in Truro at MacQuarries Pharmasave, the Marigold Cultural Centre or online at Ticketpro.ca .
And if you would like to hear a bit about how Dunn got his start as an Elvis Presley tribute artist, log onto his website, thanedunn.ca, click on the video option and check out “Thane’s office.”
