Genesis of the Documentary

While he was performing at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas in the mid seventies Grant Smith had an opportunity to personally meet Elvis Presley after one of his amazing live shows and was greatly impressed by his personal charm and charisma. Over the years since Grant was constantly surprised to notice how many of the most unlikely people that he met were serious Elvis fans. He was intrigued by the fact that these seemingly normal people were not only were fans of the man’s music but they also had a depth of knowledge about the most minute and personal details of Elvis Presley’s life and career that it astounded him. Grant said “I was amazed by this unabashed display of commitment that was constantly exhibited by these individuals towards their hero and musical idol and by the fact that this phenomenon was continuing and even growing in popularity years after his untimely death”.

Grant was aware of a huge festival honoring the singing star that occurred yearly just a few miles north of his home in Toronto and discussed the possibility of exploring this phenomenon with his good friend and collaborator David C. Clarke. When they arrived at The Collingwood Elvis Festival with video equipment and crew at the ready they were not quite prepared for what they encountered. Elvis was everywhere. He was in the streets, in the restaurants and clubs and in the Arena and other large venues, but most of all he was alive in the hearts of the thousands of fans that flocked to Collingwood to pay homage to their idol.

After interviewing over a hundred super fans and tribute artists and witnessing the incredible love that filled the air in the many concerts and on the streets of this small Canadian town and after countless hours of editing, the producers finally felt that they had captured the essence of what it is that compels so many otherwise ordinary folks to quietly adore this transcendent musical legend or to happily don Elvis wigs and sunglasses or get up on stage and emulate their idol to the joy and satisfaction of all those others who share this same passion and love for the man, the myth and the music of Elvis Presley.