Amusing Events Party Entertainment of Phoenix

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Elvis impersonator, Frank Sinatra impersonator, over the hill shows for 30, 40 and 50th birthday parties
My Comedy Roast and Tributes-retirement, over the hill, achievements... are my most popular shows though.
. I customize the show for each recipient-adding different impersonations and song parodies-using information I gather beforehand, Every show is different.
The shows are clean and funny, and in the end very honoring.
I have performed these shows for famous sports figures, corporate presidents, and others form Las Vegas to Phoenix. All my impersonations include natural looking wigs and costuming.
In my Sinatra, shows, I actually have blue eyes, the mannerisms, and the sound of Frank. I am not just singing Sinatra songs. The same goes for my Neil Diamond, Tom Jones, Dean Martin, etc... I dress as the character and sound like the person to the best of my ability.

Q. Describe three recent jobs you've completed.

A. GoDaddy Corporate Event. I provided 25 entertainers for one of the largest corporate events in the US.

Birthday Entertainment for a NY Yankee Baseball Player

USAA Insurance Company- Provided Entertainers for their Holiday Party

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. As a professional, it is important to listen to the client for their needs, not offer them something that would be totally "out of character" so to speak. For example, I got a call from a woman who wanted something very special for her sisters 70th birthday party. She called another company, and was offered a clown! I was quite taken aback! Perhaps that would have worked for a 7th birthday, but not for a woman who was deserving of so much more. After talking to her for sometime, she decided that her sister would love my Tom Jones impersonation performance. When I arrived as Tom , the entire restaurant and staff came over to join the celebration. I gave her a real bouquet of flowers, as I sang 'Whats New Pussycat". She sang along to that and the next two songs. It was a wonderful and honoring tribute to a deserving woman, who would have otherwise had a clown for her 70th birthday. Nothing funny about that!
We perform to honor the recipient, so we do not look for applause for ourselves. It is not about us, it is about the recipient. Some singing telegram actors look for personal recognition when doing a singing telegram. They think it is all about them and their act, and look for the applause. We direct the attention to the recipient. It is not our"bow' at the of the telegram, it is the guest of honor who "takes the bow".
Also, make sure that the performer meets your needs. Also, if you can, meet or at least speak to the performer before the event.
It is true, and most people would agree, do not take the performers word for it when booking a job. Make sure you are assured of the quality by viewing and hearing the entertainer from the website first. Even for a singing telegram.

A very important factor when hiring an entertainer is giving the client the performer whose photo is on the website. I used to have other actors performing singing telegrams, and their photos were on my site. But as soon as they moved away, I removed their photos. As you can see from my photo gallery here, I have posted "actual performer" below the pictures. This means that the person in the photo will be the one showing up. It is usually me. But as you can see, "Marilyn" is the actual performer, as well as the 'little people".

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Entertainers have to make a living. Some work through agencies, some book on their own. Some do both-especially when the agent is not getting them enough work. That's when they advertise on their own as well.

A real pro has good training, and good experience in theater and live entertainment

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. 1.Since this is a singing telegram, can I hear a sample of your singing?
2. Are you the entertainer I am speaking to?
3. Can i personally speak to the performer before I hire him/her?
4.What, if any, live theater experience do you have?
5. Do you have any TV or movie experience?

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. My Quality and my Lower Price. You may think that you cannot get a good quality entertainer for the low price that I charge.

If you do have a bigger budget, and want something more customized and longer, try one of my comedy roasts-prices start at 250.00.

I have personally performed over 5000 singing telegrams, with about 20% of my current business being repeat customers. To clarify, I do not mean 20% of my customers hire me again-that percentage ins much higher, I mean 20% of my business is repeat customers-there is a difference)

Eligible Member Screen Actors Guild, New York Film and Theater Trained, Off Broadway theater experience in Drama and Musical Comedies including:

Play it Again Sam- ALAN FELIX
Grease- ROGER, KENICKIE
Pajama Game-Prez
Run For Your Wife-Best Comic Actor Mesa Little Theater
Good Man Charlie Brown-Charlie Brown
Fortune and Men's Eyes
Murder Among Friends
Hot L Baltimore
Little Mary Sunshine
Once upon a Mattress
Some Like it Hot

Over 500 corporate appearances (shows, not telegrams) in New York, Phoenix, California, Las Vegas, Florida, etc...


I love entertaining and do it every chance I get. (And I am still raising my 3 younger children) The money is not the most important thing, and you should not hire me based on my low price only. That would not be wise in any purchasing decision. Other things are or can be more important. That is why I have my full bio, photos, videos and pictures here and on my web site. You can see and hear the quality and judge for yourself.
Again,ultimately the choice is yours. It is a tough economy, and I hope my lower prices help you save some money.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. It is fulfilling my purpose while fulfilling a need in my audience to laugh, cry or just have a good time!
Being a professional performer is a blend of many things including:
TALENT, MOTIVATION, DESIRE, A BIT OF EGO AND NO ENVY!!!!!
I have also learned in life to NEVER mock another person because of their Faith.

I perform most of the singing telegrams- yet because of the fact that I am getting so busy, I have taken other entertainers "on board" to fulfill the needs of my clients.Little people, Marilyn, and several other new female characters.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN IMPERSONATOR AND A LOOKALIKE?

I get asked this question a lot. A look-alike is someone who has a natural physical resemblance to a celebrity. Although they may dress like the celebrity, even with out any "costuming" ,people would think they are the celebrity. I had a good friend, Jack English, who naturally resembled Jack Nicholson, even as a young man. I was with him many times when people would approach him for an autograph. Jack was a "look-alike".
When we use the word 'Impersonator", we are referring to someone who uses costuming, makeup , perhaps a wig, and then mimics the voice and actions of a celebrity. Impersonators do not walk around , normally, dressed as the celebrity, so no one would walk up to an impersonator looking for an autograph, unless that person was doing a show.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. How much does a singing telegram cost?

The quality and testimonials are shown at my website, so after knowing that I have been entertaining for so many years, and have personally performed about 5000 singing telegrams, the price is the deciding factor.
Of course clients want a good value in an entertainer. So, seeing that me,the entertainer is a professional, will show up on time, will be dressed as a pro, and will put on a great show, the price, I believe, is something our clients take very seriously.
The high price of gasoline has once again hurt the economy. Food prices are going up.
The price of a singing telegram in 1999 was about 70.00.
So in a crazy act of wild Desperation, I decided to ..lower my prices. Ridiculous, yes I know. If any of my clients would like to pay me more for a singing telegram than the lower price I offer them, that's fine too. (But I do not think anyone would do that.)
Price start at $69.00. I have various packages and specials where you can basically pick your price after that.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. I entertained as Elvis for a woman who was terminally ill. Her family brought me into her room at the hospice. She had posters of Elvis everywhere. They requested Elvis' version of "Amazing Grace". Everyone sang along. I barely got through the song. She gave me a kiss on the cheek before I left.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. Show business is fun, but it is also a business. there are serious sides to it. Natural talent is a must, but having the drive and motivation is what brings you to the top.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. Whenever I can bring a tear or laughter to someone, that makes me proud. It is not in performing for someone famous, or meeting a famous person . We are all human beings, and entertaining for each one equally is my purpose and passion. If Frank Sinatra told me he liked my singing, that's great. But if the elderly woman at the nursing home, enjoys it, I have fulfilled my purpose just a well. It is not an ego thing.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Continuing education is very important in any field. Learning new songs, new style, new trends in humor is critical. I watch other entertainers on TV, and listen to the latest music. It helps me to build an audience of all ages. My impersonation act includes Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. It's not complicated at all. I charge less for my personal telegrams. I am not an agency, so I can do that. I do refer my clients to other entertainers, and sometimes the entertainers themselves will give me a referral fee, but the client does not pay extra for that.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. Never Give up. Never look at the "competition" in a negative light.. Don't ever believe that someone is better than you. We are all unique. An do not ever put down other entertainers out of envy or jealousy. Stay focused on your strong points. And have a genuine love for people.

Q. What is your greatest strength?

A. Working side by side with my wife Janet. A good marriage is important to a successful business. Janet and I work together booking and at the events. She is well liked in the industry and and important addition to Amusing Events

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. Nationwide companies advertise higher for singing telegrams. How come your prices for singing telegrams are so much lower.

I work alone. I am not an agency. There is no "middleman". In some areas, that may be ok. But normally contacting the local company direct will save you some money.

I lowered my prices to increase business and to provide for my family. (It's the economy)
It has worked to my advantage and my clients advantage as well!

Its really as simple as that. (A "No Brainer" in layman's terms)

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. Hiring Entertainers in Arizona -and saving money!

Many entertainers work through agencies in order to get work. That's fine.But the more serious and professional entertainers have their own websites and book themselves as well. This is good for the entertainer because they usually get more work this way, and good for you-the client- who will not have to pay an agency fee.
I have listed on my website direct links to Arizona Party Entertainers such Belly Dancers, Clowns, Caricature Artists, Magicians, Jugglers, Face Painters and Impersonators such as Marilyn, Sean Connery, Bob Hope, Kenny Rogers, and more! All agent free, and I receive no compensation from them. Entertainers helping Entertainers...and YOU save money!
You can see the impersonators photos on the website. How could I go on and on about how good they are and not have their photos shown?

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. HOW DO I ORDER A SINGING TELEGRAM?

It's not complicated, but it would be more personal if you gave me a call. Each telegram is unique, and there are many answers. It depends on who it is for, where it is going to be held, and the character you choose. Do not make the price the bottom line , although I do have the lowest prices.