An RAAF firefighter by day and an Elvis Tribute Artist (ETA) by night.
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That is the life Paul Findlayson leads - and he loves it.
Paul and his wife Karen from Sydney, have been married for 29 years and have three sons, aged 22, 21 and 19.
A few years ago Paul took Karen to a show featuring ETA’s Donny Edwards and Shawn Klush.
That night, their lives changed forever.
Paul was so taken by the performances and the outfits that he decided then and there he was going to become an Elvis Tribute Artist.
He started out practising with karaoke, and did a few shows at RAAF Christmas parties.
That was four years ago and he hasn’t looked back.
He is now known as ‘Paul as Elvis’.
On a seven month deployment in Dubai, Paul worked his day job and also performed in the evenings, entertaining his fellow troups at Elvis nights, karaoke and parties to help boost morale.
Karen manages a Woolworths petrol store in Glenmore Park.
She said for the last couple of years all Woolworths petrol stores have started getting involved in fundraising for charity.
“I get Paul to come down to the shop and he sets up in the driveway and performs, and we have a fundraiser,” Karen said.
“So far we have raised $8,500 for charities including Careflight, Royal Flying Doctors, Children’s Hospital, Beyond Blue and Sids for Kids.”
This is the second visit to Parkes for the Elvis Festival for the couple.
Paul did an impromptu performance in the Woolworths petrol shop driveway last year.
Karen’s area manager asked if he would perform again this year so they could hold a fundraiser, and Paul and Karen were more than happy to help.
From 9am to 10am tomorrow morning, Paul will be performing in a marquee in the carpark next to the driveway, complete with rock n roll dancers.
Driveway service will be offered, bacon and egg rolls cooked on the barbecue will be available, as well as a raffle for a ‘Paul as Elvis’ bear.
Karen said the Parkes Hospital will receive the funds raised.
“It’s great to be able to raise money and give back to the Parkes community, that’s what we are all about,” Karen said.
'Paul as Elvis' is performing at The Dock all weekend.
