Pint-sized Elvis fanatic Elijah Mannah, from Sydney, was an unknown seven-year-old this time last year.
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Now, he has a world wide fan base and has performed with both national and international Elvis Tribute Artists (ETA), appeared on national TV and in featured in major newspapers.
The Mannah family have returned to Parkes this year for their second Elvis Festival.
Elijah’s father, Simon, said his youngest son originally found out about the Parkes Elvis Festival on TV.
“He did his own research and told us all about it,” Simon said.
“Then he drove us nuts until we agreed to bring him last year!”
Simon remembered visiting Elvis Pizza Cabaret Restaurant owned by ETA Paul Fenech a few years prior so he gave Paul a call.
“Paul has been fantastic, inviting Elijah on stage with him a few times,” Simon said.
“He was very fortunate to perform at Paul’s Elvis and Priscilla show which featured Bill Cherry, an American ETA, and Priscilla Presley look alike, Kay Shannon.
“An audience member videoed the performance and put it on Elijah’s facebook page.
“It went viral. He received messages from people all over the world.”
At last year’s Parkes Elvis Festival Elijah was introduced to feature act Donny Edwards who invited him onto the stage with him at one of his shows.
Since then Donny has invited Elijah to Las Vegas to perform with him.
“We are planning to make the trip at the end of next year when our daughter Melissa finishes her HSC,” Simon said.
“Donny and his wife have posted a message on behalf of Elijah on the message wall at Gracelands.”
The family attended Viva Surfers Paradise in July where Elijah performed in the Cavill Street Mall.
He was noticed by American ETA Dean Zeligman (Dean Z).
“Dean called Elijah up on stage to perform That's Alright Mama with him during his concert,” Simon said.
“To Elijah’s delight, Dean took off his gold ring, which he has had since he was 14, and gave it to him.”
Elijah said he is excited to be back in Parkes.
“We are going to see a Pete Storm and Jake Rowley show,” he said.
Other than that he has no plans – but this tiny Elvis fan is likely to burst into a spontaneous performance whenever and wherever he feels like it.
Keep up to date with Elijah on his facebook page.
