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Fan of the Month! |
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For the record, what is your name?
Sandra Lynn Waters
Where were you born, and where did you grow up?
Born and raised in Clinton, Iowa. Clinton is in Eastern Iowa right on the Mississippi River. It isn't the most exciting place, but it was OK growing up there. It is about 45 miles north of where I live now (Davenport, IA).
What were your main interests, entertainment and otherwise, growing up? Any obsessions you don’t mind people knowing about?
As a young girl I was obsessed with horses and was lucky enough to have one of my own. When I hit the teenage years, I started to get interested in music. My big obsession was The Bay City Rollers. I saw them in concert when I was 12 and was hooked on music from then on. In the early '80s, I was obsessed with a band called, strangely enough, THE ELVIS BROTHERS. My husband's band opened for them once and I saw him and a short time later he was my obsession and has been ever since.
Tell us about your musical endeavors and any musical instruments you play…
I played saxophone in Junior High. I wanted to play drums, but the band instructor talked me into the sax. I wasn't very good! Needless to say, I didn't continue. I also wanted to try guitar, but could never get the hang of it. I guess I am not musically inclined. My husband plays guitar and sings in his own one man Rockabilly show. I am in charge of PA set up and fine tuning as well as being his guitar tech and changing strings when he breaks them. I am also his #1 fan and groupie!
What accomplishments are you most proud of at this point in your life?
I don't know if this counts as an accomplishment really, but I am very proud and happy to have found the perfect mate and to have been happily married to him for 15 years. I am also proud of the fact that I finished my first marathon on Oct 12, 2003. I was hoping to finish a little faster, but really I guess it is just an accomplishment to finish all in one piece. One more accomplishment that I am pretty proud of is passing the ACE Personal Trainer Exam last March.
What are your favorite movies?
“The Shawshank Redemption,” “Fight Club,” the “Austin Powers” movies, “Silence of the Lambs,” “Edward Scissorhands.” Really anything with Anthony Hopkins or Edward Norton. They are awesome actors! And that Johnny Depp is kinda cute too!
Do you have any favorite books?
I must say, I am not much of a reader. Usually I am too busy listening to Red Elvises and dancing around!!!
What music are you into, in addition to Red Elvises?
I really like a pretty wide range of music, from classical to alternative rock to rockabilly to punk. The only thing I don't like much is country. My favorites are Morrissey, BUSH, Offspring, Green Day, Rancid, No Doubt, Pink, John Mellenkamp, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran and Buddy Holly.
When, where, how, etc. did you first hear and experience Red Elvises?
We have a good friend who is always very thorough about researching and finding the perfect gift for any occasion. She knew that my husband is a rockabilly nut and in her research came across the Red Elvises CD "Better Than Sex". She got it for him a few years back for one occasion or another. We really liked it. We figured that since they were Russian and on an independent label we would never have an opportunity to see them live. The CD was often a staple for listening on long road trips. I got a phone call from this friend last April and she had seen in the newspaper that Red Elvises were going to be in Davenport. Well it turns out that the club they were going to be at was in a kind of questionable area and my husband had to work that night, so we didn't go. We opted instead to drive the next night to Iowa City, IA and see them at a club we had been to before. It was a small crowd (Tuesdays in IA are not real happening!), but we were floored. I came home very excited about what I had seen and talked one of my co-workers into driving to Des Moines to see them on the next Thursday (we both had Friday off because of Good Friday). This show was even better (Thursdays are a little more happening in IA, especially when Friday is a holiday) I was even more even more excited after this trip and then I told my hubby about it. I told him that they were playing Kansas City, Missouri on Saturday and asked if we could go. I fully expected him to say that it was too far and blah,blah,blah, but instead he said "Sure, lets go!" The KC show was great and there were lots of RE fans who have followed them for years in attendance. It blew our mind and the rest is history!
About how many times have you seen them?
9 times since April 15, 2003
What is it about Red Elvises that draws you to them, that you like the most?
I think it is because they are so much fun and energetic and I can't stand still when I listen to them. They have a style all their own and it is crazy. I love to dance and RE are perfect to dance to!
What’s the furthest you’ve traveled to see them? And do you have a good story around that?
So far, I guess that Memphis, TN is the farthest we've gone. We decided to go down to the Memphis in May Festival & BBQ contest. We went just to see them. I called ahead of time and asked the promoter if this was a "rain or shine" deal. I didn't want to drive all that way (9 hours) just to have the show cancelled due to weather. They said it was on "rain or shine". The first night the weather was hot, but not too bad. The second night there was a big storm brewing and the sky was very dark and the wind was blowing hard. There weren't many people around and the stage lights were being blown around mercilessly. They had to cover all of the equipment on stage so it wouldn't get wet. It wasn't looking good, but I was there to see a show!!! My husband and I were standing out where the audience should be...yep just us! Most people had more sense than to even come out, but I stood out there with my little umbrella being whipped around. My husband wanted to make a run for the car, but I stayed planted right out front. Finally Oleg came out to us and asked us if we wanted to come up on the stage for a tour. Well, of course we did! We all chatted a bit and then the storm subsided enough to let the band go on. It was another great show, of course. When we got back to our hotel, there were tornado warnings. The tornado was headed for the river front area where we had just been and traveling in all directions. We ended up staying up with several other guests watching the weather situation on the lobby TV's and preparing to take cover if necessary. It was scary, but well worth it because we got to see two more RE shows.
Which show is your favorite out of all the Red Elvises shows you've seen?
Our first Kansas City show was tops and Berwyn, Illinois on Oct 3, 2003 was right up there.
Any other standout, all time great memories of shows you've seen so far?
I really enjoyed Berwyn because we got to help sell merchandise and we got to visit with the guys more than ever before. They are all so nice and friendly. We did the merchandise thing in Madison too and got all of their stuff organized. Boy what a mess it was!!! We got to sit down and visit with Igor for a long time before the show in Madison.
What are your favorite Red Elvises songs?
Do I have to pick???
Ok...here goes...in no particular order...
“Hanky Panky Kind of Love”
“Telephone Call from Istanbul”
“Juliet”
“Natasha Loves Reggae”
The whole “Belly Dance” CD
“A Kegga Beer and Potato Chips”
“Gypsy Heart”
“Harriet”
What would you like to see them do in the future? Any ideas? Anything you’d like to say to the band?
I would love for them to play in my area again. I would do everything in my power to start an RE army of fans to attend these gigs. also...get a new poster!!!! The posters with Z need to go.
I think that Red Elvises should do more movies. I am thinking that they would be great in a new "Austin Powers" movie. Since Austin always has to save the day and be the good guy, Red Elvises would have to be on Dr. Evil's side. They could do the soundtrack and use the band as their cover for whatever evil doings go on...something to think about Mike Myers!!!
I would also like for Red Elvises to play for my 40th birthday party next June 12th. I have talked to Igor, but so far it isn't in my budget. I have resigned myself to going whereever they are and having my party there. All RE fans are invited!!!
Lastly, I would love to be able to observe RE in a recording session for their new CD. My husband and friends agree that I would need to be in a straight jacket, gagged and tied to a chair to keep me from getting too excited at the whole experience! Even if I were bound and gagged I am sure that it would be an amazing time. Hey wait...maybe...filming of a video??? I am available anytime guys!!! Red Elvises - YOU ARE THE BEST!
Okay, last question… Do you have anything you’d especially like to say to all the fans?
Move to Iowa so that the Red Elvises will come play here more!!!