Meet "Blelvis," A.K.A. Black Elvis. When speaking of my roots, I have to interject Elvis into my act, as he was from Mississippi with the heavy jazz and blues influence of New Orleans. When he first hit the airwaves people actually thought he was black, so how could I ignore him?

I don't do serious impressions, as I do not want to be known as an impersonator.  It's all in fun, as comedy is a huge part of my show no matter what I'm doing. People seem to get a real charge out of that crazy wig and my "Elvis Dance." The truth is...I love the music he did, and he certainly made his mark in our Rock & Roll and Rhythm & Blues music worlds. The only serious side to this impression is the tribute I try and pay to his incredible legacy.

Talk about a fun impression: EVERYone loves James Brown, the famous Godfather of Soul.

That man has some seriously charged energy, and trying to do justice to him takes a whole lot of voltage.

I have to say that he's one of my favorites to do, and the screaming of the audience tells me he's a favorite of everyone else's, too.

There's only one James Brown, so thanks JB for sharing your talent and giving me something else to do onstage.  But those JB signature splits

ARE KILLIN' ME, MAN!

Stevie is another beloved favorite and runs neck & neck to James Brown in requests.

LEFT: It was too funny to resist checkin' out a reaction I heard coming from my left.

This is a new production we've launched on a larger scale than what you see here; however, it's The Edwin Cook show and whatever artists I invite as my guests for any particular booking. This show is generating interest on concert stages and for showroom venues, and we expect it to do very well. Included in the show is "Edwin Cook & Friends, A COASTERS Tribute." Joining me with Otis & Bruce is Geno Williams (on the end in black), the synonymous bass voice of The Buck Ram Platters for 25+ years, on all their recordings during his tenure.

Don't forget to check out under the Press Release Page.    Brenda had a couple of press releases on this show. There's an article by Norm Johnson, my regular publicist, and Alan Mariochi, owner of The Laughlin Entertainer who's taken quite a liking to us.

BELOW: There's an interesting story behind this magazine cover.  Alan Mariochi, owner and senior editor of the Laughlin Entertainer, had previously written a story on me and my show and had written some grossly false information, of no fault of his own.  Brenda had just started managing me, and she wasn't a happy camper over this article, to say the very least.  People in charge of the show had "failed" to allow her to do her job, giving her approval and clearance on any/everything published on me...pictures, articles...whatever. The only thing correct in that first article was the fact I'm from New Orleans. NOTHING...and I do mean nothing...else was even remotely factual.

So Brenda contacted Alan through an e-mail, introduced herself, and politely presented the truth and asked what could be done to correct these mistakes.  He called her apologizing immediately after reading her e-mail, and the first words out of his mouth were,  "Wow...we really screwed up, didn't we?"  She, of course...and those of you who know her know she says it like it is...said very calmly, "Yes, you did."   To which Alan replied, "I guess I owe you."   She said, "Yes, you do."  She expressed to him that she knows the article can only be as good as the information provided, and obviously no one in charge of the concert informed him that I have a manager that requires written approval of copy before printing.   He then offered to rectify this situation by doing a feature article on me...a complete spread.   She wasn't totally satisfied with that deal and said, "I want the front cover."  He said, "OK...I believe we can work that out in a future issue."

The rest is history.  It was more than nine months after the release of the corrected full spread feature article, and Alan delivered that promise without ever having to be reminded.  He's been a great friend and promoter of my show.  I have to say that I've gotten more press over the years she's been managing me than in all of my previous years of show business put together. She knows how to work 'em! In a good way, of course, without compromise of professional or personal integrity.