Home / Events / Elvis Gospel Service

Elvis Gospel Service

Come and celebrate the gospel music beloved by Elvis on Sunday morning in the park.

The Elvis Gospel Service is a well-loved feature of the Festival program. The special interdenominational service pays tribute to Elvis’s first love, gospel music, and celebrates Elvis’s music through song and prayer.

Official proceedings will start at 9am and the service will conclude at 10.30am. Be sure to arrive early to secure a seat, or bring along your own chair to sit in the designated area. It is recommended you also bring along a hat, a water bottle and hand fan. Refreshments will be available from the nearby Festival Markets.

DOWNLOAD GOSPEL SERVICE PROGRAM HERE

The 2019 Elvis Gospel Service is proudly presented by Parkes Ministers’ Association.

ARTC Cooke Park Main Stage

Sunday, 13th Jan 09:00am (1 Hour and 30 minutes)

FREE EVENT

Francine Bell

Renowned gospel singer and award-winning artist. A star of stage, film and television, Francine's powerful voice will touch your heart.

Mark Andrew

Mark Andrew Tabone was born in Melbourne in 1966 and spent most of his childhood in Europe. It was there his interest in performing arts developed from an early age, acting, singing and playing character roles to large audiences. On his return to Australia in 1983, he appeared on the nine networks talent show “New Faces” which opened a lot of doors. In 1992 he formed a Rock n’ Roll band “Blue Suede Dudes”, playing many Melbourne venues and also supporting Chubby Checker on his Australian Tour. In 1995 he featured as Buddy Holly in a Legends Revival Concert at Dallas Brooks Hall. He then created his own corporate “Dead- Set Legends” show performing as Buddy Holly, John Lennon, Jim Morrison and Elvis. “Elvis Leaves His Mark” was launched in 1998 and is now one of the best Tribute shows worldwide with Mark finishing in the top 5 in the world in Memphis in 2002. In Recent times Mark was invited to perform his Elvis Tribute for Joe Esposito, Elvis’ own Road manager and best Man at his wedding, Joe’s comments were “Mark You did an absolute fantastic tribute to Elvis and it brought back so many memories, You sang from the heart just like Elvis did” Mark, a trained actor has an incredible versatile talent to capture each character and later added Austin Powers, Dean Martin & Tom Jones to his Legend show and also makes a true to life Danny Zuco, performing in his own Grease Tribute show. In recent years, Mark has been invited 4 years in a row to headline “The Parkes Elvis Festival” performing various versions of his “Elvis Leaves His Mark” show, with this year having sold out 4 consecutive shows with standing ovations.

The Fourcasters

Dynamic local band The Fourcasters will once again be ruling the ARTC Cooke Park Main Stage accompanying all your favourite artists live.

Dean Vegas

Dean is a renowned entertainer who has toured the world performing in Dubai, China, Ecuador, Bali, Sweden, Indonesia, Lebanon, Canada, Memphis, London, Las Vegas, New Zealand, Norfolk Island and in clubs and Casinos across Australia. He sang his first rendition of an Elvis song at his school play ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ he sang ‘Rubberneckin’ which he has since added to his repertoire of Elvis songs. Dean travels the world wowing audiences with his ‘Tribute to Elvis’ spectacular. Throughout this energised Vegas style show, audiences not only share the hits from Elvis’ amazing career, but experience the passion and warming personality of a truly great performer. Dean’s shows offer a dynamic and powerful performance that will leave you breathless and wanting more.

Anthony Petrucci

Anthony has been inspired by Elvis since childhood and made his national television debut as his idol on the Nine Network's Star Struck in 2005. Winning that competition saw him go on to perform a the Legends in Concert Show at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas. Since then, Petrucci has been cast as Elvis in the Class of ‘59 stage show, Happy Days theatre production and also performed on Sony Music’s “Elvis by Request” album and tour. Late this year, Anthony decided to put on his own show backed by a full band. Showcasing all Elvis’s hits from the awesome Sun Sessions in 1955 through to his well-known songs, including Jailhouse Rock, Teddy Bear, Hound Dog and Follow that Dream.

Ted Torres Martin

US Elvis Tribute Artist Ted Torres Martin has been announced as the 2019 Feature Artist for the 27th annual Parkes Elvis Festival to be held 9-13 January 2019. Hailing from Orlando, Florida, Ted is a multi-talented actor/singer/songwriter/musician that is sure to bring back all the memories of the King. His goal is to always deliver to the fans through all his body of work, to keep doing what he loves and hopefully make new fans along the way.

Terence Koo

Terence Koo is an Australian jazz pianist, composer, lecturer, teacher and recording artist. Born in Singapore, Terence holds a Master of Arts (Music), a Bachelor of Music, First Class Honours, the University Medal, an A.MUS.A. and a number of University scholarships and prizes. In 2017, Terence was awarded the University of Newcastle Faculty of Education and Arts Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Contribution to Student Learning. Terence grew up in Tamworth, regional New South Wales, where he completed all his classical piano grades, and gained his Associate of Music (A.Mus.A.) aged fifteen. He came sixth in the state for music in his Higher School Certificate, and worked as a computer technician before moving to Newcastle to study music at the University Conservatorium. Terence studied under Carmel Lutton (OAM), and after completing his classical training, chose to specialise in jazz and contemporary music, genres about which he feels most passionate. Terence has been the musical director for numerous bands and projects, performing around the country for guests including the Prime Minister. He has released three feature albums (Pieces of Rain, Lunacity, and disCOVERies), and been a session musician on many others. In early 2014, he played on the album Amazing by Marcia Hines, and has appeared in a music video featuring Marcia Hines and Russell Crowe. Stylistically, Terence’s piano style has been described as smooth and elegant, passionate but subtle, continually striving for atmospheric colours, combining sensual harmonies with exciting swing grooves. Recently, Terence’s wicked sense of humour has seeped into his playing, making for some frivolous and highly entertaining performances.