GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - "We don’t care if there are no seats inside, we will bring our own chairs and sit outside as long as we get to see Elvis Blue," said enthusiastic Elvis Blue fans from Mossel Bay. Having a sold out show a week before the show, organizer, Melissa Hills quickly realized the demand to make more tickets available for the Baruch’s Evening Out with Elvis Blue show.

"Hours before the show we heard from Baruch’s landlord that there is a bigger venue was open that we can use, so we sent out sms’s to those on the waiting list and started working. It was a team effort to ensure that the new venue captured the same intimate atmosphere that the original venue, Baruchs Coffee Roastery has, because that is the essence of the Baruch’s Evening Out events."

Sweet melody to their ears
Elvis Blue and his two band members, a double bassist and a percussionist took the full house audience on musical journey, singing some of his own stuff and covering some of his favourites. While shouts from the audience came, "we will defiantly vote for you Elvis," Elvis continued to inspire with his music.
Elvis comfortably interacted with his audience and humoured them while he explained why his real name, Jan can not work as a stage name and how he came up with the name, Elvis Blue.

"My wife works at a Hospice in one of the informal settlements around George. I would sometimes go and visit some patients, just sit and chat with them. Whilst doing this I met a young boy there named Elvis Blaauw," tells Elvis. "He had been infected with HIV since birth and like so many other kids in our country he had spent his whole life in hospital alone and without parents. Even though this kid had the worst circumstances imaginable he was an amazingly joyful person and I really enjoyed going to visit him. I would sometimes just take my guitar and jam a few tunes. He loved music and always told me how he wanted to be a keyboard player. I always thought "man; this kid has the coolest name to be a Muzo."
"My real name is Jan Hoogendyk, so I am naturally kind of jealous of people with names like Elvis’s. It was very sad day for us when Elvis passed away. When the opportunity came to do idols I knew I needed a name. Jan Hoogendyk is not quite a name that you would associate with an English pop artist. I immediately thought of my friend Elvis with the big dreams. Hence the name Elvis Blue."

Elvis Blue has over night become the talk of the town and the guy to follow on the on the current singing competition reality program Idols. By the end of the evening Elvis gladly smiled for photos with fans, while enjoying a cup of what he calms to be of the best coffee he has ever had, Baruch’s coffee.

Photos: Melissa Hills, Mossel Bay Advertiser, sister newspaper of the George Herald.


Elvis Blue playing along with his band at Baruchs Evening Out.


Mossel Bay fans who ensured Elvis they will vote for him with the Idols Competition.