|
|
 |
Simply
the Best...
Tina
Turner Tribute... Live!
Hollie Vest... Almost Tina Turner
Recreating
The Look... The Moves...
The Sounds... The Excitement... of Today's Tina Turner!
Letters
of Appreciation, Accolades, and Press Reviews
"She Looked Like Tina Turner. She Strutted Like Tina Turner.
She Sang Like Tina Turner."
2006 North Shore YMCA Fund Raiser Media Articles
Over Tina Turner Impersonator - Hollie Vest!
?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Some Fooled By Tina Turner Look-alike at Y Benefit
By Susan Flynn , Staff writer
Salem News - Published: November 21, 2006
She looked like Tina Turner. She strutted like Tina Turner. She sang like Tina Turner.
But yesterday YMCA officials were contacting people who bid hundreds of dollars to dance with the leggy legend at a benefit Saturday night to reveal that the woman with the raspy voice and wild hair who made a surprise appearance was not the real deal.
Close to 600 people turned out for the $125-a-ticket fundraiser at the Sheraton Ferncroft Resort in Danvers for the YMCA of the North Shore, and many left under the impression that the touted mystery "special guest" was, in fact, Tina Turner.
At no point in the night did the organizers announce to the crowd otherwise.
"I've had nothing but positive feedback, and we're thrilled with how it went," Meany said. "If in any way we misled people, I apologize."
All night long, guests at the YMCA benefit were buzzing about the "special guest" who was expected to show up around 8:15 p.m. One Y staffer said giddily that "he" was already upstairs at the Ferncroft. A hotel employee said he was told to expect this special guest to arrive with bodyguards.
A little before 8:30 p.m., event co-chairman Jon Gray announced that they wanted to "crank it up a notch on the North Shore" and introduced "a new friend" of the YMCA.
Then the Tina Turner look-alike, wearing black leather and spiked heels, entered through a side door. The crowd, not sure she was the real thing, was quiet at first, but eventually many rose to their feet. Cell phone cameras came out. Screams did, too. People stood up and danced and clamored to shake hands.
Partygoer Tyler DeScenza of DeScenza Diamonds got the chance to dance, thanks to a bid someone else made, and was convinced the Tina Turner on the dance floor was the real thing. Yesterday, he said he was surprised, but not bothered, to learn it was not.
"I had fun, what the heck," he said. "I would have liked to think it was her, but everyone was doing it for a good cause."
Like most people, Jack Good, a member of the Y board, said he didn't know it wasn't Tina Turner until yesterday when someone at work broke the news. He laughed about it. He thinks people came to the event to give, and he doesn't think the fact that the singer was an impersonator would affect how much they spent.
"I'll tell you," he said, "I told a couple of people we saw (over the weekend) that I saw Tina Turner."
YMCA board member Bill Wasserman said he thinks the event organizers pulled off a "great coup" and a "wonderful hoax."
"What kind of jackass would think Tina Turner is coming to a YMCA function?" asked the Ipswich resident. "I think it's great if we were hoodwinked. It was a joke. How could you not be tickled by that?"
|
What's Tina Got To Do With It?
Impersonator Fooled, Wowed Fans in Danvers
By Raja Mishra, Globe Staff | November 22, 2006
They didn't say it was Tina Turner. But they didn't say it wasn't.
The theme of the night was "Casino Royale," same as the new James Bond movie. "Turner" sang the theme song to an earlier 007 film, "Golden Eye," and thus the impersonator, said YMCA officials.
Attendees at a YMCA fund-raiser at a Danvers hotel Saturday were dumbfounded when the "special guest" pranced on stage, dressed in slinky black and heels. What was the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll doing here? At a benefit for the Y? In Danvers?!
Within minutes, cameras began flashing, and old men danced like young boys as the singer belted out "Proud Mary." Many attendees bragged all weekend that they had partied with the international superstar.
Until word got out that Tina was actually Hollie. As in Hollie Vest , a legend, though only in celebrity impersonation circles, for her Las Vegas-based Tina Turner act.
"It looked just like her, but I've never seen Tina Turner in person” said Tyler DeScenza, a guest at the fund-raiser who said he was thoroughly fooled, "I'd say 95 percent of the people there thought it was her. Everyone was saying, 'I can't believe she's here!' "
"She had the deep voice like Tina Turner, and looked and dressed like her," said Paul Gorman , chief development officer for the YMCA North Shore. "I thought that, you know, there are a lot of influential people on the North Shore who have contacts. So, you never know."
Bill Wasserman, a YMCA board member , said, "I'm 79 years old, and I didn't know if it was Tina Turner or not. But it sure seemed like it."
"Everyone had a good time," said DeScenza. "And Tina Turner wasn't the point. It was a fund-raiser."
At first, Tom Anderson of Rockport, a Turner fan who has seen her in concert, was a believer.
"It was a great event. Tina was the icing on the cake," said Anderson. " And if it wasn't her, hey, we had a great time anyway."
© Copyright 2006 Globe Newspaper Company.
|
Tina Turner Impersonator: 'Better Be Good' to Y
By Susan Flynn , Staff writer
Salem News - Published: November 22, 2006
Organizers of the YMCA benefit held at the Sheraton Ferncroft Resort in Danvers had hired Vest to entertain the 600 guests, seeking to add some flavor to the annual event. At first, some in the room were skeptical that she was authentic, but as the "special guest" sang and danced, more people became convinced they were witnessing the legend up close and personal.
"I'm complimented that I did my job well," she said. "I thought they pulled off a fabulous event." |
August 2005, Karia's Celebration Party.
She was absolutely spectacular, and truly made the party a much bigger success than I could have imagined. She was extremely personable, and put on a really memorable performance for the entire crowd of 65 people, but especially for my Mother-in-law. Her spirits were raised so high, we just now finished with the clean-up, the last guest left around 10:00, and we just got Mom to bed. It’s about 4 hours past her usual bedtime, but her adrenaline was flowing strong!
Thanks again for making the arrangements on such short notice, and providing outstanding talent!
I’d be happy to be a reference for Hollie anytime!
Warm regards,
Ron Bruder, and my entire family.
|
2005 Nace Black & White Ball
2004 National
PETCO Convention Rocks 2
August 8,10
& 11, 2004
2004 National
Coldwell Bankers Team Awards
March 30, 2004
2004 National
Coldwell Bankers Team Awards
March 30, 2004
Julia Jump March 26, 2004
Julia Jump
March 26, 2004
2004 National
T-Mobil Customer Service Awards
January 22, 2004
Super
Dome November 2, 2002
New Orleans, Louisiana
Entergy Company Picnic (12,000 Attendees)
You
are fabulous! Thank you for bringing your "Tina"
act to our National Apartment Association Opening Party
last week in Las Vegas. You are not only a dead ringer
for Tina and Incredibly talented, but you are also a joy
to be around. I appreciate your willingness to extend
your performance that night.
There
were over 1800 people at Club Utopia that night and compliments
about you were flowing more freely than beer. Everyone
loved you and most thought you were the real Tina.
The
party was an incredible success and please know how appreciative
I am to you for the sensational performance. It was a
showstopper.
Robert
Johnston Chairman - National Apartment Association |
Hollie
Vest's dynamic performance at the Woodward Dream Cruise,
Revvin' with Ford, was a huge success. Last year's event
attracted over a half million people. You could always
tell where Hollie was performing - the crows were stupendous.
Hollie's
transformation from Tina Turner to Peggy Lee was unbelievable.
One of the hotel staff members waited outside of her
room to verify it was really Hollie and not someone
else.
This
year, Revvin' with Ford is anticipation 1.5 million
people. Ford Motor Company is looking forward to Hollie
returning for another convincing, captivating performance.
Diane
Martin - Ford Motor Company
May 7, 2001 |
Dear
Hollie,
Please
accept this Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of
the Tuskegee
Airmen and myself for being a part of and participating
in the Historic
Uniting of the Tuskegee Airmen and the 15th Air Force
Heavy Bomber Crews
during Veterans Homecoming 2001.
I
can't thank you enough for the Love and Appreciation
you have shown the
Tuskegee Airmen in honoring them and making them welcome
to Branson in such an extraordinary way.
You
are the true "Tina Turner" and every one is
still talking about you and
hoping you can come back again next year.
Look
forward to seeing you again.
Sincerely,
Trish Thompson - Event Coordinator for the "Tuskegee
Airmen"
Visit http://www.tuskgeeairmen.org |
(Click to Enlarge)
| TINA
x TWO
"Beyond
Belief" |
 |
"There
have been two Tina Turners at Sun City, South Africa this week
... the one that looks and sounds like the real one, and the really
real one.
As the really
real one rehearsed for the launch of her world tour in Johannesburg
next month, the look alike -- real name , Hollie Vest -- was busy
with her own show, Beyond Belief, which opened at the Sun City
Theater on Thursday.
Hollie is
one of the 30-strong cast of a spectacular that features illusion,
magic, dance, comedy -- and impersonation, ... Hollie is said
to resemble the superstar so closely that managers at the resort
were thrown into confusion when they first spotted her. Until
they discovered the truth, they assumed that the genuine Tina
Turner had arrived a day before she was expected."
Adrian
Montenth - The Star
Johannesburg, South Africa
Seeing
Double
First Tina Turner arrived in this country for a series of concerts
and Jo-burg theater-goers were in the strange position of being
able to see the Private Dancer in the Flesh or Hollie Vest impersonating
her with great aplomb at Sun City.
Janine
Walker - The Star
Johannesburg, South Africa
VegasBeat
While the
Oscar dress rehearsals were going on late last week in Los Angeles,
around at the corner at the Henry Fonda Theatre more than 100
celebrity impersonators gathered for the Reel Awards.
It is an elaborate
stage and awards show that benefits children's charities.
Most of the
best acts were by performers originating in Las Vegas, including
Hollie Vest (Tina Turner), Michael Colby (Ricky Martin), and Brendan
Paul(Elvis).
The Outstanding
2002 Contemporary Stage Performer nod went to Jay White, who stars
in a Neil Diamond Tribute show at the Riviera.
Some of the
real-life stars who turned out at the event included Debbie Reynolds,
Monty Hall and Lainie Kazan.
Timothy
McDarrah
March 25,2003 |
"Rollin'
on the River...Faux Tina finds her calling on Prytania"
Hollie
vest, famed Tina Turner impersonator and entertainer, relocated
from Las Vegas to New Orleans recently to add B&B operator
and historic mansion preservationist to her fascinating resume.
Life has gone swimmingly ever since.
One
of my favorite topics of discussion is the Muse at work in New
Orleans, that intangible and indefinable allure this city holds
for entertainers, and creative people generally.
I
love the stories of New England bankers who chuck it all to come
here and open an art gallery (Jonathan Ferrara), or former sitcom
stars who ditch Beverly Hills to open curio shops in the French
Quarter (Harry Anderson), or rock stars who come to soak in the
hot, mystical vibe and create new sounds and stories ( a list
to long to mention).
Add
presently to this roster the name of Hollie Vest, who offers a
most engaging spin to this formula. Vest is a Tina Turner impersonator
from Las Vegas, who has moved to New Orleans to open a Garden
District bed and breakfast.
Now,
before we begin this curious story, keep in mind two things. First:
Vest is no ordinary impersonator, some kind of celebrity-wannabe
chasing some kind of bizarre and utterly unrealistic dream. The
fact is, for the past 17 years, she has collected a steady and
handsome paycheck playing Tina Turner on cruise ships, in casinos
and and at conventions around the world.
Good
work if you can get it. (And, to answer the obvious question that
springs to mind here: Yes, she's got legs.)
Second:
As you might expect from someone who wears a costume every day,
whose life is filled with Vegas spotlights and pop star illusion,
the Magnolia Mansion features a series of bedrooms adorned with
such lavish Victorian decor and fantasy as to border on the outrageous.
That's the long description. The short one is this: It's really
cool.
The
Times Picayune -Chris Rose 2002
New Orleans, Louisiana
'TINA
TURNER', others wow them at HOLLYWOOD
Tina turner
Superstar had the four men in the palm of her hand on stage Tuesday
night at Hollywood Casino & Hotel Celebrity Lounge. Turner
Played by Hollie Vest, was one of four performers starting a new
rendition of 'SuperStars Live'. It has been a hot hit with sellout
performances, said Hollywood General Manager Gary Gregg, who was
watching the show.
Margaret
Martin - Shreveport Times 2002
Shreveport, Louisiana |
Hollie
Vest as Tina Turner |
Vegas
Beat- Reel Awards
While the
Oscar Dress Rehearsals were going on late week in Los Angeles,
around at the corner at the Henry Ford Theatre more than 100 celebrity
impersonators gathered for the Reel Awards.
It is an elaborate
stage and awards show that benefits children's charities.
Most
of the best acts were by performers originating in Las Vegas,
including Hollie Vest (Tina Turner), Michael Colby (Ricky Martin),
and Brendan Paul (Elvis).
Las
Vegas Sun "Vegas Beat"
Timothy McDarrah 2003
Las Vegas, Nevada |
Hot
Scoop!
"You
have heard about small town rumors. On Saturday evening I received
a "hot scoop" from my good friend, Pat Ferguson.
We joined
about 100 other locals who decided that it was a nice evening
from a stroll around Beggs Point. We paused to the music provided
for a lavish (by Essex standards) party being held at the Cabins
by the Lake. And we were not disappointed when a long white limo
pulled up and out bounced Tina Turner! She entertained those assembled
(invited or not invited) for over a half hour from the end of
McKenna's dock. It was quite an evening, by Essex standards! She
was cheered on her way back to the limo, shared a warm handshake
with Margaret Klink, and received a large bouquet of black-eyed
Susans from Laura Sells Doyle before driving off into the night.
And to think that there are those who say we live in the fly-infested
back woods."
(At press
time, it was learned that it was a Tina Turner impersonator, and
a darned good one.)
Dianne
Lansing , Valley News
Essex, New York
Critic's
Choice
"Top
singers are in town this weekend and you'll never get a better
choice than this. Hollie Vest will be at the top Hop in
Fountain Valley on Saturday night with her 'Tribute to Tina Turner'
Show. Normally, we're not real fond of impersonator shows, but
Vest is worth seeing."
Barry
Koltnow, Register
Orange County, California
ALL
LEGS
" An
impressive convincing Tina Turner takes to the stage, all legs
and troll-spiked hair, belting out 'What's Love Got to Do With
It' with that nasally attitude of a voice."
Pasadena
Weekly, California
Explosive
"Hollie
Vest, as Tina Turner, returns. And if you think angela Basset
is explosive as Tina in the movie 'What's Love Got To Do With
it', wait 'til you see this gal!"
Pasadena
Weekly, California
|
| The
Real Thing "Things
get pretty hairy on stage for Tina Turner impersonator Hollie
Vest ... As Tina Turner. Hollie Vest approximates the moves and
speaking voice of the real thing with aplomb.
The
Edmonton Journal, Canada |
Private
Dancer
"If you
like the wonderful & exciting Tina Turner you'll love the
HOLLIE VEST takeoff on this famous entertainer. Hollie
has performed at Caesars Tahoe and the Playboy Club in Los Angeles.
This special Tina Tribute performance is ... "Highly recommended."
TV
Facts, California |
| A
Turn on Tina
It may look
and sound an awful like Tina Turner, bur it's all part of the
versatile and highly entertaining show put on by Hollie Vest ...
Her authentic and energetic Tina Turner imitation is one of the
highlights of her performances."
Mountain
News & Mountaineer, California |
She's
Tina
"She's
TINA! And I Should know, I sat behind those legs for a year and
a half!"
Gene
Dozier, Piano Player
for Tina Turner, 1966-1967 |
Fake
Legends Make a Fun Evening
"somewhere,
probably just outside Las Vegas, there has to be this vast tent
city. It's inhabited by strange young men in sideburns who mumble,
"Thank you very much," kids in horn-rimmed glasses who
hum "Peggy Sue" and ladies with big hair singing 'Crazy'.
There are
ersatz Sinatras, model Madonnas and cloned Marilyns. And they
all fan out across the country to feed what seems to be an insatiable
desire to watch counterfeit performers ape the great talents of
our time.
When these
melancholy imitations are bad it can be excruciating. But when
they are good ... they ride a wash of nostalgia to bring an evening
of fire entertainment.
Hollie
Vest hails from Las Vegas (see I told you.) Vest has the stage
persona of Tina Turner down so well that I suspect they must have
been separated at birth."
The
Edmonton Sun, Canada
|
Show
Stopping Impersonation
"She
does a show stopping impersonation of Tina Turner. 'I admire
Tina tremendously ... but my Tina is a tribute. I want to be
me, Hollie Vest ... and then have a Tina Turner kind of career!"
Dirt
Alert Entertainment News
Las Vegas, Nevada
Non-Stop
Action
"Topping
off the evening was hollie vest as Tina Turner, who gives the
most exciting, high energy performance by far. She's non-stop
action from her opening number 'Disco Inferno' to the last song
"Simply the Best'.
Vest certainly
has the look and moves of Tina. Vest also catches the attention
of the audience with her charm and humor.
The
Edmonton Examiner, Canada
|
|
Hollie
Vest as Tina Turner
HOLLIE
VEST: A 'Celebrity' On The Go...
Just
back from Cannes, celebrity impersonator Hollie Vest called to
tell us about some of her recent adventures,.
Hollie,
as Tina Turner, and Gene Greytak, as Pope John Paul II, were in
Chicago at Book Expo America 2001 in early June to represent the
book "Made You Look," which was named a finalist in the Career
category of Foreword Magazine's Book of the Year competition.
A
month earlier, Hollie was in Barbados to perform as Tina Turner
& Carmen Miranda at Variety International Children's Charity,
the largest of its kind in the world. Monty Hall was the MC and
prolific entertainer Harry Belafonte was honored with the Humanitarian
Award. The 75th annual event will be held next year here in Las
Vegas and will be coordinated by Rob T. Allen of A & D Productions.
CALL
BACK....VOL.25 # 01 |
Vest
Rocks
"Hollie
Vest Rocks with excitement. Her Performances have been overwhelming
with audience approval. Vest is a professional entertainer; she
is vivacious, charismatic and multitalented
"Hollie
Vest ... one of the best."
Players
Panorama |
| Earned
Raves
"Hollywood
Casino's new 'Hollywood Superstars' revue was left Tina Turner-less
last week when the impersonator abruptly decamped ... Actress
Hollie Vest flew in from Vegas, filled those high heels cold,
and earned raves.
Guess who
now has a full-time gig belting 'Proud Mary' in Aurora?"
dacity,
The Herald News, Illinois |
|
Proud
Mary
"Then
came the intro to 'Proud Mary' and Tina Turner appeared (alias
Hollie Vest), shaking her stuff. The energy in this woman could
power downtown Las Vegas on a Saturday night. Her facial expressions,
body movements and dynamic voice would fool and impress any
Tina Turner fan ... She finishes her performance with more movement
than a 9.5 California earthquake. Being impressed beyond my
wildest dreams, and thinking 'this must be the finale' ..."
Georgina
Kezia, Singles Register
|
|
