Elvis impersonator surprises B.C. woman with song on 104th birthday
An Elvis tribute artist who stopped to get some pancakes on his way home from a gig ended up being an unexpected musical guest at a 104th birthday celebration in B.C. this weekend.
Jonathon Hicks is 23 but has been fascinated with the King since he was a child, when his mother began showing him old, black-and-white videos of the iconic performer. In the five years that he's been performing as a tribute artist he's appeared at seniors' homes, backyard barbecues and at the annual Penticton Elvis Festival – where he took home the top prize in 2019.
"It's been a really awesome way to give back to the people that love the music and spread joy around," he told CTV News.
But he says what happened on Sunday was among one of his most special performances to date. Just after being seated at a Langley IHOP – where he turned heads with his jet-black pompadour, sideburns, and red velvet shirt – he was approached by someone with a request he couldn’t turn down.
A centenarian named Joyce was celebrating her birthday at a nearby table, and her great-great-granddaughter's husband asked if Hicks would join the family and sing Happy Birthday.
"I went over. I played the role of Elvis and got into character and she was just in tune," Hicks says.
"She was just so happy, the daughter was just kind of in tears. It's those unexpected moments, you know, it's being in the right place at the right time – you can make someone's day."
Given the season, Hicks also treated Joyce to an encore – his rendition of Blue Christmas. The family offered to treat him to lunch, but he declined saying he wanted to give the songs to Joyce as a gift.
"It was really a special moment," Hicks recalls.
"I left the restaurant happy, knowing that I did something good."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Steve Buscemi punched in the face while walking in N.Y.C.
Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi has been treated for injuries after being punched in the face while walking in New York City.
'Be very, very careful': Wildfire conditions 'still extreme,' says Alberta fire chief
As wildfire conditions remain 'extreme' in northern Alberta, residents are being urged to be extra cautious and follow a fire ban.
Wildfire smoke drifts across Canada, over parts of U.S., prompting air quality advisories
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
Canucks' Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosscheck on Oilers' McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been given the highest possible fine under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
COMING UP @ 3:30 P.M. City of Ottawa negligent in allowing Uber to operate outside of taxi bylaw, judge rules
An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled that the City of Ottawa was negligent in its enforcement of the city's taxi bylaw when it allowed Uber to begin operating in 2014, harming the city's established taxi industry.
Jerry Seinfeld speech prompts pro-Palestinian demonstration at U.S. university graduation ceremony
A tiny contingent of Duke University graduates opposed pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld speaking at their commencement in North Carolina Sunday, with about 30 of the 7,000 students leaving their seats and chanting "free Palestine" amid a mix of boos and cheers.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.