Thane Dunn brings his Elvis ‘68 Comeback Christmas Tour to the province, but this time with a twist that isn’t in the pelvis region, sharing instead a very personal, near tragic experience

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Thane Dunn loves this province of ours, but more than that, he treasures the people in it. “You’ve all embraced us like family, and we never forget that kindness,” he begins sincerely.

Cross-Island tour

Dunn proves his dedication to fans of his Elvis tribute show by not only making a stop in St. John’s this November, but by offering performances in Stephenville, Corner Brook, Gander and Grand Falls as well.

“Being there for every Elvis fan is important, and making sure as many people as possible have an opportunity to celebrate his music is also important. I love the Newfoundland people, and I can’t wait to come back and bring the family,” he shares.

The feedback leading up to his tour dates has been “phenomenal,” he offers.

“It’s almost like I am dreaming. We hear everybody really loved the show the last time we were there. The comments were like, ‘I felt like I just watched Elvis.’ So, I think that we made a lot of people happy and we want to do the same again.”

Every time Dunn comes to Newfoundland he brings a different show, and this time will be special.

“People have a real love of what Elvis did in 1968 when he did the comeback special on NBC. We are planning a Christmas special around that event. So what we’ve done is this; I’ve worked my rear end off and I’m about 25 pounds lighter than I was the last time I was there and I’m representing the best Elvis and we’re starting the tour off in Newfoundland.”

Dunn says he will be singing a “little bit of everything,”  from Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree to a remarkable duet he performs with his wife, the talented Melanie Dunn. “It’s our version of the Ann-Margret and Elvis Presley song, The Lady Loves Me, and I think everyone, the entire family, will love it.”

Tragedy into triumph

Speaking of family, the Dunn family went through an ordeal this past June. “On the 21st of June, we were struck. My wife and I and our boy Charlie were in a motor vehicle accident that we didn’t cause.”

The trio were hit by an elderly man who was texting while driving.

“It’s been a hard thing in our family. Charlie, who just turned four, was fine, but now Melanie’s neck got hurt and she hasn’t been the same. I haven’t been the same. I have a hard time driving. It’s been hard, to be honest.”

With a will to turn tragedy into triumph, the Dunn’s have a message; don’t text and drive. They have filmed a very realistic Public Service Announcement that is pretty much a reenactment of what happened, with some tragic possible outcomes included for impact.

“It has to hit home what could happen. Texting is not worth it. It seems to be something that almost everyone does without a second thought. We wanted to provide that sobering moment of pause and clarity. It has to stop. Young and old are doing it, and it’s dangerous.”

The outcome can, literally, be deadly, he adds somberly. “My little boy could have been dealing with a dad forever in a wheelchair, or worse, my family could have buried me.”

“I want to help’

With keeping things positive in mind, Dunn is making sure he loves and lives every possible moment, and that his fans get an opportunity to as well.

“We’re going to have some special things we do this show. All the tickets are VIP. We’re going to meet with everybody this time around. Everybody is going to get a photo opportunity. But at the same time, everybody is going to get a little diploma. I don’t know what the correct terminology is for it, but we’re going to get a pledge sheet that will say, I solemnly swear that I will not text and drive.”

He’s also hoping to meet with some schools while in the province and do some public service work spreading his very personal and passionate ‘don’t text and drive’ message. “I want to help so that others don’t experience what we did.”

Dunn adds that he always felt there was a greater calling to his God-given talent of sharing Elvis and his music and talent with the world

“If I can combine what I do on the stage with spreading this very important message to everyone who is out on the road today, don’t text and drive, then my career has been worth it.”

For more visit thanedunn.net