SCOTT CARTER | Elvis / Band Leader / “Elvis Through My Eyes” producer
Scott’s music education began 9 months before he was born listening to his dad sing from the womb. By 6 he was playing along with Dad and family on drums. Curiosity took him next to guitar, some piano and Bass.
As an adult he was exposed to a brief stint of Big Jim Sykes on satellite radio. It was that time that Scott truly realized the impact the music of Elvis had on his family’s music. Right out of High school Scott played Conrad Birdie at the Old Town Playhouse. His Elvis suit was so custom fit they figured no one else would ever wear it so sold it to Scott. That started it all off. Scott won a karaoke contest singing teddy bear then won his “soon to be” wife’s attention singing it at Karaoke.
Scott went on to embrace Elvis’ admiration for operatic Tenors and received a master’s in voice with a concentration on opera from Northwestern University in Evanston.
Today, Scott is delighted to surround himself with talented musicians who are also great people to use this Love for his Father, and for the music of Elvis. In the “Elvis Through My Eyes” musical review audiences will hear some of Elvis Presley’s greatest hits, as well as help raise awareness about food security affecting children in Northern Michigan.
M’LYNN HARTWELL | Audio Engineer / Video Tech
Each year my company Freshwater Events, LLC endeavors to give something back to my community; a community that I love! My passions in life are human rights, social justice, and advocating for the environment (our life support system). One of the greatest injustices in our great nation is the fact that some of our most vulnerable, our children, go to bed hungry or lack critical resources.
Knowing that children are suffering, when we actually have the opportunity to help, makes absolutely no sense to me. So this year, I’m teaming up with Scott Carter (Elvis and event co-producer) to bring his wonderful production of “Elvis Through My Eyes” to our community in the form of a fundraiser.
JEFF WINKLER (Lead Guitar)
When Elvis recorded his first hit, ‘That’s Alright Mama’ he played his guitar. The rest of the band consisted of a bass and Scotty More on lead guitar. Our very own Scotty More is Scott Carter’s longtime neighbor and friend Jeff Winkler.
Jeff started playing guitar when he was 11. His neighbors were the Carters so in his teens Jeff would play guitar at the Carter house with Ford (Scott’s dad), Scott, and Brian. Ford provided guidance on the guitar licks Jeff played. Jeff says “Playing guitar with Scott, and as a tribute to Ford, is an honor.” We say the honor is all ours.
Be sure to come here Jeff crank out licks from Scotty Moore all the way to James Burton with plenty of Jeff Winkler sprinkled in.
JOHN PAUL (Bass)
Drums are nice, but Add an amazing bass player and you have a great back line. Our Bassist is also one of the very best in Northern Michigan.
Meet John Paul. John is a local singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and full-time musician. He regularly performs around the area as one half of Rhett & John, solo, and as bassist for a number of local artists, including Drew Hale, Jack M. Senff, A.S. Lutes, East Bay Drive, the NMC Jazz Big Band, and numerous others. He is the father of two young boys who keep him busy when he’s not performing.
Like our Drummer Will Jurkiewicz, John was in the original Elvis Through My Eyes performance. He was our very first choice for this go round and we are super stoked that he said yes. Be sure to get tickets to see him as soon as seating is limited.
WILL JURKIEWICZ (Drums / Percussion)
Keeping the group in time on drums is the one and only Will. Will Jurkiewicz is a Traverse City-based teacher and drummer. He wants kids to have easy access to food and music fans to have easy access to Elvis.
Will was part of our original show and we are so pleased to have him back.
BOBBIE LANGE (Keyboard)
Bobbie is Music Director at Northport Covenant Church. A classically trained pianist and organist, with a Master’s Degree from University of Michigan, she enjoys playing a wide variety of music.
CHAR RYKSE (Vocal / Keyboard)
Mom, Nurse and Rock n’ Roller, Charlotte Rykse handles vocals and some keys to round out our background vocals.
She also crushes her part in a duet version of the 1968 Comeback special Hit ‘If I can Dream’.
JERRY LANGE (Vocal)
Jerry Lange is pastor at Northport Covenant Church. He enjoys writing and recording his original songs, and has sung bass in numerous barbershop and gospel quartets through the years.
NORM WHEELER (Trumpet)
We are delighted to add Norm to the downstairs gang. (It’s where we rehearse) Norm is a Retired Leelanau School Teacher, Beach Bard, Itinerant Trumpet player.
WALTER RATAJCZAK (Tenor Sax)
Walker is a graduate of St Francis High School where he played in Jazz band under the direction of our very own Will Jurkiewicz. He is in his second year at NMC where he has participated in the various bands available there. He plans to go to Grand valley in the fall. We are stoked to have him and he has been crucial to our success.
STEVEN WINKLER (Baritone Sax)
Steven is part of the amazing musical family the Winklers. He has been a member of many local pit orchestras as well as the NMC bands. We are stoked to have him in our Horn section this year.
JOE WINKLER (Trombone)
Joe is a Senior at St Francis high school and has been a multi year member of Mr Jurkiewicz’s Jazz band as well as the musical. Scott was most excited to be able to sing Little Joe Playing on the slide trombone in Jailhouse rock.
JUSTIN ROBB (Keyboards)
Justin is also a graduate of St Francis High School where he was the glue that helped make the Jazz band better according to Mr Jurkiewicz. He is in his second year at NMC and plans to go to Grand Valley in the fall. We are delighted to have him in the group.