C.J. Morgan Wins Award in Las Vegas
Feb. 23, 2017 - C.J. Morgan was presented a REEL Award for her portrayal of country music icon Dolly Parton. The prestigious award is voted on by peers and given in conjunction with the Celebrity Impersonator Convention (CIC) held each year in Las Vegas.
In our celebrity-obsessed culture, professional impersonators, tribute artists and lookalikes - often acting as decoys for the real thing – have become a highly specialized subset of show business. Although photo and body doubles have long been a staple in films, today’s tribute artists and bands have a unique niche in the industry as the top tier of bona-fide stars becomes more elusive and scarce. Impersonators are available for shows, meet & greets, emcee duties, commercials, print work and more. It is the often the impersonator or tribute artist who works hardest to share and keep the music and memories alive, sometimes long after the original is gone or retired.
She started out her musical career playing keyboards in a band with her brother and currently lives in Pigeon Forge, TN. Her father is originally from East Tennessee and she says she drew inspiration from his background and family which was similar to Ms. Parton’s. In fact, she grew up with much of the same old country gospel that the Parton family sang in churches.
Ms. Morgan impersonates more characters but finds that Dolly is the easiest for her. Others, such as Barbara Eden and Joan Rivers are not as much in demand. “Dolly is an international superstar, well-known and loved throughout the world for her music, movies and humanitarian efforts. " Indeed, when recent wildfires devastated parts of Gatlinburg, Tennessee and surrounding areas, Ms. Parton stepped up to the plate directing part of her non-profit Dollywood Foundation toward helping those who lost their homes.
These days, C.J. prefers to do charity functions, children's events and hospital visits, sharing Dolly Parton's cheery optimism with those who most need it.
"I'm proud to portray someone like Dolly," C.J. adds. "It's also very easy for me to play her. I think we have the same sense of humor and at least some of the same values." Her husband, Jack Bullard, who works internationally as a double for film star Jack Nicholson (See www.jacknicholsonimpersonator.com) says "they both share a spontaneous, bubbly, down-to-earth personality as well as physical features." He adds that she has "turned a lot of people on to Dolly's music, including me!"
C.J. and Jack have put together a motivational speaking presentation that they now offer throughout the country about what it's like to be a celebrity impersonator. (See www.jacklovesdolly.com)
For more information call 615-289-4815.
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