Twelve years ago I produced a CD of original songs called Good Fair World. I then jumped in my car and drove to Texas with gigs along the way gave a number of small concerts to promote it.
Since my nephew was living in Memphis I next decided to head for Graceland and spent a few days there.
As an atheist and musician it felt strange to be at the grave of Elvis Presley pretending to ask for guidance. But I did.
Over the next few months my work included a comedy marathon in London England, a tavern in Berlin, and a piano bar in Rome. Clearly I was lost.
On the way back to Edmonton I stopped in to visit a friend in Regina. Ruth Smillie was artistic director of the Globe Theatre there. While waiting across the street in the mall for her to give me a tour, I high-fived this poster of a garish cartoon of Elvis hawking french fries no doubt without his knowledge. 10 minutes later Ruth asked me if I was interested in being musical director for a “juke box musical” with Elvis songs at a theatre in Prince George. It was called All Shook Up.
A few months later I was performing an extended run and receiving nightly standing ovations with an amazing cast and an incredible band. My life and my career has had many twists and turns both leading up to this and since. But that year I was at a major cross roads and blessed with some sort of help. I am still an atheist, but I have to say this: “LONG LIVE THE KING.”
Jan Randall 
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