The Tribute Show
The TRIBUTE Show™ is an Australian TV show that was created in 2011 and is locally produced on community television. It was originally scheduled for C31 Melbourne.[1] But in early 2012 decided to move to the Foxtel, Austar and Optus Cable & Satellite Networks. It screened on the Aurora Community Channel,[2] which is viewed on channel 183 on Australian cable service Foxtel. In 2013 the show decided to try a different direction and move to all free to air[3] stations across Australia.
 | |
| Country | Australia |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Australia |
| Network | FOXTEL - Aurora 183 (Australia) |
| Slogan | You won't believe your eyes! |
| Headquarters | Melbourne |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | 576i (SDTV 16:9) |
| History | |
| Launched | 1 April 2012 |
| Links | |
| Website | http://www.thetributeshow.com.au |
| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| Foxtel (Australia) | Aurora - Channel 183 |
| Channel 31 (Australia) | DIGITAL 44 |
| West TV | DIGITAL 44 |
| 31 Digital | DIGITAL 44 |
| Television Sydney | DIGITAL 44 |
In 2013, 3 Dot Magazine[4] contacted Producer Jon Powers about the show and thus conducted an interview which was featured in their magazine. A first for a self-produced TV Show on community TV in Australia.
In the summer of 2014, the show went through a transitional change, as Tony Lewis' career boomed in the USA as part of a Dean Martin & Jerrry Lewis show he is in, the hosting duties fell to Australian Pink Show artist Susi Tate to fill the void of Tony's success in the USA. In the spring of 2014, the show went back to their original beginnings on Foxtel due to increased demand of tribute artists and fans all over Australia to be able to view the show nationally and in regions that community TV couldn't transmit.
The TRIBUTE Show in 2015 will be hosted by English born respected tribute artist and accomplished musician Bobby Miller.
In 2014 The Tribute Show was asked to be a part of the first Australian open air tribute band day at the Geelong Showgrounds on the labour day weekend on Saturday 8 March 2014 for the event "Motor City Music Festival - Geetroit Rocks!". That day, the festival hosted over 8 tribute bands on the main stage. Tribute bands that featured were:- Pearl - The Janis Joplin Show, Shed Zepplin, The Australian Queen Tribute Show, Absolutely Live! The Doors Show, Thunderstruck, Appetite For Destruction & Kisstroyer. The Motor City Music Festival will again be on during the labour day weekend in 2015 and The Tribute Show is part of the show again with the added bonus of host, Bobby Miller hosting the day from not only the main stage but on 2 stages and with more tribute acts.
Another move towards marketing the show has been an approved Australian Trademark for "The Tribute Show" which was officially granted in 2014.
The show will also start screening again in 2015 in New Zealand as part of the new Face TV digital network which was formally Triangle TV on SKY DIGITAL channel 89.
The show showcases the work of tribute artists and impersonators in Australia, United Kingdom, United States & Europe.
Show Idea & Concept
The show came by accident from an idea from Jon Powers and Nick Missailidis who were working on another TV Show.
The previous week they had filmed a Bon Jovi tribute band and Jon Powers thought, since he was a tribute artist himself a few years back, on a themed show about impersonators. Nick Missailidis in the meantime was working on a boat cruise which had a plethora of similar impersonators and tribute bands and he thought the same thing.
- Tony Lewis
- A few weeks later Nick was at another show to film that event and the performer on that night was entertainer & comedian Tony Lewis who was starring in his Jerry Lewis tribute show. Nick called Jon that night and suggested he see this performance the next day once he received the footage. The minute Jon saw that performance he met Tony and the host was found. A meeting that same week was all it needed to create The Tribute Show.
- Simon McCuskey
- Jon Powers brought in Simon McCuskey to be a roving reporter. Simon & Jon worked for many years in the Victorian Premier League filming and commentating games for C31 Melbourne & Aurora Community Channel as well as being part of the online broadcasts. Having worked together nearly 12 years, Simon would be the perfect addition to the show as roving reporter.
- Andy Crust
- In late 2011 Jon was in close contact with the UK Dolly Parton performer Sarah Jayne to use footage of her tours on the show, her partner happened to be another UK entertainer, Andy Crust, who performs with Sarah as Kenny Rogers and are Europe's leading Kenny & Dolly impersonators.[5] After appearing on the show in the first season in 2012 as The Dolly Parton Experience, Andy got in contact with Jon and offered to be the UK correspondent for the show to give it an international touch and has been busy for most of 2012 while touring, to film many artist while on the road.
Cast & Crew
- Hosts - Past & Rotating
- Tony C Lewis (2011-2013)
- Susi Tate (2014)
- Bobby Miller (2015–present)
- Supporting Cast
- Andy Crust (2011–present) (UK Host/Reporter)
- Simon McCuskey (2011–present) (Roving Reporter)
- Lucy Holmes-Bailey (2013–present) (Roving Reporter)
- Louie Lee Feltrin (2014–present) (Roving Reporter)
- Deb Starr (2014–present) (Roving Reporter)
- Soozie Pinder (2014–present) (Roving Reporter)
- Producer
- Jon Powerz (2011–present)
- Crew
- Nick Missailidis (2011–present)
- Mark Uren - (2012–present)
References
- "C31 Melbourne: Autumn highlights". 21 February 2012.
- "The Tribute Show". 17 May 2012.
- "C31 Melbourne: The TRIBUTE Show page". 12 February 2013.
- "3 DOT Magazine Article". May 2013.
- "Kenny visits with Europe's leading Kenny & Dolly impersonators". 6 September 2010.