The caller was David Wilson, the charismatic husband of Laura Lee Brown, a Jack Daniels Bourbon heiress. The event was a VIP gala following the Kentucky Derby, at the amazing 21c Museum Hotel in Louisville. The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveller, and Cher (who I impersonated at the event) have given the art-filled hotel rave reviews.

I sent a contract and David’s assistant booked my flight.  I was nervous about customs because I didn’t have time to get a US work permit. I had no problem at US security. I was going to the Kentucky Derby! There’s nothing suspicious about that. All the luggage? It must just be big hats.

My dad’s birthday was a few days away, on May 5^th. I wanted to tell him that I was performing at a Kentucky Derby party. Then, when I got there and saw the derby souvenirs in my hotel room, I wanted to send them to him. The next day, I wanted to call him and say, “Dad! I just rehearsed my Madonna routine in a hotel gym with NFL players!” I hadn’t seen my dad since I’d surprised him on his last birthday. He died six weeks later, two days before Father’s Day.

Dad would’ve gone wild if he’d seen my performance of Vogue, with Cincinnati Bengals onstage as boy toys. He used to say that I’d have made a good quarterback because I got onstage and ran for 45 minutes. He also taught me how to throw a good spiral.

A former Miss America joined me onstage at the party, kicking her heels up as I impersonated Liza Minnelli. I’ll bet Dad would have joined us if he’d had a few drinks. He used to cry when I did New York, New York.

The airport was crazy busy the next day, with everyone leaving. I was exhausted, waiting in a long line at Starbucks. Then I saw him, in the back of an airport golf cart right beside me, Smokey Robinson!  He nodded at me, kind of like, “please don’t scream and draw attention”, so I just stared as he and his wife debated getting coffee. I should have offered to get some for them, but I couldn’t speak. I thought about my dad again, how he would have told everyone, including strangers, about my Kentucky Derby adventures. Repeatedly. For years.

I ordered my coffee and while I was waiting, I had a surreal experience.  A couple at one of the tables got excited and hollered over,  “ It’s you! You’re the performer from last night! You were wonderful!”. I was being star-spied while Smokey Robinson was in a golf cart beside the escalator.

David Wilson called to hire me the next year but I was already booked. I heard from him again when he was planning his Birthday party, but nothing became of that. I hope to hear from him again, even if it’s the middle of the night.

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Do you play along when your child is pretending to be a super hero or a rock star? I want people to feel that comfortable to let go and have fun. Imagine yourself at a Celine Dion concert where Celine walks into the audience and sings directly to you. Would you feel special? What if Marilyn Monroe sang her breathy version of Happy Birthday to your company president? Would you take a picture? Do you smile and laugh? If the people you work with played guitars like rock stars at your company party, would you cheer them on? My stage shows get those reactions.

Marilyn Monroe Impersonator Tracey Bell sings Happy Birthday Mr. President at the Victoria Hospital Foundation Gala Fundraiser

People like to shine, even shy people.

On New Year’s Eve, when New York New York is playing and everyone in the room is doing a kick line, do you join in, or smile while you watch them? Would you clap along with people if Dolly Parton encouraged you to? If your friends were strutting their stuff onstage with Madonna, would you want to video them? These are the experiences that I create with people. Whether you want to kick up your shoes, cheer from the sidelines, or smile as you watch others, there is a place for everyone at my shows.

Audience Participants learn to Vogue like boy toys with Madonna Impersonator Tracey Bell

After decades of experience, I know how to choose the first participants

It only takes a few outgoing people to get audience participation started, to set the example. If they can do it, others can too. Nobody has to be perfect. It’s especially rewarding when I get shy people involved in the show. I get the same reaction as a hypnotist, where participants are entranced and want to let their inner rock star shine.  After decades of experience as an interactive impressionist, I know how to choose the first participants, then encourage and inspire them. I’m encouraging them. Joy, fun and laughter are contagious.

Celine Dion Impersonator Tracey Bell Holds hands with the Canadian Consul General at the Chamber of Commerce Special Event in Shanghai, China

My stage shows are rewarding to me because I’m engaging people and giving them an experience they’ll talk about for years, whether they’re a spectator or participant. When we’re engaged, we’re fully present in the moment. Playing is good for us. Connecting is good for us. My purpose is to create a show where we do those things.  I put my whole heart into it. There’s a lot of me in the show: Tracey Bell disguised as Lady Gaga, Tina Turner, Judy Garland, Janis Joplin, Tina Turner, Julie Andrews, Shania Twain, Alanis Morrissette, and the rest.

The post Purpose, Connection and Corporate Fun appeared first on Corporate Entertainer - Tracey Bell Entertainment - Official Site.

Corporate entertainer Tracey Bell invited Christine Wilson of City Lights on Novus TV into her home for an extensive interview about her career as an award winning celebrity impersonator who impersonates celebrity divas like Marilyn Monroe, Cher, and Liza Minelli.

The interview with Tracey Bell is in the video below:

The post Tracey Bell on City Lights appeared first on Corporate Entertainer - Tracey Bell Entertainment - Official Site.