Yo Terrance Thomasen Rather than folks having to deal with evil
Encyclopedia Dramatica if you check my Tweets you will see I offer a
better link for them to study
Mike
Bravener has been singing and performing as an Elvis Presley
impersonator at the invitation of the town of Eastport, Maine, for the
last 15 years. (Shane Fowler/CBC News)
Several Canadian musicians and performers faced intense
scrutiny and questioning at the U.S.-Canada border Thursday, despite an
invitation by a Maine town to celebrate Canada Day, the Fourth of July,
and the relationship between both countries.
Some performers were even turned away.
They
included Mike Bravener, who has put on his Elvis wig and flashy
matching costume to travel to Eastport, Maine, at the town's request,
for the last 15 years.
This
year, after arriving at the crossing from St. Stephen to Calais, Maine,
he was detained and questioned for more than an hour.
"It was
unnerving for sure," said Bravener, a Presley impersonator from
Fredericton. "[It's] sad, because of the people and friends I have in
Eastport and them not knowing. Them all being down there on the
waterfront expecting Elvis to show up."
This year, Bravener was barred from entering the U.S. because of the honorarium the town gives him for his time and travel. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
When
he was denied entry into the United States, he said, the point of
contention with U.S. officials was the $500 honorarium the town of 1,300
gives him for travel and his performance.
Bravener said U.S.
customs officials were friendly and understanding, but he was questioned
repeatedly about the nature of his visit to Eastport, a coastal
community about 45 kilometres south of Calais.
He was eventually
told his explanation for collecting the payment was inadequate, and he
needed proper paperwork and forms — which he didn't have and didn't know
were required.
Cross country celebration
Bravener was invited by Eastport in a letter he received in June, much as he has been for years.
The event celebrates both Canadian and U.S. holidays.
Bravener
says several other musicians were detained at the St. Stephen-Calais
border crossing as they tried to make it to the Eastport Fourth of July
festivities. (CBC)
"It's a four-day
celebration beginning with Canada Day events together with our
neighbours from Deer Island, New Brunswick, and neighboring communities,
ending with a spectacular fireworks display over the bay between the
U.S. and Canada," says the letter of invitation from the Eastport Fourth
of July committee.
"Our committee would like to invite you to participate in our celebration with your very popular Elvis performance."
CBC News made attempts to contact the organizers of the event but has not yet received a reply.
Not the only one
Despite
attending the Eastport parade for the last 30 years, several musicians
in the 22-member Saint Mary's Band from Saint John were also detained
and questioned.
"I think what the American customs and border
guards were trying to do was flush out people who were trying to make
money, personally," said executive Michael Richard, a trumpet player.
Richard said he witnessed other Canadian musicians being asked to get out of their vehicles for questioning.
Members
of the Saint Mary's Band from Saint John were detained and questioned
about the honorarium the band receives. Unlike Bravener, the players
were not prohibited from entering the U.S. (Facebook)
"There
was a pipe and drum band coming from Fredericton to play in the
parade," Richard said. "And they had a similar situation of verification
of volunteering. And that's effectively what we're doing."
Richard said his band also receives an honorarium from Eastport, but the players were allowed to enter the U.S.
CBC
News asked U.S. Customs and Border Protection if policies applying to
New Brunswick musicians and performers had changed in recent years.
Spokesperson Micheal McCarthy
wrote in an email: "I am prohibited by privacy laws from discussing an
individual traveler's circumstances."
But he said anyone
travelling into the country to be a "paid performer" would need a valid
P-visa, a temporary visa issued to athletes and musicians so they
can legally perform for payment in the U.S.
Blames border politics
Bravener said
that last year he was questioned about his participation in the
Eastport festivities but had been able to cross the border.
He blames U.S. border politics inflamed by President Donald Trump for his rejection and the scrutiny of other artists.
Bravener
has been entertaining crowds in the United States as an Elvis Presley
impersonator for years, such as this appearance in Memphis in 2008. (Submitted: Mike Bravener)
"I
think there's a direct correlation between President Trump and what
happened," Bravener said. "In fact, there's no doubt in my mind. Where
last year they had pulled me aside and pulled me in, they did let me go.
I told them the exact same thing as I told them last year. I think
there's politics involved."
Bravener
believes his time as an entertainer in Eastport, Maine, is likely over
after the problems he had at the border this year. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
He
believes Elvis's Eastport entertaining days are over for now, since the
community is unlikely to be able to increase the honorarium to cover
visa costs for performers.
"But I'm not upset, if those are the
rules," said Bravener, as he prepared for a Saturday night performance
in Moncton. "It's just really, really, disappointing."
CBC News
Elvis impersonator denied entry to U.S. for Fourth of July performance
A Fredericton musician
and Elvis impersonator has performed for the town of Eastport, Maine for
Independence Day for 15 years. This year, he was turned away at the
border. 0:58
Chantal LeBouthi Trump must have been extremely piss for that cartoon this week. He must hate all NB poeples
David R. Amos
Reply to @Chantal LeBouthi: Methinks Trump thinks New Brunswick is a town in New Jersey N'esy Pas?
David R. Amos
Methinks
if there is one thing Elvis and I know It is that Fat Fred City ain't
that big a town but it has a very large concentration of political snobs
and everybody knows everybody N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell
Just as well . Trump has put a moratorium on intelligent people entering America. It would have a negative impact on his base.
David R. Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell:
Methinks you have quite a way of winning friends and influencing people.
However you are not as popular as you think you are BTW I went to High
School with Keith Ashfield, Andy Scott, Barby Baird, Bruce Noble and
your hubby No need to say more N'esy Pas?
SteveRyan Reply to @Lou Bell:
But no moratorium up here in Canada. No intellect, come on in. No
money, come on in. We welcome the unintelligent and homeless.
Daryl Doucette
What a load. Let the man in. A measley 500 bucks hardly covers his fuel.
David R. Amos
Reply to @daryl doucette: True
Terrance Thomasen
"He
blames U.S. border politics inflamed by President Donald Trump for his
rejection and the scrutiny of other artists.
"...................................................................................................................................
Musician and Political expert. Quite the renaissance man.
David R. Amos
Reply to @Terrance Thomasen: So says a conservative believes every word of my enemies
David R. Amos
Reply to @Terrance Thomasen: Have you read my lawsuit yet?
JJ Carrier Reply
to @Terrance Thomasen: Spend five minutes with Mike and you will double
that comment...The only thing Mike has not been a success yet has yet
to be invented...
Al Kennedy
The
story says - "Bravener has been entertaining crowds in the United
States as an Elvis Presley impersonator for years, such as this
appearance in Memphis in 2008. (Submitted: Mike Bravener)"
Bravener should have just kept quiet about this one incident, now the
CRA will take an interest in the income he derives from his gigs in the
US, Canada, and his busking in Fredericton.
David R. Amos
Reply to @Al Kennedy:
Trust that I already talked to Elvis Methinks the CRA will take a wide
berth of him now that i explained the link I offered to all N'esy Pas?
Al Kennedy Reply to @David R. Amos:
Neither the CRA nor the CBP take wide berths. By going to the media
over his $500 honorarium loss he has now exposed himself to more
scrutiny on both sides of the border regarding his profession. The CRA
may now take a more in depth interest in his income and the CBP will
definitely have him flagged.
David R. Amos Reply to @Al Kennedy: Google CRA David Amos
Lou Bell
Gaed,
trump has turned America into one ( probably the ) most H8ed country in
the world ! And the I DEE It demands respect ? He's quite the fool .
David R. Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks many Yankees would agree that I should feel honoured by the fact that your h8 me too N'esy Pas?
McKenzie King
I
don't think I understand the story here. If the law requires a visa
for what the guy was trying to do, and he didn't have a visa, then it's
perfectly ok for him to be refused entry. Just because he got away with
it before doesn't mean the border agents did anything wrong this time.
Many people speed on the highway, but only a few are caught by the
police. That doesn't make their tickets invalid, it just means that the
cops did their job right this time.
David R. Amos
Reply to @McKenzie King: Would the real McKenzie King please stand up and run in the next election
David R. Amos
Methinks
if Chucky Leblanc's buddy Bravener had bothered to mention my name to
the Yankee Border Guards then showed them page 2 this document he would
have been in like Flynn N'esy Pas?
Reply to @Harold
Benson: Methinks Sam should have told you that any proud Canadian should
feel free to use my work as long as they do not make fun of my
troubles with the USA like you do N'esy Pas?
Alison Jackson
Reply to @David R. Amos:
Dude, 'methinks' its getting old real fast. N'esy pas? Getting close to blockez vous.
David R. Amos
Reply to @Alison Jackson: Methinks you should ask Ringo if i care N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell
Reply to @David R. Amos: Every story , STILL ABOUT YOU !! Time to get over yourself.
Reply to @Terrance Thomasen: Methinks you should have read the lawsuit that you just published the proof of N'esy Pas?
David R. Amos
Reply to @Terrance
Thomasen: Rather than folks having to deal with evil Encyclopedia
Dramatica if you check my Tweets you will see I offer a better link for
them to study
CBC and Mike should have their own reality show...
David R. Amos
Reply to @JJ Carrier: Yea Right and you don't?
Greg Windsor Why
... why.... would any sane person wish to travel to the USA ......why
put up with their rudness at the border.....stay in Canada.....
Harold Benson
Reply to @Greg Windsor: Travel there several times a week. Those border guards are definitely not rude.
David R. Amos
Reply to @Harold Benson: BS
Harold Benson
Reply to @David R. Amos: Well in your case.....
David R. Amos
Reply to @Greg Windsor: Methinks some of us would love to go because we have children to visit N'esy Pas?
David R. Amos
Reply to @Harold Benson: Who do you work for? Methinks Sam knows it is the same people working against me N'esy Pas?
Harold Benson
Reply to @David R.
Amos: Definitely not , I,m retired, and I actually WAS building quite a
bit of respect for the work you do flushing out the BS that goes on "in
this place "
Harold Benson
Reply to @Harold Benson: I was simply stating that I have not encountered rudeness at the U.S. border.
Harold Benson
Reply to @David R. Amos: Anyway, we all have rough days.
David R. Amos
Reply to @Harold Benson: Methinks Sam shouls have told you liberals created all the sunny days N'esy Pas?
David R. Amos
Reply to @Harold
Benson: "I actually WAS building quite a bit of respect for the work
you do flushing out the BS that goes on "in this place "
Methinks that must be why you changed your name N'esy Pas?
Mary
Anderson Rules are rules.
David R. Amos
Reply to @Mary
Anderson: Methinks it depends on who you are Trudeau proves that on a
daily basis with all the illegal immigrants he as been allowing to cross
the line N'esy Pas?
Mark (Junkman) George
Reply to @David R. Amos:
Not to mention crossing borders and dressing "funny".
Terry Viceroy good effort at writing a story to drag out the anti-USA Luddites
Alison Jackson
Reply to @Terry
Viceroy: So people aren't allowed to tell their stories of their hassles
at the border because Trump supporters like you are offended? Anything
even slightly criticizing Trumps adminstration has you ripping tissue
paper has it?
Poor you Ringo!
Terry Viceroy
Reply to @Alison Jackson:
not only are you allowed to, you are baited to doing it.
As for Trump, I think he is a vile person - despite tha what do politics or your effort to slander me have to do with anything
Alison Jackson
Reply to @Terry Viceroy:
Oh if I tried to 'slander you' you certainly would know it Ringo.
Mac Isaac
Reply to @Terry
Viceroy: Just wait a sec, Terry...it was YOU that
made the insulting comment about CBC dragging out the "anti-USA
Luddites" for a story; then you reply to Mr. or Miss Alison castigating
him/her for quite naturally believing you are a Trump supporter because
of your insulting words while in the next breath you admit Trump IS a
vile person...this is one of the best examples of passive-aggressive
behaviour I've seen in some time.
Either that or @Terry Viceroy and @Alison Jackson have some sort of unexplained vendetta with each other.
But, from a personal point of view I lived and worked on Deer Island
before America went to hell in a proverbial hand basket...when the
border was open and citizens from both sides freely associated with one
another, until some right wing nut job in the Bush 43's administration
reacted in the stupidest possible way and stated unequivocally that the
9/11 terrorists came through the Canadian border to attack "the
homeland" which sound a lot like when Germany's vaterland or Russia's
motherland...Canada's undoubtedly would be Canada's Beaver Lodge! In any
event, it's still my belief that if Deer & Campobello Islanders and
East Porters could be left alone to work, play, go to war together,
marry and go into business together both Maine (USA) and New Brunswick
(Canada) would benefit mightily!
Terry Viceroy
Reply to @Mac Isaac:
because I respect another country’s right to not allow someone into
their country (who intended to take a job away from a US performer AND
did not have necessary visa does not mean I am a supporter of its
president. I said I was not.
Some people can be multi-dimensional. If you want to use invented trendy terms for that - be my guest.
Btw , you should know that the line up to get into the USA legally is
longer than the lines to get into all other countries combined —- and
growing
Carroll Cameron
Reply to @Terry Viceroy:
No, they didnt go there to take a job away from an American, period.
They were invited by the host town to come and perform and were offered
an honorarium. If the town wanted an american then they wouldve got an
american.
David R. Amos
Reply to @Terry Viceroy: "Luddites"
WOW Methinks we should all be very impressed that a Trump fan knows of such a word N'esy Pas?
David R. Amos
Reply to @Terry
Viceroy: "Btw , you should know that the line up to get into the USA
legally is longer than the lines to get into all other countries
combined —- and growing"
Methinks you are a Yankee N'esy Pas?
JJ Carrier Reply
to @Terry Viceroy: I have been slandered in public by the best, and
worst, for 37 years as a reporter and that is not slander 'Pete
Best'...Methinks you are taking your last name as reality..
JJ Carrier
Reply to @Terry
Viceroy: Have you ever really dealt with the States for a job like I
have for four decades? They have their rules like we have, so you go
with the flow...By my memory, Mike is the second best Elvis (Elvi?) in
the east coast and to say you can just find an Elvis impersonator like
that goes away from what Elvis wanted...Elvis tribute singers seem to be
chosen by the spirit of Elvis, but few are as good as Mike, my cousin
Ronnie Carrier, and the handful in the Maritimes...You need to get out
more brudda..
JJ Carrier
Reply to @Carroll Cameron: Mike IS Elvis...nuff said
David R. Amos Reply to @JJ Carrier: Say Hey to Elvis for me
Marguerite Deschamps Haven't
been to that sheet hole country for decades and probably never ever
will. I will keep going to Europe where people are much friendlier.
Graham McCormack
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: I'm guessing they don't miss you.
Harold Benson
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Are you allowed in?
David R. Amos
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Methinks Trump would not like your type anyway N'esy Pas?
David R. Amos
Reply to @Harold Benson: Why are you?
Graham MacNab Why anyone would travel to the US is beyond me. Getting in is a nightmare.
Harold Benson
Reply to @Graham MacNab: Not if you have a valid canada passport.
David R. Amos
Reply to @Harold Benson: Yea Right
JJ Carrier Reply to @Graham MacNab: After 9 a.m., yes...you go early in Houlton you have no probs
SarahRose Werner Sounds like the US customs folks kind of stepped on Elvis' blue suede shoes.
David R. Amos
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: Methinks they don't care N'esy Pas?
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