- Michael Jackson impersonator Frederick Henry

Not  long ago Frederick had to go overseas to find  steady  work  When  Michael  Jackson ,the pop star's, reputation took a  hit  mainly due to " Media hype "  and the fact that some predatory Media person's  and companies  apparently  did/do  not  consider  the consequences  or damage  their poorly researched and bias stories have on the lives of those they write about .

When  so many  of these media "leeches" attached themselves to   anything regarding  the pop star and chose to publish   what  appeared to be "popular opinion " for ratings other than facts "Many of Frederick's  colleagues decided to  quit the business altogether".

..But since the passing of the Legendary pop Icon.

Henry's act at the Stratosphere in Las Vegas has become so popular

that the hotel-casino has had to beef up security to keep fans from swarming him after the show and  have  had to set aside a special a

autograph signing area in the lobby to accommodate fans....

"It's been crazy," Henry said. "But it's all great  fun -

I am aware that they are showing their support and love for Michael

I understand this and I am not so vain or Naive as to assume

this new found popularity is based on my own personal merits

or that it will be something that will carry me   my   entire  lifetime ...but i can hope!"

Then he quickly  flashed  a  smile so similar to the one of the late  Michael Jackson,

That  special smile  So many  devoted Jackson  fans  have grown to love over the years .

'I am always looking for ways  to improve my performance  and Honor micheal  who is ,in my opinion the greatest entertainer who ever graced  a stage "

"I am just really enjoying these  precious moments,

I am and always will be what the name implies - A TRIBUTE ARTIST

I show my admiration and respect for Michael Jackson , the entertainer , the best way I can and that is by   imitating his art "

The life and recent death of Michael Jackson  has had a Profound effect on the music  business ,especially those who imitate  Jackson and attempt to recreate  as best they can  his moonwalking ,soul touching , music making wonder .

Booking agents have seen surges in applications from impersonators as well as

calls for their services.

This has been especially true for ...Las Vegas .

Las vegas Nevada , Frederick Henry's  current home,  is  known world wide as  one of the largest  "entertainment fueled "  cities   in America

In this city  , celebrity  impersonating is big business ..Impersonators  work in Chapels( for a price  you can have the likes of Elvis , or frank Sinatra  perform your wedding vows ,Impersonators  serve as emcee's at your business conference or they will sing "Viva Las Vegas" at your private party, just too many  services  of this kind to  list .

Royal Talent, a booking agency for impersonators,admits

its  their  Michael Jackson acts  that is now the most requested.

"mike " Kenny Wizz, who has played the King of Pop since 1984

said

"It's a whole new level of business  now ."

The  Stratosphere ( where Frederick Henry currently  performs  as Michael ) as part of  the American Superstars show , has recently revamped their  billboard and magazine ads to feature Jackson even though the show includes five performers impersonating other music celebrities.

Hard to imagine now  that not too long ago  Henry,as a Jackson impersonator had to take his act  overseas  to  continue working as a tribute artist and make a decent  living doing what he loves.. and that is  to    imitate   and perform  songs by  his number one   mentor

THE Michael Jackson.

"Things were tough then in the United States ,for a long time ,Henry said, especially for us   "mikes " It is sad how much  and how often ,  michael the  pop icon ,  had  to  focus his time , money and   energy  to  battled false  allegations and battle  media here in the US, the place he called home .It didn't seem to affect his popularity as much   abroad as it did  in the US " .

As history has  proven many time, Of course  this all began to change quickly  after   Jackson died  on June 25.

"Now is the time to keep Michael 's  talent alive and his star  shining bright  ,"

Henry told fellow Jackson impersonators through a blog on MySpace. "It's been a long time for some of us Michael's to hang in there and survive."Now we should work  even harder"

Many entertainers and "mikes" alike have  responded with pledges to step up their acts, practice harder and sing better out of respect for the star and his fans World wide .

It is amazing the influence Michael has on the industry and the money  His legend generates   for  Others  Especially  after his untimely  and surprising  death which occurred shortly after  Michael announced  his  highly anticipated "This is it " come back tour ..eerily ..Just before his  death,  at a special  conference aired  to announce the tour  the pop icon himself had exclaimed

"This is it "  with out  a doubt THIS will be  my last performance.

The death of this  pop icon   ONCE again has caused  the media  and those who  make their living in the media to  kick into  into high gear .But now  the story  is  changing  and sadly it took Michael's death for many  to  realize and  finally acknowledge   that  Michael Who he was  and what he accomplished through his music ,what he gave to people  and what he inspired in people  through his music  , Will  almost certainly   Never be  witness   again with  any  other single performing artist In our lifetime  .

After death , the   media is singing a different tune  and it  has again  , fueled   the  fires of opportunity  for many in the  music industry  , its executives , lawyers  , those  associated  with Michael .

but Musicians and performers are NOT  the  ones to profit the most from the outpouring of interest in Michael .Sadly ,If the truth were made known to  the general public  I am almost certain  we would see , it is those who control the Music Business  who are profiting the most  off of this amazingly talented  pop icon  and his lifes work ..

A probate judge has signed off on a movie deal, and the Jackson's estate is negotiating  the idea of marketing  trading cards, calendars and other memorabilia on the market.

never released  songs are  being  sought after by many and rights  to  Michael's work is something that Many  seek to obtain  and this  frenzy  to own a piece of michael  Sadlyhis death   appears to be benefiting  those who were Not  always his friend when he were alive , Especially the last decade of his life,  these were NOT  a friend to Michael  when he  needed them the most ..The media,  The record executives  the entertainment  lawyers.

Sadly these are the ones who tend  to be benefiting  financially More than ever before  from Michael  Jackson the pop legend and his talents.

One  thing for sure  the Bar  for entertainers every where including  Michael  tribute artist

  like Frederick  Henry  was raised tremendously  by  Michael the pop Icon  and The "mikes"  such as Frederick   are doing a great  Job  of reminding us of this fact !

Many predict Jackson's estate will be more lucrative than Elvis Presley's which earned $55 million last year, even 30 years after his death!.

IN Las  Vegas the "American   Superstars " show at the Stratosphere continues to be a huge  draw  with all the bells and whistles  Las Vegas is  known around the world to have  A sweaty Elvis wearing satin and sequins serenades  a middle-aged audience member, and fans watched as a scantily clad Britney Spears impersonator tousled a man's hair and its all good  but it cannot compare to the  thrill and the way

The tension peaked when the lights dropped and the crowd hears and  instantly recognizes the  "Billie Jean" vamp start to play .Then like magic  from

Out of the darkness  surrounded by the stage fog and spotlights, Michael Jackson suddenly appears before your eyes in his famous  shiny gold suit , white glove and thick eyeliner.

Fans the  entire audience  cheered  as Frederick aka Michael , did the moonwalk. They sang along with  ALL  of the songs They were delighted when he descended from the stage and summoned a 10-year-old girl to dance with him as he sang in michael's signature  soft falsetto

They laughed  at Frederick's  his lighthearted interaction with the guest and  jokes and pranks  which mimicked what we have come to know were common place  in the real life  of the late   "KIng of Pop" both on and off the stage !

I wanted to see If other's in the audience  felt the same  magic and electricity i had during the show .So as soon as the curtain fell .

I spoke with  a few  couples  who had been sitting  near us .

Kathy Prescott and Alex Prescott of Clovis New Mexico said they came to see both Jackson and Elvis and agreed both stars have Vegas staying power.

Alex and Kathy said

"Michael will live on through his music , just like Elvis"

Lisa Collins , 48 from  Colorado Springs Colorado , who sat in the front row at the show and touched Frederick , the Jackson impersonators hand said .

" Oh Yes, He was very good - he knew all the moves,I was amazed at how realistic "

I had to agree with her on all accounts ..and

After the show i stood on the sidelines taking  it all in   as  Henry posed for photos with the fans  fans, two body  guards stood watch close by  waiting for the crowd to thin ,

when finally  the crowd  dispersed somewhat  and i got my chance to speak with Frederick  up close about the show .

I couldn't help but notice His eye's.Very similar indeed to Michael's  eyes ..

Yes it was unmistakeable  and very easy to notice up close .The eyes

once Henry had taken off some of his paste  makeup and stripped away the medical tape that gives him a thin nose like Jackson's surgically altered one and opted instead for a simple  surgical mask (like the one michael was known to wear in his later years ) for the autograph session .

This  has to be one of frederick's  best  features as a Michael impersonator i thought I wonder if he knows how much his eyes   naturally, closely  resembles that of Michael Jackson, what   gentle Thoughtful eyes !

In those eyes I saw , a very  Talented Kind and gentle soul with a just the right amount  of excitement and mischief to keep the childlike quality alive that the true fans understood and loved about michael  !

It was clear to see in Frederick's eyes that he was  smiling  beneath his mask   and loved people and he loved to entertain .

One event in particular  that evening  especially  drove home  and put some fact to my conclusion  based on his eyes  and touched upon my heart .

One of the last  in line for an autograph was a  Man and Woman with a small child in a wheel chair.

They had waited quite a long time  to have their picture signed and take a photo with frederick Henry

realizing this and seeing the wheel chair  Frederick  immediately reached out and took one of the best  "michael fedora "  off of its peg on the cart of Las vegas  Michael  memories  and placed it on her head , just before her mom's  camera flashed .Then i saw Frederick  turn and whisper  to  the cashier very (Quietly)

" This ones on me"

I was so touched by the sheer joy and delight  on this  little girls face brought on by this simple  loving action on frederick's part. It was  awesome to witness  her  showing "anyone  who was within reach,  who cared to see , HER  new  Signed Michael  fedora"  as  her father  pushed her through the crowd .

I couldn't help but think to myself"

i wonder if Frederick henry  realizes that it is

this one  small action of love on his part ,more than anything else I saw  tonight ,that

just made him the best Michael Jackson Impersonator ever..In my heart and Mind

It was this  moment that hit home with me ,  though his stage  performance was spectacular , This was the moment  that I felt Frederick  had truly Captured

"the spirit of Michael Jackson "

For me This is what Michael  symbolizes  and  how i choose to remember  him!

I am thankful  have experienced this  ..up close and this was the moment  I decided

henry  was  the type of person   I would  consider  a  "friend"

Fourteen years after getting his start as a "Mike," Frederick  said he never gets tired of performing as "the greatest entertainer that ever lived.Even with out his  "good  contract" at the Stratosphere in Las Vegas NV .He said , He  would continue to perform as Michael,Come what may  because he loves  Michael,He  admires his work   and loves  performing "What more can he  say.... He loves it .

I say Lucky  for us ,he does ..and i wish  him all the best in his life ... thanks Frederick  for the invite and  taking the time to speak with me one on one ...Marcy