When flamboyant Bathurst personality Andy Wheeler was interviewed by the Western Advocate last February, he was in the process of designing a special suit to wear to Sir Elton John's concert.
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And now, with the big occasion to take place next Wednesday, Mr Wheeler has revealed the final design: an all-white suit, complete with feather shoulder pads and diamante shoes.
"I decided on the all-white design to showcase something simple but effective, and the feathers add that flamboyant Elton John look," he said.
"The suit was put together in Thailand by the tailor who has put together most of my suits, and the shoes were 'blinged' up by my flatmates to make them worthy of an Elton John concert."
Mr Wheeler's suit was inspired by a custom costume worn by Elton during a photo shoot with iconic British photographer Terry O'Neill at his London home in 1973.
When Mr Wheeler was asked last February about his excitement for Elton's concert, he stated that he felt "like a young child waiting for a Wiggles concert."
With the concert now only a week away, his excitement has understandably progressed.
"Now I feel like the 'big red car' has almost arrived at Bathurst," Mr Wheeler said.
"If I was excited before, I'm ecstatic now."
Mr Wheeler has been known to regularly belt out Elton's biggest hits at the Oxford Hotel's Thursday night karaoke, which he has hosted for over a decade.
His deep appreciation for Elton motivated former Oxford Hotel entertainment manager Adam Soar to launch a petition last June to enlist Mr Wheeler as Elton's official Bathurst tour guide.
The petition amassed 735 signatures.
"Time will tell if the petition has been picked up by the right people and if so, I may be in for a big surprise," Mr Wheeler said.
"However, I won't be disappointed if my big surprise is simply seeing Elton perform at Carrington Park next week."
Mr Wheeler is hoping to hear a grand selection of old and new material.
"I know 'Your Song' is one of Elton's favourites to play, and it's one of my favourite songs as well," he said.
"If his recent concerts in Sydney and the Hunter Valley are anything to go by, Elton's not letting his audiences down and at 72 years of age, he's still the fabulous performer we've come to know and love."
Mr Wheeler shares Bathurst Regional Council's view that concert goers should plan ahead for the big event next Wednesday.
"I'm sure it'll be a great night but as it's the first time Bathurst has hosted an event like this, make sure to get in early, find your spot and enjoy the show," he said.
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Sam Bolt
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
