Paul Tanner wants to be Danny Gans

It's a busy week for fans of the late Danny Gans. His autobiography arrived in stores, Garth Brooks announced he'll be moving into his theatre, impressionist Frank Caliendo began what could be a ten-year run at the Monte Carlo in hopes of drawing in the Gans crowd, and an impressionist named Paul Tanner says he's ready to take over the Las Vegas superstar's celebrity musical impressionist mantle. He told us in this press release that showed up at the Tabloid Baby offices:

Celebrity Impressionist Paul Tanner
Tapped to Follow in the Footsteps
of Legendary Las Vegas Entertainer Danny Gans

Press Release Distribution Staff

(EMAILWIRE.COM, October 15, 2009 ) LAS VEGAS – It’s been six months since the untimely tragic death of one of Vegas’ top entertainers, Danny Gans, and his absence has left a noticeable void in the entertainment community. Celebrity impressionist Paul Tanner may just be the one to fill that void. He has been contacted by several “interested parties” who see Tanner as the next star following in the footsteps of the beloved entertainer.

A performer who did his first impression at the age of seven, Tanner recalls Danny Gans with the utmost respect and admiration.

“I’m thrilled and humbled every time someone compares my show to Danny’s,” Tanner said “When I heard he passed away, I felt like someone kicked me in the stomach. It was shocking. Danny’s passing is a huge loss for anyone who appreciates great entertainment. I would be honored to carry the torch and honor his tradition.”


Like Gans, Paul Tanner’s show is filled with the great voices of comedy, celebrity, and music. His audiences around the world have included the likes of Pope John Paul II, who upon meeting Paul, gently made the sign of the cross over Paul’s vocal chords.

And when Neil Diamond’s mother came to see Tanner in Los Angeles, she told him, “You sound more like my son than my son does!” He smiles while retelling the story, “You don’t get a better review than that.”

When asked how he felt about the opportunity to step into the spotlight departed by Danny Gans, Paul replied, “No one could ever replace Danny Gans. But I think he would love my show.”

Paul Tanner was classically trained at The Juilliard School and spent time in opera as well as acting on Broadway before he developed his show, “Paul Tanner’s First Impressions”which he has performed all over the world. For a preview of Paul Tanner’s show visit www.youtube.com/paultannerofficial.

Joey Voices is another next Danny Gans

In shying away from investigating the life and death of Las Vegas superstar Danny Gans, members news media, both local and national, hide behind the argument that "no one outside of Las Vegas ever heard of him."

If that is indeed the case, why then are so many aspiring entertainers in so many different parts of the country inspired by Danny Gans' work or aspiring to take his place in the show business pantheon?

In the months since Danny Gans' tragic death on May 1st, we've shined the spotlight on musical impressionists like Rick A. Ludwig and Larry G Jones, Paul Tanner and Frank Caliendo, all of whom cite Danny Gans as The Man they can only try to equal. Now we can add to that list the name of Joey Voices of Malden, Massachusetts.


Like Danny Gans, Joey Voices (aka Joey Noone) is a corporate entertainer and a man of many voices, from Joe Cocker to Michael McDonald to Cher to Dave Matthews to Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson. Not only that, he is a self-described "Proud, Baptized, Born Again Believer in Jesus Christ"- and, as it turns out, was inspired by Danny Gans to follow his dream.

Joe Viglione found out when he interviewed Mr. Voices in The Malden Observer:

Malden Observer: How long have you lived in Malden?

Joey Voices: 37 years

MO: When did you start your career as “Joey Voices?”

JV: I started Joey Voices back in 2001 and for two years pieced together the show that I wanted to take on the road across America for corporate and private events. I got my first big corporate show in January of 2005 with Aflac in Indiana, and it was a great experience for me.

MO: What was the inspiration for this endeavor?

JV: I would do impressions of singers at my friend/neighbor/dentist’s office (Dr. Mark Gianatassio in Melrose) for his patients, and he told me I reminded him of Danny Gans out in Las Vegas. I had never heard of Gans before Mark mentioned his name. So I went out and saw him perform, and knew instantly that I could do that. So I put my own act together and continue to build on it.

Find more about Joey Voices at JoeyVoices.com.