What is it about Malta and the Maltese people? On Saturday night, I happened to attend an open-air concert at Ta' Fra Ben in Qawra organised by St Paul's Bay local council. The attendance was quite good despite the almost total lack of advertising for this event, which I have found over the years to be the norm in this area. You have thousands of tourists staying who would enjoy this free entertainment if only you got the word out to them. As a big bonus, the businesses in the area would benefit, especially after the poor winter, trade wise, they have had.

The show was quite good with a tribute artist doing a Freddie Mercury act, who, I must add, was a much improved version on that of previous years. There were also some dancers who, again, were quite good with one exceptional one. Top of the bill was an Elvis Presley tribute artist from Australia who looked good in his very expensive Las Vegas style suit, his moves were stylish and his voice very Elvis-like until he sang. I am afraid to say it was quite a poor rendition of the King. His Memories song was so off key and he never appeared to be able to do the really difficult songs that challenges the voice a little, although he attempted Bridge Over Troubled Waters, again with limited vocal range.

Yes, an entertainer, although he came fifth in the world in the Memphis Elvis Competition (according to a press coverage in The Times some months back) but not an accomplished singer by any means. I ask: We have in Malta, or, I should say, we had, two exceptional Elvis tribute artistes, so why should we import another?

Gordon Elvis has now left the island and is working in UK and Redent Falzon (Elvis Tenderly) may do the same. Why treat local talent so abysmally? Be proud of what this island produces in talent and don't be scornful of it because these two artistes are not the only ones this island produced. However, if this failure to appreciate local talent continues then the talent will dry up and that is everyone's loss.