Every year, a man with many talents takes the stage at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St., and captivates audiences. That man is Gavin Wilson, owner of DeKalb’s own The Hillside Restaurant, 121 N. Second St.

The true variety show known simply as “The Gavin Wilson Show” takes place for one night only, featuring talents from singing and piano playing to ventriloquism and magic.

The Northern Star recently had an opportunity to sit down with the man of many talents.

Northern Star: Why did you begin performing?
Gavin Wilson: I think I just always had it in me. Since I was a little kid, I was putting on shows for my family. I just always wanted to be in front of an audience.

NS: How did you begin performing at the Egyptian?
GW: There was a time when the theater couldn’t pay their bills. So to help out, I performed a couple shows and gave all the proceeds to them. They’ve since decided to do their own promotion, so I just do the shows because I feel its nice to give business to them since they’ve been a part of DeKalb for so long.

NS: How many different talents do you display throughout the entire performance?
GW: I sing, I play the guitar, piano, trumpet, I’m a ventriloquist, a magician and I like to think of myself as a comedian, but you never know with that one until you see how the audience responds. I’ve also written an original song just for this coming show.

NS: For those that have seen your show before, can they expect anything different this year?
GW: Every show I do is different. It’s completely different. I’ve never performed the same show. There may have been two songs that I’ve repeated just because they were really popular, but I do about 25 songs in a show and it’s a whole list of songs that nobody has ever heard me do before. New jokes, new talent. It’s a totally different show. It all just stems from the same theme.

NS: What is your favorite part about performing?
GW: I’d say the fact that my father and my sons are up on stage with me, so even if nobody was to ever come to my shows - a few would be nice - I just enjoy being able to do that with my kids and my dad. It’s very rewarding.

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