While most of us laugh at Andy Blieden, some people would like to know more about him.

Andy, as you all know, is our resident campfire impressionist who has been coming to camp for four years. He has been doing impressions since he was five years old. (he’s twelve now) At that time his main characters were Ed Sullivan and Tiny Tim, with Donald Duck following a little later. He has appeared on a local variety show in his home town of Louisville, and was also interviewed on a local news show. Mainly, though, he preforms at home, school and unprofessionally at parties.

Andy’s personal favorite impressions are Elvis Presley and Ed Sullivan, and the ones that are most often asked for are John Wayne and Richard Nixon.
We asked Andy if any impressions he has done over the years have flopped. He claimed that his Jimmy Stewart impression “went down the toilet.” the reason for it’s failure is probably because most young people (who he mainly performs for) have never heard of Jimmy Stewart.

Andy says that the two hardest people to impersonate are Gerald Ford and Bob Hope, although he attempted doing Ford, but never tried in public.

Although he loves performing, Andy does not plan to be an entertainer when he grows up, he said. He said he would rather have a “vacation.”

There are no professional entertainers in Andy’s immediate family, but he was related to the “What’s My Line” host Larry Blieden, who recently died. Andy’s family encourages him and won’t hold him back from a professional career if he should choose it. Both of his parents and his brother Mark, who is a former Timberlaner, also have great senses of humor. In fact, Andy did his first imitations for his family and they encouraged him to pursue them.

Andy also does other performing besides impressions. At his cousin’s Bar Mitzvah, Andy sang, and he has also won five talent contests with his brilliant pantomimes.

When asked what his greatest experience as an entertainer has been, Andy answered that once, after performing at his school, several small kids asked him for his autograph.