THE ELVIS CONTESTS
by eddie on Jan.04, 2009, under E
Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest
I am often asked if I ever compete in any of the Elvis impersonator or tribute artist contests. Well, let me say first that what I’m about to write is not meant to denegrate the guys who are class performers and choose to enter in competition. It’s also nice to see, after all these years, the Presley Estate acknowledging Elvis Tribute Artists and Impersonators with “THE ULTIMATE ELVIS CONTEST” every August in Memphis. It would appear that Elvis Presley Enterprises has finally realized what a wonderful marketing tool a professional Elvis Tribute Artist/Impersonator can be.
In all the years that I’ve performed my Tribute Show, I’ve never entered one contest or taken part in any sort of competition. I suppose the primary reason is that I already had an established music career long before I ever did my first tribute. At an early age, I played guitar with rocker, Jerry Lee Lewis and country/blues artist, Charlie Rich. I also toured the United States with RCA’s Norman Luboff Choir. I took part in a national ad campaign for Hofner Guitars along with Paul McCartney and other personalities of the period. Once I began my Elvis Tribute, I was too busy “BEING” a performer to take the time to compete. The respect of all the people I’ve worked with over the years has been enough validation for me.