Elvis Presley with Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana and Bill Black rehearsing for The Milton Berle Show, June 5, 1956
(Source: link)
Day 7
On the previous day (Day 6), we experienced what is considered the cornerstone of Elvis Week: the candlelight vigil. Each year, on August 15th, multitudes of fans gather for a peaceful remembrance of the life and legacy of Elvis Presley. The next day, it was time for the final round of the…
King of the World Elvis Tribute Artist Contest
Friday 12:00 Noon, Memphis Airport Hotel and Conference Center
Tim E. Hendry, 2013 King of the World Elvis Tribute Artist Champion
The first contestants we saw were George Nadile (Australia), Brenen Katolinsky (Ontario), Andy Svrcek (USA), Joey Cundari (Ontario), and Marcus Jackson (Australia). As we sat there looking around at the fans, enjoying the music, and just taking it all in, we thought, “Wow! These guys are good!”
The votes were counted, and here are the results:
2013 Winners!!
King of the World 2013 Winner: Marcus Jackson (Australia) Non-Pro Division Champion
Wait! It’s Elvis HimsELVIS!
Professional Division: Tim E. Hendry (Ontario, in white jumpsuit above)
Non-Professional Division: Marcus Jackson (Australia, photo to the right)
See Full Results: Here
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After the King of the World Elvis Tribute Artist Contest there was the…
“Aloha from Hawaii” 40th Anniversary Screening
At the Orpheum Theatre, Memphis – 7:30pm, Friday, August 16, 2013
Of all of the events that had happened during Elvis Week, this was the first occasion where we could just sit back and experience the phenomenon of Elvis Presley as a live performer. The image below was taken from the balcony of the beautiful Orpheum Theatre shortly before the house lights were dimmed.
Orpheum Theatre Memphis — Our view from the balcony as the audience was being seated (August 2013)
What we were about to watch was a screening of Evis’ 1973 concert “Aloha from Hawaii”.
When this program originally aired, it was seen by more than one billion people across the globe. To this day, it is regarded as the single most watched event performed by an individual entertainer in television history.
That night, in a re-mastered, high-definition video, we witnessed what must have been a 30-foot tall Elvis Presley in all his regal glory.
Elvis Presley Aloha From Hawaii screening, Orpheum Theatre, Memphis (August 2013)
As if that performance alone were not enough, following the intermission, the crowd was captivated by the power, the charm, and the perfect harmony of The Stamps Quartet.
(Click on the image to expand.)
Former members of J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet – Bill Baize, Donnie Sumner, Ed Hill & Larry Strickland (Orpheum Theatre, Memphis, August 16, 2013)
That night, they sang those familiar Elvis favorites: “The Lighthouse”, “Sweet Sweet Spirit”, and “How Great Thou Art”. Their performance was absolutely breathtaking and the crowd went wild.
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Day 8 – Graceland
Up to this point, we’d visited so many landmarks in Memphis such as Beale Street, Sun Studio and Stax Records. Finally, on our last full day in Memphis, we went to Graceland!
Elvis at Graceland inMemphis, TN, circa 1957
Looking back, there were so many observations we made that day while visiting the home of this legendary entertainer. The main realization, however, is that you don’t just “see” Graceland. You are, in fact, absorbed by it. To know what that means, you just have to see it for yourself.
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Elvis the Philanthropist
Plaque at Graceland to commemorate
Elvis’ charitable contributions (August 2013)
Visitors at Graceland experience the house, the costumes, the memorabilia, countless awards, the cars, the planes. You name it. It’s all there. The one exhibit, however, that represents a little-publicized aspect of Elvis Presley’s life is shown in the plaque to the right. Although the image is not clear, this plaque displays just a few of the many charitable organizations to which Elvis privately made generous contributions throughout his adult life.
ETA Andy Wood Perpetuates the King’s Legacy
Altruism goes hand in hand with many of the events that take place during Elvis Week. One of the most significant examples this year, happened thanks to the tireless efforts of Elvis Tribute Artist Andy Wood from the United Kingdom. In this photo below, we see a check for over $20,000 that Andy presented to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during Elvis Week 2013.
A generous, hard-earned tribute fit for a king!
Elvis Tribute Artist Andy Wood from the United Kingdom presents a generous donation, with friends and Elvis fans, August 2013
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Not a day goes by without some incredible concert during Elvis Week. The event that afternoon was….
The Elvis Celebration Concert – 3:00 p.m. at the Elvis Week Main Stage, Graceland
This show featured background vocalist Millie Kirkham (“Blue Christmas”, et. al.) joined by singer, musician, bandleader Terry Mike Jeffrey and Elvis Presley’s original drummer DJ Fontana (“Hound Dog”, “Jailhouse Rock”, et. al.) . Mr. Fontana is actually the drummer you see in the very first photo above taken in 1956 on The Milton Berle Show.
So much of the legacy of Elvis Presley was wrapped up in this single monumental concert by the three people in the photo below.
(Click on this image to expand.)
Millie Kirkham, Terry Mike Jeffrey and DJ Fontana backstage at the Elvis Celebration Concert (Graceland Main Stage, Saturday, August 17, 2013)
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By 7:00 p.m. it was time for the finals for…
The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest.
This show, at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, featured the top 10 Elvis tribute artists all competing for the title.
(Click on the image to expand.)
2013 Ultimate ETA Finalists – Dean Z, Jay Dupuis, Adam Fitzpatrick, Diogo Leichtweis & Ben Thompson
(Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Source: link)
Ben Portsmouth at the Las Vegas Hilton, July 2013 (Photo by Eva Brand)
Ben Portsmouth
The show also featured a fantastic performance by 2012 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist winner Ben Portsmouth. See our earlier interview with Ben: here.
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Then…
After the votes were counted, the winner was announced and it was…
Dean Z!!
2013 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Champion
This dynamic performer is originally from Lancaster, California, but now lives in Branson, Missouri.
From the Cannon Center stage, not only did Dean Z capture the look and sound of Elvis, but his moves displayed all the spontaneity and energy of the the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Dean Z, 2013 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Champion, Cannon Center, Memphis, August 17th, 2013
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Day 9 – Only in Memphis
Geez…We’re down to our last day….
Frank Williams, City-Wide Cabs Car #2 in Memphis got us to the airport right on time. (August 2013)
Our trip back to the Memphis International Airport was, in one word,…bittersweet. The one redeeming factor was our taxi driver, Frank Williams, who shared many wonderful stories about Elvis Presley, as well as tales of other performers from Memphis ranging from Aretha Franklin to B.B. King. Along the way, Frank asked, “Did you ever hear the story about the lady who burnt Al Green with the hot grits?” We said no, so he told us about it. (Here’s the story.)
Once at the airport, there was the occasional knowing glance and wink we’d get from other Elvis fans who were also headed back home.
The other bright moment happened at the airport security check. Recalling the visit we’d paid to a souvenir shop on Beale Street the day before, when asked to show my ID, I reached into my pocket and (to the annoyance of the TSA agent) was like, BAM, yeah baby!!
Did somebody say ID?!
Even after that, we still didn’t see the inside of 201 Poplar Avenue (see Part 1 below) nor did we get any polk salad. All it meant was that we’ll just have to come back to Memphis for Elvis Week again next year!
Lawd hammercy!
Speaking of next year, we’d better start learning these dance moves now! Check out the video!!
Yolonda Jordan D’Amico, Editor
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The name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley appear courtesy of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. See official website: http://www.elvis.com
