The people who safeguard Elvis Presley's legacy are about to begin a search for the ultimate tribute artist, and they've said they'll look in Collingwood, Ont.
The managers of Graceland, Presley's former home in Memphis, Tenn., made the announcement Thursday of an Ultimate Elvis Tribute Contest.
The real Elvis Presley, circa 1958. Graceland is seeking a tribute artist in a North America-wide talent search.
(RCA/Associated Press)
And Canada's biggest Elvis Festival, held annually in July in Collingwood, will be an important stop in the series of qualifying contests leading up to the big event.
Elvis Presley Enterprises, the company formed by Presley's widow Priscilla after his death in 1977, is the group behind the new North America-wide search for a King tribute artist.
The plan is to hold a series of qualifying contests throughout Canada and the U.S. and to choose the ultimate artist in August 2007 on the 30th anniversary of Presley's death.
So far, organizers have selected just two sites for the qualifying rounds —Tupelo, Miss., where Presley was born, and Collingwood.
A group from Graceland have attended the Collingwood Festival for the last two years, finding out how it's done, says Marion Lewis, publicist for the event.
The Collingwood Elvis Festival is one of the largest in North America, and hotel and motel rooms are already booked for the next event, July 26-29, 2007.
Up to 200 entrants participate in the tribute artist contest in Collingwood, which is divided into professional, non-professional and youth categories, and two eras of Presley's life — early years and concert years.
"Don't call them impersonators. Ever!" says Lewis. "No one is trying to be Elvis; what they want to do is pay tribute to his life and music."
That definition of Elvis artists opens the door to participants who are black, Asian, elderly, female and under the age of 10.
The Collingwood festival goes well beyond the contest, with free events, a dance and entertainment throughout the weekend, as well as the contest at the local hockey arena.
Like every major Elvis festival, the Collingwood event is licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises.
There are at least 16 such festivals in Canada alone, Lewis said. Many more are held in the U.K. and U.S.
The search for the ultimate tribute artist is a way of extending the Elvis legacy, as well as generating revenue for EPE, say Graceland organizers.
"The number of Elvis fans around the world continues to increase as younger people are exposed to Elvis," Paul Jankowski, chief marketing officer for EPE, said in a statement.
"The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest is another way to celebrate Elvis's ongoing contribution to the world of entertainment."
Elvis continues to be one of the highest-grossing artists among the departed because of the business acumen of EPE, which is now a subsidiary of CKX Inc., owner of the American Idol TV show.
Graceland plans to set guidelines to ensure it gets tasteful, classy performances and would prefer singers who might actually sound and look like Elvis.
The Memphis finals will be held over several days during Graceland's annual Elvis "Tribute Week," scheduled for Aug. 11-19.
Related
External Links
(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window)
More Music Headlines »
- Avril Lavigne settles lawsuit over Girlfriend
- Pop star Avril Lavigne has reached a settlement in a lawsuit that accused her of plagiarizing her summer hit single Girlfriend.
- Apple reaches iTunes deal with EU
- Apple Inc. has agreed to scrap its online pricing policies across Europe for its iTunes music downloads, the European Union said Wednesday.
- People's Choice award winners honoured on location
- The stars of Grey's Anatomy and Pirates of the Caribbean were among the fan favourites at the 34th annual People's Choice Awards on Tuesday, as CBS scrapped its usual live broadcast of the show for a strike-friendly, pre-taped program.
- Dispute scuttles Folsom Prison anniversary concert
- A concert marking the 40th anniversary of Johnny Cash's famous performance at Folsom State Prison has been scrapped, with the prison and the promoter blaming each other for the cancellation.
- Nancy Wilson, Quincy Jones join Peterson tribute
- American jazz singer Nancy Wilson and Quebec singer Gregory Charles will perform at the free tribute concert for the late Canadian pianist Oscar Peterson on Saturday in Toronto.
More Arts Headlines »
- Vincent Lam shortlisted for U.S. Story Prize
- Giller Prize winner Vincent Lam has been shortlisted for the Story Prize for short fiction for his book, Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures.
- Acrobat sues Cirque over fall that ended her career
- A former Cirque du Soleil acrobat is suing the Nevada branch of the circus troupe for $1 million US over injuries she suffered in an accident, according to reports from Fox News.
- Sarkozy vows to scrap multilingual news channel for French-only version
- Saying he is 'not prepared to broadcast a channel that does not speak French,' French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced Tuesday his plans to shut down the country's fledgling multilingual TV news service France 24 to create a new, French-only version.
- Oscar planning continues despite strike: organizers
- Though the glitzy gala of its most prominent precursor — the Golden Globes — was scuttled this week, the Academy Awards show will go on, organizers insisted on Tuesday.
- Canadian co-production Restless on Berlin festival bill
- The Berlin Film Festival has added nine films, including a Canada-France-Israel production directed by Amos Kollek, to its slate of movies competing for the Golden Bear.
Arts Features
Blog Watch
Most Blogged about CBC.ca Articles
Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - link will open in new window
