Keeping the Memory Alive
2011 Las Vegas Ultimate ETA Contest
By ZENA SULTANA
(Photos by Narrie)
Keeping the memory of the “Greatest Entertainer of All-Time” alive keeps Elvis Tribute Artists (ETAs) busy by doing tribute shows, joining contests and conventions, and participating in Elvis-related events.
Elvis occupies a special place in our hearts. A performer of magnetic dimension and a singer of incredible brilliance, he captured and held us with his music and his songs, his voice and his charisma, his vibrancy and his good looks.
An internationally-acclaimed contest that draws scores of ETAs, as well as thousands of Elvis fans, is the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artists Contest sponsored by the Elvis Presley Enterprises. Now in its fifth year, this contest highlights Elvis Week in Memphis, and attracted more than 70,000 fans from all over the world last year. More are expected this year.
Preliminary contests started soon after Elvis Week ended last year, and they are still going on right now. I attended the two-day (May 6-7) 2 nd Annual Las Vegas Ultimate Elvis Tribute Contest at the world-famous Fremont Street Experience in Vegas’ historic downtown. The contest was again hosted and produced by Legends in Concert.
After a grueling two days and three rounds of competition, the Top 3 winners were: Johnny Fortuno, 1st place; Leo Days – 2nd place; and Travis Allen – 3rd place. As first place winner, Johnny was awarded $2,500 prize money, a Graceland getaway prize package, and the right to represent Las Vegas during Elvis Week in Memphis this August.
Johnny’s rendition of “My Way” during the final round captivated the audience and gained for him the judges’ nod. Gifted with a compelling voice, his contemporary approach to the celebrated music of Elvis and his ability to sing any type of Elvis’ song – whether traditional, rock, pop or romantic ballads – endears him to Elvis fans.
Johnny’s remarkable talent was recognized early on by the legendary Don Ho, who featured this young performer in Don’s concert shows in Honolulu, Hawaii. After six years with Don Ho, Johnny was selected as a headliner act by the Legends in Concert, and was the youngest Elvis artist hired by the company. He now lives in Las Vegas.
Second place winner Leo Days of Las Vegas, originally from Michigan, is also a tribute artist with the Legends in Concert in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He portrays Elvis as accurately as possible. His electric performance of “Polk Salad Annie” at the final round of competition was so dynamic and powerfully moving that the audience rewarded him with a standing ovation.
A charismatic performer, Leo’s raw energy and captivating performance, as well as his humility and unique style, makes him a favorite everywhere he performs. Leo’s chooses to perform the ’68 Comeback Special in his tribute shows, and names “If I Can Dream” as his favorite song.
Third place winner Travis Allen holds an enviable record of winning three preliminaries this year: 1st place at the Rockin’ ‘E’ Jamboree at Oneida Casino; 3rd place at the Las Vegas Ultimate ETA Contest in Fremont; and again 1st place at the Pechanga Ultimate ETA Contest in Temecula, California. The runner-up at Temecula, Lee Birchfield, will represent Pechanga in Memphis.
Travis grew up in Temecula, California, where at the age of 12, he began writing and composing his own music and playing guitar, piano and drums. His dad, GK, played a big role in his becoming an ETA. When Travis, who now calls Las Vegas home, was laid off as an electrician, his dad inspired him to fulfill his dream as an entertainer. At the final round in Vegas, this superbly talented ETA was clad in the ’68 Comeback Special black leather outfit and sang “If I Can Dream.”
The Legends in Concert Band came all the way from Memphis for the final round to provide live music. In the three preliminary rounds, pre-recorded track music was used. The members of the band are: Joe Escriba, Music Director; Steve Flora, bass; Rich Taylor, guitar; Mark Pardy, drums; Matt Green, keyboard; Toni Lee, Kate Steele and Hunter Gerard, back-up singers.
The Top 10 winners, in no particular order, and the song they sang, were: Johnny Fortuno – “It’s Now or Never”; Travis Allen – “Hound Dog”; Dale Kenny – “Walk a Mile”; Bryant Scott – “You Gave Me a Mountain”; Leo Days – “Don’t be Cruel”; Eli Williams – “Polk Salad Annie”; Mark Anthony – “Hurt”; Jimmi Ellis – “I Can’t Stop Loving You”; James Kruk – “Burning Love”; and James King – “Impossible Dream.”
The ten other contestants were: Chris Luna – “Suspicious Minds”;, Shane Peterson – “Bridge Over Trouble Waters”; Seve Botello – “You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling”; Mark Stevenz – “My Way”; Craig Glanville – “See See Rider”; Jason Baglio – “If I Can Dream”; Elvirino – “That’s All Right”; Jim Anderson – “Blue Suede Shoes”; Chris Johnson – “Little Less Conversation”; and Jessie Ray – “Can’t Help Falling in Love”.
There were two emcees at the contest: Brian Brigner, Chief Operating Officer of On Stage Touring, a subsidiary of On Stage Entertainment and creators of the world’s longest-running celebrity tribute shows for Legends in Concert (thank you, Brian, for all your help); and George Trullinger, a legendary tribute artist for Legends in Concert with an uncanny gift for mimicry. He impersonates Buddy Holly, Ed Sullivan and Mick Jaggers.
The contestants were judged on the “best representation of the Elvis legacy” based on talent, appearance, performance, stage presence and over all tribute to Elvis.
The contest judges were: Gene Lubas, Sam Thompson, Cynthia Pepper, Doug Elfman, John Katsilometes and Nellie Norris. -zs zenasultana@hotmail.com
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Second place winner LEO DAYS gave it his all in his electric performance of "Polk Salad Annie" during the final round. His captivating stage presence and powerful voice showcased his talents to the core.
The talented 3rd place winner TRAVIS ALLEN won in three Ultimate Elvis Tribute Contest this year. Travis is a perennial favorite of Elvis fans.
The Top 10 (in no particular order): Johnny Fortuno (does not appear in the picture), James Kruk, Travis Allen, Eli Williams, Leo Days, Mark Anthony, James King, Dale Kenney, Jimmi Ellis and Bryant Scott
This magazine ad for the 2011 Las Vegas Ultimate Elvis Tribute Contest features JUSTIN SHANDOR, the “2010 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist World Champion” who won the First Las Vegas Ultimate ETA Contest last year.
The Top 3 winners in this year’s Las Vegas Ultimate ETA contest: (L-R) LEO DAYS - 2nd place; TRAVIS ALLEN - 3rd place; and JOHNNY FORTUNO, 1st place. Johnny will go on to Memphis to represent Las Vegas during Elvis Week this coming August.
JOHNNY FORTUNO is attired in the "Comeback Special" black leather outfit. His ability to sing any type of Elvis song endears him to Elvis fans. LEO DAYS, attired here in a white Concho jumpsuit, has the raw energy and captivating performance which makes him a favorite of Elvis fans every time he performs
JUSTIN SHANDOR of Las Vegas, 2010 Ultimate ETA World Champion, gave a special performance at this year's contest.
Sporting a white Fringe jumpsuit, JOHNNY FORTUNO sang "My Way" during the final round. His compelling voice and captivating performance clinched for him the judges' nod and the appreciation of the crowd
TRAVIS ALLEN, clad in gold lame, is in his element when performing the songs of the 50's Elvis. It's not just his looks; it’s the complete package - the moves, voice and charisma - that makes him a joy to watch
2010 Ultimate ETA World Champion JUSTIN SHANDOR in a Burning Love jumpsuit gave an electrifying performance of "Suspicious Minds" when he appeared as a special guest in the Fremont finals
Las Vegas Ultimate ETA Champ JOHNNY FORTUNO in a photo that shows off his good looks and charm.
