Cody Slaughter - 2011 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist

The great American poet Oliver Wendell Holmes once wrote, “Many people die with their music still in them … too often it is because they are always getting ready to live …”

Cody Slaughter, the 2011Ultimate ETA World Champion, is not among those many that Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote about. Cody is young and vibrantly alive! His music is being shared for all to see and enjoy! In fact, he lives and breathes music – Elvis music that is. Only 20, Cody has accomplished what people twice his age can only dream of!

Cody is the youngest tribute artist ever to win the title of Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist World Champion. Charismatic and good-looking, Cody has the moves, the looks, the voice, and the showmanship of the young Elvis. His passion for excellence earned him the title of “the best of the best!”

Twenty-six tribute artists from around the world participated in the Fifth Ultimate ETA Contest held at the Orpheum Theatre during Elvis Week in Memphis this August. The contest was one of the many highlights of Elvis Week commemorating the 34th anniversary when our beloved Elvis had finally “left the building.”

After a grueling two rounds of semi-finals and finals, the ranking Top 5 winners this year were: 1st place – Cody Slaughter of Harrison, Arkansas, winner of the Tupelo Elvis Festival; 2nd place – Ben Klein of Spokane, Washington, winner of the Ultimate ETA Contest at Chinook Winds Casino Resort; and 3rd place – Pete Storm from England, winner of the Collingwood Elvis Festival.

Rounding out the Top 5: Ted Torres of Orlando, Florida, winner of the Silver Slipper Casino Ultimate ETA Contest, 4th place; and Mark Anthony from Australia, winner of the Penticton Pacific Northwest Elvis Festival, 5th place. Mark also won the “Ultimate Spirit of Elvis Award” voted on by the tribute artists themselves, and presented to the contestant who demonstrated the most integrity, sportsmanship, helpfulness, and fan appreciation.

Cody’s is in his element as the “young Elvis.” He came out on the stage of the Orpheum Theatre attired in a pink jacket, followed by a crimson jacket, and for the finale, a white jacket. He looked like the young Elvis come to life, and according to some, like the Elvis in the billboards advertising Graceland. That’s so true! He has that stunning resemblance to the king, and charisma galore!

And to think that he was not even born yet in 1977 – the year when our beloved Elvis left the narrow bonds of earth to touch the face of God!

According to his manager/agent Brenda Hart, Cody began his entertainment career at 13. Born and raised in Harrison, Arkansas – gateway to the Buffalo National River and the beautiful Ozark Mountains – Cody’s true passion for Elvis’ music has directed his career path.

This talented young man has landed multiple performances in many theaters in Branson, Missouri and in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Cody was the headliner at the 1,000-seat resort complex “The Tennessee Shindig”, where he performed for a year when he was just 17. He also appeared on MTV’s “My Super Sweet 16” in 2008, and has been performing at special events, corporate functions, and entertainment venues throughout the United States. His amazing love and respect for the “Greatest Entertainer of All Time” is apparent every time he performs.

Some of Cody’s accomplishments include: winning “The People’s Choice Award” at the “Images of the King” contest during the 2008 Elvis Week; placing 3rd in the “Images of the King Contest” in August 2009; 2nd place winner of the Ultimate ETA Contest in Tupelo, Mississippi in June 2010; and 1st place winner of the Memphis Hard Rock Ultimate ETA Contest in 2010. Cody turned 20 on the day he won the Tupelo Elvis Fest.

Now, this young performer belongs to that elite group – the most talented Elvis Tribute Artists in the world! Cody said, “My greatest joy is when I am paying tribute to Elvis and his music and trying to keep his spirit alive with fans.”

As of this writing, Cody is scheduled to do a Farewell Show in his hometown in Harrison, Arkansas. He has signed a one-year contract with the Million Dollar Quartet to perform in its upcoming U.S. tour. No folks, he is not leaving for good – it will be a farewell-for-now show!

There were three rounds of competition at the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest this year. In Round 1, held Thursday afternoon (August 11), the 26 contestants sang one song each. The 26, winners of preliminaries held around the world, were: Cody Slaughter, Tim “E” Hendry, Mario Kombou, Johnny Fortuno, David Allen, Kraig Parker, Kevin Mills, Mark Anthony, Gino Monopoli, Ben Klein, Jay Zanier, Jake Slater, Joe Ramsey, Bobby Simpkins, Daisuki Kiryu, Pete Storm, Ted Torres, David Lee, Gordon Hendricks, Elias Jamhour, Stephen Freeman, Ben Portsmouth, Lee Birchfield, Travis Allen, Roy LeBlanc, and Eddie Miles.

At the end of Round 1, fifteen were selected to compete in the Thursday evening’s semi-finals: Johnny Fortuno, Bobby Simpkins, Ben Portsmouth, Travis Allen, Ben Klein, David Allen, Cody Slaughter, Ted Torres, Kraig Parker, Daisuke Kiryu, Pete Storm, Kevin Mills, Gordon Hendricks, Mark Anthony, and Stephen Freeman.

During Round 2 in the evening of the same day, the 15 semi-finalists sang one song each, and then came out again for a second song. The Top 10 were: Pete Storm, David Allen, Ben Portsmouth, Gordon Hendricks, Johnny Fortuno, Ben Klein, Kevin Mills, Ted Torres, Mark Anthony, and Cody Slaughter.

The suspense was palpable while waiting for the Top 5 to be named. Here they are, with their final song: Cody Slaughter – “Mean Woman Blues”; Ben Klein – “Baby, Let’s Play House”; Pete Storm – “Polk Salad Annie”; Ted Torres – “The Impossible Dream”; and Mark Anthony – “My Way.”

Everyone at the Orpheum Theatre that night will always remember Cody Slaughter saying, “I can’t believe it!” when he was announced as winner and presented with a gigantic check for $20,000.

The EAS Band, the official Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist back-up band, provided live music for the contestants. This band, considered as the definitive ETA back-up group (not counting the original Elvis TCB band of course) is composed of: John Crenshaw – band leader and drums; Jason Parks – keyboard; Tom Madden – lead guitar; Rick Crenshaw – bass guitar; Al Babyok – piano; Donetta Crenshaw and Cherryl Crenshaw – vocals.

The contestants were judged on the following criteria: vocals – the ability to match the sound and quality of Elvis’ voice; appearance – the ability to create the look and style that represents Elvis well; stage presence – the ability to recreate the charisma Elvis created when performing on stage; and overall performance – the quality of the overall performance. What the contest judges were really looking for was “the best representation of the legacy of Elvis Presley!”

The judges this year were: Simon Cantlon, Director of Digital Media for 19 Entertainment; Alexis Grace, Season Eight “American Idol”; Brad Birkedahl, rock ‘n’ guitarist and former member of The Dempseys; and Michael Detroit, Associate Producer at Playhouse on the Square.

There was something new that highlighted Elvis Week this year – the “Elvis Presley Live: The King in Concert” Show. This multi-media event was a theatrical experience that was larger than life! The “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” himself was projected on state-of-the-art screens all over the Orpheum Theatre.

This musical event presented a hot studio session band and back-up vocalists on stage, a virtual Elvis Presley concert experience with Elvis singing lead vocals presented exactly like one of his classic live performances at the Las Vegas Hilton showroom. All the sound, other than Elvis' signature vocals, had been pulled out of his best concert performances in the epic film "Elvis: That's the Way It Is.” All musical accompaniments in this concert were performed live except for Elvis' voice.

The Elvis’ Imperials made a special appearance and sang a few of Elvis' favorite gospel numbers. Hosted by Joe Guercio, Elvis' musical conductor and close friend for many years, this was a rare opportunity for Elvis fans to experience something completely new and different in the city known around the world as the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll.

Celebrities, authors and friends of Elvis were on hand Friday through Sunday (August 12-14) for the autograph session hosted by the Elvis Memorabilia Fan Club at the former home of Vernon Presley at 1266 Dolan Drive: Marilyn Mason – Elvis’ co-star in “The Trouble with Girls”; Chris Noel – co-star in “Girl Happy”; Suzanna Leigh – co-star in “Paradise, Hawaiian Style”; Gary Lockwood – co-star in “Wild in the Country” and “It Happened at the World’s Fair”; Nancy Rooks – author and Elvis’ maid/cook at Graceland; Donna Lewis – friend of Elvis and author of “Hurry Home Elvis – The Donna Lewis Diaries” Volumes 1,2 and 3; Sara Erwin – former Graceland neighbor and author of “Across the Fence”; Wanda Heagy – author of “East Tupelo and Elvis: That’s the Way it Was”; Mike Freeman – author, film producer and historian; and Roger and Larry Loyd – Elvis’ cousins and authors.

The weather was notably less hot and humid this year, which made it more pleasant in attending outside events, listening to performers at the tent, and participating at the annual candlelight vigil. – zs/sultana intl.

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