Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest | Graceland
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Ultimate ETA Contest

official ultimate elvis tribute artist contest

EPE is excited to announce that the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest will return for 2025 and Elvis tribute artists around the world can compete for their chance to win a spot in the Semifinal Round during Elvis Week 2025. See a current list of preliminary contest locations!
 
Now through August 2025, Elvis tribute artists are invited to compete in official preliminary rounds being held around the world for their chance at the title of Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2025. Preliminary winners will then travel to Memphis for Elvis Week 2025 to compete in the Semifinal Round. The only way an Elvis tribute artist can advance to the Semifinal Round will be by winning an official preliminary round. Elvis fans are also invited to attend the preliminary rounds that are held at festivals and various venues throughout the world to cheer on their favorite tribute artist.

IN THIS SECTION

HISTORY OF THE ULTIMATE ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTIST CONTEST

In 2007, EPE announced their inaugural event in which they were looking for the “best representation of the legacy of Elvis Presley.” Twenty-four of the best ETAs from around the world traveled to Memphis during Elvis Week 2007 to compete, with Shawn Klush of Pennsylvania winning the first-ever ultimate title. In response to the excitement generated by the 2007 contest, Elvis Presley Enterprises has brought the contest back every year since. Winners include: Brandon Bennett from Louisiana (2008); Bill Cherry from Illinois (2009); Justin Shandor from Michigan (2010); Cody Slaughter of Arkansas (2011); Ben Portsmouth from England (2012); Dean Z of Missouri (2013); Jay Dupuis from Louisiana (2014); David Lee of Alabama (2015); Dwight Icenhower from Florida (2016); Gordon Hendricks from England (2017); and Ben Thompson, also from England (2018); Taylor Rodriguez of Virginia (2019); Patrick Dunn of New York (2021); Victor Trevino Jr of Texas (2022) and Cote Deonath of Florida (2023).

Emilio Santoro from England is the 2024 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Winner.

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Recap Video

COMPETING AT ELVIS WEEK 2025

The contest in Memphis will include a Semifinal Round and a Final Round during Elvis Week 2025. All preliminary winners will compete in the Semifinal Round, with the top Elvis tribute artists moving onto the Final Round. 

The top three winners of the Final Round of the competition will receive a great cash prize along with a selection of other valuable prizes.

Ultimate Elvis Contest First Place Winner

  • Title of Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2025
  • Recognition by Elvis Presley Enterprises
  • Cash prize of $20,000
  • Contract to perform with EPE

Ultimate Elvis Contest Second Place Winner

  • Cash prize of $3,000
  • Selection of other valuable prizes (TBA)

Ultimate Elvis Contest Third Place Winner

  • Cash prize of $2,000
  • Selection of other valuable prizes (TBA)

In addition, all Elvis tribute artists finishing in 4th through 10th place will receive a $500 cash prize.

JUDGING FOR THE ULTIMATE ETA CONTEST

In 2007, when EPE launched the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, we were in search of the Elvis tribute artist who ‘best represents the legacy of Elvis Presley.’ As the contest continues, we will continue to search for the Elvis tribute artist who best represents Elvis in the area of Vocals, Style, Stage Presence and Overall Performance.

For the Semifinal and Final Rounds of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest during Elvis Week, the accounting firm of FORVIS oversees the scoring and tabulation of the contest judging. Having FORIVS as the official auditor of the event assures that the tabulation is held to the highest standards of integrity and objectivity. 

ULTIMATE CONTEST SCORING SHEET

Elvis tribute artists competing during the Semifinal and Final Round in Memphis are all judged using the same scoring sheet. Each of the judging criteria is scored on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest score. Vocals will count for 40% of the score. Style, Stage Wear and Stage Presence each count as 20%. 

The judging criteria are as follows:
  • Vocals - Overall singing ability
  • Style - Ability to present a look and style that well represents Elvis during the era of the song being performed
  • Stage Presence - Ability to recreate the charisma Elvis created when performing on stage
  • Overall Performance - Rating the overall quality of the performance

JUDGES

Judges for the 2025 preliminary rounds of the contest will be chosen by each individual contest organizer. Once they are selected, judges' names are required to be submitted to EPE for final approval. 

Judges for the Semifinal and Final Rounds in Memphis will be selected by EPE and announced closer to August 2025.

ULTIMATE CONTEST RULES AND GUIDELINES

All Elvis tribute artists competing must adhere to the Official Rules and Guidelines of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. Any Elvis tribute artist who is unable to meet and adhere to these rules and guidelines will be disqualified from the contest. Get a complete list of the 2025 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Rules and Guidelines.

If you have any further questions, please send an email to [email protected].  

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