Elvis Impersonators

Elvis Presley is one of the best known celebrities in the 1950′s – 1970’s that even since his death he did not lose his fame.  Several Elvis impersonators have been around, mimicking the way he dressed, the way he talked, walked and every gesture that he made. Elvis Impersonators Shows are growing popularity today. People gather and delight in the shows being described by the sometimes well-known impersonators. It is even a well loved place where families gather and spend their weekends during Elvis Festivals.
Elvis Impersonator Shows are composed of several activities.  In a show, they  sing dozens of songs that were well loved during the 50′s, 60′s and 70s and will sometime make it somewhat humorous, as Elvis did, so people will delight in it.
They will act out as though they are the real Elvis Presley. Lots of the older generation of people will really delight in it because they feel that they are coming back to their younger years. It seems to bring back Elvis Presley to life and this will bring a fresh those memories our grandparents have had.
These Elvis Impersonators can be found at casinos, theaters, Festivlas and Fairs, as well as local nightclubs, and special events including weddings. They come in many forms and abilities—some are complete professionals while others are still new to it. Professionals are those who can do the job of imitating flawlessly. A Professional Elvis Impersonators tickets might be more expensive, but, there will be a lot more fun and excitement since you will have a fantastic experience listening and seeing the impersonator.
These shows aren’t only for profit and business. These are also used in several places to raise donations and funds for charity works. An example of this are the Benefit Shows held in the USA, where the Elvis impersonators along with other singers and comedians perform on stage and raise funds for the various causes, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Right now, there are thousands of Elvis Impersonators in the world and they are still multiplying to this day. Some organizers will even conduct contests that are going to perform well as Elvis Presley both in the way he dresses, the way he talks, and he sings. Due to these, Elvis Impersonators have already gained popularity and fame around the world and earned high recognition.
Elvis Impersonators aren’t only found in casinos and concert halls. Due to media popularity, they are also invading television and films. They are also being invited to perform concerts in Asia, Europe, South American, Canada as well as the USA, to make the event lively and to entertain audiences of all ages.
Elvis Impersonators shows have become the favorite among the Elvis Fans, especially those who are die-hard fans of Elvis Presley. They like how they are being entertained by the impersonators.
These Elvis Impersonators shows are now widely seen in most cities like Las Vegas, Atlantic City,  mostly held in hotels, casinos, theaters, Concert halls, and on open stage when special occasion comes.

Elvis Impersonators

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Professional Celebrity impersonators

Professional Celebrity impersonators are a fantastic way to increase the popularity of hotels, bars and casinos; in fact most major casinos in Las Vegas hold celebrity impersonators shows on a daily or weekly basis to attract customers and guest. Not only do Professional Celebrity impersonators allow people to relive the glory of years past, but they also make weddings special and memorable. Another well loved trend is inviting Professional Celebrity impersonators to perform in weddings. If you are looking to host a special event, celerity impersonators are a fantastic way to make the most of your event, not only do celebrity impersonators increase the popularity of events but more often than not they become regular attractions in many hotels and casinos. All in all celebrity impersonators are a fantastic way to make your hotel or casinos more well loved.

Today many Professional Celebrity impersonators have become a fantastic means of special entertainment and are very well loved in parties, casinos and events. Businesses are employing celebrity images to market products and bring in attendees at functions and industry events. The fact is you can find full websites that concentrate on celebrity impersonators. Look alikes are really well loved for quite some time and also have been employed to meet and welcome attendees at the beginning of an event.

Las Vegas, Nevada holds conventions of Professional Celebrity impersonators at one or a number of of its casinos. Impersonators from all over the world , converge right here to mingle with other performers of their ilk. Producers, agents and hiring organizations also occur right here to hunt for new talent. They change notes and tips to improve their performances. A fantastic deal goes into doing a show with celebrity impersonators a resounding triumph. You will find make-up artists, producers, talent agents and technicians behind the scenes who do the job in direction of making the impersonators shows seem beneficial.

There are many entertainment companies and talent agents which provide celebrity impersonators for hire. Nearly every well-known personality, right from pop stars like Madonna, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Cher, Beyonce Knowles, to film stars like Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, U2′s Bono, Jennifer Aniston, and Johnny Depp is on the repertoire of celebrity impersonator agents and top entertainment companies.

One of the most lauded and fun celebrity impersonator shows on the planet is the Blue Brothers show, if you are looking for a fun and entertaining way to liven up the atmosphere in your casino or hotel, then a Blue Brother’s or Rod Stewart Tribute show is a must. Everyone wishes they could rub elbows with the rich and well-known. Unfortunately, we can’t all be so privileged. Lucky for you, there are a lot of doppelgangers out there and they’re making their living paying tribute to the stars.

Professional Celebrity impersonators are the closest you can get to have your favorite celebrity, and see them live. Celebrity impersonators are a fantastic way to increase the popularity of hotels, bars and casinos; in fact all major casinos in Vegas hold celebrity shows on a daily or weekly basis to attract customers. All in all Professional Celebrity impersonators are a fantastic way to make your hotel or casinos more well loved.

Professional Celebrity impersonators

Celebrity Impersonators

Elvis impersonators have been around forever, but now it seems there is a celebrity impersonator or tribute act for nearly every performer out there. Celebrity Impersonation shows are becoming increasingly well loved in cities such as Las Vegas and Branson. You can see legends that are gone but not forgotten, or you can see new and well loved acts. Some celebrity impersonators are spot on in the looks department, and some make up for it in spirit. But either way, it is a clean way to see your favorite acts that, for one reason or another, you wouldn’t normally get to see.
A fantastic thing is a lot of shows will showcase four or five celebrity impersonators together and often these acts will intermingle with each other throughout the show; a “more bang for your buck” kind of thing. How clean would it be to see Elvis and Dolly Parton perform together, or Michael Jackson and Sammy Davis Jr.? Now, because of impersonation acts, you can see all these performers together.

You won’t blow your entire vacation budget on one of these shows either. They are relatively cheap, compared to seeing the real thing, if you can even get tickets! And they are usually performing when you are ready to see them. Many celebrity impersonator shows will have daily matinees and evening shows for your convenience. When’s the last time the real Elton John done that for you? And if you are lucky, the performers will stick around and take pictures and sign mock autographs after their shows. In this day of social networking, imagine the comments when you post a picture of yourself standing with Tina Turner!

Not all celebrity impersonators place on the same kind of show. It’s mostly their interpretation of the celebrity they are playing. So don’t ever reckon if you’ve seen one Elvis, you’ve seen them all, because you haven’t! We all know there is skinny Elvis and not so skinny Elvis, but there’s also gospel Elvis, 60’s Elvis, etc. There are shows that depict every aspect of the King. Of course you will see a lot of Elvis’ in the glittery suits and aviator sunglasses but not every show will make that Elvis their main character. This holds right for many other celebrities as well.

If you’ve never seen a celebrity impersonator, now’s the time. You will be amazed at how these people personify the real deal. When they are on that stage they are the person they are portraying and it’s their job to convince you of that. And yes, most of them take their jobs very seriously. These shows are certainly worth checking out. It’s a lot of fun for anyone regardless of age. You will never have another chance to see the Beatles in concert but you can always catch a Beatles look-a-like show and you can easily pretend you are back in the 60’s, smack dab of the British invasion. Impersonation acts bring us back to our past, our memories, or maybe give us a small glimpse of our parents past, either way, they are worth going out to see one, two … ah, what the heck, go out a see them all!

Celebrity Impersonator shows are becoming well loved

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Two World Champion Elvis Tribute Artists

By Zena Sultana

It takes talent to claim center stage!  It takes a lot more than talent to be crowned  “World Champion Elvis Tribute Artist!”

What it takes are looks, charisma, stage presence, vocal prowess, the right moves, authentic Elvis outfits, humility, and sense of humor.  In other words, the “best representation of the legacy of Elvis Presley.”  The King had all these wonderful attributes that made him the “Ultimate Entertainer of All Time”, and so the Elvis Tribute Artists (ETAs) who carry on his legacy have to perfect their art to be “just like Elvis.”

In August 2007, two ETAs were named World Champions in two separate International World Competitions held inMemphis, Tennessee, in honor of the King’s 30^th death anniversary.

Shawn Klush of Pennsylvania was crowned Champion of the first-ever “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition” which was sponsored by the Elvis Presley Enterprises, while Johnny Thompson of Las Vegas was crowned as the “2007 Images of the King World Champion” in the 21^st Annual Images Competition.

Klush was awarded the following prizes:  $5,000 in cash; $5,000 shopping spree at Graceland; $3,000 gift certificate from B&K Enterprises to use towards the purchase of a jumpsuit; a one-of-a-kind Ultimate Tribute Artist Contest Champion belt, designed and created by B&K Enterprises; a recording session, courtesy of Sun Records of Nashville; and a contract to perform on the first-ever Elvis Cruise held August 30 to September 3, 2007 (with a compensation package that included double-occupancy cabin, travel for two, and $1,000 cash.) All in all,  a total of $14,000 in cash, plus a recording deal and other awards.

And then there was the overwhelming media attention, with guest appearances in several TV shows including Entertainment Tonight, and calls for future appearances from Jay Leno, Dave Letterman and Oprah.  Added to that was the adulation of Elvis fans who filled up the 2,100-seat theatre at the Cannon Center of Performing Arts in downtownMemphis.  Thousands more viewed his winning performance on YouTube.

Thompson, on the other hand, was awarded $1,500 in cash and $1,500 gift certificate from B&K Enterprises.  There was not much media attention here, since the event was not EPE-sponsored.  Thompson did however appear on CNN International in an interview that can still be seen on YouTube.

The “Images of the King” will always be remembered as the original ETA competition inMemphis, started in 1986 (21 years ago) by Doc Franklin.  It has evolved through the years into a family reunion, expo and entertainment showcase.  Well over 2,000 people from around the world also attended this year’s competition.

Runners-up in the Ultimate Elvis contest were Trent Carlini ofHenderson, Nevada, and Donny Edwards ofLas Vegas,Nevada.  In the Images of the King contest, the other winners were Gino Monopoli ofCanada and Scott Norton ofFlorida.

The Ultimate Elvis Contest featured preliminary winners in competitions conducted in various cities of theUnited States, Canada, Europe,Australia andNorway.  Ten of the preliminary winners moved on to the final round, and they were: Brandon Bennett, Kjell Bjornstead, Trent Carlini, Donny Edwards, Jeff Golden, Joseph Hall, Ben Klein, Paul Larcombe, Shawn Klush, and Jay Zanier.

Finalists in the Images of the King competition, in order of performance, were: (Round 1) Mike Bravener, Will Ganzon, Cody Slaughter, Elvis Wayne, Justin Edwards, Rick Wade, Oliver Steinhoff, Toki, Matthew Spaulding, Tony Grova, Adam Fisher, George Elias, Danny Dale, Kavan and Scott Norton.  (Round 2) Jeff Barnes, Matt Joyce, Joseph Hall, Richard Adkins, Lance Dobinson, Joe Trites, Paul Thorpe, Johnny Thompson, Lil’D, Anthony Von, Jason Whited, Todd Martin, David Allen, Jesse Aron, Pete Paquette, Kjell Bjornstead, Gino Monopoli, Rob Langford and Jamie McDonnel-Roberts.

Shawn Klush is an accomplished ETA who has performed in sold-out concerts all over the globe.  He has toured the world for ten years as Elvis with the “Legends in Concert”; won the Lady Luck Music’s first annual international King of Kings People’s Choice Awards in Nashville; headlined the Collingwood Elvis Festival three years in a row; mesmerized thousands of fans at the 12,000-seat Arena De Santiago in Santiago, Chile; and won the “Worldwide Elvis Competition” in Montreal, Canada.

He also performed as Elvis in the VH1 CBS movie “Shake, Rattle and Roll”, and in other television shows as well.  After winning the Ultimate Elvis Competition inMemphis, Klush was officially crowned the “Top Professional Elvis Tribute Artist in the World” at the First World Greatest Elvis Competition inLondon,England.

Fans all over the world agree that Shawn Klush brings all the electrifying magic of the King to the stage.  His popularity as an Elvis Tribute Artist is at its peak, and yet Klush is still as humble and friendly as ever.

Johnny Thompson is also a veteran ETA whose performances include the 2005 and 2006 International Music Festival in Shanghai,China, and sold-out performances inCancun,Bolivia, theDominican Republic, andEurope.  He has just finished a week inBritish Columbia,Canada, and a one-month tour of 21 cities inFrance, includingParis.  He will be off again to perform inFinland, Denmark andNorway in 2008.

Here in theU.S., Thompson starred at theseLas Vegas hotels & casinos:  MGM Grand,Riviera, Lady Luck, and New Frontier, as well as in innumerable venues all over the country.  One of his greatest and most memorable performances was hosting the Red Carpet 2005 MTV Music Awards for TRL.  He also did a lot of television shows:  played Elvis in the TV series “the Chronicle”, VH1 Surreal Life, CMT “Impostors”, “Almost Elvis” Blue Suede Films, HBO’s “Life Moments”, The Learning Channel’s “The Man who would be King”, CBS “Entertainment Tonight”, “Get Golf” USA Network, and “Good Morning Las Vegas.”

Thompson cares deeply for his family and friends, and like Klush, has developed a loyal following nationally and internationally.  To most Elvis fans, Thompson is the one who really looks the most like Elvis.

His website is: www.Johnny-Thompson.com

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The King of Las Vegas

By Zena Sultana

SAN DIEGO, CA –The King of Las Vegas – You either got it, or you don’t.  The “it” here is charisma, talent, looks, voice, and stage appeal.  If you’re a performer and you got it, you’ll go far.  If not, you will languish in obscurity. JOHNNY THOMPSON definitely got it!  He has the Elvis looks, the Elvis moves, the Elvis voice, and charisma galore.  An ETA par excellence!  Most Elvis fans think that Johnny is “the closest thing there is to Elvis.

Elvis Impersonators

“Being compared to Elvis is an honor and I’m flattered,” Johnny said.  “The truth is, no one can really be like Elvis.  There’s only one ELVIS PRESLEY!”

I agree!  Elvis was so unique – possessing considerable talent, stunning good looks, and unrivaled charisma.  Whether clad in the simple suits of his early years, or dressed to thrill in the black leather and flamboyant jumpsuits of his later years – Elvis was the consummate performer, commanding the stage, and mesmerizing the audience.  No one yet can hold a candle to his charms!

Johnny comes pretty close.  He even starred as Elvis himself in the TV series “The Chronicle.”

In the last 18 months, it was really “Go, Johnny, Go!” for Johnny.  He performed in CHINA,CANCUN,BOLIVIA, the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, and then he went back to CHINA.  He will be in CANCUN again this July and August.

During a brief hiatus from his overseas schedule, Johnny flew down here to San Diego for a 3-day engagement at the San Diego Convention Center.  We had time to talk over dinner, and I was excited to listen to his stories about his experiences in 2005 and this year.

Johnny said that probably the greatest thing he did last year was hosting the Red Carpet 2005 MTV Movie Awards for TRL.  Taped July 4, 2005 in Los Angeles, it was aired July 9.  He was the first and only ETA to host this event.  His media exposure at the Awards led to some invitations to perform abroad.

The King of Las Vegas

Johnny interviewed stars and celebrities such as HILLARY SWANK, JESSICA ALBA, LINDSAY LOHAN, JESSICA SIMPSON, NICK LACHEY, NICOLE RICHIE, EVA MENDEZ, THE ROCK, FAT JOE, THE FOO FIGHTERS, QUENTIN TARANTINO and many more.

When Hillary first saw Johnny, she said, “I love Elvis!” and Johnny responded, “Elvis loves you too, baby!”  Then Johnny asked Hillary how it feels to be nominated Best Actress, and Hillary said she was nominated for Best Kiss last year.  She then grabbed Johnny and kissed him “for the camera.”  Johnny told her she made him weak in the knees as he started to drop down to the ground and back up again.  “It was hilarious!” Johnny recalled.

In July last year, Johnny was a big hit in CHINA at the Various Clubs. Johnny performed in six different cities: Shanghai, Xi-An, Zhen Zen, Cheng-du, Zhen Zou and Beijing.

I asked him if it was any different performing in China, and he said,  “Well, not really.  Elvis music is universal, and Elvis had universal appeal.”  During his off hours from performing, Johnny took in the sights.  He was able to visit the Wu Temple, the oldest and largest temple in China, and see the world-famous Terra Cotta Warriors.

The King of Las Vegas

In May this year, Johnny went back to China for the 2006 INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL held in Shanghai.  He was there for seven days, and was again one of the four artists featured on the main stage.  Performers came from around the world.  He made front-page news in a few Shanghai papers with a photo of him singing to a teen-age Chinese girl.

His most unforgettable experience there, he said, was when he was rushed by almost a thousand screaming women, and mobbed on the stage by some 200, all wanting a kiss, a scarf, or some piece of him.  “Wow!” he said, “I felt what it was like for Elvis every time he performed.  I turned around and looked at the band members, and all of them were laughing and bowing, saying “You are the King!”

Johnny was lucky to get back to the U.S. May 8^th as scheduled, because the following day, Typhoon Chanchu slammed Shanghai.  A few people died, over 200 homes were flooded, and flights were canceled.

But Johnny was not that lucky when he performed in CANCUN in September and October last year.  It was hurricane season, and when Hurricane Wilma unleashed its fury, Johnny was right in the middle of it.  Of the six weeks he was to perform, he did only four, because the hurricane made it impossible.

The King of Las Vegas

When Wilma hit, all the other guests at Playa del Carmen, along with Johnny, were evacuated to another resort for the night.  They following morning, they were transported to a schoolhouse in several buses.  Johnny said the schoolhouse was built in the 80’s and was like a concrete bunker, with boarded-up windows.

Inside the schoolhouse, 400 people were split into groups of 40 each per classroom.  There was no electricity, no running water, and no clean bathrooms.  They filled up buckets with rainwater for flushing and washing.  “It was like a scene from Survivors,” Johnny said, “and the people in my group were calling me Mc Giver because they said I helped people keep their sanity making sure there are plenty of rainwater to flush and wash with.”

Outside the school, Wilma was in full fury.  Johnny said that the sound created by the hurricane was like freight trains running around in circles, combined with the clash of a thousand drums.  Every tree was ripped out by its roots and slammed into the building.  Anybody brave or foolish enough to go out will be tossed by the violent winds, never to be heard of again. “There was a metal roof slamming into our building for three days and three nights.  When the hurricane ended, there were hundreds of looters stealing food and supplies from a nearby grocery store, and running away in the streets as police fired their guns into the air.  For three days you could hear gunfire at all times of the day and night.”

On the fourth day at the schoolhouse, they ran out of food.  But what really scared them was the prison break two blocks away.  Despite the flooded streets, they were eager to leave.  As the buses pulled away, the escaped prisoners took over the schoolhouse, stealing everything in sight. The police came in shooting and arresting the escapees.

Johnny’s group headed for another resort south of Cancun, but the water was even deeper, and one of the buses behind Johnny’s flipped over in the water. The passengers had to break the windows and climbed out of the bus into the dark water in the middle of the night!  After walking some distance to reach dry land, the passengers of the overturned bus were picked up by a vegetable truck, and the truck driver charged each person $5 to take them to their destination.

Finally, they reached the hotel, but there was no running water, and six people were stuffed into a double-bed room.  All flights back to the U.S., or anywhere, were canceled, so Johnny had to wait it out for over a week.  “What an experience that was!” Johnny said.

The King of Las Vegas

Then in November, Johnny was hired by the U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia to perform at LA PAZ, BOLIVIA for the “Hope Foundation.”  With two-sold out concerts, Johnny was able to help the foundation raise funds for the construction of a Work Education Training Center there.

La Paz is the de facto capital of Bolivia, where the executive and legislative branches of the government function.  An impressive line of snow-capped peaks (like the Cordillera Real), some exceeding 20,000 feet above sea level, makes La Paz one of the highest cities in the world.  The air is so thin, that for want of oxygen, you need to take some high-altitude medication.

Johnny’s two nights of extraordinary performances both ended in standing ovations.  He must have pulled all the stops and gave his all, for he was featured in seven TV programs and written up in three newspapers.  Johnny was constantly stopped on the streets as they recognized him from the TV shows he had appeared on.  Luckily he had several secret service men from the Bolivian government with him at all times, and he was driven around in armored trucks.  VIP treatment indeed!

While in Bolivia, Johnny stayed at the Ambassador’s new mansion with Ambassador Greenly’s family.

The King of Las Vegas

The following month, December 2005, Johnny was off to the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC for a 3-month string of performances at four of the finest resorts:  three on the Atlantic side, and one on the Caribbean side.  The members of the audience were tourists from Canada,Quebec,South America,England,Germany, Italy,France and the United States.

According to Johnny, the Dominican Republic is a very popular tourist destination because of its classy 5-star hotels and resorts.  But the ordinary people there live in miserable and abject condition.  “If you have a tin roof over your house, which really is a shack and an outhouse, you are considered rich,” Johnny said.

The Dominican Republic is the second largest nation in the Caribbean, bigger than the Bahamas,Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and all the Virgin Islands combined.  The country is a stark land of contrasts with both the tallest point in the Caribbean (Puerto Duarte, rising over 10,100 feet above sea level) and the lowest point (Lake Enriquillo, averaging 150 feet below sea level.)

As of now, Johnny is writing a new show that opens in Michigan next month (August).  The star of the show is ADRIAN ZMED.  He is an actor from the TJ Hooker show, hosted Dance Fever, and played Danny Zucko in Grease on Broadway.

For all the work he gets, Johnny wants to thank his manager, Kristy Lee Royle of Royal Talents.  “Kristy, thank you!”

Johnny can be booked at www.RoyalTalent.com

All in all … from the hurricane winds of Cancun to China’s waves of humanity … Johnny had a wonderful time!  He is hoping, and so do I, that his return performance in Cancun this month will not be marred by another hurricane.  If it does, I think Johnny is up to it.  Just chalk it away to another unforgettable experience.  Anyway, each moment is a memory in the making!

Johnny, bon voyage and au revoir The King of Las Vegas!

The King of Las Vegas

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Making a Mark as an Elvis Tribute Artist

By Zena Sultana

In the ever-expanding Elvis Tribute Artist industry – every ETA is dreaming to make it big. Some have made it to the top, some are on their way up, but most are still languishing in obscurity.  It takes a lot of talent to follow in the footsteps of the King.  It takes a lot of work to keep the memory of Elvis alive. Elvis Tribute Artist

For who could really compare to Elvis?  Elvis was larger than life.  He was unique – possessing stunning good looks, unrivalled charisma and incomparable talent!  Whether clad in the colorful suits of his early years, or dressed to thrill in the black leather and flamboyant jumpsuits of his later years – Elvis was the consummate performer, commanding the stage and mesmerizing his audience.

Elvis Tribute Artist

No other performer, before or since, can hold a candle to Elvis’ charms!  No one in the history of the entertainment and music industry can come close to what Elvis Presley had accomplished.  That is why Elvis Presley was accorded the title: “Performer of the Century”!

One ETA who is making his mark in the “Elvis world” is Johnny Thompson of Las Vegas, Nevada.  In 2007, he became the “International Images of the King” World Champion.  Some Elvis’ fans think that Johnny is “the closest thing there is to Elvis” and Johnny is honored and flattered by that.

“Being compared to Elvis is an honor and I’m flattered,” he said.  “The truth is, no one can really be like Elvis.  There’s only one Elvis Presley!”

Elvis Tribute Artist Johnny Thompson comes close.  He even played Elvis in a TV series on the Sci-Fi channel called “The Chronicle.”  He also starred in the “Almost Elvis” and “The Men who would be King” documentaries and on “Get Golf with John Ohurley on USA Network.  In 2005, Johnny hosted the 2005 MTV Movie Awards Red Carpet for TRL, and appeared on “Viva La Bam”, “One Bad Trip”, “24/7’ and “The Surreal Life”.

A versatile entertainer, Elvis Tribute Artist Johnny has performed on stage all over America.  Kristy Lee Royle, of www.RoyalTalent.com, has also sent him for performances inFrance,Belgium,Finland, the Dominican Republic,Mexico,China, Japan and Jamaica.  According to Kristy, this month (January 2009), there’s a possibility that Johnny will be going back to China again for a performance.  Johnny has also performed in Canada as well.

This summer, Johnny will also appear on “TV Land Myth and Legends” and also in the new “Viva Las Vegas” special edition DVD being released by the Elvis Presley Enterprises.  EPE is the sponsor of the much-acclaimed “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist” competition held every August in Memphis for two years now.

Most recently, Johnny has appeared in Carrie Underwood’s new music video “Last Name.”  Carrie Underwood is one of the hottest young country singers today.  After she won in the 4^th season of “American Idol”, her name has been ablaze in lights.  Everything she touches turned to gold, and the overwhelming demand for her albums in a continuing phenomenon!

“Last Name” is a song about a young lady who succumbed to the allure and craziness of Vegas, somehow drank too much “Cuervo”, and woke up with a wedding ring on her finger.  The young bride didn’t even know the last name of her groom.  Hah – only in Vegas!  The city of dreams (and delusions?)

Anyway, Johnny is the one who performed “the wedding” in this music video. Carrie wrote the lyrics of “Last Name” and six other songs that are included in her new album entitled “Carnival Ride.”

You can watch the video of “Last Name”, and learn more about Johnny, by logging on to his Elvis Tribute Artist website: www.Johnny.Thompson.com.

Elvis Impersonator

Making a Mark as an Elvis Tribute Artist

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Sometimes events in your life have a way of turning out for the best!

That is what happened to JOHNNY THOMPSON in Memphis during the 2007 ELVIS WEEK.  Johnny was in Memphis because he won in the preliminary Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition in Del Mar, California.

Right before he left for Memphis, he told this reporter that he might not win the coveted title of “2007 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist” in the first-ever ETA competition sponsored by the ELVIS PRESLEY ENTERPRISES.   However, he said he would be happy enough if he makes it to the Top Ten.

Unfortunately he didn’t!

But God had something better in store for him.  He was crowned the “2007 Images of the King World Champion” two days later!  The saying that “God will not take you to where His grace will not sustain you” is true indeed!The “Images of the King” contest was tough.  Seventy-two ETAs from around the world competed in the first two days of preliminaries.  Out of the seventy-two, 34 were selected to compete again in two more days of final competitions.

A suspenseful moment ensued while the judges’ votes were tallied.  And then came the announcement:  Johnny Thompson from Las Vegas is the new World Champion!  He emailed me later that he was surprised, and very, very happy. “I wish you were here so you could have seen it!” he wrote.

I missed all the events honoring ELVIS PRESLEY on his 30th death anniversary, so I wasn’t able to see the “Images of the King” and “Ultimate ETA” competitions. For Elvis fans like me who didn’t make it to Memphis, and would like to view the announcement of the winners, log in to this website:  www.imagesofthekingcontest.com.

Here are the top winners and their awards:  JOHNNY THOMPSON of Las Vegas, Nevada, World champion,  $1,500 cash and $1,500 gift certificate from B&K Enterprises; GINO MONOPOLI of Canada, second place, $600 cash and $800 gift certificate from B&K; SCOTT NORTON of Florida, third place, $400 in cash and $500 gift certificate from B&K. CODY SLAUGHTER won the People’s Choice award, while GENE SHAW and JERRY BRIAN tied for the Spirit of Elvis award.

The finalists who competed at the Round 1 Finals held Friday, August 17, in order of performance, were:  MIKE BRAVENER, WILL GANZON, CODY SLAUGHTER, ELVIS WAYNE, JUSTIN EDWARDS, RICK WADE, OLIVER STEINHOFF, TOKI, MATTHEW SPAULDING, TONY GROVA, ADAM FISHER, GEORGE ELIAS, DANNY DALE, KAVAN and SCOTT NORTON.

At the Round 2 Finals held Saturday, August 18, the finalists, in order of performance, were:  JEFF BARNES, MATT JOYCE, JOSEPH HALL, RICHARD ADKINS, LANCE DOBINSON, JOE TRITES, PAUL THORPE, JOHNNY THOMPSON, LIL’D, ANTHONY VON, JASON WHITED, TODD MARTIN, DAVID ALLEN, JESSE ARON, PETE PAQUETTE, KJELL BJORNSTED, GINO MONOPOLI, ROB LANGFORD and JAMIE McDONNEL-ROBERTS.

Other ETAs who joined the “Images of the King” competition were:  JACK HOWARD, GENE LANE, PAUL BUTLER, CURT LECHNER, VAL PANGILINAN, LARRY TSCHEHALI, FRED ALBERT, KEN YUVIENCO, LOU JORDAN, MARCUS BERE, MARIO RAMOS, SHELBY DANIEL, TONY FRIETAS, TERRY McGILLIVRAY, JIM HOLMES, NASAR SFIAN MORDEN, TYLER JAMES BARLING, TORI, BRAD McCRADY, MONK PELLY, TIM DUDLEY, JAMES CARDWELL, CHRIS MARTIN, STEVE BOTELLO, SAMMY STONE, PAUL ROUSE, BILL BROOKS, MICHAEL RATCLIFFE, ALVIN SMITH, MIKE BOZZO, GARY ABBOTT, BUD SANDERS, JEFF “JELVIS” LAJESS, JIM BISHOP, TRACY ALAN MOORE, JOHNNY LOOS, DAVID MUGGERIDGE and RICHARD COOK.

Former “Images of the King” World champions were guest performers, among them:  MICHAEL HOOVER, 1988; DAVID LEE, 2004; MARIO, 2005; and ELVIS, JR., 2006.

The day after the Grand Finals, Johnny attended and performed at the Breakfast of Champions together with DAVID LEE, GINO MONOPOLI, and GARY ELVIS BRITT.

“Images of the King” is the original ETA competition in Memphis, started in 1986 (21 years ago) by DOC FRANKLIN.  It has evolved through the years into a family reunion, expo and entertainment showcase.  Around 2,000 people from around the world attended this year’s competition.

What’s new with Johnny after winning the “Images of the King” this year?      He is off to Europe for another string of performances. Together with LEO DAYS from Michigan, who will be performing as the 50’s Elvis, and KRAIG PARKER from Dallas, Texas, who will be performing as the 70’s Elvis, the three of them will be in Paris, France for a month (October 3 to November 3, 2007).  Johnny will do the “Comeback Special” segment.

Then the three of them will perform in 19 to 20 more cities in France, Finland, Denmark and Norway.  Way to go, Johnny, Leo and Kraig!

Johnny has performed in other countries before, like China, Cancun, Bolivia and the Dominican Republic.

Zena Sultana

Elvis Impersonator

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