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  • The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Finals During Elvis Week 2015

    2015-08-21 Author: Claire
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    On August 13, 2015 the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Finals took place at the Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Memphis, Tennessee. Each year since 2007, the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Champion is crowned. During the finals ten Tribute Artists compete against each other. However, they are not compared against each other but against Elvis Presley. Vocals (40 percent), style, stage wear, and stage presence (each 20 percent) are the criteria counting in order to find the one person, who represents Elvis best.

    Dwight Icenhower live on stage during the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Finals 2015.

    Dwight Icenhower live on stage during the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Finals 2015.

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  • The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Preliminary Rounds during Elvis Week 2015

    2015-08-12 Author: Claire
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    Last night the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist (ETA) Contest Preliminary Rounds took place at the Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Memphis, Tennessee. This contest for sure is one of the highlights during Elvis Week, because here the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Champion is crowned. All together 24 young men competed against each other in order to save themself a spot for the finals which will take place on Thursday at 7 p.m. If you’re curious how the semi-finals went and who will return on Thursday, you should continue reading…

    Tim Hendry was the first contestant to enter the stage at the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest.

    Tim Hendry was the first contestant to enter the stage at the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest.

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  • Elvis Tribute Artist Ben Portsmouth Travels the World Enjoying his Afternoon Tea…

    2016-03-29 Author: Claire
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    At the purple-black decorated desk in the New Daisy Theatre on famous Beale Street in downtown Memphis I sit working – and, waiting for all the fans to finally get their autographs and take their photos of themselves together with Elvis-Impersonator Ben Portsmouth, who just minutes ago was sitting right there on a white wooden folding chair performing his acoustic concert. It’s Elvis Week 2015 and the city is crowded with men, women and even children who look astonishingly similar to Elvis Presley. Ben Portsmouth though is looking rather casual right now with his plain white T-shirt and fawn-colored trousers as he welcomes his fans with an excessively charismatic smile. At long last – after all the fans have had their chance to shake hands with him – Ben appears with a stack of New Zealand chocolate, a much appreciated gift from his fans. Ben directs his eyes to me as if to acknowledge what we both know – we’re starving – and so Ben proposes we go out to  lunch.

    Ben Portsmouth in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2015.

    Ben Portsmouth in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2015.

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  • Elvis Tribute Artist Dean Z Performs as Buddy Holly During Elvis Week 2015

    2015-08-20 Author: Claire
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    In 2013 Dean Z won the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis, Tennessee and ever since he performs as Elvis all over the world. Besides that Dean Z does not only perform with his own bands “The Kraken” and “The Gimps”, but is also able to both look and sound like Buddy Holly! He does that so good, that I did not even recognize him, when I ran into him before the concert – even though I interviewed him in July in England…

    Dean Z as Buddy Holly during Elvis Week 2015.

    Dean Z as Buddy Holly during Elvis Week 2015.

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  • Dean Z and Cody Ray Slaughter at Europe’s Tribute to Elvis Festival in Blackpool, England

    2015-07-13 Author: Claire
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    “Europe’s Tribute to Elvis” was an Elvis festival in Blackpool, England that lasted three days. Elvis impersonators Dean Z and Cody Ray Slaughter were the headliners of two evening concerts. Ben Portsmouth was confirmed as the third “Elvis Presley”, but due to health reasons he unfortunately was not able to participate. Enjoy the first pictures taken during the two concert evenings (camera: Nikon D7100; Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm)!

    Dean Z as Elvis during his jam session in Blackpool, England.

    Dean Z as Elvis during his jam session in Blackpool, England.

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  • Elvis Impersonator Dean Z Talks about Travel: “I was Flying a Plane Before I was Driving a Car!”

    2015-08-05 Author: Claire
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    It’s a sunny morning in Blackpool, England. The nights during the Elvis Festival “Europe’s Tribute to Elvis” have been far too short, and so I am happy to spend my time waiting in a comfortable brown leather chair in the luxurious hotel lobby. Suddenly, Dean Zeligman, more commonly known to his fans as “Dean Z”, shows up good-tempered, casually dressed – and late. Being late is one of the things he hates about himself, but especially due to the short nights, this is nothing that bothers me. Dean also seems a tad bit tired and a shade groggy in his pale-blue denim shirt and his blue jeans. It was only two days ago that he flew in from Las Vegas and his schedule in England wouldn’t cooperate with the understandable jet lag fatigue. However, it did not affect his positive mood in any way. The plan was to talk about travel, but that turns out to be more difficult than expected: As Elvis was said to be, Dean is congenial, and likeable, and thanks to his humor and naturalness talking to him as well deviating from the subject is quite easy…

    "Dean Z as Elvis" - that's how Elvis impersonator Dean Zeligman is known to his fans.

    “Dean Z as Elvis” – that’s how Elvis impersonator Dean Zeligman is known to his fans.

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  • Only six days left until Elvis Week 2015!

    2015-08-02 Author: Claire
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    I am excited and happy! Happy I decided to fly in for Elvis Week 2015! After all it’s the Elvis Week during which Elvis fans from around the world celebrate Elvis Presley’s 80th birthday! In 2013 I first visited Memphis, Tupelo, and Elvis Week. Back then I unfortunately did not have much time and saw not much more than the “Aloha from Hawaii” concert for the 40th anniversary at the Orpheum Theatre. This time it will be different, because this time I will have time! Above all, I will cover Elvis week on this travel blog (more or less) live. So how does my schedule look like?

    Visit Graceland Sign on the Interstate.

    Visit Graceland Sign on the Interstate.

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