Pennsylvania man crowned the King in Elvis contest
Last Updated: Saturday, August 18, 2007 | 10:36 AM ET
CBC Arts
An impersonator from Pennsylvania has been crowned the first official Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist at a competition sponsored by the late singer's Graceland estate.
Shawn Klush, from Pittston, Penn., beat nine other finalists at the Friday night competition in Memphis, Tenn., where thousands of Elvis fans have gathered to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the singer's death.
Shawn Klush from Pittston, Pa., performs during the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest on Friday in Memphis, Tenn.
(Chris Desmond / The Associated Press)
"It's an overwhelming experience and it couldn't be in a better place," said Klush.
The 38-year-old performer won over managers of Presley's estate with versions of My Way, Viva Las Vegas and Bridge Over Troubled Water, dressed in a 1970s-style white jumpsuit.
Klush won $5,000 US, a shopping trip at Graceland's souvenir shops and $3,000 US towards a new costume as well as other prizes.
The competition on Friday had been culled from a roster of 24 to 10 performers that included Jay Zanier of Guelph, Ont., the winner of this year's Elvis contest in Collingwood, Ont.
Three other Canadians were on the long list: Jeff Bodner of Chilliwack, B.C.; Gino Monopoli of Toronto; and David Muggeridge, a North Carolina resident who was born in Lachine, Que.
The competition marked a shift in attitude by Presley's representatives who had previously shunned the impersonators in celebrations.
During the week, thousands of visitors filed past the singer's grave at his Graceland estate in Memphis. Presley died of a heart attack on Aug. 16, 1977. He was 42.
An estimated 75,000 fans have journeyed to Memphis, taking in a number of festivities which culminated in a live concert on Friday night featuring footage of the singer as well as appearances by many of his former band members.
"He's my hero," said Debbie Quinn-Booth of Britain. "He's the love of my life. I can't explain it, it's just something about him."
Graceland is one of the top tourist sites in the U.S. with 600,000 visitors annually.
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