Elvis Presley Enterprises Announces Third Annual Ultimate El

Elvis Presley Enterprises Announces Third Annual Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest


March 3, 2009

Grand Prize for 2009 Contest Increased to $20,000
and New Online Preliminary Contest to Be Hosted by MySpace Karaoke

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) announced today that due to the overwhelming response and success of the past two years’ international search, it is launching the third annual “[url=http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http://www.elvis.com/ultimatecontest&esheet=5908133&lan=en_US&anchor=Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest&index=1]Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest[/url]™” for 2009. As with 2008, contestants will be selected at more than 20 licensed preliminary Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contests being held at fairs, festivals and other venues around the world. The semifinal round and finals will be held during Elvis Week in Memphis, August 8 to 16, 2009.

“The worldwide response to our first two years of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest has exceeded our expectations,” said Scott Williams, VP of Marketing for EPE. “The contest is a way for original Elvis fans, as well as a growing new generation of fans, to celebrate Elvis’ never-ending contribution to the world of entertainment. We are also thrilled to be working with [url=http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http://ksolo.myspace.com/&esheet=5908133&lan=en_US&anchor=MySpace Karaoke&index=2]MySpace Karaoke[/url] again in 2009, although this time singers will be vying to compete in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest.”

Thousands of singers recorded their versions of Elvis songs to compete last year for a chance to come to Elvis Week. This year’s MySpace Karaoke participants will be submitting their performances as Elvis tributes artists. The winner will get the opportunity to be an official competitor in The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest held during Elvis Week. The MySpace Karaoke winner will also appear as a guest DJ on Elvis Radio on Sirius XM, and receive other prizes.

"We were very impressed with the quality of contestants and again congratulate Brandon Bennett, named The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist by Elvis Presley Enterprises for 2008,” said Williams.

Judges will be looking for the “best representation of the Elvis legacy” in talent, appearance, performance, stage presence and each contestant’s overall tribute to Elvis. The best overall performer will be named the “2009 Elvis Tribute Artist of the Year.”

More than 20 preliminary contests were held in 2008 in competitions from Australia to France to Canada and throughout the United States. Preliminary contests confirmed for 2009 include the Toronto Elvis Festival, Branson Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, LakeGeorge.com Elvis Festival, Atlantic City Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, Horizon Casino Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, Pechanga Casino Resort Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest at Chinook Winds Casino, The Collingwood Elvis Festival, Hard Rock Memphis Last Chance Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, Tupelo Elvis Festival, Penticton Pacific Northwest Elvis Festival, Windsor Elvis Fest and the Myrtle Beach Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. Additional contests are expected to be added in the coming weeks.

Prizes for the 2009 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest include:

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest First Place Winner:


• Title of Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2009


• Recognition by Elvis Presley Enterprises


• Cash prize of $20,000


• Opportunity to sign a performance contract to appear with Legends in Concert


• Selection of other valuable prizes


Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Second Place Winner:


• Cash prize of $3,000


• Selection of other valuable prizes


Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Third Place Winner:


• Cash prize of $2,000


• Selection of other valuable prizes

Legends in Concert, which also participated in the 2008 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest by awarding performance contracts to several winners, will be back for the 2009 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest when they host preliminary contests at their venues in several cities across the country.

For a complete list of contest preliminaries, along with tribute artist photos, videos and additional information on the 2009 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest and Elvis Week, please visit www.Elvis.com. Organizations and entertainment venues interested in holding their own preliminary should e-mail Ultimate@elvis.com for more information.

About Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.


Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) is based in Memphis, Tennessee, with additional offices in Los Angeles, California. In addition to Graceland and its related attractions in Memphis, including the Heartbreak Hotel, EPE is aggressively involved in a worldwide licensing program, merchandising, music publishing, and television, film, video and Internet projects. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit www.Elvis.com. EPE is a subsidiary of CKX, Inc. (www.CKX.com), a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ National Market® under the ticker symbol “CKXE.”




Contact:
Elvis Presley Enterprises
Carlos Munguia, 323-845-9836

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Source: Elvis Presley Enterprises


http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/090303/20090303005322.html?.v=1

Funny i would have held this contest this year but each year the fee goes up and up and how can anyone afford $10,000 to run this contest is beyond me and that does not include any prizes given out to the winner before heading off to the Ultimate

Mark,

wow, I had no idea that the fee to run this type of contest is $10,000. This is ridiculous to say the least..

Charmaine

Yep i know Charmaine i think its disgusting and even though Official Fan Clubs wants to hold this we still get no discount and have to pay to hold there endorsement as at the end of the day this is all you get for $10.000 and your contest advertised on elvis.com big wow not lol