Brandon Bennett, winner of the 2008 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest.
The stage of The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Memphis converted from classical music to classic rock Wednesday as 20 Elvis Presley acts competed for the title of 2009's Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist.
Brandon Bennett, winner of the 2008 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest.
From eyeliner and wigs to blue contact lenses and a "bionic" leg, accessories turned men with day jobs ranging from a bookstore cashier to a professional chef into would-be "Kings."
To qualify, each had won preliminary contests sponsored by Graceland and were competing for a $20,000 top prize and a contract with Legends in Concert in Las Vegas.
After the first round, fans said they were glad they weren't judges.
"Man, they were all good," said Fred Kendall, manager of a mobile home park near Daytona, Fla. Kendall said he began by rooting for fellow Floridian Ted Torres, but at intermission he said last year's third-place finisher, Joseph Hall, "nailed it. If I had to vote right now, he had it all -- the moves, the voice."
Hall, who sang "C'mon Everybody" from "Viva Las Vegas," said backstage he had managed his father's restaurant in Lincoln, Neb. He didn't know he could sing until 21/2 years ago when he went to a Halloween party as Elvis. A bar owner heard him sing and asked to book him. Since then: "It's been such a ride, such a high."
He finished in the top 10 on last year's "America's Got Talent."
There were more Canadians (six) in the contest than Southerners (four), but all brought a familiar drawl to a competition that has helped turned Elvis into a character in an ongoing musical 32 years since his death.
Wednesday's competition was the first of two rounds with the winner to be named after tonight's finals.
Each Elvis is judged on vocals, appearance, performance, stage presence and overall performance.
Canadian Mike Bravener, winner of the Elvis MySpace Karaoke Contest, said the heavy representation of Canadians in the contest is from finding ways to entertain during harsh winters.
"We've got to have soul," said Bravener.
The finals, nearing a sellout of 2,200, are at 7 p.m.
THE FINALISTS
The following Elvii will compete at 7 tonight at The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown: Nathan Belt, Euless, Texas; Bill Cherry, Collinsville, Ill.; Leo Days, Las Vegas; Thane Dunn, Moncton, New Brunswick; Donny Edwards, Las Vegas; Joseph Hall, Lincoln, Neb.; Stephen Kabakos, Milton, Ontario; Kevin Mills, Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Pete Paquette, Vankleek Hill, Ontario, and Justin Shandor, Portland, Ore.
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