Texas native, Vince King, took home top honors tonight in Myrtle Beach’s Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest preliminary round. After finishing a strong 2nd place in the 2009 Myrtle Beach contest, Vince proved persistence does, indeed, pay off and the 2nd time can be a charm.
Vince performed his first song tonight mid-way through the first round and brought the capacity-crowd to their feet with an thundering version of Elvis’ “Hurt”. Vince faced some admirable competition this evening in a tightly-contested field of 14 Elvis tributes, but his talent and dedication to re-creating Elvis’ legacy would not be denied. Vince rolled to the semi-final round where he chose to perform two Elvis classics, “My Way” and “Suspicious Minds.” Vince’s renditions of these two Elvis trademark tunes along with his charismatic stage presence vaulted him to the title of Myrtle Beach’s 2010 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist winner and earned him a trip to the August Finals in Memphis.
Rounding out this year’s top 3 were Paul Hunt and Gino Monopoli (both pictured below) placing 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Both Paul and Gino gave Vince a “run for his money” with memorable performances that wowed the Myrtle Beach crowd but ultimately (pun intended) Vince’s magnetic stage presence proved too much for his worthy competitors.
The audience was also treated to performances from the 2009 Myrtle Beach Ultimate Elvis Tribute winner, Nathan Belt. Nathan, now Myrtle Beach’s year-round Elvis tribute, opened the show by leading all 14 contestants in a rousing version of “Viva Las Vegas” backed by the Legends In Concert band, George Strait tribute Larry Turner, and the beautiful Legend’s back-up singers. Later in the show, while the votes were being tabulated, Nathan also treated the throngs of Elvis fans to a moving version of “Unchained Melody”. Paying homage to Elvis’ softer side, Nathan poured his soul into the song with every key stroke on the glimmering, white, baby-grand piano.
Adding to the festivities, the evening’s emcee, Steve Fairchild, provided the crowd with two signature Garth Brooks songs before the winners were announced.
After Vince was coronated this year’s winner, all 14 Elvi re-took Legends In Concert’s Myrtle Beach stage for a reprise of “Viva Las Vegas” giving the crowd one last taste of an evening dedicated to celebrating Elvis’ legacy.
Congratulations to Vince King (pictured below, center) and best of luck as he moves on to the final round in Memphis.
Tags: elvis impersonators, Elvis Presley Enterprises, elvis tributes facebook, Legends In Concert Elvis Presley, Legends In Concert Special Events, Steve Fairchild, Ultimate Elvis Contest Myrtle Beach
The show was amazing. 14 great contestants, rockin’ band and Nathan Belt…….oh my! If you have not yet seen Nathan at the regular Legends show, you must go and enjoy his performance. All the guys were winners in my eyes. Good luck Vince. Elvis lives forever at Legends.
Loved it they all ROCKED.. Vince was the best!!! But in all they all won… And they all had a set of Lungs. Looking forward to Elvis week……
Alot of great talent on that stage last night. Just glad I wasn’t a judge! Had a great time as always at Legends!
What a great show. Thanks for bringing such great talent to Myrtle Beach. We love your regular shows too. Nathan is the best Elvis since Shawn.
Legends in Concert is the BEST SHOW in Myrtle Beach. We bring all are out town visitors and never get tired of it, because it always changing. Kudos on the new set and having the band features! Good luck Vince in Memphis at the finals.
How Great Thou Were! We enjoyed and thought the production was excellent. No two songs duplicated. We loved Steve and his quick wit on stage.
wow…great contest. all winners. Love Legends all the time.