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.

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A Night With Garth and Friends  is a fun-filled variety show starring Steve Fairchild and John Rea appearing at Legends In Concert Surfside Beach, SC on Sunday July 19th at 7:00pm. For 8 years, audiences all over the United States have raved about “Garth” and his special friends. This evening will include surprise “celebrities” who promise to rock the theater rafters!

Steve Fairchild has performed all over the world as Garth Brooks for Legends in Concert.
On this special evening, “Garth” and his friends will support the Regency Hospice Foundation which benefits families who otherwise may not be able to afford the valuable services of Regency Hospice. John Rea, AKA “Jed the Janitor” is the Chaplain and Bereavement Coordinator for Regency.
Garth and Friends will be held at the Legends In Concert Theater in Surfside Beach. Tickets are $25.00 and may be purchased by calling the Legends in Concert Box Office at 238-STAR or Regency Hospice at 843-651-2335. Join us for an evening of great music, over-the-top laughter and more than a few surprises. It will be an unforgettable evening!!