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.