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2018 Guests & PerformersMore guests to be announced... Check back!
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TOM BROWN - Host of Nashville Elvis Festival
Tom Brown is the former VP of Original Productions for Turner Classic Movies, where he was the executive in charge of production on special Elvis projects featuring Priscilla Presley, Scotty Moore, D.J. Fontana, George Klein, Joe Esposito and the TCB Band. For over a decade, Brown has served as a host for Graceland's Elvis Week and Tupelo Elvis Festival, interviewing Elvis' band members, friends and co-stars, and he can also be found hosting the Gates of Graceland web series. Prior to TCM, Tom worked as an entertainment reporter/producer for TNT Network and at TV & radio stations in St. Louis, Shreveport and his hometown of Tupelo, MS. His production company, Mean Machine 22, is currently working on several projects.
Tom Brown is the former VP of Original Productions for Turner Classic Movies, where he was the executive in charge of production on special Elvis projects featuring Priscilla Presley, Scotty Moore, D.J. Fontana, George Klein, Joe Esposito and the TCB Band. For over a decade, Brown has served as a host for Graceland's Elvis Week and Tupelo Elvis Festival, interviewing Elvis' band members, friends and co-stars, and he can also be found hosting the Gates of Graceland web series. Prior to TCM, Tom worked as an entertainment reporter/producer for TNT Network and at TV & radio stations in St. Louis, Shreveport and his hometown of Tupelo, MS. His production company, Mean Machine 22, is currently working on several projects.
BILL CHERRY - 2009 Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest™ Champion
EVENTS: EVENTS: TCB Session #2; Elvis In Concert (Saturday); Elvis Gospel Live!
Bill Cherry is the 2009 Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest™ champion. The Collinsville, IL native is the son of a Pentecostal minister, which helped develop Cherry’s deep-rooted love of southern gospel music at a young age. A life-long fan of Elvis Presley, Cherry has been keeping the King of Rock n’ Roll’s memory and music alive since 1989. With his award-winning performances specializing in the concert years, Cherry has entertained and touched the hearts of countless fans around the world. “Performing a tribute to the greatest entertainer the world has ever known is a dream come true,” says Cherry.
EVENTS: EVENTS: TCB Session #2; Elvis In Concert (Saturday); Elvis Gospel Live!
Bill Cherry is the 2009 Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest™ champion. The Collinsville, IL native is the son of a Pentecostal minister, which helped develop Cherry’s deep-rooted love of southern gospel music at a young age. A life-long fan of Elvis Presley, Cherry has been keeping the King of Rock n’ Roll’s memory and music alive since 1989. With his award-winning performances specializing in the concert years, Cherry has entertained and touched the hearts of countless fans around the world. “Performing a tribute to the greatest entertainer the world has ever known is a dream come true,” says Cherry.
DEAN Z - 2013 Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest™ Champion
EVENTS: TCB Session #1; Elvis In Concert (Friday); Elvis Gospel Live!
Dean Z is the 2013 Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest™ champion. From his early days in Lancaster, California, Dean Z has dedicated his entire life to honoring the legacy of Elvis Presley. For more than a decade, Dean Z has performed throughout the world, including appearances in Japan, Australia, Norway, Denmark, England, Canada and the United States. In 2007, Dean joined the world famous Legends in Concert, headlining shows in Branson, Myrtle Beach and Las Vegas.
EVENTS: TCB Session #1; Elvis In Concert (Friday); Elvis Gospel Live!
Dean Z is the 2013 Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest™ champion. From his early days in Lancaster, California, Dean Z has dedicated his entire life to honoring the legacy of Elvis Presley. For more than a decade, Dean Z has performed throughout the world, including appearances in Japan, Australia, Norway, Denmark, England, Canada and the United States. In 2007, Dean joined the world famous Legends in Concert, headlining shows in Branson, Myrtle Beach and Las Vegas.
MARK ANTHONY - Award-Winning Elvis Tribute Artist from Adelaide, Australia
EVENTS: Elvis In Concert (Friday); Elvis Gospel Live!
All the way from Adelaide, Australia, we are pleased to welcome back award-winning Elvis tribute artist Mark Anthony! Mark represented Nashville Elvis Festival at the 2017 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Finals in Memphis, where he took home the 2nd place prize after competing against some of the top tribute artists from around the world! Mark tours worldwide with his three production shows: ELVIS - If I Can Dream, ELVIS - One Night In Vegas and ELVIS - The King In Concert.
EVENTS: Elvis In Concert (Friday); Elvis Gospel Live!
All the way from Adelaide, Australia, we are pleased to welcome back award-winning Elvis tribute artist Mark Anthony! Mark represented Nashville Elvis Festival at the 2017 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Finals in Memphis, where he took home the 2nd place prize after competing against some of the top tribute artists from around the world! Mark tours worldwide with his three production shows: ELVIS - If I Can Dream, ELVIS - One Night In Vegas and ELVIS - The King In Concert.
COTE DEONATH - Award-Winning Elvis Tribute Artist
EVENTS: Elvis In Concert (Friday); Speedway 50th Anniversary Celebration; Elvis Gospel Live!
Award-winning Elvis tribute artist Cote Deonath is one of the youngest (and most popular) professional ETA's in the business, and we’re thrilled to have Cote making his very first festival appearance as a headliner. Cote’s interest in Elvis started at the age of two, when his grandmother sat with him to watch Follow That Dream. Cote made his first live performance at the age of five and never looked back. In 2016, Cote placed in the Top 10 at the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Finals in Memphis, and returned in 2017 after winning the top spot at Tupelo Elvis Festival.
EVENTS: Elvis In Concert (Friday); Speedway 50th Anniversary Celebration; Elvis Gospel Live!
Award-winning Elvis tribute artist Cote Deonath is one of the youngest (and most popular) professional ETA's in the business, and we’re thrilled to have Cote making his very first festival appearance as a headliner. Cote’s interest in Elvis started at the age of two, when his grandmother sat with him to watch Follow That Dream. Cote made his first live performance at the age of five and never looked back. In 2016, Cote placed in the Top 10 at the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Finals in Memphis, and returned in 2017 after winning the top spot at Tupelo Elvis Festival.
WINK MARTINDALE - Legendary game show host, disc jockey and lifelong friend of Elvis
EVENTS: Wink Martindale's Elvis Extravaganza; Judge for Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest
TV & Radio personality and legendary game show (Tic Tac Dough, Debt, Gambit and more!) host Wink Martindale was in the studio the night Dewey Phillips played "That's All Right" on his Red, Hot & Blue show, and he hosted the TV show Teenage Dance Party, which featured his lifelong friend Elvis as a special guest. Wink has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and became one of the first inductees into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame.
EVENTS: Wink Martindale's Elvis Extravaganza; Judge for Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest
TV & Radio personality and legendary game show (Tic Tac Dough, Debt, Gambit and more!) host Wink Martindale was in the studio the night Dewey Phillips played "That's All Right" on his Red, Hot & Blue show, and he hosted the TV show Teenage Dance Party, which featured his lifelong friend Elvis as a special guest. Wink has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and became one of the first inductees into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame.
SANDY MARTINDALE - Elvis' girlfriend; Dancer in 'Viva Las Vegas' and other Elvis films
EVENTS: Judge for Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest
Prior to meeting and marrying Wink Martindale, Wink's better half Sandy dated Elvis for six years. They maintained a close friendship for the rest of Elvis' life. Sandy can be seen dancing in several Elvis movies including the iconic film Viva Las Vegas. Sandy’s fashion line of Swarovski embellished ELVIS eyewear and watches are sold exclusively at Graceland and shop.graceland.com.
EVENTS: Judge for Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest
Prior to meeting and marrying Wink Martindale, Wink's better half Sandy dated Elvis for six years. They maintained a close friendship for the rest of Elvis' life. Sandy can be seen dancing in several Elvis movies including the iconic film Viva Las Vegas. Sandy’s fashion line of Swarovski embellished ELVIS eyewear and watches are sold exclusively at Graceland and shop.graceland.com.
VICTORIA PAIGE MEYERINK - Award-winning actress who co-starred with Elvis in "Speedway"
EVENTS: Speedway 50th Anniversary Celebration; Judge for Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest
The original voice for Mattel’s Chatty Cathy, Victoria’s acting career soared at the age of 4 when she co-starred on the hit CBS series, The Danny Kaye Show. She went on to co-star with Elvis Presley and Nancy Sinatra in MGM’s Speedway as well as Brainstorm with Anne Francis, Seconds with Rock Hudson, and Night of the Grizzly with Clint Walker and Martha Hyer. On TV she was a regular on Green Acres, My Three Sons, Family Affair and dozens more. At 22 she produced the international hit film Young Warriors, becoming the youngest female film producer in the motion picture industry. Her latest film, Finding Home, earned her the Excellence in Producing Award at the Montreal World Film Festival as well as 21 other honors including 5 Best Picture awards.
EVENTS: Speedway 50th Anniversary Celebration; Judge for Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest
The original voice for Mattel’s Chatty Cathy, Victoria’s acting career soared at the age of 4 when she co-starred on the hit CBS series, The Danny Kaye Show. She went on to co-star with Elvis Presley and Nancy Sinatra in MGM’s Speedway as well as Brainstorm with Anne Francis, Seconds with Rock Hudson, and Night of the Grizzly with Clint Walker and Martha Hyer. On TV she was a regular on Green Acres, My Three Sons, Family Affair and dozens more. At 22 she produced the international hit film Young Warriors, becoming the youngest female film producer in the motion picture industry. Her latest film, Finding Home, earned her the Excellence in Producing Award at the Montreal World Film Festival as well as 21 other honors including 5 Best Picture awards.
BILL BAIZE - Recorded and Toured with Elvis as part of J.D. Sumner and The Stamps
EVENTS: Elvis Gospel Live!
One of Southern Gospel’s most beloved tenors, Bill Baize is best known as a former member of J.D. Sumner and The Stamps, who recorded and toured with Elvis throughout the 1970’s as seen in Elvis On Tour and Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii. Elvis said Bill had "...one of the most splendid voices in the world.” Today, Bill is in full-time ministry, and he continues to pay tribute at Elvis events around the world.
EVENTS: Elvis Gospel Live!
One of Southern Gospel’s most beloved tenors, Bill Baize is best known as a former member of J.D. Sumner and The Stamps, who recorded and toured with Elvis throughout the 1970’s as seen in Elvis On Tour and Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii. Elvis said Bill had "...one of the most splendid voices in the world.” Today, Bill is in full-time ministry, and he continues to pay tribute at Elvis events around the world.
JEFF LEWIS - Award-winning Elvis Tribute Artist, singer-songwriter, actor and emcee
EVENTS: Elvis Gospel Live!; Host of Nashville Elvis Festival's Late Night Parties
Jeff Lewis is a GRAMMY® nominated singer-songwriter, actor and emcee. Elvis fans will recognize Jeff as the host of the incredibly popular Elvis Week after parties at the world famous Hard Rock Café in Memphis. He also hosts the Jeff Lewis & Friends Music Festival - an annual event in Helen, GA that brings together some of the best Elvis Tribute Artists in the world. An Elvis Tribute Artist himself, Jeff has won the Last Chance Ultimate at the Hard Rock Café in Memphis and the Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest™ at the Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee, WI. Jeff has toured and performed with some of the biggest names in Country music, including Buck Owens, John Anderson, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Wynonna, Rodney Crowell, Ronnie McDowell, Garth Brooks and more.
EVENTS: Elvis Gospel Live!; Host of Nashville Elvis Festival's Late Night Parties
Jeff Lewis is a GRAMMY® nominated singer-songwriter, actor and emcee. Elvis fans will recognize Jeff as the host of the incredibly popular Elvis Week after parties at the world famous Hard Rock Café in Memphis. He also hosts the Jeff Lewis & Friends Music Festival - an annual event in Helen, GA that brings together some of the best Elvis Tribute Artists in the world. An Elvis Tribute Artist himself, Jeff has won the Last Chance Ultimate at the Hard Rock Café in Memphis and the Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest™ at the Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee, WI. Jeff has toured and performed with some of the biggest names in Country music, including Buck Owens, John Anderson, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Wynonna, Rodney Crowell, Ronnie McDowell, Garth Brooks and more.
GARY CHAPMAN - Award-winning Singer-Songwriter and TV/Radio Personality
EVENTS: Judge for Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest
For over three decades, Gary Chapman has seamlessly blurred the lines of contemporary Christian, pop, country and southern gospel, racking up an impressive list of Dove Awards, GRAMMY nominations and writing credits for legendary artists such as Kenny Rogers, Alabama, T.G. Sheppard, Wynonna, Amy Grant and more. Gary is also widely remembered as the host of TNN’s popular Prime Time Country television series, the Sam’s Place concert series and radio program and TNT's reality series, Private Lives of Nashville Wives (where Gary was featured alongside his wife Cassie). Gary's latest album, The Truth (Merf Music Group), features 16 new songs with special appearances by Alison Krauss, John Rich, Tanya Tucker, Rebecca Lynn Howard and more.
EVENTS: Judge for Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest
For over three decades, Gary Chapman has seamlessly blurred the lines of contemporary Christian, pop, country and southern gospel, racking up an impressive list of Dove Awards, GRAMMY nominations and writing credits for legendary artists such as Kenny Rogers, Alabama, T.G. Sheppard, Wynonna, Amy Grant and more. Gary is also widely remembered as the host of TNN’s popular Prime Time Country television series, the Sam’s Place concert series and radio program and TNT's reality series, Private Lives of Nashville Wives (where Gary was featured alongside his wife Cassie). Gary's latest album, The Truth (Merf Music Group), features 16 new songs with special appearances by Alison Krauss, John Rich, Tanya Tucker, Rebecca Lynn Howard and more.
GINA KELTNER - Senior Talent Manager, Grand Ole Opry
EVENTS: Judge for Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest
Gina Keltner has been with the Grand Ole Opry for 17 years. The world’s longest-running live radio show features a dynamic lineup of new stars, superstars and legends of country music in each presentation. As Senior Talent Manager, Keltner books all featured artists on up to 7 weekly shows. Prior to working at the Opry, Keltner worked for Dick Clark Productions on TNN's Prime Time Country. A Missouri native and lifelong Elvis fan, she is a graduate of Missouri State University and a member of the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music and The Recording Academy. For the past 3 years, she has been named by Nashville Business Journal as a “Women in Music City” honoree. Most of her spare time is happily devoted to her 7-year-old daughter.
EVENTS: Judge for Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest
Gina Keltner has been with the Grand Ole Opry for 17 years. The world’s longest-running live radio show features a dynamic lineup of new stars, superstars and legends of country music in each presentation. As Senior Talent Manager, Keltner books all featured artists on up to 7 weekly shows. Prior to working at the Opry, Keltner worked for Dick Clark Productions on TNN's Prime Time Country. A Missouri native and lifelong Elvis fan, she is a graduate of Missouri State University and a member of the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music and The Recording Academy. For the past 3 years, she has been named by Nashville Business Journal as a “Women in Music City” honoree. Most of her spare time is happily devoted to her 7-year-old daughter.
EAS BAND - The official band for Graceland's Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest
EVENTS: House band for ALL Nashville Elvis Festival Events
The EAS Band performs note-for-note duplication of Elvis' music and concerts. The official band for Graceland's 2016 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition, the EAS Band performs all over the world backing tribute artists, giving the feeling and excitement of being at an actual Elvis concert. The band also provides music for other tribute acts including the Blues Brothers, Rod Stewart, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and more.
EVENTS: House band for ALL Nashville Elvis Festival Events
The EAS Band performs note-for-note duplication of Elvis' music and concerts. The official band for Graceland's 2016 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition, the EAS Band performs all over the world backing tribute artists, giving the feeling and excitement of being at an actual Elvis concert. The band also provides music for other tribute acts including the Blues Brothers, Rod Stewart, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and more.
Check back for a list of ETA's competing in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest!
All ETA's will perform on both Friday AND Saturday, and all performances will be backed by the EAS BAND!
All guests and performers subject to change.
