Linda Terry

I just wanted to share with the class my past weekend experience with 'Elvis'. Maybe I should just say Elvis wannabe's during four rounds of the contest for the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2008.

This contest is a local event put on by Elvis Presley Enterprises and it brought 13 Elvis impersonators donned in elaborate 1970's era jumpsuit's and silk scarves that Elvis is best remembered for wearing.

The contestants came from different places all over the country and arrived in different sizes and shapes. The contestant that came the longest distance was from England and the one that came the closest was 28 minutes away. The youngest contestant was only 24 and the oldest you could only imagine.

I sat for 11 hours Friday listening and watching the top 13 compete in two rounds. I sat six hours Saturday morning until the judges (which should have been me) chose the top five for the final round Saturday night where I sat another six hours to see who the Ultimate Elvis would be.

The winner, Kevin Mills from Toronto, had the slim and energetic look of a young Elvis stuffed into a white jumpsuit. He was my choice from the 1st round Friday and I was sure glad to see him win. He now goes to the semi-finals and possibly the finals in Memphis during Elvis week 2008 in August. I will surely cheer him on there as I'll be sitting on the front row.

I had such a wonderful time during the two days of the contest and actually won $100 for my head full of knowledge on Elvis. But for all my screaming like I was 16 again I now have no voice whatsoever for all my love for Elvis. All I have to say is "Elvis, Thank You, Thank You Very Much for the memories."