2021 semifinalists
Below are the Elvis tribute artists who will compete in the Semifinal Round of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest on August 11 during Elvis Week 2021 in Memphis.
Get tickets to Elvis Week 2021 events.
Bruno Nesci*
Representing the Tweed Tribute to Elvis Festival
2020 Semifinalist
Bruno Nesci of Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada, discovered Elvis as a child and has been a fan since. His favorite Elvis song is "You Gave Me a Mountain," and his favorite Elvis song to perform live is "Suspicious Minds." He often volunteers for children's health organizations. He said he does his best to represent the King of Rock 'n' Roll and describes Elvis as "everything."
Riley Jenkins*
Representing the Elvis FANtasy Festival
2020 Semifinalist
Riley Jenkins of Clarksville, Tennessee, said he discovered Elvis through his grandfather, who watched Elvis' movies and listened to his gospel music. Riley loves all Elvis songs and said his gospel songs are his favorites to perform live. When he's not paying tribute to Elvis, Riley is a student who enjoys spending time with his family. He also performs often at local assisted living facilities. If he could describe Elvis in one word, it would be "legendary."
Toki Toyokazu*
Representing the Parkes Elvis Festival
2020 Semifinalist
Toki Toyokazu of Osaka, Japan, discovered Elvis after watching videos of the king's performances. His favorite Elvis song is "Suspicious Minds," and his favorite song to perform is "Polk Salad Annie." If he could describe Elvis in one word, it would be "king."
colin dexter*
Representing the Lone Star Elvis Festival
2020 Semifinalist
Colin Dexter discovered Elvis at the age of 5 when his grandmother got him interested in Elvis. Colin’s favorite song to perform is “He Touched Me.” His hobbies include playing guitar, practicing singing and piano. He says music is full passion in life, and if he could use one word to describe Elvis it would be “Incredible.”
cliff wright*
Representing the King of Las Vegas Virtual Elvis Festival
2020 Semifinalist
Cliff Wright of Branson, Missouri, first discovered Elvis when he was 10 years old as he was traveling through Memphis and heard “Hound Dog” on the radio. Cliff’s hobbies include building custom guitars and he is also a studio engineer. His favorite song to perform is “Don’t Leave Me Now” and his favorite Elvis lyric is “Take My Hand, Let Me Stand, Where No One Stands Alone.” If Cliff could use one word to describe Elvis, it would be “unparalleled.”
RADNEY PENNINGTON
Representing the 2021 Lone Star Elvis Festival
Radney Pennington of Branson, Missouri, first discovered Elvis by seeing Tony Roi perform in Legends in Concert. Radney’s hobbies have a consistently musical theme. Not only does he love singing and playing guitar, but he also has a passion for restoring vintage guitars. Though his favorite Elvis song is “First in Line,” his favorite to perform is “Jailhouse Rock.” When Radney is not on stage or restoring vintage guitars, he can be found volunteering at a local food pantry. If he could only use one word to describe Elvis, it would be “timeless.”
ALEX MITCHELL
Representing the 2021 Tupelo Elvis Festival
Alex, from Conway, South Carolina, is also a television host for Grand Strand TV in Myrtle Beach. Outside of being an Elvis tribute artist, he also enjoys graphic design, gardening, and cooking. He describes Elvis as "iconic" and says he discovered Elvis through his grandparents. He performs a benefit concert for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital each year, and almost pursued a degree in musicial theater before deciding to committing to be an Elvis tribute artist. His favorite Elvis song is "It's Midnight" - but his favorite song to perform is "My Way."
brooke Wright
Representing the 2021 Branson Elvis Festival
Brooke is from Hendersonville, Tennessee, and first discovered Elvis through his father. He has played the blues harmonica for nearly 18 years, but also enjoys racing, fishing and travel. Brooke describes Elvis as “epic” and his favorite Elvis song to perform is “Never Been To Spain.” His favorite Elvis song is “Just Pretend.”
MICHAEL CHAMBLISS**
Past Top 5 Finalist
Michael, from Purvis, Mississippi, discovered Elvis through his music, as his mother loved Elvis and played his records throughout his childhood. Michael’s hobbies outside of entertainment include golf, running, and collecting records, and he holds a title as a champion ping pong player. His favorite Elvis song is "Moody Blue" and if he could describe Elvis in one word, it would be “passionate.”
nick perkins**
Past Top 5 Finalist
Nick grew up in a musical family and was around a lot of genres of music, but it was his mother’s love of Elvis that stood out to him. From Tickfaw, Louisiana, Nick describes himself as a very compassionate person, especially towards his family and his music. His favorite Elvis song to perform is “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and his favorite Elvis song lyric is “If you’re gonna love me, love the life I lead.”
ryan pelton**
Past Top 5 Finalist
Ryan never knew much about Elvis until his mom dared him to enter an Elvis contest 23 years ago. He won the contest and the whole experience opened his eyes to a whole new world. Some of Ryan’s hobbies including golf, woodworking, and video production. Ryan is from Frenchville, Pennsylvania, - and his favorite Elvis song to perform is “Frankfurt Special” and one word he would use to describe Elvis would be “missed.”
Al Joslin**
Past Top 5 Finalist
Al, from Houston, Texas, has been performing for over 15 years and was inspired to become an Elvis tribute artist after becoming an Elvis fan. Al is a Veteran’s Service Representative and his hobbies include football, baseball, and swimming. Al’s favorite Elvis song to perform is “Honky Tonk Angel” and his favorite Elvis song lyric is “Walk a mile in my shoes.”
travis powell**
Past Top 5 Finalist
Travis first discovered Elvis when his parents played Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii for him growing up. Travis likes to write his own songs, entertains on the Barefoot Queen in Myrtle Beach, plus, he has his own foundation that provides help and resources to the four local children’s homes in his hometown of Shelby, North Carolina. His favorite Elvis song is "My Way" and his favorite Elvis song lyric is “Regrets, I’ve had a few, but then again, too few to mention.”
cote deonath**
Past Top 5 Finalist
Cote is a Florida native from Ocala who discovered Elvis at the age of 2 when his grandmother showed him Follow That Dream for the first time. Some of Cote’s hobbies include graphic designing, producing festivals, and fitness. The one word he uses to describe Elvis is “electric,” and his favorite Elvis song lyric is “There must be lights burning brighter somewhere.”
matt cordell**
Past Top 5 Finalist
With both of his parents being huge Elvis fans, Matt was raised on Elvis. From Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, he enjoys softball, motorcycles, and helps raise money for libraries & cancer research. If he could describe Elvis in one word, it would be “epic" and his favorite Elvis song is "Any Way You Want Me."
ted torres**
Past Top 5 Finalist
Ted Torres is a songwriter, musician and actor from Orlando, Florida, who heard Elvis for the first time when his father played “Silver Bells” on a cassette tape. Some of Ted’s hobbies include playing guitar, reading, and exercising. In the past, Ted has been involved in multiple charities including Habitat for Humanity, The Russell Home for Children, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. If he could describe Elvis in one word, it would be “legend.” His favorite Elvis song is "The Sound of Your Cry."
jake slater**
Past Top 5 Finalist
Jake, from Bellaire, Michigan, became an Elvis fan at the age of 6 when he heard Elvis' "(You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care." He has been an Elvis tribute artist for 10 years and has performed for audiences of all sizes. He says Elvis is his hero, and his favorite song to perform is "Baby What You Want Me To Do."
patrick dunn**
Past Top 5 Finalist
Patrick, from New York City, New York, is an actor, vocalist, Broadway star and Elvis fan, and has been entertaining people for most of his life. He discovered Elvis as a child, but as a teen is when he realized Elvis’ major impact on the world. Patrick volunteers his time and talents to “Broadway World,” an organization that raises money for many different charities. If he could describe Elvis in one word, it would be “transcendent.” His favorite Elvis song is "American Trilogy."
* Due to the changes to the Elvis Week 2020 schedule, winners who qualified to compete in the 2020 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Semifinal Round are automatically qualified to compete during the 2021 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Semifinal Round. For competitors unable to travel in 2021, second place winners may be substituted.
** Due to COVID-19, many preliminary rounds were canceled or postponed this year. Graceland extended an exclusive invitation to Elvis tribute artists who had finished as a top five finalist in the competition from 2010 - 2019 to compete this year in the Semifinal Round of the competition.