Terri Grant, who was the Executive Judge of the event, has written this review of the Final

Peter


Eleven participants took part in the first official World Cup ETA contest (Elvis Tribute Artists) which took place in Cardiff in July 2010 and these contestants travelled from as far afield as South Africa, Australia, the USA, Canada, Italy, Wales, England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany and Malta; having pre-qualified!

The standard was very high throughout the contest with each contestant having their own particular strength and individual style of paying tribute to the greatest entertainer the world has ever known, Elvis Presley. August 16th sees the 33rd anniversary of his passing and what better way to pay tribute to him than by having ETAs from around the globe come together to pay homage to his musical excellence!

The competition was judged over 3 heats with a combination panel of 5 judges with clear and concise criteria by which to judge each performance. Not only was the judging difficult given the high calibre of those taking part but it was also a very tight contest with very few marks between all.

Each and every contestant did their country proud, and they are all winners in their own right but it was Johnny Lee-Memphis representing Scotland in the famous Tiger suit who blew the audience and judging panel away with his detailed and believable performances which included the tiniest of details clearly demonstrating that he has studied Elvis right down to the very last nuance: including giving phenomenally believable performances of “It’s Midnight” and “My way".

Gordon Elvis representing Malta, came stomping in in second place with a beautiful rendition of “Help Me” in the gospel heat and “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, then raising his game with a pounding version of “Polk Salad Annie” in the final.

Tom Gilson complete with his entourage en masse from Ireland electrified the audience in his gold lamé jacket singing “That’s all right Mama” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky” and the upbeat gospel number “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”.

James Marais representing his home country, South Africa delivered classics such as "Peace in the Valley", "That's alright Mama" and "Can't stop loving You" with conviction and feeling and it was apparent just how much progress he has made since his debut performance as an ETA back in 2008.

Paul Molloy, representing England looked slick in his powder blue Jacket as he belted out “Heartbreak Hotel and Hound dog” like they were written for him, however, we also saw the softer side of the 50s Elvis when he sang “Peace in the Valley”.

Mark Andrew all the way from Australia was definitely Mr Cool in his electric blue suit off stage, and dazzled on stage with the classics “You’ve lost that loving feeling” and “Polk Salad Annie”; he looked every bit the American dream in the 68 special white suit when singing “If I can Dream”.

The second “James” in the contest was James Gibb all the way from Canada, another 50s ETA who strode on stage in his fiery red jacket and complete with guitar sang his renditions of “Don’t be cruel” and “King Creole” and a very gentle “I Believe” in the gospel heats!

From Italy hailed Ricky Rivers, who wooed the audience with the timeless “Hound Dog” and the “68 Medley” and “Let it be in me” in the Gospel section.

The enigmatic presence that is Oliver Steinhoff from Germany, commands the stage with every movement, he wowed the audience with his powerful renditions of “Hurt” and “Suspicious Minds” and of course the epitome of Elvis songs “The American Trilogy”.

The third “James” in the contest was none other than James Wages all the way from Elvis home country, the United States of America. Looking impressive in his 1973 Aloha suit, James sang c’mon everybody! James also sang the very beautiful “I’ll remember you” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.

Representing Wales, and in place of the billed Dean Mack who was unwell, Darren Graceland Jones sang “You gave me a mountain”, and had the audience rocking with his very energetic performances of “Johnny B. Goode” and “Suspicious Minds”.

And of course, no contest is complete without the backing of the phenomenal talent that is Mills & Boon and the fantastic band Red Alert!

It is the passion, respect and dedication of these ETAs that helps bring Elvis to younger generations (like Sylvain who is 7 and who mesmerised the audiences with his version of suspicious minds, his timing and moves were brilliant for a 7 year old and he is clearly destined to become a next generation ETA); and, of course, it is ETAs who also help keep the memory and music of ELVIS alive.

TCB guys - you are all awesome! RESPECT!

for everyone who wasn't there this is what you missed
World Cup Highlights;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsxhQzyymgs

me and dai is on there thanks for sharing david.x

your welcome this is a clip of slyvain as well with johnny lee memphis the kids a true talents and i think johnny mad is day with this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shextbEXgLE

oh brill yes i think johnny did make his day and thank god you stoped filming before mike sang

thanks for that jd. i was the only person during the whole weekend who could sing 75 verses of sloop jon bee and every verse different just wait and see next year in the best welsh dai and i are going to do duets the fat and the ugly one

which one's which????????? lol lol

Isn't it obvious who is the ugly one . Give you a clue ugly got no hair !!!

oh SP i can never slate a man who's folically challenged as i'd be a hypocrite!!

now now children, lol!!!
Dai is getting into this stage/singing lark, JD look out!!

David, great clips thanks for sharing!!!