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Images of Elvis 2000

© June Moore

While planning my trip to the " Worldwide Images of Elvis" contest in Memphis recently, I wondered how the whole thing would look from a competitor's eye view. With this in mind, I started my search.

The minute I heard Melody Sanders talking about Mario, pictured here on the cover of "Guide Magazine," I knew HE was the one. Mario is an accomplished actor, singer and tribute artist in Europe, but new to the United States. It was not only his first competition here, but also his first time in Memphis.

Immediately after meeting Mario, the learning experience began, as I discovered how many things come into play just deciding on which songs to sing. As Mario explained, you have to take into consideration, things like, "what everyone else will be singing" and, "the feel of the night." Then of course there's the outfit dilemma.

The songs and the outfit have to match. Forinstance this Hawaii outfit would be great for "Blue Hawaii" or "Rock a Hula," but wouldn't fit in with songs of the '70s like "My Way," or "An American Trilogy." The clothes and the songs have to fit together perfectly in the final production.

That first night in Memphis I had the pleasure of watching Mario perform. Live entertainment is held in the tent across from Graceland Mansion nightly throughout Memphis Week. It's a great place for the guys to sing a few songs in street clothes. The fans get to know the actual men behind the costumes in a relaxed atmosphere.

Quentin Flagg and Matt King performed, and both were fantastic. Matt King's voice is remarkably like Elvis himself, and Quentin does one of the best '50's Elvis' I've ever seen.

Mario took the stage and sang several songs, then a 90-year-old woman in the audience ask him to sing "Love me Tender." He treated her not only to the song, but also gave her some wonderful memories as he walked off the stage to her and knelt down. He sang the words to her directly, making for a very special Elvis-style moment, for both the woman and the audience.

Singing with the guys on Beale. Even the 100 degree weather couldn't slow these four down. Matt King, Leo Days, Quentin Flagg and Mario put on one fantastic show. Laughing and talking while they took turns performing at "Legends"(an outside bar)on legendary Beale Street was refreshing.

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