Graceland finally embraces Elvis impersonators

Graceland's contest may also elevate the standards of Elvis imitators in general, many of whom live "in a kind of world unto itself," Soden said. "There are still people out there dressing up and performing like Elvis who probably shouldn't be."

The finalists in Graceland's contest are all practiced performers. But at the unofficial "Images of the King" contest, which has been held in Memphis for the past two decades, the opening acts are often far from polished.

Over the years, it has hosted professional entertainers and amateurs alike, including some from abroad who could speak little English and had only a phonetic grasp of the lyrics to Elvis songs.

Also staged in August near the death anniversary, the show has long been popular with Presley fans and expects little trouble — this year at least — from Graceland, said director Michael Hoover, a professional Elvis imitator from Virginia.

"For years and years, Graceland has pretty much ignored the Elvis tribute artists. I don't know if this is just an experiment for them or they're changing their ways," Hoover said. "But I think there's enough work for everybody to go around right now. There are plenty of Elvis impersonators in the world and there are lots of contests."

Winning at "Images" has also been a career booster for many Elvis performers like Hoover, who won in 1988 and took over the contest a few years ago from founder "Doc" Franklin, Elvis' former veterinarian.

Serious Elvis impersonators "can make a comfortable living" performing at private parties, concerts, corporate functions and the like, Hoover said. The successful ones have their own bands, booking agents and even fan clubs.

"If you're good, you're full-time and you work at it real hard, you can probably do a six-figure income, but you've got to work at it," said Hoover, who began his Elvis journey as a teenager. "I was doing Elvis when Elvis was still alive."

Terry Balliew, 57, of Calhoun, Ga., took in the qualifying round of Graceland's contest and also planned to attend the "Images" contest with wife, Barbara, an avid Elvis fan.

While withholding judgment on Graceland's tribute-artist contest, Balliew said setting higher standards might be a good idea, particularly for some of the older Elvis tribute artists.

"They still want to perform. I can understand that," he said. "But you can get too old."

Elvis died at 42 of heart disease worsened by drug abuse.

The finalists for Graceland's contest are all, like Presley, white men in their 20s to 40s, but marketing manager Jankowski said preliminary contests, which must be approved by Graceland, are under no orders to restrict contestants by age, race or ethnicity.

"This is not an impersonator contest," he said. "This is all about paying tribute to Elvis."

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