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Elvis Tribute Competition -WINNER- Johnny Quatro
Ultimate Elvis Tribute Competition 2004 (in Johnny’s own words)…
I’d seen the advert in the Stage a couple of months before I decided to apply and at first I thought I had probably left it
too late. To my surprise, a couple of weeks prior to the competition, I received a telephone call, asking if I was still
interested in entering. I think it may have been because someone had dropped out at the last minute so I was in!
The competition was organised by Wessex FM radio station and Weymouth Pavilion. It formed part of the Rock & Pop festival weekend they have every year. This was called the “Ultimate Elvis competition”, and attracted Elvis's from all over the U.K, including Scotland, Liverpool, and Somerset. In all I think there were fifteen of us that took part.
It was my first competition and when I arrived for the sound check I suddenly felt really nervous. Listening to the others, the standard was very high and several of them had entered before so knew each other. They all seemed really relaxed and told me what a great night it had been in previous years. When it came to my turn for a sound check I really did feel very small up there on such a large stage with just one spot light beaming down on me. I belted out a couple of my chosen songs “ GI Blues”, and “Return To Sender”. The other competitors clapped and that really did make me feel more at ease.
The time came to change and the atmosphere was buzzing. Lots of mirrors and hairspray, it felt more like a Miss World Competition!
I had decided to do songs from my GI set so wore my US Army uniform. I think this was a good decision, especially as all the others were wearing Jumpsuits. In honest it probably made me stand out a little.
We went out along the promenade for a photo shoot and were then taken to the Rex hotel for a briefing before being taking back one by one in a limousine to the pavilion and being interviewed on the radio by a local personally Tony Rudd. I was Elvis number five. When I arrived at the pavilion entrance the red carpet was out, along with a few photographers and the local reporter. I then entered the pavilion to do my interview with Tony Rudd. The judges were sitting at the front , which also include the Mayor Of Weymouth, the entertainment editor of they local paper a couple of agents and the previous two time winner of the competition; Barry Paul. The interview went well and really boosted my confidence.
After all the Elvis’s had arrived, the competition began. We started by doing two songs each. The first four competitors sounded great. At this stage I really thought the competition would to be won by the Elvis doing one of the better known hits, such as, "Suspicious Minds", "Wonder Of You", or "American Trilogy". My turn came. I’d brought along my wife, Gill, the family and a couple of friends, for a bit of moral support, of course after a few drinks they are the perfect crowd.
I come on to GI Blues. There were over a thousand die hard Elvis fans out there, but I think that spurred me on and I must say I thought I performed really well. The applause at the end was very good and the nerves had now turned to excitement. I made a couple of off the cuff comments, about only being filmed from the waist upwards, to a lady with a video camera. My second song was “Rock-a-Hula”, from the movie "Blue Hawaii". Again this went down well and by the end people were dancing in the isles. I came off stage feeling really good. Half time came around and I went outside to have a drink with Gill and my friends. A stream of people was coming over to me, saying how much they enjoyed it and some even asked for my autograph.
The second half began and the remaining Elvis’s completed their acts. It was time to announce the four finalists. By now it really did feel like Miss World! If only I’d preformed in my bathing suit as Chad Gates from Blue Hawaii, (on the other hand, maybe not!). Still I did not have to wait long before my number was called. The others congratulated me and the others that got through, were the ones I’d have probably chosen myself.
For the finals I performed second and sang “ Return to Sender”, and “Are you lonesome tonight”. I must admit that by this time I was really enjoying myself, being in front of 1000 people with great sound and lighting to boot was and real boast. It was also the biggest gig I'd played.
The time came for the judges to announce the winner. Again it was like Miss World. Was my hair OK!? Had my make up run!? Did my bum look big in this? Would they call Miss Surrey out! The results were called in reserve order. Well I hadn’t come third so missed out on £150 prize money, hadn’t come second so missed out on £250. My god, I’ve won it along with the title “Ultimate Elvis and £500 big ones.
I ended the show by calling up the others competitors and we sung together. “Are you lonesome tonight” to a standing ovation. It had been a great night and for me a truly fantastic experience.
Unfortunately £500 doesn’t go far these days, especially with my family’s bar bill, and the hotel bill, but I did manage to sign up with a local agency in Dorset and have some good venues and gigs lined up for 2005.
If you were at the Elvis tribute competition, please drop me a line in my guest book and tell me your experience of the night. Thank you very much!
Johnny (Nov 2004)
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