By GENE STOUT
The Seattle (Elvis) Invitationals contest returns Jan. 23 to the club where it all began 20 years ago — The Crocodile.
The 20th annual competition to crown a new “King” (the late, great Elvis Presley) is the largest and longest-running gathering of Elvis impersonators in the Northwest.
Backing all 20 contestants is The Kentucky Rain Band. Featured guests are The Graceland Five, who kick off the show with a set of punk-rock versions of some of Presley’s famous songs.
According to organizers, “Lucky attendees will see each performer tackle one of The King’s many personas: the innocent and magnetic country boy, the hip-swinging rockabilly superstar, The G.I. Guy, Hollywood playboy, the devout gospel singer, or the diamond-studded, gold-sunglassed Vegas crooner. Each amateur impersonator will get one chance to show what he (or she) is made of –- a single shot to perform a song, in costume, backed by The Kentucky Rain band.”
Among this year’s competitors is Seattle’s Helen Anne Gately, aka Hell on Wheels, who has competed in the contest every year since the beginning.
Wanna compete? Contestants can sign up at the official website here.
For general information, visit The Crocodile website here.