Arnold, Missouri - March 29, 2007 - Elvis tribute artist Rich Vickers of Salem, Missouri, emerged with $1000 and the 1st place trophy in the first regional competition of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest™ on Saturday, March 24, 2007, as an audience of 1,500 energized spectators packed Rickman Auditorium in Arnold, Missouri. Twenty-two contestants vied for the prize in this unprecedented event sanctioned by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (“EPE”). Vickers, 42-year-old Worship and Music Leader at New Harmony Church in Salem, Missouri, will advance to the preliminary finals in Memphis in August 2007 during “Elvis Week,” which also marks the 30th anniversary of the passing of Elvis Presley.

Vickers sported his white “Burning Love Pinwheel” jumpsuit and began his performance—appropriately—with the Elvis classic Burning Love, followed by You Gave Me a Mountain, Treat Me Nice, and I Can't Help Falling In Love.

“This is such an honor. My dream has been to compete as an Elvis tribute artist in Memphis. Competing during Elvis Week on the 30th anniversary of his death and participating in an Elvis Tribute Artist Contest sponsored by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. is a distinct privilege,” stated Vickers.

The city of Arnold, Missouri, is proud to be the first to host an EPE-sanctioned regional competition and congratulates Vickers on his success. Gina Sokolich, Event Coordinator for Arnold, says of Vickers: “He was incredible! We are very excited for Rich and wish him well in Memphis.” 

Vickers is especially grateful to his #1 fan and supporter, his wife, Kristi, who is also an accomplished musician.

“She’s always been there at my competitions, cheering me, coaching me, and believing in me. That’s why I gave her my $1000 prize from this competition. She truly deserved it,” says Vickers.

Regarding the tongue-in-cheek accusations of Vickers leading a “double life” as music minister and Elvis tribute artist, he comments: “I love leading worship in my church! It is my biggest passion second only to performing as Elvis. Elvis’ music gave me my first insight into gospel music. I know some find it a strange dichotomy to work for a church during the day and to perform as an Elvis tribute artist at night, but it has always been a blend of those two in my life, even before I started imitating him.”

The regional competition fell one week before his homecoming concert in Salem, Missouri, a benefit for the Salem Area Community Betterment Association. Vickers’ concert is an anthology of American music, with a pre-show that features his own TLC Show Band. Local and regional talent excites audiences with the sounds of Patsy Cline, Linda Ronstadt, Johnny Cash, Janis Joplin and the Righteous Brothers, followed by a stellar performance by Vickers. The Elvis concert with Rich Vickers and the TLC Show Band will be held at the Salem High School Gymnasium, 1400 Tiger Pride Drive in Salem, Missouri, on Saturday, March 31, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Purchase tickets by calling the Elvis hotline at (573) 729-8684.

For more information on Elvis tribute artist Rich Vickers, or to schedule an interview or concert, contact Rich Vickers at (573) 729-0800, or via e-mail at rvickers@nharmony.org.  Also visit www.rvickerseta.com.

For more information about Elvis, EPE and the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, visit www.elvis.com  and www.elvis.com/ultimatecontest.  EPE, Elvis, Elvis Presley, Graceland, and Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., a CKX company.