The Illinois Elvis Festival, Day Three!

This is basically me in the audience

The big day had finally arrived: the very first Ultimate qualifier for the Illinois Elvis Festival! Five of "my boys," as I call them, were competing, so I had a lot of cheering to do. Taylor Salamon's girlfriend, Sophia, wanted to get good seats, so I met up with her to watch the first round.

For some reason, I couldn't find Mat's official picture

The first competitor was someone I've seen before and was excited to see perform again: Mat Shank! I first met him in Nashville, where he greeted me with a huge hug. I don't know if he mistook me for someone else or if he's just a super friendly guy, but either way, I was glad to see him in Illinois!

He started the contest strong with "Suspicious Minds." He was wearing the white jumpsuit with the beaded fringe, and let me tell you: it always scares me when ETAs wear those for high-energy songs. It seems like a really good way to hit yourself in the eye with a stray bead! When he started shimmying and that fringe went flying, I was genuinely frightened for his safety. His second song was a little less flail-y and really showcased his vocals. "The Wonder of You" is such a classic, and it probably ranks in my personal top ten.

Next up was the first of my boys to perform: Maxlee James! He started off with a sweet ballad, "I Believe," which Elvis released back in 1957. Then he got to show off his moves with "Dixieland Rock" from King Creole. The striped jacket and black pants made for a classy young-Elvis look that allowed him to move freely as he nailed those early Elvis moves. Fun fact about Maxlee: he actually released an album recorded entirely at Sun Studio. How cool is that? Maxlee has been doing this for over a decade, and there is the absolute cutest picture of little Maxlee in his Elvis getup floating around.

The third contestant was Cliff Wright, someone with a heck of a resume. He’s been performing for fifteen years, has a handful of trophies, and regularly travels with several Elvis tribute bands. He also builds guitars, which is awesome! It sounded like the announcer said "paisley guitars," but I know nothing about guitar specs. Is that a brand? A pattern? Guitars specifically custom-made for Brad Paisley? He was wearing what Google tells me (don't judge—I may be Beyond the Jumpsuit, but that doesn't mean I know all the jumpsuits!) is the White Egyptian Bird jumpsuit. I really like this design, as it looks a lot more breathable than full leather. His first song was "Trying to Get to You," which calls for some serious belting. Then he performed what I consider one of the true benchmarks of an ETA's talent: "You Gave Me a Mountain." That song is extremely vocally challenging, and Cliff tackled it with ease!

Next was an ETA who goes by "Big E." I met Ed on the first day, and he explained that he was traveling solo and asked if I'd record his performance. I said of course! I actually had a chance to sit down with Big E after the first round—well, stand, because the bar stools were all taken—and chat for an upcoming feature.

What makes Ed so special is his story. Earlier this year, he was diagnosed with high-risk cancer and had a serious procedure done. That was a huge wake-up call for Ed to finally do the things he’s always wanted to do, including making the leap into the ETA world. Isn't that incredible? He laughed and told me he knew he was going up against younger, prettier guys, but he didn't care. He was doing it because it was a lifelong dream, and it was now or never. I feel so lucky to have been there for his very first competition.

I had to look up his first song to make sure I heard the title correctly: "Three Corn Patches." It literally features the lyrics "corn patches" and "big bulldog." I had to double-check because I famously mishear lyrics all the time. I spent my entire childhood singing along to "Banana Whoompa"—which, to the rest of the world, is "More Than a Woman" by the Bee Gees! Ed really showcased his voice in his second song, "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." All in all, Ed did an amazing job, and we should all take a page from his book and chase our dreams.

Next up was Eddy Popescu, all the way from England! I chatted with him earlier in the weekend, and he mentioned he was originally from Romania. How amazing is that? Eddy's first song was "Patch It Up," a track I'm not super familiar with, but he did a great job! He also nailed some signature Elvis moves, though once again, I was terrified someone was going to slap themselves with fringe. His second song was "Release Me," which I always enjoy. Eddy had the crowd cheering and clapping. In my opinion, international performers always deserve bonus points when they manage to sing without an accent—that adds a serious layer of difficulty, and I don't think it gets enough credit!

Then the next of my boys was up: Ryan Rose! Ryan's dad, Don Rose, is actually an ETA as well, and I've chatted with him in the past. I adore both Don and Ryan, so I was thrilled to see Ryan perform live. His first song was "Heartbreak Hotel," which is always a crowd favorite. His second song, however, really got a reaction. During "One Night With You," Ryan fully embraced the... suggestive side of Elvis. He ripped off his black jacket to reveal a pink shirt, shimmied, and dropped to his knees. It was definitely a performance that would have made girls lose their minds in 1957. Heck, some of the ladies near the front were going crazy right here in 2026!

There's something so powerful about Elvis' legacy that it can capture hearts all around the world. Take Okson Wers, an Elvis fan who traveled all the way from Serbia. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I had to look up where Serbia was. If you are also geographically challenged, it's in Southeast Europe, bordered by Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. He flew roughly 10 to 13 hours just to come to Collinsville and follow his dream. With absolute respect to Collinsville—it’s lovely!—if you fly 13 hours to the States, you'd think you'd land in Nashville or New York first! Okson gave an enthusiastic performance of "Polk Salad Annie." Before his next song, he explained that he first dreamed of coming to America to perform like Elvis when he was 20 years old. Standing on that stage, his dream was coming true. It was such a wholesome thing to witness! He wrapped it up with the classic "Can't Help Falling in Love."

People truly came from everywhere for this contest. Next was Tony Nilsson from Norway. Norway to Collinsville is an even longer trek, clocking in at around 14 to 16 hours of travel. I saw Tony at the Nashville contest too, but didn't get to meet him then. I managed to catch him at one of the after-parties this time and hand him a card! Tony started with another one of those benchmark songs: "Bridge Over Troubled Water." I love when ETAs tackle tracks like this because you really have to demonstrate immense control and range. It starts so low and then puts you through your paces! It's always a bold choice, and it usually pays off. He doubled down with another heavy hitter: "The Impossible Dream." These powerhouse vocal performances secured him a spot in the top six.

Couldn't find Tim Hembree's official photo either!

Tim Hembree was next, bringing an impressive resume with him. He's been doing this since he was three years old! He won the "Just Pretend" contest and has even recorded and toured with one of Elvis' favorite quartets, the Blackwood Brothers. Tim came out in the '68 black leather suit—which is always a personal favorite of mine—and performed "It Hurts Me," a beautiful ballad with a lot of range. My interest was piqued when Tim said, "Let's get dirty." Then he launched into "Let Yourself Go," and I understood completely—that song from the '68 Special comes with a lot of hip action. Judging by the audience's response, everyone was just fine with getting a little dirty.

There was a brief intermission where I got to wish my boys luck and decide if I had time to grab nachos (I did not). Then, it was time for Randy!

Randy T—or Randy Sanders, or Randy Travis, depending on what name he's using these days—was the second person I ever interviewed for the blog. Let me tell you, I adore Randy and his wife, Lana. They are two of the sweetest people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, and I've officially dubbed Randy the King of Kindness. If you're new to the Elvis world and need a friend, reach out to Randy. He wore the powder blue suit (another favorite of mine) and started strong with "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'." He followed it up with an emotional favorite, "I've Lost You," which is such a sad, beautiful song. He nailed it—and if you listen closely as he walks off stage, you can hear my enthusiastic shrieking from the audience.

Next up was Sebastian Garland. Listen, I adore Sebastian. He cracks me up, we had a blast hanging out all weekend, and he feels like my much taller younger brother (the dude has almost a foot on me!). So there I was in the audience like an overenthusiastic dance mom, camera ready. His first song was "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me," which is great because it showcases range while still letting you whip out some signature moves. His second song, "Walk a Mile in My Shoes," is always a crowd favorite and allows for those iconic poses without the threat of a stray bead to the eye. Honestly, I'm surprised you can't hear me screaming even louder at the end of his set.

Johnny Goss was next, and I didn't know anything about him prior to the competition. It turns out he's actually a police lieutenant—can you imagine getting pulled over by Officer Elvis? In all seriousness, he didn't come to play. He started strong with "I Can't Stop Loving You," a song that requires real gravitas and grit to belt out properly. His next song was another personal favorite. The first time I heard "Never Been to Spain," I thought it was such a weird song. No offense to Oklahoma, but I don't think it holds a candle to heaven! Then again, I've never been to Oklahoma, so what do I know? Oklahomans, what's the verdict? Regardless, Johnny nailed it.

Grey Galloway was up next, and he'd been a fan favorite all weekend. I met Grey in Nashville and chatted with him at one of the parties. Grey is only nineteen—a fact that is actively making my hair turn grey! He brought insane energy to "Shake, Rattle and Roll." For his second song, Grey showed off his ability to hit that '50s Elvis vocal range that so many try to replicate. "Any Way You Want Me" is vocally challenging, starting deep and rocketing upward during the chorus. '50s Elvis comes with its own unique hurdles, and Grey tackled them with ease.

The last of my boys to compete was Taylor Salamon. Taylor started with one of the best movie hits, in my opinion: "Love Me Tender." It's an absolute classic that always makes the ladies swoon. I think if Sophia hadn't been busy filming, she definitely would have swooned, but she stayed focused on her task! Taylor's second song is arguably one of the most famous Elvis tracks of all time: "Blue Suede Shoes." Taylor pulled out all the stops, from playing the guitar to doing the pinwheel move across the stage. It's the ultimate song to bust out those energetic young-Elvis moves, and Taylor nailed every single one.

We were really celebrating early Elvis at this point in the contest, with Hugo Colin bringing out "G.I. Blues." My favorite Elvis looks have always been the '68 leather suit, followed closely by the White Concho, but after this performance, I think G.I. Elvis might have dethroned the Concho. "It's Now or Never" was his second song—another great young-Elvis track. Hugo definitely brought the charm, though I might be slightly biased because of his smile!

Unfortunately, I had to step out for a bit and only made it back as the top six were being announced, so I had to catch up on the next few performances via replay.

Next was another performer who traveled a long way: Jeffrey Van Der Aa, all the way from the Netherlands! Apparently, this was his first time back on stage in a decade, which is wild. I'm so glad he returned to performing. Jeffrey started with an Elvis track that always amuses me: "Way Down." I just love that super deep "way on doooooown." Jeffrey wore an elaborate jumpsuit featuring a massive, bejeweled dragon on the front, back, and both legs. With all those jewels and that heavy belt, it had to weigh a ton! His second song was another one in my personal top ten: "It's Midnight." It's such a gorgeous song, and Jeffrey did a fantastic job.

Somehow, I'd never heard of Tyler Hunter before this weekend, and I have no idea how that's possible. He's been doing this for 22 years, is a featured performer in the Legends concerts, AND played Elvis in Million Dollar Quartet! Wearing another suit that looked like it weighed 50 pounds (the Sundial suit is breathtaking, but man, that's a lot of bling), he performed "Let It Be Me." Tyler did an excellent job with the ballad, then kicked it up a notch with "Proud Mary (Rollin' on the River)." Honestly, I can't imagine pulling off that fast-paced footwork in such a heavy suit!

Finally, Michael Glaysher wrapped up the preliminary round. Michael came all the way from England and started off with "Lonesome Cowboy." To be honest, it's never been one of my favorite tracks, but Michael performed it beautifully. He stuck with the western vibe for his second song, performing the title track from Loving You. Michael really showcased his silky-smooth vocals with both numbers.

I literally ran back inside just as they were announcing the top six: Grey Galloway, Mat Shank, Tony Nilsson, Tim Hembree, Hugo Colin, and Cliff Wright. I was bummed that none of my boys made the cut, but the competition was undeniably stiff.

During the break before the finals, it started pouring rain outside. I got to have a great chat with Big E—he has such an inspiring story, and I can't wait to feature him properly on the blog soon. Afterward, I was sitting at one of the tables waiting for my ride, and guess who came over to join me?

I was completely shocked and pleasantly surprised when Cote Deonath pulled out the chair next to mine. Truthfully, I didn't think I'd made a great first impression on him earlier because I’d been so nervous and rambly. This was my first time interacting with Cote one-on-one, and he is truly a great guy.

We talked about what it really means to be an Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist. Cote was open and honest, sharing that he considered himself an anomaly when he competed—he felt he was too short and didn't naturally look like Elvis, so how did he win? Lots, and lots, and lots of hard work. He emphasized that if you really want that title, you can't give up; you have to give it your absolute all. But he was also quick to point out that being an Ultimate is a want, not a need. You don't need that title to be an incredible ETA, and it doesn't define your talent. What matters is putting your heart and soul into the performance because you love Elvis. We also talked about the younger generation of ETAs, and Cote said he has so much hope for the future. With mentorships and workshops now available at festivals, these guys are literally growing up together, creating an atmosphere that feels much less hyper-competitive and much more like a brotherhood.

I could break down the finals step-by-step, but my keyboard would start smoking and this post would be a novel! Huge congratulations to Grey Galloway for taking first place and earning his spot in Memphis for the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, as well as Cliff Wright and Mat Shank for taking second and third place.

Overall, I had an absolute blast at the Illinois Elvis Festival and can't wait for next year. The lineup of headliners was fantastic, and the whole weekend was a joy. If I had to pick two minor areas for improvement, I'd say it would be nice to have a few extra activities planned between main shows—like industry panels or an Elvis movie screening. On Sunday, when it was pouring buckets, it would have been lovely to have something to do inside the venue without having to venture out into the rain.

The only other detail was the ticket structure. I wished admission to the competition rounds had been included in the weekend pass. Turnout was noticeably smaller on Sunday, likely because the preliminary round and the finals required separate tickets. As someone living on a fixed income with a disability, a festival weekend is already a major investment. The standard weekend pass was $150, and each competition round was an additional $38. A lot of Elvis fans are from older generations and on fixed incomes too, so that's definitely something for organizers to keep in mind. That said, $150 is still a very fair price for the sheer volume of headliner shows included in the pass!

I already can't wait for next year—these festivals are officially addictive! Thanks for reading along, and drop a comment below to let me know which ETAs you'd like to see featured next!