The iconic Southfork Ranch of TV’s “Dallas” series fame will host “Texas’ Tribute to Elvis,” the state’s official Elvis Presley Enterprise licensed festival, Friday, March 4, through Sunday, March 6, 2016. The festival will feature performances by some of the world’s best Elvis tribute artists, winners of Elvis Presley Enterprises’ “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest.” Cody Ray Slaughter, star of “Million Dollar Quartet” on Broadway, is the 2011 World Champion and the youngest man to hold the title. Bill Cherry, the 2009 champion, will both perform.
In addition, the festival includes Texas’ only official preliminary heat of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. Artists from all over the world will compete to be crowned Texas’ 2016 champion and be qualified to enter the contest finals, which are held during Elvis Week in Memphis in August 2016. Judges for the Texas contest will be Elvis’ friend and bodyguard Sam Thompson, Elvis’ friend and tour producer Charles Stone, Elvis’ friend Greg McDonald, who also served as the personal manager of legendary artist Ricky Nelson, and Ginger Holladay. All four judges will take part in the festival’s “Conversations on Elvis” on-stage interviews.
Special guests appearing throughout the weekend include the legendary Blackwood Quartet and Elvis’ original backup singers, The Holladay Sisters. Backing the headline shows will be the EAS Band. In addition, songwriter and former actress Linda Thompson, who had a four-year relationship with Elvis, will also take part in “Conversations on Elvis.”
The festival will feature a variety of Elvis-themed shows, including Friday’s “Long Live the King,” which celebrates the entertainer’s entire musical career. Saturday’s “Rockin’ across Texas” features a spectacular production showcasing his greatest hits to concert classics. Sunday’s “Spirit of the King” will spotlight his gospel music, followed by “Elvis Country,” which offers a musical journey though Elvis’ country classics.
Single-day tickets start at $85 for adults and $40 for children; three-day festival tickets start at $185 for adults and $85 for children.