Next year’s Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition will see a Parramatta local pull out all the moves to win the king-sized crown.
For local resident Michael Tsamandanis, Elvis has always been a big part of his life.
“I’ve been an Elvis fan for a good 40-odd years, ever since I was a teenager back in the 80s, when I first discovered him,” he said.
In 2023, Mr Tsamandanis is hoping his love for Elvis and his music will help him secure the prestigious title of Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist at the Parkes Elvis Festival.
Held from January 4-8, the Parkes Elvis Festival will see over 25,000 people make the annual pilgrimage to Central NSW for the biggest tribute to The King in the Southern Hemisphere. Celebrating Elvis’ birthday and all things Rock’n’Roll, next year’s Parkes Elvis Festival will also mark the 30th anniversary of the festival.
One of the highlights of the event each year is the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, which will see 19 of the top Elvis Tribute Artists from across Australia and overseas compete for the title of Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist, Australia’s top prize for budding Elvis performers.
52-year-old Mr Tsamandanis has performed at the Parkes Elvis Festival for many years.
“I started getting involved in it about 10 years ago and I’ve been performing [at Parkes] every year consecutively since then,” he said.
Whereas many Elvis tribute artists cover only one set period of Elvis’s life, Mr Tsamandanis covers all eras when he performs. But he makes it clear that he’s never worn a jumpsuit.
“I don’t wear the jumpsuit! I wear the 50’s style outfits, even though I do sing all the eras of Elvis, that is my style of Elvis,” he said.
When it comes to delivering his performances as an Elvis tribute artist, Mr Tsamandanis said there’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes.
“There’s always building up your repertoire of songs, always learning new material and obviously a lot of preparation before shows,” he said.
“For some people it comes natural, for other people they have to work at it, I’m fortunate enough to just naturally able to do it rather than be nervous before shows.”
And although he’s looking forward to competing at the festival, Mr Tsamandanis said he is focusing more on delivering a great performance than winning the title.
“I’ve come second before in other competitions and I have been to America in 2013, so if you win it’s great but if you don’t, you don’t… whatever will be, will be,” he said.
“It’s not really a competition, it’s about expressing yourself and your art form, that’s how I see it.”
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.