Please read this page carefully and apply the information to your assessments. Remember, you are judging the contestant only on the performance given on this particular day, not on past performances or other information you may know about a particular contestant.
This competition is very important to the careers of many of the performers who enter the contest, so your fair and unbiased judgment is very important to them.
You are looking at the TOTAL PACKAGE the contestant presents, not just one element of the performance. You are looking for a performer who can sing well, who has natural charisma, who is entertaining and who makes a believable representation of Elvis Presley.
When judging the different categories, please consider each area and assign a score to that area. Any number from 0 to the top score in that category may be used. Remember, there is a big difference between 20 and 25 points, and sometimes a 22 or 23 might be a more accurate assessment.
There is no formula to follow to arrive at a “correct” decision. We all are individuals and so much of what we like and respond to is buried deep within us as mementos of past experiences. Thank you for your discernment, your fairness, and the time you are taking to judge this contest. Hopefully, you will have a great time doing it!
Each contestant will perform a 15-minute set accompanied by a CD or tape. Vocal eliminators or tapes with the main vocals erased are illegal and cannot be used in the competition.
This category allows the most points simply because this is a singing contest, not a look alike contest, but it is not STRICTLY a singing contest since the total picture must be taken into consideration. Each singer’s voice should be suited to the songs he has chosen to sing. Listen for highs and lows. Is he able to hit those notes? If you close your eyes, whom do you hear singing? Does he sound like Elvis at all? Is his voice strong or weak? Is he straining his voice? Does he sound natural? Is the music flowing from him?
This category is almost as important as the vocals.Is the performer comfortable on the stage? Is he in charge of his performance? Is he having fun and enjoying himself? Does his performance flow easily from deep inside himself? Does he like performing? Does he have that natural charisma that makes you think of Elvis? Is he there to entertain and give of himself to the audience? Is he able to move about the stage freely and with ease? Does he capture your attention and hold it? Is he a real professional who entertains the audience with his performance or is he just singing on the stage and no one is listening? If there is a glitch with the music, does he behave in a professional manner with courtesy and even humor to continue his performance? Does he project a humble attitude and realize he is not really Elvis?
Does the contestant portray an appealing image of Elvis and not look odd or out of place? Are his hair and sideburns well groomed? Does he look sloppy or disheveled? Do the costume and songs reflect the same era that the performer has chosen to represent? The costume is important, but it does not have to be an exact replica with the exact number of sequins in the exact diametrical opposition to each other. Is this costume a believable Elvis costume? Does it fit the contestant well or is he constantly pulling and tugging on it?
Does the contestant have the real Elvis moves? Is he comfortable moving with the music in a natural way, or does he look contorted trying too hard to make his body move in a certain way? Does he imitate movements made by Elvis or is he making up his own? Elvis was never vulgar in his movements, and the contestant should not be vulgar at any time either.
Is the contestant aware of the audience? Is he comfortable interacting with the audience? Does he make it obvious that he is there to entertain the audience in his tribute to Elvis? Does he enjoy the people? Do they enjoy him? Is he personable and friendly with the audience? Is the audience paying attention to him? Are they involved with him?
After all the components are judged and the scores are added together, the total score should give an overall assessment of the performer. This is the score that will be used to determine the winners of the contest.
If you have any positive comments to make or any helpful suggestions to give to the individual contestant, please feel free to write them in this space. Sometimes a contestant may not realize a certain element of his performance could be hurting him, so he may be grateful to have it pointed out to him so he can improve.