RavBytes: Dude From Collinsville Crowned King of The Kings

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When I hear 'Elvis' my head is instantly filled with visions of paintings on velvet, bad fitting jump suits, and - of course - impersonators. There is some rumor being spread around that all of these visions are based on a real-life guy who was a singer and actor, but I'm not one to spread rumors so we'll leave that one alone.

I do know for fact that every year there is a competition to determine who has the best Elvis lip-curl and hip shake in the "Annual Midwest Tribute To The King Competition." Like everything in life there were losers in the competition; it was a local man who rose to the top of the caped, crooning crowd in this weekend's competition.

Bill Cherry of Collinsville beat out 15 competitors from five Midwestern states to be crowned king of The Kings. Cherry made a little cash and will be heading to Memphis in August as a finalist in the Elvis Week's international competition. Don't call these impersonators though, evidently the Elvis etiquette is to call them "tribute artists." So if you see Bill give him a hearty congratulations for being such a great artist, and tell him good luck at Elvis Week.