ELVIS LIVES Tour Coming to Houston, 1/17-18

ELVIS LIVES THE ULTIMATE ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTIST EVENT is coming to Houston for two performances on Friday, Jan. 17 and Saturday, Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. in Jones Hall, presented by Society for the Performing Arts.

Dean Z, the newly crowned 2013 winner of Elvis Presley Enterprises' (EPE) Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest has joined the touring cast of ELVIS LIVES for the winter 2014 engagements.

ELVIS LIVES is an unforgettable multi-media and live musical journey across Elvis' life featuring finalists from EPE's annual worldwide Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, each representing Elvis during four eras of his career: the 1950s, 1960s, his movie career and his concert years. This season marks the fourth U.S. tour for ELVIS LIVES.

For Houston performances, the Elvis Tribute Artists will be comprised of Bill Cherry (first place, 2009), Leo Days (finalist, 2009) and the newly crowned 2013 winner Dean Z. They will be joined by a live band, back-up singers and dancers, an Ann Margret performer, as well as iconic media and imagery made available from the Graceland archives. This event also includes a never-before-seen exhibit of life-size images of Elvis' stage-wear that will be on display in the lobby for both performances.

In 2007, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. announced an inaugural Elvis tribute artist contest event that was a search for the "best representation of the legacy of Elvis Presley." Twenty-four of the best Elvis Tribute Artists from around the world, who had each won a preliminary round of the competition, traveled to Memphis during Elvis Week 2007 to compete with Shawn Klush of Pennsylvania winning the first-ever ultimate title. In response to the excitement generated by the 2007 contest, Elvis Presley Enterprises has brought the contest back every year since. Brandon Bennett from Louisiana won the ultimate title during Elvis Week 2008; Bill Cherry from Illinois in 2009; Justin Shandor from Michigan in 2010; Cody Slaughter from Arkansas in 2011; Ben Portsmouth from England was crowned the first-ever European 2012 winner; and, this year, Dean Z from Missouri.

Tickets range from $23-$83 and can be purchased online at www.spahouston.org, by phone at 713-227-4772 or at the courtyard level ticket office at Jones Hall located at 615 Louisiana St. Hours of operation: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. For groups of 15 or more call 713-632-8113.