If you're in the ETA World, chances are you have heard the name Nance Fox and if you haven't... then pay attention! Nance runs the Elvis Entertainers Network, and is very respected and well known as an advocate for the Professional Elvis Tribute Artist. Nance comes forward and shares with us her knowledge, opinions and past experiances as a Contest AND Showcase organizer. True to life and straight to the point, Nance tells it like she sees it! This article is not for the those that like to beat around the bush! CONTESTS It has been very interesting to read the articles posted concerning contests. The different viewpoints reveal some interesting concepts. I'd like to present a view from someone who produces both contests and showcases. There are many times when the Elvis Entertainers Network produces a contest when the client has told us that he will accept either a contest or a showcase. Because of the large cash prizes I insist on, the money is always sufficient to do either. Usually, I choose to produce a contest for several reasons: I believe it keeps the seasoned ETA's on their toes, It gives new ETA's the chance to perform in front of large crowds they might otherwise have to wait years for, It gives the newer ETA's the chance to mix with the veteran Entertainers on a one to one basis, It shows all the contestants their weak points, and It gives me a chance to look at ETA's I might not know. Now, I'd like to list some of the complaints I get about contests with my answers: 1. Former Champions or winners should not compete! The ETA world is unique in that winners are asked to step aside and let the "others" have a chance. In many sports and different competitions, the winner is welcomed back to compete; in fact, in many cases, the Champions are required to compete until they are defeated. Should we tell Tiger Woods that he should stay home and let other golfers have a chance to win? Shall we tell the New England Patriots that they cannot play for the Superbowl this year? I believe that everyone should be allowed to compete - the cream will ALWAYS rise to the top. 2. "Others" should be allowed their chance to win! I absolutely disagree with this! If an ETA is good, he will be noticed. Again and again, I have seen young men rise to the top. I have seen new ETA's begin to place and end up beating the veteran ETA's. 3. My husband (son, brother, boyfriend, nephew, etc., etc.) was the VERY best and the judges ignored him! This is one of my favorites. Usually, the ETA in question is fairly new and trying his very best; however, he has not reached the level of the ETA's who placed. These complainers do not realize that by telling their favorites that they were robbed of a placing, they are doing them a serious disservice. They need to look to the winners to see where their favorites are lacking. Learn from every contest! 4. The judges didn't know what they were doing! The judges I choose work very hard to do the best job they can do. It is very easy to say that judges are not qualified; however, where do you find people who are totally familiar with all the eras of Elvis' life, musical enough to discern a true Elvis voice, willing to put up with the criticism aimed at all judges, and willing to sit, without taking breaks, for 5-6 hours through good and bad performers. Many talented people, when asked to be judges, say, "Hell NO! I wouldn't put up with the abuse these ETA's heap on judges. Thank you - but - no thanks!" I'm not saying there are no bad judges; however, they quickly show their colors and are not asked to judge again. 5. The same guys win over and over! Duh! I wonder if it's because they are good??? Think about the ETA's who win lots of contests - they also began by watching others win. If an ETA has the guts to stick in there, practice his craft, and HONESTLY perceive his weak points and work to improve them, he will begin to place. Unfortunately, it's the biggest whiners that obviously never recorded themselves and listened to that recording with a truly critical ear. I watch all the contestants very carefully, especially after the results are announced. There are the ones who will go to the judges and ask where they need to improve. They thank us for the chance to compete and, generally, conduct themselves as reasonable adults. These are the ones I know, in my heart, are the future winners. Then, there are the ones who complain and offer excuses. They are usually surrounded by a small group of fans who direct ugly looks at the winners and the judges and loudly tell their favorite that the contest was obviously "FIXED." These ETA's will spend an entire career in the "losers' circle." One of the things we often do is to offer a "peoples' choice." We give out ballots to the audience as they come in and ask them to vote for their favorites. We collect the ballots BEFORE the results are announced. In almost every case, the "peoples' choice" is one of the top three winners. Amazing! We have tried different ways of letting the ETA's know how they are doing. If we post the scores, the lower scoring contestants get mad and often leave. If we hand out the scoring sheets, many of the judges have gotten phone calls in which they were cursed and even threatened! One of our contestants actually called one of the judges and told him that the contestant's Mother had put a "curse" on the judge. Give me a break! My answer in the future will be to hand out the judges' sheet after the contest. The judge's individual names will NOT be on the sheets - only their opinions. Now, here is some advice for those who choose to compete: 1. Learn the words to the songs. I am constantly amazed by the number of contestants who forget the words to well-known songs. Elvis could change the words - he's the ONLY one who could do it. Save the cute changes in the songs for shows - you are being judged on your ability to IMPERSONATE ELVIS! 2. Record yourself and LISTEN to the recording. Be critical! Get vocal lessons! 3. Make sure your costumes are clean and that they fit. Nothing will turn a judge off more quickly than a dirty, stained costume. Elvis was meticulous in his grooming - pay tribute to him by being the same. Elvis' costumes were tailored to fit him. They were not so tight as to be embarrassing nor did they look like pajamas. If your costume does not fit, find a good seamstress and make it so! 4. Be polite to your fellow contestants. The "Do unto others...." rule applies here too. 5. Read the rules BEFORE you attend the contest. I ask my contestants to sign a copy of the rules. Don't send me a signed copy and then tell me, at the contest, that you didn't know them. 6. Attend the contestants' meetings, ON TIME. We go to the trouble to schedule meetings so that we can answer questions and let contestants know of any last minute changes, draw numbers for order of appearance, and receive the songs they wish to perform. 7. If we are not using a band, have all of your songs on ONE CD. If you don't have a CD burner, get one - or - find someone who can do it for you. If the number of songs you will perform is either 2 or 3 (often done in our contests until we know how many contestants there will be), be prepared for both! Put your name on your CD and print plainly. Often the contestants will change their songs and, if your CD gets out of order, we would like to know whose it is.... 8. Be ready to go on stage. My stage managers spend half their time running around finding the next contestant. This is simple courtesy and professionalism. About 3 years ago, one of my members learned that I had been looking for him to go on next. He told me never to bother looking for him again. He said, "Nance, I know my job - I'm a professional. I will always be where I'm supposed to be when I'm supposed to be there. Depend on it." I do.... 9. Control your fans. If they don't want to applaud for the other contestants, ask them to be polite. Boos and catcalls are rude and not fair to anyone. On the other hand, do not attempt the ruse of placing fans around the judges and telling them to scream at the top of their lungs. None of the judges are dumb enough to fall for this garbage. 10. Relate to the audience. Elvis loved his fans and always showed it on stage. 11. Be respectful and polite to the hosts of the contest and ask that your fans do so too. These clients pay good money to host a contest. They do NOT want to hear a screaming, drunken fan telling them how to run their contest. If you have what you consider to be a legitimate problem, wait until you get home. Write a sensible, clear letter outlining what you perceive to be the problem. Sign your name and give your address. Send copies to both the host and the promoter of the contest. You will get an answer. 12. Be gracious and friendly to the fans. They are there because they love Elvis and appreciate what you do. Take the time to pose for pictures and sign autographs. I have pledged to put on the fairest, most equitable contests for the ETA's. I welcome any and all comments (if you include your name and email address). Thanks! Nance Fox