With jumpsuits, wigs and dance moves, these young boys and teens keep
Elvis' legacy alive
[June 09, 2026]
By SOPHIE BATES
TUPELO, Miss. (AP) — Nearly 50 years after Elvis Presley 's death, a
gaggle of exuberant young boys and teens shook up his hometown, intent
on keeping the king's legacy alive for a new generation.
Ranging in age from seven to 17, some in jeweled jumpsuits, they took
the stage at the Tupelo Elvis Festival's youth tribute artist
competition last week.
In contrast to their peers, who may never have heard of Elvis, the
competitors have dedicated an enormous amount of time and energy to
embodying the king's singing voice, mannerisms and style.
They are careful to specify they are Elvis tribute artists. Unlike
impersonators, who pretend to be Elvis and sometimes present a
characterized version of the king, tribute artists strive for
authenticity. Some wore costumes created by B&K Enterprises Costume Co.,
a company licensed to recreate Elvis' outfits and provide costumes for
Elvis movies, musicals and TV shows.
“We're not trying to be him,” said Tucker Gladden, 17, from Madison,
Mississippi. “We want to recreate the experience as much as we can for
people that maybe didn't get to see Elvis in their lifetime.”
As for their fascination with a long-dead musician, several of the
tribute artists credited the 2022 “Elvis” movie with sparking their
interest. A couple said their admiration began after discovering they
were distantly related to Elvis. Others said it was Elvis' faith and
charity that inspired them. Some said they had been performing Elvis
songs since they were 3 years old.
For 16-year-old Ayden Maloy from Logansport, Indiana, it was the way
Elvis' music helped him during a difficult time in his life and
motivated him to begin performing as an Elvis tribute artist three years
ago.
“I just broke down in tears because it healed me,” Maloy said. “I think
Elvis is the healer.”
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In this screenshot from video, Tucker Gladden, 17, rehearses his
rendition of "My Boy" by Elvis Presley before taking the stage at
the Tupelo Elvis Festival's youth tribute artists competition on
June 4, 2026, in Tupelo, Miss. (AP Photo/Sophie Bates)
 In an afternoon of dazzling outfits
and daring dance moves, the performers got the audience clapping,
singing and swaying along to their Elvis covers. Ultimately, RJ
Hursey, a 14-year-old from Bloomington, Illinois, won the
competition.
Hursey, who inherited his love of Elvis from his grandfather, said
he practices his tributes every day, and when he's too sick to sing,
he researches. He performs at nursing homes and assisted living
facilities and hopes to someday star in a remake of an Elvis movie.
“It's humbling,” Hursey said. “It makes you feel good because we
know that he died thinking he'd be forgotten, and we're just so glad
he's still around."
While in Tupelo, the tribute artists also toured the Elvis Presley
Birthplace, a sprawling complex that includes the home where Elvis
was born and the church where he was first exposed to Southern
gospel music.
“It feels so surreal to pay tribute to Elvis in his hometown,” said
15-year-old Charles Session from Morrilton, Arkansas. “I hope that
he’s looking down and smiling at all these young performers.”
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