Media Release
For Immediate Release

 Contact: Marcia Bunge
Genesis Marketing Group
(228) 365-0463

Ontario’s Kabakos Wins
Silver Slipper Casino’s Ultimate Elvis® Competition
 

Hancock County – July 19, 2009 – Hundreds looked on as Stephen Kabakos claimed the top title in Silver Slipper Casino’s Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest, Saturday night on The Stage Bar. “The response from the fans, as well as impersonators, was incredible,” stated John N. Ferrucci, COO and General Manager of Silver Slipper Casino. “The casino was absolutely packed. It’s obvious how much Elvis was beloved, and still is, not only in America but throughout the world. All fifteen impersonators were phenomenal and I’m sure it was a tough decision for the judges.”

Kabakos, who hails from Ontario, Canada won $1,000 cash and the opportunity to compete in The 2009 Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest finals, presented by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. in Memphis during the annual Elvis Week, August 8-16.

Impersonator, David Allen from Colony, Texas placed Second, winning $500.00, and Mario Kombou from London, UK placed Third to win $250.00. Jeff Golden, from Dothan, Alabama and Paul Ross from Austin, Texas were also in the five finalists who competed Saturday night for the title.

Fifteen impersonators from around the world competed Friday night for a chance to be one of the five finalists to compete on Saturday night for the title.  All were backed by the live band "XPG." For years, "XPG" has been the full-time band for the 2008 Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest’s Grand Champion and Ponchatoula, Louisiana native Brandon Bennett. Bennett is one of the primary entertainers who perform regularly at Silver Slipper Casino.

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This is the third year that Graceland's Elvis Presley Enterprises has held a contest in search of The Elvis Tribute Artist that is the "best representation of the legacy of Elvis Presley." Only about a dozen locations are selected, world-wide, each year to host a sanctioned preliminary. The Grand Champion of the Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest, in August, will win a prize package that includes $20,000 cash!
 
For more information concerning the contest and other events, contact David Hilbert, Events and Promotions Manager for Silver Slipper Casino, at 1-866-S-SLIPPER (866-775-4773) or 228-469-2715.
 
Silver Slipper Casino, Mississippi’s first land-built casino, opened in November 2006 and is located on the beach at 5000 South Beach Blvd. in Hancock County, Mississippi. For additional information, go to www.silverslipper-ms.com or call 866-S-SLIPPER (866-775-4773). 
 
Paul Alanis is Chairman and CEO of Silver Slipper Gaming and project developer for Silver Slipper Casino in Hancock County.  Silver Slipper Casino Venture LLC, which is privately owned, is the parent company of Silver Slipper Casino. For additional information regarding Silver Slipper Casino, contact Schoen Heier at (228) 469-2711 or www.silverslipper-ms.com. Silver Slipper Casino and Silver Slipper Casino Venture LLC are equal opportunity employers, committed to responsible gaming.
 
© Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
ELVIS, ULTIMATE ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTIST CONTEST and LOGO are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.