Robert Washington performs for the crowd Friday night at the Great Falls Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Former world champion Elvis tribute artist Robert Washington will take the stage for a performance billed as “ELVIS – The Greatest Concert Tribute to Elvis” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, at The Ramada Hotel & Conference Center, at 490 Pleasant St., Lewiston.
In 2003 — after three runner-up finishes — Washington became the first African American to be named World Champion Elvis Impersonator at the Annual Images of Elvis competition held each August in Memphis, a competition with approximately 100 entrants. During earlier years as a finalist in Memphis, Washington appeared in the Year 2000 TV documentary “Elvis & The Men Who Would Be King” with footage of his prior performances also featured in the 2001 documentary “Almost Elvis.”
Washington’s accomplishments are extensive, including live performance tours within the U.S., Europe and Japan, including appearances with the “Original Elvis Tribute” band. He also competes annually against other Elvis Tribute Artists in a “professionals” category, regularly placing at or near the top. Recognized as being “among the top professional Elvis tribute artists in the world,” in December, 2013, Robert was voted #1 in the Online Viewer’s Choice Award on the Elvis World Championships Website. He has also received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 in recognition of his nearly thirty-five years as a tribute artist. The Black Elvis: Robert Washington Fan Club on Facebook has 2.1K members.
Although he is often away from Maine on tour, Washington does live in Androscoggin County. He performs at area events as his schedule allows, with a stage show that has evolved to include a tribute to both Elvis Presley and James Brown.
Tickets may be purchased at The Ramada Hotel & Conference Center by telephone at 207 330-3770 or online at eventbrite.com.
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