From left, Elvis Rocks Mesquite winner Johnny Fortuno; runner up Robert Washington; Matt Joyce, ERock; James King, Daniel Jenkins and Frank Werth in the CasaBlanca Showroom of the CasaBlanca Resort Saturday night in Mesquite.

By Beth Amick

#1 Elvis Fan

The second “Elvis Rocks Mesquite” took place at the Casablanca Resort, June 23-26. The annual festival which has become a crowd favority began with a “Meet and Greet” in the lounge where the Elvis Tribute Artists (E.T.A.S) met the crowd and introduced themselves.

The artists raised over $600 for the Red Cross because of the natural disasters that hit close to home for several of their friends. They accomplished this by singing a requested Elvis song for $1.00, giving an “Elvis Rocks Mesquite” t-shirt and offering a dance for a $25 donation.

Everyone enjoyed themselves, met many new friends and heard some wonderful Elvis’ songs.

This year there were twenty six Elvis Tribute Artists with many different backgrounds, coming to Mesquite from all over the nation.

Joe Bullock, from California has been performing as Elvis for four years now and placed in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute in California. Joe is also such a great humanitarian, helping his friend, Wendy Lynn Adams with her organization “No one Left Behind”, which feeds the homeless and finds them housing. Bullock performed at an event, then helped feed over 2,000 people.

Erock, who placed third in the competition is from Buckner, Missouri and most certainly felt devastated with the tornado damage in Joplin.

Erock went to an Elvis concert at the Anaheim Convention Center many years ago. “Seeing Elvis live not only changed my life, it literally saved my life. I believe that God used Elvis to save my life.”

Erock’d version of Elvis’ song “Hurt” literally gave the audience goose bumps.

Elvis Rocks Mesquite winner Johnny Fortuno of Henderson, Nev. performs in front of a jam-packed crown Saturday night in the CasaBlanca Showroom of the CasaBlanca Resort in Mesquite.

Audience member, Sandra Renak, from Salt Lake City, Utah commented, “The Elvii are just wonderful guys, terrific performers and very personable with the fans. I plan to come back next year. We are having a terrific time.”

The Lewis family came from Las Vegas, Nevada. Mr. Lewis said “We came here because my wife loves Elvis. She has seen him perform in person and wants to see the show.”

Friday’s 4:00 performance contained songs from the 60’s. Friday night’s performance represented Elvis in the 70’s, complete with giving scarves and kisses. The audience went wild with this. Saturday’s 4:00 performance represented the 50’s era, reminding everyone of the young Elvis with Jailhouse Rock and Heartbreak Hotel.

The top two E.T.A.S from each decade participated in the finals which was Saturday night’s performance. The Casablanca showroom was completely sold out.

In fourth place, winning $500 was Travis Allen, from California. In third place, winning $1,000 was Eric (Erock) Haws, from Missouri. In second place, winning $1,500 was Robert Washington, from Maine And in first place, winning $3,000 was Johnny Fortuno, from Nevada

All audience members at the performances voted on the Peoples’ Choice award. Winner of the Peoples’ Choice award was proudly given to E.T.A. Frank Werth who is from Hayes, Kansas.

First place winner, Johnny Fortuno, loves doing Elvis Rocks Mesquite and considers it an honor to be here, representing Elvis Presley.

Frank Werth, the Peoples’ Choice award winner said, “My purpose in being an Elvis Tribute Artist is simply because it has been a way for me to thank Elvis for everything he has done for me. I have not personally met the man, neither do I have to. In my heart, our souls have been connected through the power of God and the purity of his music.”