Rick Lenzi is a guy who struts onstage in sequined jumpsuits, sporting sideburns and a jet-black pompadour. But don't call him an Elvis imitator.
He may croon "Love Me Tender" while women throw lace panties at him - he loves that, by the way - but he regards himself as an artist: an "Elvis Tribute Artist."
That's the new-and-improved term for Lenzi and a dozen or so other look-alikes who have taken over a local casino for a mini-convention of Elvis-lovers.
"Star Trek has its Trekkies, and we have these folks," said Ryan Wood of Yuma, co-founder of EP Expo, which runs until tonight at Desert Diamond Casino in Sahuarita.
"We're just a bunch of huge fans trying to keep the music alive," said Wood, who ends his text messages with "Long Live The King!"
Several hundred fans from Tucson and beyond turned out Thursday night to see Lenzi, 37, of Prescott Valley, and others compete for cash and prizes.
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Nearby, vendors hawked knockoffs of The King's flashy jewelry and aviator shades, along with vintage vinyl, bumper stickers and I (Heart) Elvis teddy bears.
Organizers of such events must walk a fine line to avoid legal trouble with the estate of the late Elvis Presley, who died 35 years ago and still has legions of fans around the world.
The phrase "Elvis Presley" and his image are trademarked and licensed to the estate. The expo show gets around that by using just "Elvis" or initials EP in ads, and by only using photos of look-alikes.
Being an Elvis Tribute Artist is no cakewalk, said Will Humbarger, 38, of Buckeye.
"There's a lot of work and expense that goes into this," he said, sporting a fringed white jumpsuit similar to one the real Elvis wore in Las Vegas in 1971.
The flashy get-ups aren't cheap, running hundreds or thousands of dollars. On top of that, there's the cost of hair dye, license plate-sized belt buckles and video footage used to study The King's stage moves.
Some go to even greater lengths, using the same brand of toothpaste Elvis used (Colgate), the same hair color (Clairol blue/black) and the same cologne (Brut).
Yet, for all their efforts, they sometimes feel like the Rodney Dangerfields of the entertainment world.
"The people who don't get it think being a tribute artist is a joke," said Humbarger, a delivery driver by day.
His wife rolls her eyes at his hobby. "She's not a fan. She doesn't get the hype," he said.
Some at the casino didn't get it either, like Terry Delgado of Tucson, who teased her husband, Steve Delgado, for weeks as he was making plans to attend.
"I said 'Really? Are you kidding?' " she recalled Thursday as her husband shopped for Elvis album covers.
"It's a little bit cultish, if you ask me," said Terry Delgado, 45.
Steve Delgado, 48, wasn't a fan until five years ago, when he happened to be in Memphis and decided to visit Graceland, the singer's home, on the 30th anniversary of his death.
Wreaths of flowers, hundreds of them, covered the lawn that day, sent by fans from around the globe, Steve Delgado said.
When the tour was over, he was moved to tears by a recording of Elvis singing "Amazing Grace."
"It took me by surprise," he recalled.
"His house spoke to me. By the end of the tour I felt like I knew him, and that's when I started listening to his music."
Others, like Amanda Curtis, are lifelong fans, initiated by parents or grandparents who followed the singer.
"Elvis is the top dog in my opinion. There's no one to compare," said Curtis, 51, co-founder of the Tucson fan club called Elvis has Left the Building. Her mother and brother also are fans.
Curtis never got to see The King perform live, so taking in a tribute show is the next best thing, she said.
"If I close my eyes and listen, I can pretend maybe it's him."
Contact reporter Carol Ann Alaimo at calaimo@azstarnet.com or at 573-4138.
"Star Trek has its Trekkies, and we have these folks. We're just a bunch of huge fans trying to keep the music alive."
Ryan Wood, co-founder of EP Expo
If You Go
• What: Final day of EP Expo
• When: Today, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Karaoke after-party from 10 p.m. to midnight.
• Where: Desert Diamond Casino, 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, Sahuarita.
• Tickets: $20
Find more online
View an audio slideshow of the event at azstarnet.com/photo
