An Elvis tribute artist from Steinbach is headed to Graceland.

Corny Rempel won 1st place over the weekend at the Annual Penticton Elvis Festival in BC. That win secures a place for him in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest later this summer in Memphis, Tennessee.

"In my Elvis world, getting to the Ultimate is the ultimate goal for so many Elvis tribute artists," says Rempel.

(Photo credit: Blake Benjamin/Facebook)Rempel has been performing for 17 years and competing for 12. He has made a dozen trips to Penticton, BC, finishing in 2nd or 3rd place numerous times. Over the years he has developed a fan base and network of friends in that city. This is the first time Rempel has qualified for Graceland.

"I'm just thrilled it happened in Penticton, BC where the people have been just treating me so incredibly for the last twelve years," says Rempel.

According to Rempel, the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest is like the Olympics for those with his craft. The winners from festivals around the world will converge on Memphis during Elvis Week, August 11 to 19. 2017 marks the 40th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death (August 16, 1977) and Rempel says this year's Elvis Week is expected to be one of the biggest ever.

"Elvis Week in Memphis will be one of the biggest celebrations of Elvis' life that Graceland has ever hosted," says Rempel. "So I am incredibly honoured to be part of this celebration, not only as an Elvis fan, but also as a performer and competitor."

Rempel says he has visited Graceland as a tourist in the past, but to go as an invited guest validates what he does as a performer and is an incredible honour.

"I couldn't have picked a better year to win my way to the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest," he says. "It's one of the things that's been on my bucket list for so many years and now I'm actually able to compete at that level."