Alba’s Gib Maynard may be a young man, but his talents are reverently steeped in the nostalgia that is Elvis Presley. Maynard makes ‘The King’ come alive as an Elvis tribute artist.

Maynard is on his way to the Nashville Elvis Festival this week for competition as one of the Top 20 finalists chosen to perform with an opportunity to move on to bigger and better things August 11 - 18.

The winner of the Nashville competition will go to Memphis and Graceland for the Ultimate Elvis competition contest. “This is actually a preliminary round and Graceland has their competition in August. The winner of this contest will represent Nashville in Memphis in August during Elvis Week,” Maynard explained.

Maynard submitted an application, some head shots and several videos of his performances. There are other preliminary rounds being held at Tupelo, Mississippi; Sioux City, Iowa; one in Japan, two in Canada and one in Australia. “They said there will be seven countries and four continents represented at the finals,” Maynard added.

The competitors will be arriving Thursday for competition beginning Friday. “There are things that actually start on Thursday. There will be several concerts, and during the day there are game shows, booths and maybe a round-up of the competition,” Maynard said. “There are several after-parties and karaoke experiences. If you go to Graceland and happen to win, that’s like a $20,000 prize and a contract with Graceland to represent them.”

The winner of the Nashville Elvis Festival competition will receive $2,500 cash with the runner-up receiving $1,000 and third place $500. The winner will also get a custom platinum / silver-plated award plaque. The winner who advances to Memphis during the 2018 Ultimate Elvis Contest will receive hotel accommodations at the Guest House at Graceland and $1,000 off a purchase of $2,500 from B&K Enterprises Costume Company.

Round one of the competition will begin Friday morning at 10 a.m. with round two Saturday morning at 10 a.m. After those rounds, the top 10 will be chosen for the Saturday night finals which are being held at the Franklin Theater. After the contest, a concert featuring Bill Cherry, the 2009 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist, will be featured.

Maynard will have an entourage with him. “There will be quite a few going with me, my wife and girls, my parents, my fan club president and some more,” Maynard said. “We will have several people traveling with us for the weekend.”

Maynard’s wife, Lauren, assists him with his efforts and even does her own tribute as Pricilla Presley. The Maynards have two daughters Bella, 5, and Presley, 2. “My wife has been behind me all the way since I started doing this. My girls like the music too,” Maynard added. “My wife has really supported me even though sometimes it seems like your life has been invaded. Even being an Elvis fan, I never realized how big the Elvis world is. Sometimes Lauren works with me in the shows, handing me scarves and sometimes I sing songs to her. People really like that.”

Lauren said she enjoys her role. “There is definitely a lot of fun involved and never a dull moment at our house. I try to make sure he is ready for the show,” Lauren said. “I took dance for 20 years so I am able to help him work on his moves. I am there to support him and do the best I can to help him.”

The road to being an Elvis tribute artist had its origins just over one year ago, but the dream started years ago. “I have been an Elvis fan since I was about six. My parents liked Elvis. I think it all probably started with watching an Elvis movie and they had some tapes of Elvis I always listened to,” Maynard observed. “Every Halloween they would make me a costume and I would dress up as Elvis. Even as a teenager, I would dress up like Elvis without performing.”

Maynard got started as a tribute artist at the encouragement of a friend. “My friend Rafael Espinoza wanted to put together something for Elvis Week here, something that could travel and also celebrate Elvis here,” Maynard acknowledged. “He asked me to work up some songs and I said sure. I got with James Wages, a local Elvis performer, and bought some suits he had back in the day when he performed. That is how it started and it has grown from there.”

“I do practice a lot. I sang gospel music before, like Elvis. I sing at church and also sing some blues. Gospel and Elvis music are similar because of his background,” Maynard said. “I probably practice 12 to 15 hours a week. It’s been quite crazy for my family.”

Maynard has done his show in a variety of local venues such as Rafael Espinoza’s Music School, area civic centers, the Quitman Library and Golden Pavilion.

The Elvis performer is a 2009 graduate of Alba-Golden High School where he was in the Panther band. He also has a theater background studying at Tyler Junior College. “In theater they try to teach you to step into a role. I don’t ever feel like Elvis because there will never be another one, but there are moments where you might have an eerie moment about being the `King”,” Maynard said. “In theater is where I learned a lot about being on stage and makeup.”

Maynard gets plenty of time to sing. He is a musician at St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church, a predominately African American congregation. “I love the church and the music, it’s what I was raised on. I feel like it helps connect with Elvis on a different level,” Maynard admitted. “Elvis was always around black people and that’s where he got his sense of style and music and I have always been the same way. I was really a shy kid growing up.”

After the Nashville contest, Maynard will do a series of shows in Canada in the Montreal area next month. “In Montreal, it’s really like an upscale bistro/club type restaurant with seating for about 200,” Maynard said. “They have a lot of DJs and other kinds of music there.”

Why is Maynard involved as an Elvis tribute artist? “I love to perform and I like meeting more of the other ETA’s (Elvis tribute artists) because there is a lot of brotherhood. On the other hand there is a lot of competition and jealousy,” Maynard said. “I really just like to meet people and make friends, but mainly it’s a good place to meet more Elvis fans.”

What has he gained from being Elvis? “I have really grown as a performer. But one of the great things has been the amazing friendships I have made from other Elvis entertainers as well as those who support me. Fans to me become friends,” Maynard said. “Joyce Allen, who is the president of my fan club, has become a good friend too.”

Who knows what the future holds for the Alba Elvis tribute artist? But after this week, that road may lead to where it all started for the King, the road to Memphis and the Elvis Ultimate competition is waiting for Gib Maynard.