TUPELO – After winning a preliminary at the Tupelo Elvis Festival in June, Kevin Mills went on to win first runner-up on Friday in the final round of competition in the 2010 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest.

Twenty-three men competed in the semifinals for the “Ultimate” title at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, with only 10 making it to the finals sponsored by Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc.

Mills earned the title of Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2010, recognition by Elvis Presley Enterprises, a cash prize of $20,000 and the opportunity to perform as part of the Legends in Concert Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Tour, along with several other prizes.

Mills has been a contender in the UETAC for the past three years, placing in the top 10 in 2008 and walking away as the third-place winner last year, which earned him a spot on the first UETA Tour in honor of the 75th anniversary of Elvis’ birth.

He has regularly performed as part of Legends in Concert and all three sailings of the Elvis Cruise and was featured among his many TV appearances, in the A&E documentary “Elvis: The Beginning.” In 1993, Mills delivered a tribute to Presley at President Bill Clinton’s Inauguration.

For more on event

■ Visit the official website at

www.elvis.com/ultimatecontest/2010