By day she is a camp activities leader from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. But by night, she’s a Dolly Parton tribute artist and winner of Clash of the Cover Bands.
Karen Hester appeared on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon Wednesday night (Jan 19) to collect one item of her prize package, which included $10,000 for winning her round and an additional $25,000 for taking it all. Jimmy Fallon is an executive producer of the series.
Adam Lambert, Ester Dean and Meghan Trainor sat on the judges panel, tWitch hosted the E! Entertainment competition, which featured tribute artists from around the country. Twenty impersonators competed head to head every week. And in the finale, the judges chose a grand prize winner from the final 10 acts. Before announcing the winner, Adam remarked that it is important that the winning tribute capture the spirit of the person they are impersonating.
In her round “Queens of Country Music” Karen beat out Carrie Underwood tribute, Maggie Barry. Karen embodied Dolly from head to toe in the competition, never breaking character. And her vocal impression is uncanny.
On the Tonight Show, she and her band perform a medley of “9 to 5,” “Jolene” and “Two Doors Down.” Watch the performance below.
