By David May
Mineral Wells Index
MINERAL WELLS — Linda Molinaro tried but didn’t get one of the scarves handed out to the ladies as they crowded around Kraig Parker during the second half of his Elvis Presley tribute show.
She got something better.
Out of the gold scarves, the ladies returned to their seats among the crowd of some 600 people at the Mineral Wells High School Auditorium. Sitting in a wheelchair, Molinaro remained in front of the stage next to Parker, who had come down the steps to meet the ladies in true Elvis style.
Parker didn’t leave Molinaro empty-handed. He gave her a special performance, singing, dancing and shaking for her at the foot of her wheelchair then giving her a big kiss on the cheek.
“It was very, very special” a beaming Molinaro said afterward. “I didn’t get a scarf, but I got something better, something very special.”
Parker didn’t leave anyone in the crowd wanting more. The Dallas-area tribute artist, backed by his Royal Tribute Band, delivered a two-hour performance for the large crowd, performing many of “The King of Rock and Roll’s” hits and fan favorites.
He passed muster with the biggest critics he could have – people who grew up and loved the real Elvis and who typically don’t like Elvis impersonators.
Lee Downs was a skeptic going into Saturday’s show. Not only does he count himself among Elvis’ biggest fans, he became acquainted with the rock star at Memphis Memorial Hospital when his daughter and Lisa Marie Presley were born basically hours apart.
Then, when Elvis died in August 1977, Downs happened to be in Memphis when he heard the news. He went to Presley’s mansion and was at the front of the crowd, right at the front gates, and has the photo to prove it – one that ended up published in several national magazines. He was one of the 1,000 people allowed inside to view Presley’s body.
Downs said he usually avoids seeing Presley impersonators because rarely do they compare to the king in look, talent, sound or performance. Downs attended Saturday’s performance (he provided the opening invocation on behalf of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2399). He was impressed with the first half of Parker’s show.
But he was reserving judgment for the second half and Parker’s rendition of the song made famous by Preslety “An American Trilogy” comprised of “Dixie,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and a verse and chorus from “All My Trials.”
“I’ll know he’s good if I get goosebumps,” Downs said during the intermission.
Parker, dressed in a white Elvis jumpsuit adorned with colorful stones and a large white belt buckle, donned a cape, dropped to his knees as the black curtain behind the band opened to reveal a large American flag as Parker finished the trilogy number, bringing the crowd to their feet in loud applause and approval.
“I got my goosebumps,” Downs said after the show.
Accompanied by a keyboardist, guitarist, bass player, drummer, three-piece brass section and two singers, with Parker playing guitar at different times, he performed many Presley standards, opening up with “Heartbreak Hotel.” Among the other Presley songs performed were “GI Blues,” “Return to Sender” and “Love Me Tender,” which was the first time Parker handed out scarves to women in front of the stage.
So many came down to get a scarf, a hug and a kiss that Parker told the audience – in his Elvis tone – “This may take a while.”
Parker also performed “All Shook Up,” “Viva Las Vegas,” “That’s All Right,” “Steamroller Blues,” “Don’t be Cruel,” “My Way,” “How Great Thou Art” and others leading up to “An American Trilogy.”
It was a show enjoyed by all ages, as youth – many of them the Travis Cadets who helped open the show with their version “Blue Suede Shoes,” danced in the back of the auditorium.
After the show – which was a benefit sponsored by disabled veterans of Fort Wolters with proceeds going to disadvantaged Mineral Wells ISD students and the National Vietnam War Museum – Parker met with fans in the high school lobby for photos, autographs and some merchandise sales. He stayed to the very last person in line.
Parker’s manager, Charles Stone, was Elvis Presley’s tour producer from 1970 until Presley’s death. He said he and the group were very happy with the crowd and response to Parker and the show.
What seems to make Parker’s impersonation of Elvis so good is – along with a very good band – is he doesn’t over-exaggerate Presley’s voice, mannerisms or dance moves. Parker’s Elvis recreation is more subtle and true to form, whereas some impersonators tend to exaggerate those movements and voice to the point of seeming comical.
Parker even incorporates some martial arts poses and kicks, which Elvis added to his repertoire.
“We put the effort into it to make it the very best it can be,” said Stone.
He noted that Parker’s sold out performance Jan. 23 at Bass Hall with the Fort Worth Symphony orchestra marked the first time an Elvis tribute artist performed with an orchestra. Stone said the orchestral arrangements of the songs are going to be used to book performances by Parker with symphonies across the U.S.
An Elvis tribute artist for 15 years, Parker already performs about 200 times a year and does concerts in venues across the U.S. and internationally.
One of Saturday’s show organizers Jim Vines said he was very pleased with the community’s response and said they hope to make it an annual event, making it bigger and better.
“I was happy with the exposure to our causes,” Vines said. “We have a terrible problem with disadvantaged children in the schools. It’s a real issue.”
After expenses, Vines said the show made enough to “donate to both causes. Not an awful lot but enough to help.”
Index editor David May can be reached at (940) 325-4465, ext. 3419, or editor@mineralwellsindex.com.
