Kraig Parker brings Elvis to Sherman

By Ken Studer, Herald Democrat

For two hours Friday night, Elvis fans at Sherman's Kidd-Key Auditorium witnessed the "King" once again taking care of business, as Kraig Parker nailed Elvis from vocals to shaking leg. In this touring Elvis Tribute show, Parker is backed by the Royal Tribute Band & Orchestra. Adding special guests, The Sweet Inspirations, Elvis' back-up singers and a great light show, are the final pieces in creating an Elvis Las Vegas show from the 70s. Parker's performance created several standing ovations, the first coming after the first three words of the Elvis hit "Hurt". After holding the notes, for what seemed forever, he finished, bringing people to their feet and again when he finished the song. For the remainder of the show, the crowd seemed to react to every karate kick, chop and dance movement with applause.

Parker, 36, hails from Grand Prairie and started as an Elvis Tribute Artist in 1995. He is a deeply religious man who credits God for all his success.

"I love what I'm doing and wouldn't want to do anything else, right now. I have been blessed with God-given musical talent and I love to see the joy it brings to people," Parker said. Parker's song selection covered early Elvis hits like "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock" to later hits like "Suspicious Minds" and "My Way".

He talks a little about Elvis's movies before breaking into "Viva Las Vegas", but a smile was evident each time he prepared to sing a gospel song. A hush fell across the auditorium when he sang "How Great Thou Art," which he described as Elvis' favorite gospel song. The show would not have been complete without ladies lining up at the stage, during the slow songs, as Parker draped silk-scarves around their neck followed by a kiss.

One little girl, urged by her mother to go to the stage, received her scarf and a high-five, instead of a kiss.

"I was glad he didn't kiss me, but I do like the scarf," 12-year-old Hali Berret, of Sherman said. Parker said he has been in music since he was sixteen playing in rock and roll bands for parties.

"My friends used to say I looked and acted like Elvis. I used to play around like I was him," Parker said.

"It created such a big deal I later entered a big Elvis contest and took third place. I love it now, it's a gas, man."

Since then, Parker has won several contests including those at The Hard Rock Cafe in Dallas in 2000 and the Isle of Capri in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 2002. Parker has appeared on TV and has made over 1,000 private performances. He has performed at the MGM Grand Hotel Casino and the Mandalay Bay Resort Casino in Las Vegas, at the Hyatt in Hawaii.

(Almost Elvis/Concert Review, Source: The Herald Democrat, 7 March 2005)