Elvis tribute concert coming back to Graham next month

Tuesday, July 22, 2008
David Rupkalvis

Elvis Presley will be returning to Graham next month.
Actually, the King of Rock won’t be in town, but one of the best Elvis impersonators ever will take the stage at Graham Memorial Auditorium (628 Third St. Graham, TX.) on Aug. 16, exactly 31 years after Elvis died.
Kraig Parker performed in Graham last year, thrilling a sold-out crowd with his renditions of Elvis.

“I think we’ve all seen some bad Elvis impersonators,” admitted concert promoter Bruce McGrew. “So I expect people will be a little skeptical at first. But it’s something you just have to experience for yourself.”
McGrew said Parker himself had a few doubts when the concert was set in Graham last year. For a performer who is common in Las Vegas and has been on some of the biggest stages in the world, visiting Graham was an unusual move. But it paid off not only for the local music fans but also for Parker who was eager to return for an encore performance.
“The King Lives” is a Vegas-style show that pays tribute to Elvis with a two-hour concert featuring Parker, who is joined on stage by his Royal Tribute Band. Parker has sold out shows from Las Vegas to London.
The concert is sponsored by Lake Country Radio, and General Manager Joe Graham said after seeing Parker perform last year, throwing his support behind the concert was an easy move.
“It really is an amazing show,” Graham said. “The auditorium here was packed, and I don’t think anyone was disappointed. It’s hard to describe to our listeners just how good it is. We feel fortunate to have a show of this caliber coming to Graham on this special day.”

Parker’s tribute to Elvis comes with very impressive credentials. Charles Stone, a Texas resident and former concert producer for Elvis, said it’s the closest thing to a real Elvis concert he’s ever seen. The London Times calls Parker the “World’s greatest tribute artist.”
And Ed Enoch of the Stamps Quartet, who backed up Elvis in concert said, “Kraig is the very best.”
While Elvis may have been known as the King of Rock, he also won many fans with his gospel music. With that in mind, Parker makes a point to always include a few gospel songs in each tribute concert he does.
“Kraig’s live version of ‘How Great Thou Art’ just gives me chills,” McGrew said. “Even if you’re not a huge Elvis fan, it’s hard not to appreciate this show, especially with a full band and orchestra.”
Lubbock resident LaDonna Goodwin agreed.
Then again, she could be just a bit partial. Goodwin, who has been singing professionally for 25 years, has spent the last five years as a backup singer in Parker’s band.
“There’s nothing else out there like it,” she said. “Just no comparison. If you really want to re-live the Elvis experience, come see this show. Kraig’s really not an Elvis impersonator. He simply pays tribute to the greatest entertainer of all time.”
Tickets for the show are $20 for adults, $13 for anyone age 13 and under and are available at Lake Country Radio at 620 Oak Street in Graham, TX.
For information on Parker and the show, visit www.thekinglives.com .

Article Source: http://www.grahamleader.com/news/get-news.asp?id=13184&catid=1&cpg=get-news.asp