My Career as an Elvis Impersonator
by Ray Glenn

My career as an Elvis impersonator started in 1977 while in Hawaii. I went to see an Elvis Impersonator at the Boom Boom Club in the International Marketplace, Waikiki. I heckled this poor guy so much that he "invited" me to go on stage and perform, since I thought I was so much better than he was. I did two songs, walked backstage and met his manager. The manager, (I forget his name), asked me to do him a favor and finish the show. I told him NO, at first, and when I asked where the impersonator went, his manager told me he had quit and gone home. I asked why, and his manager said that the impersonator felt that I had done a "better job than he had done, and that I should finish his show". I took the gig and went on to perform at other places, like the Hilton Hawaiian Village, where I got to meet my "hero" from back then, Jack Lord of Hawaii Five-O days.

As an impersonator, I have had the opportunity to perform all over the world, from the Philippines to Australia, to New Guinea to Korea. I entertained in California, Kentucky, and Maine. In Maine I performed at the college in Brunswick to help raise funds for their school.

I entered the Coast to Coast Karaoke Challenge back in the early 90's and finished 4th in the regionals. I entered the 2007 J-Town Gaslight Festival Karaoke contest and finished in the top 10.

I'm celebrating my 50th birthday this year. along with my 8th wedding anniversary to my wife. I have a total of six children, ranging in age from 25 all the way down to just under a year old.

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