Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Sunday, September 10, 2006

Elvi croon, fans swoon at La Crosse Center

Elvis Pesley impersonator and last years Elvis Explosion champion, Matt King of Dearborn Heights Michigan, sings "Bridge Over Troubled Water" Saturday Night at the La Crosse Center. PETER THOMSON photo

By DAN SIMMONS / La Crosse Tribune

She called it the “highlight of the fall.” But Sally Stichman didn’t attend her seventh straight Elvis Explosion at the La Crosse Center Saturday just to see the more than 30 Elvi swivel hips in sequined jumpsuits, show chest hair and croon hits such as “Hound Dog” on stage.

“Some of them should keep their day jobs,” she said with a laugh.

For her, the draw is the fans.

“We play fashion police,” she said. “There are 80-year-old women rushing the stage to kiss someone who could be their grandson.”

The event, in its ninth year in La Crosse, was expected to attract more than 3,500 people over its

three-day run, said Ronny Craig, event founder and Elvis impersonator.

He puts on about 12 Elvis Explosions annually across the nation, and said the shows in La Crosse and Lake George, N.Y. attract the biggest crowds.

Marion Keller, 84, of St. Cloud, Minn., came with her son, Duane, and friends Ron and Kathy Fink.

“I go wherever there’s music,” Keller said. “I love music.”

Using a wheelchair, she wasn’t likely to join the crowd of about 25 women next to the stage, throwing flowers and blowing kisses at the Elvi.

She did, however, buy various souvenirs at the event: Elvis bracelets, magnets, pins, pens, a replica hounddog and a salt-and-pepper shaker.

Gino Monopoli, 30, of Toronto has impersonated Elvis for about six years, he said, and was “pleasantly surprised” by the La Crosse set up, with a live band backing up the singers and “well-produced” stage lighting.

He wore a brown GI uniform to impersonate Elvis in 1958. It’s one of six Elvis suits he’s had custom-made, at a cost of more than $30,000.

He planned to sing “GI Blues” and “Pocketful of Rainbows.”

“I’ll get to a few ladies with that one,” Monopoli said of the latter song. “It’s a nice, smooth crooner type.”

He said his Italian immigrant parents didn’t approve of his career choice at first. “Being Italian, if they don’t see you bustin (your rear-end), something’s not normal.”

Over time, he said, they’ve come to see Elvis impersonating as a legitimate way to earn a living.

“They’ve turned into my biggest fans,” he said.

He participated in an Elvis tribute two weeks ago in Memphis, Tenn., that drew what he called “the Olympics of Elvis impersonators, from across Europe and Japan. He said he sees many of the same impersonators and has befriended many of them.

“It’s nice when you know the people behind the sideburns,” he said before being pulled away to pose for yet another photograph with fans.

Amy Palmer, 24, came with her friend and coworker, Linda McNally, 40, from their home in Monona, Iowa. They work for Isle of Capri casino and came to scout talent, but also to crowd the stage and scream.

“We’re overall Elvis fans,” Palmer said. “We got addicted when we came last year.”

McNally bought 30 flowers for the show, which she said she’d give to Ronny Craig and Dwight Icenhower, her two favorite impersonators.

Palmer bought five flowers. Her favorite Elvis song is “Kentucky Rain.” She admitted to a serious crush on one of the impersonators, Ben Kline, and said she may give him her flowers.

“He’s a cutie,” she said, while adding that he may not be the best romantic option.

“I think women would flock to him, and I tend to be a jealous person.”

More Elvis for a good cause

The “Elvis Explosion” continues today at the La Crosse Center, with the 10 finalists each performing three songs. The concert begins at 1 p.m., with doors opening at 11 a.m. The winner, as chosen by a panel of 10 judges, gets $5,000 in cash and prizes. For more information, call (608) 386-7809.

Children’s Miracle Network sponsors a silent auction outside the auditorium, with Elvis memorabilia and products. Last year, it raised $9,800, event organizer Ronny Craig said. He donates a portion of the event proceeds to charity, as well.

Dan Simmons can be reached at (608)791-8217 or dsimmons@lacrossetribune.com.