Despite the threat of rain, close to 1,000 people turned out for the “King of Rock ’n’ Roll” at the concert at Kings Harbor last Friday night sponsored by the agents at Keller Williams Realty Northeast. Award-winning Elvis tribute artist Vince King was “all shook up” about the packed crowd at his second performance at the Lake Houston waterfront venue.
King greeted his fans in a white blazer reminiscent of Elvis from the ‘50s, saying “It’s good to be back in Kingwood!” He kicked off the evening playing the guitar and singing “Blue Suede Shoes.” He was the spitting image of the young Elvis as he sang “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” complete with Elvis’ signature, hip-gyrating moves. He crooned the song “Teddy Bear” to the children on the stage, who danced around him the whole evening.
Towards the end of the first set, he honored the special request of Keller Williams GM Michael Clapp, by belting out a terrific “Jailhouse Rock.” That was followed up by “All Shook Up,” “Hound Dog” and “Happy Birthday” sung to one surprised concert-goer.
During the break, King signed autographs and Keller Williams MC Roland Duhon introduced the special guests for the evening. Janet Hayes, executive director of Will’s Kids, spoke about the organization’s mission of “removing barriers, restoring hope and revitalizing dreams” through providing extra-curricular activities for needy children ages 4 to 18.
Hayes encouraged the audience to purchase tickets for the raffle that night to help sponsor activities for children in Kingwood and Atascocita. Will’s Kids board members working at the charity booth that night included David Cherry, David Kilby, Jerry Bankston, Ted Mandel, Trese Anderson, and Monica and Logan Hayes.
The band sponsor Arturo’s Hair Designs was recognized for their support of the concert. Arturo’s owner John Arthur came on stage to distribute free packages of Redken for Men hair care products and pointed out that his team was distributing more free samples at their booth.
Arthur invited the crowd to visit Arturo’s located just up the street from the Harbor on Lake Houston Parkway. “We have 22 hair dressers and a state-of-the-art salon,” he said. “We have a hair dresser for everyone. It’s one of the most talented groups I have worked with in my 35 years in the business.”
King, with his perfectly coiffed hair, returned to the stage in a red blazer for his second set highlighting songs from Elvis’ ‘60s movies. “Return to Sender” from the movie “Girls! Girls! Girls!” was his first number. He took a Hawaii theme for the next two songs: “Rock-A-Hula” and “Blue Hawaii.” He distributed leis to the kids, but the largest one around his neck went to another Elvis impersonator: a young man in the audience who was dressed in a white jumpsuit, sunglasses and black wig.
The songs continued to follow a trail of Elvis movies with “Little Sister” and “Little Less Conversation.” King acknowledged the crowd’s appreciation after each one just like Elvis did with a “thank you very much.” To slow down the tempo and get the couples dancing, he sang “Let Yourself Go,” saying “this is for all the ladies out there.” He ended the set with two of Elvis’s most popular movie songs: “Stop, Look and Listen” and “Viva Las Vegas.”
He then took a break to get ready for his Vegas act. When he returned, he squeezed through the crowd, wearing the famous white jumpsuit and saying “excuse me darling” to the ladies. He grabbed his guitar and sang a spot-on
“That’s All Right” and danced under a strobe light while singing “Burning Love.” Ironically, a misty rain began falling on the Plaza like it was extinguishing the song’s fire.
King wrapped scarves around his neck and distributed them to the ladies during the song “Jonny B. Goode.” The ladies found dance partners for the next song, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin,’” and the crowd started bringing out their umbrellas as the rain came down harder.
At about 9 p.m., King announced that he’d have to cut the concert short and would sing two more songs. For his finale in the rain, he sang: “Suspicious Minds” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love” to the delight of the crowd which didn’t seem to mind getting a little wet.