Bars, Grills, and Elvis Impersonators
There was this bar and grill. It was one of those places that had tons of potential, but somehow, just never caught on. The location was out of town, but not inconvenient, within five minutes or so. I first found Rockin Willy’s just off of I-55 South of McComb, Ms while playing in a golf tournament nearby. I made a mental note to return and give it a try and promptly forgot about it. Months passed. I remembered the place later and I talked Melissa into going. We found the food to be ok, but I loved the atmosphere. The building was big, but had personality, featuring a large bar, plenty of seating with a bandstand and even a little room to dance. Directly adjacent to the restaurant and bar area was another building that served as a night club type place with a larger dance floor and a DJ/band area. In 2019 when Melissa and I started riding our motorcycle we dropped by and found that the place had permanently closed. We were saddened and later when we found a replacement restaurant, we reminisced about the night that we met some friends there to celebrate a birthday. We tried to remember what we had ordered to eat there before, and we remembered mostly our last trip. It was one of those nights when things just end up turning out fun.
It was at Rockin Willy’s that Melissa and I inadvertently had one of the strangest experiences. When we arrived on the evening in question, a hostess met us led the way to a booth. I didn’t say anything, but as she led us to our table, I wondered about the direction she was going, given that there were better tables available, but I just went with it. We were next to the wall, a couple was seated in the booth directly behind me, and extremely close to us were three tables pulled together with five or six people seated. We ordered our food, our drinks arrived and within a few minutes, an older gentleman walked in and sat down. He was more than likely within earshot of us, so I kept quiet, but I gave Mel a look and she noticed as well. The man had hair dyed jet black and cut in the style of Elvis Presley. I whispered to Melissa, “what’s up with Elvis over there?” It was about the same time that Melissa had been looking at a poster on the wall above our table announcing an Elvis Impersonator would be performing and gave a date. Slow on the uptake, I failed to realize that we were mere moments away from an Elvis show!
I put two and two together and realized why we were seated where we were. The hostess took a look at us and I guess assumed by our age that we were there for the show, and seated us with the “Elvis group.” More people strolled in and our little corner was getting crowded. I found it odd however that we were seated I guess what would be considered “stage right.” I had not noticed a door in the wall behind Melissa until six or seven women formed tow lines outside the door and the man we had seen before with the Elvis haircut walked up and stood with his back to the door. Music began to play, the ladies creating the aisle leading from the door began to clap, the man with the jet black hair opened the door. An announcer began introducing us to the performer who was about to appear. Listing the many accomplishments and achievements of the performer, of which, I can not remember anything except that the performer had been recognized as number three on the list of all Elvis impersonators in the world as recently as three years earlier.
I am an opportunist when it comes to sharing a humorous experience and I admit that my first thought was that I had found GOLD. When the guy began to sing, I stopped laughing. Well, I stopped laughing at the Elvis impersonator at least. He had the hair, he had the outfits complete with the scarves. But when he sang, he didn’t try to mimic the voice of Elvis so much and seemed genuine in paying homage to The King. The show continued with adoring fans, (the people in the three tables next to us) approaching the stage to give tips or give the singer a peck on the cheek. There was an intermission for a costume change and another line formed, the guy with the Elvis haircut guarded the door, and the music amped up. One of the ladies in the line caught me filming. She was not offended, but just the opposite, pointing to the door as to help in assuring that I didn’t miss the opportunity of filming “Elvis” as he emerged from “backstage.” The volume changed, energy levels heightened, and “Elvis” emerged, put his right hand on the left shoulder of the man guarding the door and was led back to the stage. Melissa and I watched for a while longer and decided it was time to leave. On our way out, I stepped toward the stage, tipped “Elvis” a twenty, and he looked grateful for our attendance.
Did I find humor? Yes, I did. Did I make fun of other people? Yes, I did, but I often do that. Did I enjoy myself? Yes, I did. Was I entertained? Yes, I was. If I could see the same show again, would I? I’m gonna say that I probably would.
When I asked Melissa if I should write about this experience, she replied, “Oh yes, you gotta write about it.” So here I am and I have to say that as I gathered my thoughts to write, the realization came to me that the experience applies fully to the category of posts for which I am assigning it. You may have noticed the category list that I have to index my posts. I categorize this story as “Victuals, Libation, and Diversion.” Of course, there was food and drink, but Diversion, yes, there was aplenty. I may not fully understand why a person would be so involved in the late, great, Elvis Presley, but I respect it. I understand that my small town of Columbia, Ms will be inhabited this coming weekend by some 1200 chickens and their owners for a chicken show. Now that is Diversion right there if I ever heard it.
The bottom line is that these are the things that set us apart. We would be a very dull people here in the USA if not for the Elvis impersonators, the fancy chicken people, the owners of huge bunny rabbits, the hunters, the fishers, the barrel racers, the ropers, the coon hunters, and the dog field trial folks. I have a friend who goes hunting with a falcon. This land is full of softballers, baseballers, soccer players, gymnasts, and hockey players, and the list goes on and on. There is even a couple in their 50’s who suit up, straddle a motorcycle, and travel to sites that they wouldn’t otherwise see, except for the bike.
So to the Elvis Impersonator who was once ranked #3 of ALL Elvis Impersonators in the world, I say, “Sing on brother. Do it as long as the good Lord blesses you with the ability. And thanks for an unexpected and very entertaining evening.”