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Richard Ernst aka "Elvis E" was already very familiar with The King's music, having been an on-air DJ for parts of the last 30 years in the Washington area. He worked at XTRA-104, WASH-FM and 94.7 The Arrow, among others. For the past 20 years, he has  also been doing IT work for three trade associations in the Washington area.

The "Elvis E" thing started when the association he was with at the time, held their convention two years in a row in New Orleans in the mid 90s. One night, Richard and a group of co-workers happened into a karaoke club, the Cats Meow, in the French Quarter, where he proceeded to get up in street clothes and in his words butcher Roy Orbison's "Oh Pretty Woman," with his co-workers singing backup. It was such a rush to sing in front of a crowd, though, he was hooked. Richard had a whole year to plan what he would sing the next year, when they would be back in New Orleans. Richard decided to try Elvis.
 

Richard stepping out of vehicle at a military installation for a retirement party

Richard obtained karaoke cassette tapes of his songs and spent the next year practicing them in the car on the way to and from work. When it came time for the trade show, he rented a jumpsuit and flew down to New Orleans. He made his "Elvis E" debut the first night down there in 1996. Richard was walking down Bourbon Street toward the Cats Meow, and women were coming up to him, running their fingers through his chest hair, and asking him to pose for pictures with them. He could appreciate right there what it was like to be Elvis. Then, he sauntered into the Cats Meow, at which point the emcee announced, "Elvis has entered the building!" Richard was home.
 

Buffalo NY Reflections of the King Competition '04

Branson MO. "All Shook Up" Competition '04

Other events include: Elvistival in Dewey Beach, Delaware three times (September 2004, 2005 & 4th place in 2006 &2007); Reflections of the King contest in Buffalo, New York twice (6th place in October 2004 & also in 2005); Lou Vuto's Elvis contest in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (Feb. 2007, 5th place); the Kentucky Bluegrass Elvis contest in Frankfort (March 2007); Night of 100 Elvises charity event in Baltimore (December 2004, 2005,2006 &2007); performed at Dr. Dremo's Tap House's annual Elvis Birthday Bash in Jan. 2005 and hosted/performed at the event in Jan. 2006,2007 &2008; City of Rockville's Hometown Holidays & Out to Lunch Wednesdays (2006); and Live! on the Wilson Plaza in downtown Washington (2006).

Buffalo NY Reflections of the King Competition '04

Buffalo NY Reflections of the King Competition '05