G-52 F.A.Q.: Leo Carmichael

Q: Why Elvis?
A: Why not? He’s the best!

Q: When did you get started in impersonating him, and how?
A: I suppose I was about 15 when I first started to sing professionally, and I was in my 20s before I made impersonating Elvis my specialty act. The lion’s the king of the jungle, so it is only natural that I do the King of Rock and Roll. I love being the king of my jungle, and it rocks!

Q: Do you do your own music as well?
A: I do. I have two separate musical careers going for me at the same time. One is the Elvis tribute act, so that’s where you’ll see me in the white outfits that made him a huge sensation, although closer to the end of his life. Why do all these music icons die so young? It’s a good thing CNG immortalized me.

Q: What’s your second career?
A: That goes along the lines of the classic rock sound that Furry Fury thrives on these days, as well as a few other bands. The image I use for that one is the typical image of a rock star that wears black, which I think is a nice contrast with the white color of my fur.

Q: So do you play guitars?
A: Yes; electric and acoustic.

Q: What’s the name of your backup band?
A: The Pioneers.

Q: How many are in that group?
A: Six.

Q: Once Elvis did “Suspicious Minds” for a total of 25 minutes because the crowd got so into it. Has that ever happened to you?
A: No; five minutes is the longest I’ve ever gone with that song. I’m not surprised, though; it was designed so that it would just fade out. Many of them are, and it can seem like an easy cop out in the eyes of music purists who think there has to be a legit ending to everything. Wildcat City is full of those people. I say that if you want it to fade out, go ahead and do so!

Q: How was it being in the “Legends in Concert” show in Branson, MO?
A: That was a special treat for me to star in because it put me alongside all these other talented people that do excellent impersonations of the stars of yesteryear.

Q: What was your first non-Elvis cover if you’ve done cover versions of other songs?
A: I believe that was the song by Thin Lizzy entitled “Whiskey in the Jar,” which is ironic because I don’t drink and I don’t do drugs.

Q: Which side do you get more mileage out of?
A: Definitely doing Elvis. And some of my original works are done in his style, so I naturally do his voice when singing them. I do all parts of his career, and you have to remember there is a difference between when he was doing “Jailhouse Rock” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

---

All music mentioned belongs to all who own the rights.