Kraig Parker by Carol Hunter

Kraig bears a marked resemblance to Elvis and even before he became an ETA people would comment on that resemblance. His start as an ETA came near the end of l995 when he half jokingly acted as Elvis at a co-worker’s birthday party. He received such a positive response that he then decided to enter an Elvis contest, where he placed third, and was approached by a talent agent who offered him work as an ETA. Eventually, Kraig decided to “go for it” -- and hasn’t stopped since! Employed as a Graphic Designer, Kraig hopes to become a full-time ETA in the near future. He says, “being an ETA is the coolest, funnest, most exciting thing that anyone could imagine. People are so into this music, it just blows my mind...and I even get paid to do it!”

Since that first contest, Kraig has entered and won several more contests including those at The Hard Rock Café in Dallas, Texas in 2000 and the Isle of Capri casino in Shreveport, Louisiana in 2002.

He’s also performed live on TV, made over 1,000 private appearances, performed at large venues and theatres throughout Texas, at the MGM Grand Hotel Casino and the Mandalay Bay Resort Casino in Las Vegas, at the Hyatt in Hawaii, and has opened for national acts such as Franki Valli and the Four Seasons.

Kraig’s schedule is quickly filling up for the rest of the year also, with some exciting performances pending and some already confirmed (see website for schedule). He is also currently appearing each Tuesday night at the Hard Rock Café in Dallas. There is a possibility, too, that Kraig will be one of the performers at LadyLuck Music’s annual Showcase in September.

A deeply religious man, Kraig feels he is fortunate to have been blessed with God-given musical talent and he loves to share Elvis’ wonderful musical legacy with others as he sees the joy that it brings to peoples’ lives in a positive and fun way.

Be sure to catch one of Kraig’s impressive shows...and, for more information, see Kraig’s website at www.thekinglives.com

Kraig Parker, an ETA who hails from Grand Prairie, Texas is making a name for himself, both in Texas and throughout the US.

A lifelong Elvis fan, and a professional singer, songwriter and musician, Kraig has been involved with bands and music since his high school days when he played in a rock band at school dances and parties - he’s since lead various rock bands and has been involved in several recording projects - concentrating on original rock and gospel songs. He’s also had 2 of his original songs played on Dallas radio.

In my other column [Elvis on Tour] this month, I’ve profiled Charles Stone, who produced Elvis’ concert tours for the last 8 years of Elvis’ life and worked closely with Elvis and Colonel Tom Parker. In that column, Charles told me about his recent involvement in the ETA world (after 25 years of not having any interest in impersonators) and his association with tribute artist Kraig Parker. (Column on Charles Stone)