CARLSBAD, Calif. — It's not every day you meet an Elvis impersonator who is eighty years young.
In this Zevely Zone, I went to Carlsbad to meet 'JD the King'.
I would think at 80 years old we'd all love to be living life with a hunk of burning love. John Duncan will never forget the first time he heard Elvis Presley.
"Well just like everyone else I said I really love this guy's singing," said JD.
Decades later while singing karaoke, he found his calling.
"People said you really sound like Elvis, and I said thank you very much, you're fantastic," said JD.
The King was born. In 1988 JD performed his first Elvis show at a Christmas Party. "This here is my very first outfit and this here is my very first gig," said JD.
Hundreds of other gigs have followed in front of the brightest of lights. "I was even in Vegas at an Elvis impersonator contest. I'd go everywhere," said JD.
Usually, he goes places in a shiny Corvette. JD served four years in the Navy. His 'Vettes for Veterans' car shows raised $400,000.
"Oh, it felt great," said.
As does a stroll inside JD'S Graceland.
"That's the King," said JD as we walked by two life-sized cardboard cutouts of Elvis. "He's ready baby," said JD.
I was ready to meet his 'Priscilla.'
"Priscilla," I said. "Good morning," said his wife, Maria. She and JD got hitched 15 years ago after he slipped her his mixed tape. "Oh my God, that's him that's not Elvis it sounds like Elvis and that's when I fell in love," said Maria.
You can't help but fall in love with a man who enjoys a beautiful sunset,
"That's a painting waiting to happen." JD turns pictures into paradise. "I painted all of this stuff," said JD.
"This is my man, car and Elvis's cave, art cave and everything else." His office is a mini museum of memories. "People don't even call me JD, they say the king is here," he said.
"This was my 50th," said JD about dressing up as Elvis on his birthday 30 years ago. JD just celebrated his 80-th birthday and did it again. "Inspiration, my whole deal right now is I stand in front of people and if I can inspire somebody at eighty years old to get moving," said JD.
In other words, ladies and gentlemen, it's now or never. JD took an 8,500-mile, 6-week Corvette trip last year that few would attempt to do, especially in a Corvette. JD credits his good health to vigorous workouts performed six days a week.
For information about booking 'JD the King' for your next party call 858-733-1017 or email jdtheking@roadrunner.com.