ELVIS IMPERSONATOR From Graceland to Washington

The local Elvis impersonator will perform on Capitol Hill in late September.
By MATT BIXENSTINE
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- What started years ago as low-key performances at house parties has snowballed into a career that will send Ronnie Navarra of Poland shuffling into the nation's capital.
The Elvis impersonator will perform his show, "The Elvis in Me," for a convention of health-care associations and members of Congress Sept. 24 on Capitol Hill.
Navarra, a lifelong Elvis fan whose impersonating career has spanned hundreds of performances nationwide over seven years, said the Capitol Hill show will be his most important.
Former U.S. Rep. Lyle Williams of Lordstown, who arranged the Capitol Hill performance, said he enjoys entertainers such as Navarra who truly pay tribute to Elvis.
"I guess it's mostly the music -- Ronnie's voice is very good, and so is his presentation," Williams said. "Ronnie is right up there with the best [Elvis impersonators] I've seen."
But Navarra, 54, has not always felt comfortable in blue suede shoes. He had to be coaxed into performing his first Elvis impersonation at a graduation party at Mr. Anthony's Banquet Center in Boardman in 1997. There he donned the signature wig, jumpsuit and sunglasses for the first time.
In the beginning
"He was very impressive even then," said Iola Mordocco, who threw the graduation party for her daughter. "Now he is definitely a performer. We always laugh about it and I tell him, 'As you're getting bigger, Ron, don't forget who got you started.'"
Seren-dipitously, Navarra's career as an impersonator took flight because of his job in pest control.
"He came to my house [to inspect for insects], and I overheard him singing," said Linn Reese.
"I told him he had a wonderful voice and asked if anyone had ever told him he sounds like Elvis."
Navarra began singing "Love Me Tender" as Reese accompanied him on piano, and their partnership was born.
Reese soon became Navarra's manager, and that's when the impersonation gig really began to pay off. Reese oversees the business aspect, allowing Navarra to focus on an impersonation talent Reese describes as "natural" and "uncanny."
Navarra narrowly missed his one chance to see his idol perform. He was supposed to see Elvis in concert during June of 1977.
"I had tickets to see him, but I had to work the weekend of the show," Navarra said. "I thought I'd just see him another time."
Two months later, Elvis was found dead at Graceland.
Navarra has released several CDs, opened for the Beach Boys, performed with the Jordanaires -- Elvis' backup band -- and placed in national and international Elvis impersonating competitions. "The Elvis In Me" consists of choreography and more than 40 songs. It lasts about 21/2 hours, including encore.
"It's unreal," Reese said. "You would think he's really Elvis. People want to touch him."
mbixenstine@vindy.com