Elvis impersonator brings smiles, brightens lives

Retiree performs at area nursing homes

Retiree performs at area nursing homes

It's not about Elvis. It's not about Fred Edwards. It's about the smiles of lonely older people when he swivels and sings in nursing homes.

"When I look at these people, I can see myself and my family sitting there. I can only imagine the loneliness they feel. They're alone. They need to feel loved," Edwards said. "The costume allows me to be whatever they want me to be, Elvis Presley, or just somebody that cares. Most of these people live in a silent world. They want you to touch them and let them feel that love of the Lord Jesus."

And that's what the retired warehouse manager does. Every month or so, he stuffs the van with teddy bears and

Elvis scarves to give away, packs up the karaoke machine and puts on Elvis performances with more than a tinge of Gospel for the audiences who hardly ever see anyone.

He's loved Elvis' singing since he was a kid growing up in the 1950s, he says, but it's not an ego trip about Elvis. Edwards isn't a professional impersonator. He's never had voice training. He's too shy to sing in the church choir. It's something the Lord laid on his heart to do. When he dons the white, red or blue costume, he takes on something more.

He breaks into "Blue Christmas" and the hips begin to swivel, the lips curl. He pulls forward the wheelchair of a lucky lady for a "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" serenade. He gets down on his knees and holds their hands, gives them hugs that he feels returned in clenches.

"Fred is a very unusual person. He's so likeable and so real. What you see is what you get," said Bonnie Edwards, his wife of 40 years, who nominated him for the Jefferson Award. "When he comes out in that costume, these people's eyes change. They see Elvis."

The question can't help but be asked — does he sound like Elvis?

"In a few songs he does. Even when we sing 'How Great Thou Art' in church, I can hear it and I'll tell him, 'You ought to be singing in the choir,' " she said.

The Elvis gig started as a few joking-around snippets of tunes sung to his family. Then he sang "Blue Christmas" on request for somebody who was sick and it touched both of them. Bonnie told him this was something he ought to do. He didn't think he could, but he prayed, then went into his room, pulled out the karaoke machine and dubbed his voice in with the King's.

The first show he put on had a blind woman rocking and an older man reduced to tears.

"The residents love him. He's just so full of life and he's so energetic. He gets very personal and makes them smile," said Annette Medeiros, administrator at Magnolia's of Summerville.

"They clap their hands, sing along with him and sway back and forth," said Kayla Reid, activities director. When Elvis leaves the building, he leaves the conversation humming.

That's what it's all about. Edwards would like to do more shows, but a retiree's income can only afford so many bears and scarves, so much gas for the car. He won't perform for pay.

"When I see a smile on their faces, that's the greatest reward I could have. I want to be able to look back and know that for at least an hour I was able to bring some joy into some people's lives. I was able to make a difference," Edwards said.

Reach Bo Petersen at bpetersen@postandcourier.com or 745-5852.

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