"Belvis, the Black Elvis" is a Big Fan of Hillary Clinton

LITTLE ROCK - Hillary Clinton didn't expect to meet Elvis at the Kitchen Express in Little Rock.

But as she was beginning to greet supporters at the restaurant this morning, she whirled around to find him.

"Woah," the former Arkansas first lady said. "The king has arrived."

Sort of.

Dwayne Turner introduced himself as "Belvis, the Black Elvis." He was playing the part in a white jumpsuit with gold and red jewels.

"That is some suit," Clinton said. And then Belvis burst into song.

"One for the money two for the show, three to get ready, go go Hillary, go!"

Turner's full-time job is as a cook at another restaurant. But he says he performs Elvis songs around the city, often for patients in nursing homes.

Arkansas is one of the 22 states holding Democratic nominating contests Tuesday. Clinton is hoping her years as First Lady here won her affection that still remains.

For Turner, it's an affection for Bill Clinton that drew him to Senator Clinton.

He says he was 12 years old in the early 80s, and liked to play hide-and-seek at the state capitol, where he met then-Gov. Bill Clinton.

"Everybody say, why don't you support Barack Obama?" Turner said. "I don't know him. It's like if you was my friend, and you was there for me when I needed you, I'm gonna support you."

Turner said he hopes this wasn't the last time he gets to see Hillary Clinton.

"When she gets elected, Belvis needs to perform at the inauguration."

In fact, he wasn't done performing at the Kitchen Express. He went at it again as Clinton was finishing her visit.

"Don't let them give you the blues," Belvis belted out. "You can do anything. But don't step on her --"

...And he paused to let the senator finish.

"Black suede shoes!" Clinton said with a smile.

-- David Greene

12:52 PM ET | 01-30-2008 | permalink