From ‘Long Black Limousine’ to Elvis

Mike Black and the Stingrays still going strong

It’s been a long road for entertainer and Elvis impersonator Mike Black since he sang “Long Black Limousine” as part of an audition for the Oklahoma Opry in 1973.

“I learned the song, sang it and they put me on the show. The place was packed and I was scared to death,” he recalled.

For the next several years, the Choctaw resident focused on country music, honed his craft and learned the music business, and it eventually paid off.

In 1979, Black formed his own rock-nroll band, but the Elvis gig still wasn’t a part of the act at that time.

“I admired his music, but I wasn’t crazy about him,” he said.

That would change years later. For the next seven years, band members came and went. Finally, Black put together a group of musicians that have been with him for more than 20 years. They include guitarist Graham Pugh, bass player Rick Alongi, drummer Bob Gorley and keyboard player Phil Sapper, formerly of Harvey and the Wallbangers.

Elvis act

In 1992, Black received a phone call from disc jockey Ronnie Kaye about performing as part of a tribute to Elvis Presley.

“I went out and rented an Elvis costume. The show went well and the ladies from the Oklahoma Elvis Fan Club wanted my business card. I told my wife, ‘I think I can make a living doing this.’” As a result, Black’s wife, Kathy, proceeded to make white and black jumpsuits for her husband’s Elvis act. She recently finished his red jumpsuit.

“I started getting calls after that show and from that I formulated the show you see today,” Black said.

Quickly, he began watching and studying Presley’s concert footage.

“I wanted to be as authentic as I could, and do a good job,” he said. “As part of the act, I started handing out teddy bears to girls and it’s been in my act ever since.”

Black admits he doesn’t don the Elvis jumpsuits every time he and the Stingrays perform, but he does include several of Presley’s hits at each performance. Black and his band will perform the Elvis show March 16 at Firelake Grand Casino.

Black is quick to say his success is due, in large part, to the support of his wife. The couple married the day after graduating from Midwest City High School 40 years ago.

“She’s heard me a million times, so if I start singing around the house she tells me to shut up,” he said, with a laugh. “She’s my biggest critic and biggest supporter. She’ll just tell me upfront, ‘you didn’t do so well tonight.’”

Being himself

As much as fans enjoy his impersonation of Elvis, Black said he still wants to be recognized as a good entertainer regardless of the songs he sings. In most performances, Black sings a mixture of classic rock-nroll and country hits.

“Elvis was the greatest entertainer that ever lived. When I sing Elvis songs I want to give it 100 percent and be respectful of that. But, I also want to be Mike Black. I do some of his moves and I throw in some Mike Black moves, too,” he said, with a smile.

At 58, Black said he still has fun performing whether at Shiloh’s in Midwest City or at a private VIP party at a Tulsa casino.

“I always try to have fun,” he said. It’s obvious in his performances as he smiles and sings to the women in the audience, which was an Elvis trademark. To maintain the Elvis persona, however, Black admits he’s been forced to dye his hair and maintain the long, black sideburns.

“The ladies will ask me if the sideburns are real and will sometimes pull to see if they are real. It’s funny to me. I don’t take myself too seriously,” he said. “I want to have fun and I want them to have fun.”

Giving back

Although Mike Black and the Stingrays are paid to perform at most places, there are occasions when the singer himself will put on a show for charitable causes without

the customary performance fee.

He’s performed for all-night cancer walks at 2 in the morning and he’s sang the national anthem at local sporting events. Black also is fond of performing his Elvis show at nursing homes, which is something he’s done the last 20 years.

Black has used his talents even in the worst of circumstances. He sang at the funerals of his mother, father and sister. On one occasion about a year ago, an area woman called late at night and asked if

Black would come to their house and sing to their dying mother.

“The woman was 88 and was a big Elvis fan. I was told she only had a few hours to live, so I quickly put on my jumpsuit, drove over to the house and sang to her. It was a very moving experience, and one I will never forget. Things like that are what keeps me doing it,” Black said.

Black admits he had no formal training as a singer, but was encouraged by friends to pursue his dream.

“I would love to do this another 10 years as long as people accept me doing it,” he said. “The main thing is I want to sing.”

Whether belting out “Hound Dog” or another rock-n-roll hit, Mike Black always is having fun as he and the Stingrays perform. Black and his band have been together the past 20 years and can be seen regularly at Shiloh’s in Midwest City or Slider’s in Oklahoma City. (Photos by Hugh Scott, Jr.)

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