CLARKS SUMMIT — Although Elvis Presley is no longer with us, his music can still be heard in northeast PA through 15-year-old Clarks Summit resident Gino Mercuri, an Elvis tribute artist, who not only has a strong connection with the King of Rock and Roll but also has the voice.

Mercuri gained an appreciation of rock music at a young age. His grandfather Joseph Doherty, the original drummer of local band The Poets, turned him on to rock and roll. When he was 6 years old, Mercuri began singing Johnny Cash and memorized the lyrics to “Ring of Fire.” During his teen years, he listened to rock legends such as Chuck Berry and Roy Orbison. But when he first listened to music from Elvis, he felt a connection.

“When I heard him (Elvis) on the radio, it originally sparked an interest in him,” he said.

Mercuri’s first public performance was with fellow Elvis tribute artist Jimmy T. at the Avenue Diner in Exeter. Afterwards, he began performing as Elvis at local retirement homes, including Bedford Towers, Telespond, Lindencrest, and Green Ridge Senior Apartments where he entertained the residents with his renditions of Elvis’ popular songs from the 1970s. He also took lessons at Rockology Music Academy in Wilkes Barre so he could strengthen his voice and broaden his range.

Mercuri was later invited to sing with The Luongo Brothers Band.

“They were pare of The Poets,” he said. “They know my grandfather very well. They invited me to sing one time, and after that, I started to go to rehearsals with them. They kept having me back. And now, regularly, I sing with them all the time.”

Mercuri sings with the band at many venues in Lackawanna County. He was also hired to be the opening solo act at the Hilton Hotel in Scranton during the annual “MusicFest” where opened for three popular local bands. He also performed in the Guesthouse at Graceland, located in Elvis’ hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, in 2018 and 2019.

“It is not uncommon for strangers to say to Gino after hearing him, ‘When I close my eyes, I hear Elvis’ and ‘I cannot believe you are only 14!’, said his mother Tracy Mercuri. “One of the most special performances; however, was singing “Can’t Help Falling in Love” at this brother’s (Anthony) wedding in September 2018.”

Mercuri was one of 10 competitors to compete in a Youth Elvis Tribute Artist (ETA) contest held in Elvis’ birthplace of Tupelo, Mississippi on June 6, 2019. He performed “How Great Thou Art” and “Danny Boy” for the competition, then sang “The Wonder of You” for the contest’s finale. He came in first place, earning him the title of the first-ever Youth ETA winner in Tupelo.

“I was definitely grateful to come in first place,” he said.

Mercuri won a check for $1,000, a statue of a 13-year-old Elvis Presley and a guitar made from Tupelo Hardware, where Elvis bought his first guitar.

“We’re very proud of him,” Tracy said of her son, who is currently teaching himself to play guitar.

Mercuri performs once a month at The Honky Tonk in Dunmore and at The Highlands in Archbald once in a while. He will return to Memphis this August for Elvis Week and will perform six booked shows to commemorate the 42nd anniversary of Elvis’ death. He will also perform at La Festa Italiana in downtown Scranton on Sept. 1.

Mercuri is a sophomore at Abington Heights High School. He studies and highly respects other Elvis Tribute Artists such as Dean Z, Cody Ray Slaughter, Bill Cherry, Dwight Icenhower, and Pittston’s Shawn Klush. He is continually learning to not only improve his voice, but also his stage presence and connection to the audience. He hopes to continue to entertain the crowds and become a well-known, respected Elvis tribute artist through his high school years and maybe throughout college.

“If it works out, I’ll keep it going,” he said.

Elvis tribute artist Gino Mercuri, of Clarks Summit
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_20190710_184252.jpg.optimal.jpgElvis tribute artist Gino Mercuri, of Clarks Summit Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Gino Mercuri is Elvis Presley tribute artist

By Ben Freda

For Abington Journal

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