THERE was no crying in the chapel when Halesowen’s Hound Dog played a sold-out gig in St Margaret’s Church in Hasbury, writes Steve Zacharanda.

But there were gangs of women jiving in the aisles and a vicar on hand to attach a sequinned cape onto The King of Rock n Roll’s jumpsuit in the holy house of the King of Kings.

Mark Summers is one of the world’s foremost Elvis impersonators who criss-crosses the globe entertaining fans in theatres, casinos and even football stadiums.

However, once a year he performs a charity hometown gig to raise much needed funds for parish coffers.

And on Friday night there was not an empty pew in sight, raising a whopping £2,125.

The 32-year-old kicked off the show in a gold lame jacket singing the songs which catapulted the kid from Memphis to worldwide stardom in the 1950s.

It is all very well looking uncannily like Elvis but any impersonator has to be judged by his voice. Mark’s is top drawer, from the ability to capture heartbreak to the oh-so tricky rasp.

Heartbreak Hotel, Jailhouse Rock and a German version of Wooden Heart were all pitch perfect and began enticing the crowd out of its shell.

Peppering his set with tales of wild nights on the road, including having his clothes ripped off by crazed Essex ladies and singing Jailhouse Rock to get out of a night in the cells in Cyprus, Mark kept the laughs coming.

After a short break the Pelvis returned dressed in a sky blue rhinestone encrusted jumpsuit made by the great man’s tailors.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

And this was when a good night turned into a great night. Of course I enjoy the 1950s hits but I like a bit of full-fat mayonnaise on my Elvis burger, I love 70’s Big El.

Belting out Burning Love, In the Ghetto, The Wonder of You, Lord, You Gave Me a Mountain and Always on My Mind worked the crowd into a frenzy. By the time those instantly recognisable words “Wise men said” came out of the curled lipped mouth of Halesowen’s very own Hillbilly Bopper every hand was in the air and swayed until the final note.

Not surprisingly, a preordained performance of epic proportions was saved for the monster hit Suspicious Minds.

For full disclosure, it was at this point this reporter could no longer resist the invitations of the Blossom Hill Mob ladies to join them gyrating.

The fun carried long after it was due to end as screaming fans demanded encore after encore which culminated with A Little Less Conversation.

As the silver haired crowd melted into the night one attractive audience member gave her expert verdict. She told the sweat drenched impersonator: “I saw Elvis in 1971 in Las Vegas, keep up the good work, you’re almost as good as the real thing.”