Q&A: Meet the London priest who doubles as the King of Rock 'n' Roll

From bejewelled jumpsuits to a slick pompadour, Rev. Matthew Martin goes the full nine yards when it comes to impersonating Elvis Presley.

While the ordained priest works as a chaplain at Huron University College, he also takes the stage as the King of Rock 'n' Roll. It's a life-long endeavour that's taken him to women's prisons, retirement homes, Elvis tribute competitions, churches and more, all performing for charity.

Sometimes the performances even bring people to tears, but it also helps him build connections with students and open doors for interesting conversations.

CBC's Afternoon Drive host Matt Allen spoke with the Reverend about how he got his passion for the King.

Matt Allen: How did you get your start impersonating Elvis?

Matt Martin: My mom was a big Elvis fan when I was a child. When I was five years old, I remember listening to Elvis's music and looking at the album covers, and I decided that I wanted to be that guy.

MA: Where do you typically go to perform?

MM: Right now I have been doing performances at mostly churches and I have done them at Aeolian Hall, all for organizations that are raising money. I don't make money doing this kind of thing. It's all for charities, and for me, it's a way of promoting the gospel or the good.

Rev. Matthew Martin got his start impersonating Elvis as a child, inspired by his mom who was a big Elvis fan. (Submitted by Rev. Matthew Martin)

MA: what was it about Elvis that drew you to him as a performer and made you feel like you want to impersonate and do all things Elvis?

MM: It was the jumpsuits. When I was young, seeing pictures of Elvis wearing a jumpsuit, it made me think of, you remember, Evil Knievel. It made me think of that stuntman. I thought this guy is super cool and he looked like a superhero to me. But also I've always loved music, and I just loved his songs and I always loved the 70s Elvis.

MA: I understand that you've had some of your own struggles in your life and this has helped you navigate that. 

MM: Elvis was addicted to pills, but I was addicted to alcohol for many years. And it was in my coming to sobriety that I really solidified my relationship with God. And at that point, I did say to myself, well, if I continue to do Elvis, I have to do it to do some good. I thought there could be good that comes from this. Thanks be to God, I'm now sober and very happy.

MA: You mentioned using Elvis as a way of ministering to people. How do you mesh the two?

MM: I don't actually do Elvis in the pulpit, although I have sung some Elvis from the pulpit. But when I'm preaching, I stick to myself. How do I solidify the two? Well, I think it's through performance outside the church a lot of the time. I was able to sing at a woman's prison, and I've been able to sing for palliative care patients, in hospitals and retirement homes. It puts a smile on people's faces, but it also helps them to let their guard down. They approach me more and they feel more comfortable talking to me as a priest. I'm able to relate to them in a different way.

Martin's work as a chaplain at Huron University College (Submitted by Rev. Matthew Martin)

MA: Do you have a favourite song to perform? 

MM: It's called In the Ghetto, and it was an old 70s song Elvis performed. But the idea behind it is, there's this ghetto and people are living in poverty and not doing well. But there's a line in it that says, 'Do we simply turn our heads and look the other way?'

I love that line because it really speaks to ministry as well. And so when we see a problem, do we run from it? Do we turn the other way or do we walk toward it? Of course, my faith tells me that I'm supposed to turn and walk toward these problems.

MA: You mentioned people letting their guard down. Is there laughter? Is there excitement when you show up in full Elvis regalia? 

MM: I got the jumpsuit going, the hair, I do the full nine yards.  There's everything. I've experienced laughter. I've experienced tears. People cry because they feel like Elvis is singing to them. I hand out scarves to people. They really take to it.

MA: I understand you do chaplaincy work at Huron University College as well. What does that involve?

I'm the chaplain at Huron University College as well as the Anglican priest there which means I do Sunday services at the chapel. But I also minister to students who are just starting out. And I think the Elvis thing has opened some doors as far as students feeling comfortable because they know, 'Hey, I'm just a regular guy doing some fun things and enjoying life.' So they can relate to that. I think I'm relatable and that makes a big difference, especially with students who might be leaving home for the first time trying to find their way. It opens a lot of doors and I've had some fantastic conversations and I think we're changing some lives in a positive way.