The King – of Brooksville – is in the building
BROOKSVILLE- Even with a three hour time difference, James Rompel sounded awake and alert at 7 a.m. Thursday as he started his day in “Sin City” and the “Entertainment Capital of the World.”
“I was just letting the dogs out,” said Rompel during a phone interview from his Las Vegas home.
A 1979 Hernando High School graduate, James “Love” Rompel will perform a free Elvis tribute concert noon Valentine’s Day in the clubhouse of Frontier Campground on State Road 50.
Rompel said he is excited to return to Brooksville to perform for his mother, Peg, and childhood friends. Donations will be accepted to aid his mother, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is currently in the hospital with bronchitis.
“I hope she comes out by then,” he said. “I had a lot of fond memories from growing up there. It’s a good feeling to come back and rekindle memories with the people I grew up with.”
Based out of Las Vegas, Rompel’s television credits include VH1, MTV and the Tonight Show as well as regular performances at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand, Caesar’s Palace, Hard Rock Café, House of Blues, and Legends in Concert.
Rompel was first introduced to the “Kind of Rock and Roll” when he was in his teens and was inspired by his grandmother, who would draw over photographs of Rompel with his natural platinum blond hair with sharpie markers and say “You look like Presley.”
After working in food services, sales, marketing and even as a limo driver, Rompel began performing tributes to Elvis in his mid 20s.
“I thought she was crazy but she was my inspiration. I always felt a connection to Elvis,” he said. “If you can sing along, by all means. If you feel like dancing, we encourage that.”
Marv Sweet, event coordinator with Frontier Campground, said seating is limited and is on a first come, first served basis but almost 100 people have already said they would attend.
“We just made it an event for everybody. We’ve got almost 90 people signed up,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, he’s one of the best I’ve ever seen.”
Rompel’s Elvis tribute concert is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted. The performance will begin at noon Valentine’s Day, Monday, Feb. 14, at Frontier Campground at 15549 Cortez Boulevard.
For more information, contact Sweet at 352-442-3210 or visit elvisandfriends.com.
Reporter Hayley Mathis can be reached at 352-544-5225 or [email protected].
