UHPD officer Randy Hinson holds key to   "Jailhouse Rock."

The image is familiar, the voice is unmistakable and the music is classic.

When Randy Hinson dons his white, sequined jumpsuit to sing the songs of Elvis Presley, audiences might be fooled into thinking the King of Rock n’ Roll is alive and well. For Hinson, a master peace officer with the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD), preserving the memory of Elvis is all in a day’s work.

“My main objective is to keep the spirit of Elvis alive,” he said. “I can never be Elvis, but I can remind everyone how special he was.”

Having worked in law enforcement for 27 years, Hinson became an Elvis tribute artist eight years ago.

While working as an officer for Harris County Precinct 3, Hinson was told by a colleague that he resembled Elvis. This wasn’t news to Hinson, whose hair and sideburns mirror those worn by the late singer, but he was surprised when his friend suggested that he actually perform as an Elvis tribute artist.

With a little prodding, Hinson – a natural singer – eventually found himself performing at his very first show, a private party for the ExxonMobil Resource Credit Union in Baytown. Nervously, Hinson took the stage and ran through Elvis staples such as “C.C. Rider” and “My Way.” With the support of his wife, Terry, the show went off without a hitch.

Since then, Hinson has entertained audiences at casinos, nightclubs, restaurants, private parties and retirement homes. In January, he will take his act to the high seas as a performer on Carnival’s Ecstasy cruise ship.

With his silky baritone voice, Hinson delivers classic Elvis songs to audiences of all ages. He’s found that fans are often genuinely moved by his shows.

“I made one lady cry,” Hinson said. “One evening, I sang ‘I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You’ at a retirement facility and an elderly woman came up to me with tears running down her face. She told me that her husband had just passed away and that was their song.”

Hinson soon will unveil material that Elvis planned to record prior to his death in 1977. One year ago, he met songwriter Mark James, who composed the Elvis hit, “Suspicious Minds.” James offered Hinson a song that he wrote for Elvis titled, “It’s No Laughing Matter.”

“I am trying to get the song released right now,” Hinson said. “Once Elvis fans find out that this is one of five songs he planned to record they might be very interested in purchasing a recorded version of it.”

Hinson joined UHPD three years ago and credits UHPD Chief Robert Wilson, Captain Malcolm Davis and Captain Roger Byars with supporting his part-time entertainment career.

Regardless of the uniform he’s wearing – the blue officer’s garb or the sparkling white jumpsuit – Hinson is dedicated to helping the public and making audiences smile.

“When I perform I represent the department as well as Elvis, so I have to put on the best show I can,” he said. “It’s important that I not only sing well, but also offer a performance that touches fans of all ages.”

Mike Emery
memery@central.uh.edu