(Part One:) Karaoke: "Sing With Nick", the New York impersonator!

It’s Wednesday September 2, Nick has just completed his role, for the day, as Superman, at the New York State Fair.

Have you ever heard of “Sing With Nick” or Nick Mulpagano?

He’s a singing impressionist. Originally he was a huge fan of Rich Little. He hated school, but DID enjoy studying Rich Little. He also remembers David Frye, an excellent impersonator that not many remember.

Years ago, though, Nick encountered extreme stage fright and it took a team of horses to get him on stage. His first impersonation of a singer was done in his early ‘20’s. The subject was Randy Travis.

So Nick Mulpagano started impersonating singers - the more the merrier. He’ll capture their mannerisms quite well also.

Things had gotten rolling after Nick was commissioned to “be Elvis”, at a private party, but he needed other singers to mimic, as it was a three hour gig.

Nick is New York based, and for fifteen years has been performing at night clubs, state fairs, parks, cruise ships and private parties. (Pictured left, with Sister-in-law, Cindy Mulpagano, as "Cher")

He says he’s an “excessive compulsive creative:, and is constantly working on something.. While on stage or in video, he’s always good natured and warm, looking for humor. Nick will search for wigs, various outfits and props to augment his singing.

You feel that going to a party with Nick would be loads of fun. He’d be “everybody’s friend”.

You talk to him and you discover: Nick is a first rate conversationalist; very talkative, as you’d expect, but equally fine as a listener. There is much reassuring laughter in his voice, as you’re receiving confirmation that he’s quite a guy. He’s very knowledgeable, in this whole related Area.

One of Nick’s trademark songs and routines, is Sinatra’s “New York, New York”. He convincingly strikes the image of an older guy, with the gray wig, the body language; very smooth, confident. He’s pointing and assertive. The final notes of the song are really impressive.

http://www.singsnap.com/snap/watchAndListen/play/bb1e207f   "New York New York" 

As a mimic, he catches the nuances, the gradations within voice, that allow him to calibrate these small differences between well known singers; people like Engelbert Humperdinck, B.J. Thomas, Eddy Arnold, Bobby Goldsboro….the list goes on.

“Legends Of Music” features very fast images and snippets of Nick’s B.J. Thomas, Bobby Darin, Ray Price, Elvis, and many others. Top notch stuff!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzlEORIx4js&feature=related   "Legends Of Music"

“George Burns At 100”. It’s possibly Nick’s greatest physical impersonation. He’s the hunched over, bespectacled, cigar swilling Burns! Complete with narrowed eyes, fake nose. The George Burns speaking voice is grand. This is artistic work. It feels like the soul of George is captured. ("George Burns" appears at the 2:40  mark, in this video; two minutes, forty seconds)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzlEORIx4js&feature=related

In moving on to “That’s Amore”, Nick becomes Dean Martin. His naturally friendly style fits well for Dean. Some wacky Jerry Lewis is thrown in too, (always a crowd pleaser) as Nick works thru this live audience. His “Dean Martin” is a favorite of many.

http://www.singsnap.com/snap/watchAndListen/play/b110417f

  "That's Amore"

In fact, he does the entire “Rat Pack” in one song, as he alternates voices in “Luck Be a Lady”. It leads with Sinatra, then Dean Martin, and on to a very good Sammy Davis Jr. This is a lively “on stage” video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtPQSqw3cQQ&feature=related   "Luck Be A Lady"

"Feed The Birds. One of Nick’s favorite movies, “Mary Poppins”, features this song. It’s also one of his favorite songs. Who says he’s just a macho guy, lol?

http://www.singsnap.com/snap/watchAndListen/play/c112d2db1       "Feed The Birds"

It’s a more sensitive Nick here. He revels within this song. A big grin engulfs him as he sings: “Come feed the birds and show them you care”.

End Part One.