By day, Dale McGarry is a local mail carrier.

By night, he is Elvis.

For 25 years, McGarry has been employed by the U.S. Postal Service. But in recent years, he has moonlighted as "Wailin' Dale," impersonating the King of Rock 'n' Roll, while bringing his Kabaret Karaoke service to local weddings, proms and private parties.

During the past holiday season, McGarry, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam, used his karaoke business to benefit the families of soldiers serving in Iraq. Participants of McGarry's karaoke service are given the option of purchasing a DVD or VHS tape of their performances, but for friends and families of soldiers, McGarry provided the option of recording songs and greetings for American troops free of charge.

Additionally, McGarry also runs the Magic Carpet Ride

limousine service, for which he also is a part-time driver. He has used that business for philanthropic purposes, as well, donating the service to raise funds for the homeless shelter on North Gilbert Street, the Regina Foundation and Hurricane Katrina relief.

McGarry also has served on the Johnson County Juvenile Justice Youth Development Program for four years.

"I've always had a place in my heart for kids," McGarry said. "A lot of them are having a hard time. There' a lot more temptations to get into trouble today than when I was a kid."

McGarry admits moonlighting isn't always easy, especially when his day job requires him to be an early riser. That's why wedding appearances usually are his favorite gigs.

"The checks never bounce and you normally get out of there at a reasonable time," McGarry said. "Sleep deprivation's a bummer."

- Shawn Flickinger