Insurance Sales Trainer and Elvis Tribute Artist Jim Penney Sings At Jacobs Field.

Lifestyle Editors

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 29, 2001

Jim Penney-an energizing insurance sales trainer by day and "hunka hunka burnin" Elvis Presley tribute artist by night-recently delivered the performance of his life to over 40,000 baseball fans in Cleveland, Ohio. Penney, a client management representative for the Securian Financial Network, headquartered at St. Paul, MN entertained the crowd by singing the national anthem and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" at Jacobs Field during the Cleveland Indians-Minnesota Twins game August 16, the 24th anniversary of Elvis' death.

"It was a huge thrill," said Penney, who was invited by the Cleveland Indians to perform. "Fans approached me all evening to pose for pictures and get autographs," he chuckled. Penney has grown a mane of flowing coal black hair and mutton-chop sideburns to better resemble the King of Rock `n Roll.

More than 225 of Penney's friends from the Youngstown, Ohio added to the fun. They rode on chartered buses to the game to applaud his performances throughout the game. John Bruder, senior vice president, and David Underdale, regional vice president, respectively, Securian Financial Network, also attended the game and visited with Penney between innings.

Penney started his career as an Elvis tribute "artist," the phrase he prefers to "impersonator," in 1992 when he was looking for a Halloween costume.

"I had no idea what to wear, so my wife took me to the fabric store to look at patterns," he recalls. "I saw this Elvis jumpsuit pattern and said, `That's it. I want to be Elvis.'"

Penney was a hit at the party. A few weeks later, he surprised everyone at his company's convention when he launched his Elvis performance.

Penney recalls, "Our regional offices were responsible for providing entertainment for the convention. The 1992 election had just ended and the company (Securian's affiliate, Minnesota Life) was searching for a new CEO. Someone came up with the idea of having various `celebrities' campaign for president of Minnesota Life and give election speeches. I was asked to do a Ross Perot campaign speech, but I surprised everyone by appearing as Elvis. I sang the campaign speech by changing the words to `My Way' to fit the occasion."

Penney's convention performance was a huge hit.

"My friends at work didn't even know I could sing," said Penney, whose public singing up to that point was as a soloist and member of his church choir. Motivated by colleagues' praise for his performance, Penney started to develop his Elvis routine. A few months later, he performed at an "Elvis Night" at a local drive-in restaurant.

"People started asking me for my card and I have been performing as Elvis ever since," said Penney. He has performed at other conventions in Palm Springs, Tucson, Phoenix and the Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville. He also competes internationally with other Elvis artists and was a semi-finalist at this summer's Collingwood Elvis Festival in Collingwood, Ontario.

Penney's Elvis performances keep him busy, but he doesn't intend to quit his insurance job.

"I do a couple dozen gigs a year and that's fine," he said. "It's fun to get the reaction and recognition from my clients and colleagues." Penney works as a sales trainer with financial institution clients who provide their customers with products marketed by Securian Financial Network.

"Several business associates recently heard me on the radio, too," said Penney, noting that he was interviewed and sang on three popular Cleveland and Youngstown radio programs prior to the game. One local celebrity talk show host told Penney he can return anytime.

Penney's public exposure is expected to continue. He is scheduled to appear on a Cleveland area television show and the Cleveland Indians were pleased with his performance; Penney hopes sing at Jacobs Field again.

Jim and Linda Penney live with their two children in Poland, Ohio. He can be reached at 330.707.0678, [e-mail], or [e-mail].

The Securian Financial Network (SFN) is a diversified financial services network that distributes products manufactured by Minnesota Life and other leading financial services providers. SFN provides insurance and wealth accumulation products, retirement plans and financial advice services to meet the needs of a variety of customers ranging from individuals and business owners to financial institutions and large employers. Financial planning services are provided through Securian Financial Services, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor.

NOTE: The following photos are available at http://www.minnesotalife.com/news/resources/elvis.htm. Follow downloading instructions at the site. Contact Maggie Jensen at 651-665-7558 or [e-mail] with questions.

-- Elvis tribute artist Jim Penney.

-- Elvis tribute artist Jim Penney sings the national anthem prior to the
Cleveland Indians - Minnesota Twins' game at Jacobs Field.

-- Between songs, Penney visits with John Bruder, senior vice president,
Securian Financial Network, left, and David Underdale, regional vice president,
Securian Financial Network, right.

-- Penney during his appearance on WBBG radio in Youngstown.

-- Penney singing "All Shook Up" during his appearance on WTAM news radio in
Cleveland.

-- Atop the Cleveland Indians' dugout, Penney sings "Take Me Out to the Ball
Game" with Indians' mascot "Slider" during the seventh inning stretch.

-- Penney singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" appears on the Jumbotron. (two
photos)