With his resolute gaze, Robert Washington may resemble a young, drawn-out Muhammad Ali, but the 45-year-old African-American wants to remind you of Elvis Presley. An African-American Elvis impersonator residing in Auburn, Maine, Washington is best known as the perennial runner-up in Memphis’s " Images of the King " contest featured in the documentary Almost Elvis (2000) — the " World Series " of Elvis competitions. That makes him either the Susan Lucci of Graceland habitués or the number-two Elvis-tribute artist in the world. This Saturday, the often-somersaulting Washington will roll into town to raise funds for local documentary The Faithful, a film about followers of three of the 20th century’s biggest icons: the King, Princess Di, and Pope John Paul II. Saturday evening’s Elvis-themed extravaganza will feature a booth of fried peanut-butter-and-banana sandwiches, a 500-pound ice sculpture of the truck-driver-turned-bloated-pill-popper, and a " King’s Karoake Contest " of hound-dog devotees competing for a cameo in The Faithful.

Washington came in from mowing his Auburn lawn to answer the Phoenix’s phone call.

Q: What’s a " Sideburn Chaser " ?

A: I don’t know.

Q: Aren’t they Elvis-impersonator groupies — female fans who follow people like you around the country?

A: Yeah. But I don’t like getting into that. You’re going to get me in trouble — I’m married.

Q: What’s your favorite Elvis song?

A: Depends on the day of the week.

Q: Today is Monday. What’s your favorite song?

A: I heard about 20 of them today. Probably the last one I heard: " Little Less Conversation. " But I really don’t have a favorite. I like them all. There’re so many different styles: country, rock, gospel.

Q: What’s the worst thing Elvis ever did?

A: Leave.

Q: Who’s your second-favorite King: Martin Luther, Stephen, or Billie Jean?

A: Martin Luther. I’m originally from the South.

Q: You’re also an African-American. How has that affected being an Elvis impersonator?

A: At first, I was a little apprehensive. I didn’t know if people would accept me, not being white. But I really don’t even advertise myself like that.

Q: Have you ever heard " Fight the Power, " the Public Enemy song with the lines, " Elvis was a hero to most/But he never meant shit to me you see/Straight up racist that sucker was " ?

A: Oh, yeah. I’ve done my homework on that — I’ve read a lot of books. I don’t think he was. Growing up in the Deep South, he appreciated black music, white music, country music. Some of his good friends were black. I really find it hard to believe, but I’ve heard that many times over the years. People I’ve met who worked with Elvis said [he wasn’t a racist], so that’s good enough for me.

Q: What about when people said that he co-opted black music for the white man?

A: I just think he sucked up all kinds of music from Memphis. The music was there already — that’s what he listened to growing up. He wasn’t a rich kid who came from the good side of Memphis and picked up the black music from the bad side. He was poor too.

Q: I’ve heard of El Vez, a Mexican Elvis impersonator. Are there Elvis impersonators of other ethnicities? What about an Asian Elvis impersonator?

A: Oh, yeah. A good friend of mine, Mori, from Japan. He beat me in ’93, actually. I’ve known him 10 years now.

Q: Have you ever had a dream that you died on the toilet?

A: Not lately.

Robert Washington will perform at " A Night with the King " on Saturday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m., at the Portuguese American Club, 26 Springfield Street, in Cambridge’s Inman Square. Tickets range from $10 to $45. Call (617) 320-3219 or visit www.fishinhand.com/events