American Idle
The weirdest thing just happened to me. I was waiting in line to pay for my lunch, when the woman behind the counter exclaimed that I looked like “that guy that was singing on American Idol last night.” Since I don’t watch the show, I had no idea who she was talking about, but I figured it had to be another black guy with dreadlocks.
Well.
There are two of them on the show. So as near as I can figure, she thinks I look like either this guy or this guy. They’re both very handsome guys, so I’m flattered, but I don’t look a thing like either of them.
And while I do sing, I’m sure I wouldn’t last 2 minutes in an American Idol audition, for a couple of reasons. First, I’m too old. They raised the age limit for this season, but I still overshoot the cut-off age by something like 8 or 9 years. Second, my voice doesn’t fit the prevalent type for male pop vocalists today. Instead of a screaming soaring tenor, I’m more of a “smokey baritone.” (This was brought home to me late last fall, when I auditioned for a male singer slot with a local band. They said they loved my rendition of “Foolish Heart,” and said they liked my voice. They just had one question: “Can you sing any higher?” They assured me they’d’ call me later. Still waiting on that call. Not.)
Oh well. If whichever of those guys I supposedly look like wins, at least I’ll be occaisionally mistaken for someone famous. It’s not the first time, though. I’ve also been mistaken for Bobby McFerrin a couple of times. Now, there’s a guy whose talent I wouldn’t mind having; even a fraction of it.
Or maybe it’s just that, to some people, all black men with dreadlocks look alike.
February 23rd, 2005 at 12:56 pm
I think you look more like David Brown than Anwar Robinson (judging by your typepad picture) but that’s just my opinion.
February 23rd, 2005 at 2:23 pm
I’d have said that you look more like Robinson than Brown.
Unfortunately, my suspicion is that your comment on “all black men with dreadlocks look alike” is probably spot-on.
February 23rd, 2005 at 4:58 pm
What, are you kidding? You look nothing like those guys. You’re MUCH cuter.
February 23rd, 2005 at 5:09 pm
I think it’s Anwar Robinson, something about the closed smile and the eyes. I’d still be able to pick you out of a line up of black guys with dreads, but then I’ve known you for a long time! (Going on 15 years, can you imagine?!)
February 23rd, 2005 at 8:02 pm
Lucky you!
While I don’t think you look like either of those guys all of you are cute (but in a race to cuteness Parker wins).
However
Last winter…..two…Two different people, at two different times, told me I look “just like santa” My two responses were.
1. I ain’t that fucking jolly.
2. We’ll you look just like Rudolph’s ass!
And now you know why I’ll never wear a red suit!
Lets recap.
You look like that talented goodlooking guy on TV.
I look like Santa.
Trade ya!
February 24th, 2005 at 12:19 am
Your my favorite non-descript black guy with dreads.
February 24th, 2005 at 1:26 am
I’ve been told I look like Bowser of Sha-na-na. I don’t. Perhaps all white guys with big mouths look alike.