Mike “Elwood” Powell
It seems fitting that I would met Mike at the Blues Fest in Navasota Texas. Oddly enough I had met him (although he does not remember it) at a service station on Interstate10 about two years ago. He was driving a car that mimicked the famous car from the movie “the Blues Brothers” Complete with the great big speaker mounted on the roof. Since it was one of my favorite movies I had to check it out as I walked up to the car out steps “Elwood”.
“Unfortunately we had to sell the car, it became too big of an expense to keep it up “ ( I could not help but be a bit disappointed because that would be the best backdrop to photograph Mike.)
Mike liked being photographed and he was posing with a lot of people at the festival. It was a little tough getting to know the real Mike. He pretty much stayed in carititure. Even in his dancing he was moving with the same odd dance moves that “Elwood” would do in the movie.
“So I suppose there is a “Jake?” I ask
“ Yes, he was here last night we did our act here. His name is Steve Boado.”“How did you two meet?”
“We were both Elvis impersonators.”
“You’re kidding me?” as I’m laughing and choking on my drink.
“No, I’m not, we looked at each other and decided we would work well together impersonating the Blues Brothers and the business and friendship started.”
“How does one make a living as Elwood?”
“Well, our group "The Blues brothers Tribute" does shows like we did here yesterday, we do parties, and I also do DJ services in caricature of course.”
“Do you play an instrument?”
“No, that what’s great about doing Elwood. He only played a harmonica and that is real easy to fake much easier than lip synching.”
Mike is a lot of fun. He love’s what he is doing and he is really, really good at it. I can’t imagine him not being the life of any party. If I was to throw a party he defiantly would be the first person I would think of to do the DJ services. Don’t we all wish as some point in our lives that we could be someone else? Mike gets to do that on a regular bases and he gets paid for it.
Thank God, there are guys like Mike, they make our world so much more interesting and fun.
2 comments:
This is really neat, getting paid for what you love, not many are that lucky! Good for Mike!
thanks Mary Ann for your comment. I think the hole world benefits when people follow their passions and forget the inevitable criticism they will get. I believe God gives us a passion for a reason and not following it hurts us all.
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