Michael BaglinoUsing the stage name of Michael Matone, I found myself in the celebrity impersonator industry for about 15 of my 20 years singing professionally. It began in 2003 when, as a local Sinatra tribute artist, I decided to go to a celebrity impersonator convention in Las Vegas and join in with all the others. How much fun it was, and it was a thrill to meet them all as if they were the real deal. I never lost the thrill over the years. The problem is, so many lose their identity, act like the character 24/7 and can be obnoxious. So many of the Sinatra impersonators I met thought they were tough guys, acted rude and very competitive. Grow up!
Another problem was explained to us by a fellow impersonator participant upon exiting McCarren Airport in Vegas. A Christian man, he said to us, “Just wait, soon this will turn into a gay industry, performing transvestites and cross dressers.” A few years later I found myself on a nationally televised ABC-TV celebrity impersonator show. It was called ‘The Next Best Thing’. The contestant judges assured me I did a very good bit singing a Sinatra favorite ‘The Best is Yet to Come’. “You’re a good singer but not sounding so much like the man himself, Sinatra.” commented one of the comedian judges. “True,” I rejoined. “It was your sound system.” They freaked! I agreed with them and did it for the humor. No disrespect was given from both sides of the stage, which was the common retort by these comedian judges. However, I did end up losing to a Cher transvestite impersonator. I wondered if our Christian Las Vegas friend was on to something. We even shared the same dressing room along with a Barbra Streisand, and I was shocked to see him emerge as Cher.
We met so many impersonators, and so many of great talent I might add. From Michael Jackson to Tina Turner; from President Bush to President Obama; from Marilyn Monroe to Mae West; from Danny DeVito to Sammy Davis, Jr. I could go on and on. Like James Bond, John Wayne, and Bruce Willis. You name the celebrity; we met him or her with terrific photos. My favorite became my best buddy, Luciano Correa. He was Dean Martin and totally devoted to him all his life until the day he died; We formed a ‘Rat Pack’ and traveled the country performing to well receiving audiences.
Lots of fun and success!
There can be some racial incidents too, some funny, some not so. After our 5–10-minute bit each in the showcase, I was approached by a young lady during our group photo shoot. She knew so much about a conversation I had earlier in the evening and acted as if she knew me. How did she know me? This white woman was none other than Tina Turner on stage in full body make-up. We did have a conversion when she was in costume, with me not knowing who she was at the time. Similarly, after one of our Rat Pack shows, I was having a drink with my Sammy Davis, Jr. buddy. He is Italian and Puerto Rican, not black. I was pointing to him for an audience member who met us in a local bar. He could not understand why he did not see him, though he was sitting a few bars stool from me. “Oh,” I said. “That’s him, the white guy over there. He had make-up on stage.”
Another of my Sammy Davis, Jr. members was a real MF in the vernacular: arrogant, snooty, hot stuff. He insisted on running the show and a real prima donna. He just would not help us break down after the show. It apparently was too below him. I fired him on the spot. He ran off after we almost had a physical confrontation and haven’t seen him since. There are plenty of Sammy Davis, Jr. impersonators. All trouble I might add in their own way. I heard that Frank Sinatra was the only person who could deal with the real Sammy Davis, Jr. Sinatra had a strong personality, not so much me, I guess.
Every September in Orlando is a gathering of celebrity impersonators and tribute artists from around Florida and around the world. Called the ‘Sunburst Convention’, performers will arrive from far off places like Canada, California, London, and Germany. We meet to perform and catch the eye of agents willing to represent us. The impersonators take on the very look and sound of the celebrity. Often, you’re not sure if he’s the real thing, especially in public. Tribute artists may not look like nor sound exactly like the performer, but they honor the celebrity’s work of whatever artistry – music, dance, acting, politics. The President Bush was great; the Bette Midler terrific; a phenomenal Elvis or two.
At our last visit in 2016, we paid special homage to the slain gay victims of Pulse Night Club in Orlando. I suppose. Led by Dame Edna and Jackie Gleason [one in the same person], it was a very touching and special evening of honor and respect. But to us, it seemed that this is what The Sunburst Convention had become – extreme liberal politics and anti-Christian comments. Once, Mae West ran away from me in a huff when I said a good word or two about former President Bush. Can you imagine how she would act today with any positive comment on Pres. Trump? I recalled the conversation with our Christian friend at McCarran Airport in Las Vegas in 2003 – extreme liberal politics and anti-Christian ideology. Yes, perhaps he was on to something.
Just to let you know, your humble Catholic journal author was no slouch. One of my hundreds of gigs was at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. I was chosen by daughter Tina Sinatra to represent her father and perform at the unveiling of his Frank Sinatra edition of ‘Jack Daniels’ to an audience of VIPs. An honor.
On another note, my wife – Sarah Matone, was often times a background dancer in my shows, It was frequently recommended to her to be a Tina Turner impersonator herself. Her reply, “No, I am a child of God. I just want to be the best wife and mother I can be.” Go figure.
Source: Baglino, Michael J. Europe Meets Florida: Encounters with Religion, Psychology, and Culture. New York: LT Publishing, 2023.
