AGRR - March/April 2008 - AGRR Magazine

Avocationslife beyond the auto glass businessI Wanna Talk About MeFAST FACTSName: Michael PrestonDay Job: Technician for Safelite AutoGlass in Raleigh, N.C.Alter Ego: Toby Keith impersonatorFavorite Toby Keith Song:“American Soldier”Other Hobbies: Playing guitarMOST DAYS, MICHAELPreston of Raleigh, N.C.,works as an installer forSafelite Auto Glass. But, every nowand then, he finds his inner spirit—that which he shares with countrystar Toby Keith. For the last sixyears, he’s been impersonatingKeith on a semi-regular basis. Heperforms mostly at children’s charityevents and birthday partiesthroughout the year.Preston has been in the glass industryfor approximately 15 years,having started at Pilkington NorthAmerica (formerly LOF’s) distributioncenter in Charlotte, N.C. He hassince worked for a variety of glassshops, including Danny’s Glass Shopin Hampton, Va., and he worked forSafelite once before in the late 1990s.At present, he has been back withSafelite for about three months.How did you become a Toby Keithimpersonator?I started getting into it about sixyears ago. People kept telling me Ilooked like him, and I later found outwe have almost identical backgrounds.The way I got started ontruly impersonating him, though, isthat one night a friend and I were outand he kept bugging me to sing. Finally,I said, “There’s not enoughwhiskey in this bar to get me to sing.”I was wrong.Prestonoriginally beganimpersonatingKeith becauseof the obvioussimilarities intheir appearance.How are your backgrounds similar?We’re the exact same size, 6-foot 3-inches, 250 pounds, we both driveFord trucks, we both played two yearsof semi-pro football, four years apart,and my stepson and his stepdaughterare the exact same age. His wife’sname is Trish; mine is Tillie. And, inthe song “Whiskey Girl,” he mentionsa ’69 Mustang—that was my first car.Both he and I were in the servicetoo—I served in Beirut, for four yearsin the Navy, two in the Army. It wasdual service.What semi-pro football team didyou play for?The Charlotte Outlaws—and asmuch of a cowboy as Toby is, our emblemwas the bandit.What types of gigs do you play?Right now, mostly I work with charitiesfor families with special-needskids. I don’t make any money doing it,but I help kids and that’s what matters.I do it a couple times a year, andfor a birthday here or there.What are your favorite Toby Keithsongs?My favorite one is “American Soldier”—that’sone of my all-time favoritesbecause it’s very personal tome. “I Wanna Talk About Me” is one ofthe most fun to do, and “My List” is agreat song to do because it’s abouttaking the time to appreciate what youhave and spending time with family.Have you ever seen him inconcert?Yes, several times, and I’vemet him twice. I won a contestonce through his fan club andgot to see his final dress rehearsalbefore a show inNashville, Tenn.Do you do any other impersonations?No, [Toby Keith] is the only oneeveryone else wants to see. After all,I’m 6-foot, 3 inches, and 250 pounds—he’s the one I look like.Who are you other favorite artists?I listen to all types of music—AlanJackson, Randy Travis and CharlieDaniels. I can go back to ConwayTwitty and Don Williams too, but I’vealso seen Metallica. I also have an appreciationfor jazz. I just can’t listen topop music.What’s your all-time favorite album?Probably one of my all-time favoritesis “2112” from Rush, whichwas recorded in 1977.What’s your favorite Toby Keithalbum?“Shockin’ Y’all” is my all-time favorite,but his latest album, “Big DogDaddy,” is an amazing album too.Do you have any other musical talentsor interests?I just started to learn to play theguitar. I’d love to get a band togethersomeday.■Calling All ReadersDo you have a fun hobbyyou think would make aninteresting “Avocations”story? If so, please e-mailpstacey@glass.com.56 AGRR March/April 2008 www.agrrmag.com