’Net Junkie
Lotsa men look
just like KennyThe requirements are quite simple. A snowy patch of hair, left just long enough to hint at a rebellious past, and a well-groomed beard, powdered with a dignified shade of gray. If you happen to stumble across any one of the millions of middle-aged Caucasian gentlemen around the globe who fit this description, you are asked to submit a photo of him to www.menwholooklikekennyrogers.com.
It is a site, as you might imagine, dedicated to anonymous persons who resemble country music singing sensation Kenny Rogers. Judging by the impressive number of contributed photos, look-alikes appear to be quite plentiful these days.
Kenny spottings: View the Web site to see who won "Kenny of the Year."
"Have you noticed that a lot of men over a certain age look a lot like country music superstar Kenny Rogers?" asks the main page. "This is certainly no knock on anyone! I mean, after all, Kenny Rogers is a huge superstar worth millions of dollars. Who wouldn't want to look like him?"
Click on "Kenny Spotting Tips" for a list of places you're likely to find Kenny look-alikes (gun shows, swap meets, bars with sawdust floors and Reno, Nev., are good bets, apparently). It is suggested you use a line like "Hey, you look just like my Uncle Bernie. Would you mind if I took your picture to show the family?" when approaching your subject.
Clicking on "Celebrities" takes you to an illustrated guide to famous folk who share more than a passing resemblance to the Gambler, such as Michael McDonald, Ernest Hemingway, Denver Pyle (the actor who played Uncle Jessie in "The Dukes of Hazzard"), former Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken "The Snake" Stabler and a bearded Brian Dennehy.
But the most entertaining photos are those of the average joes, whose candid snapshots help establish their new identities. The Kenny look-alike garbed in traditional Scottish regalia is re-christened "Kilt Kenny," while the bearded construction worker is known only as "Hard Hat Kenny."
Then there's my favorite, "In Denial Kenny," who had the temerity to show up at a Kenny Rogers concert looking like Kenny Rogers.
’Net Junkie drops every Monday.
Contact Shawn "Speedy" Lopes at slopes@starbulletin.com.
Note: Web sites mentioned in this column were active at time of publication. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin neither endorses nor is responsible for their contents.
