If one 40-something, silver-haired crooner with decent pipes can win fame and fortune on TV’s “American Idol,” Bill Volpentest figures there’s hope for him, too.
The 47-year-old Edmonds man won the title of the first-ever Edmonds Idol at a competition held during the Taste of Edmonds Aug. 12. Nine singers vied for the title that carried with it a $250 prize from Ron and Michelle Clyborne of Windermere Real Estate North and the honor of representing Edmonds in the regional Battle of the Idols at the Puyallup Fair Sept. 17.
The competition was sponsored by Edmonds Parks and Recreation. Judges were Julie Mains of Mainstage Records and Idle Hands Productions, whose debut CD received national play; Mark Weller of D. Wells Publishing &Promotion, who is a composer, songwriter and producer; and Saeed Shahram, an award-winning composer and music director.
Emcee was local music-education legend Frank DeMiero, a former music supervisor for the Edmonds School District and Music Department director at Edmonds Community College.
Reversing his previously held opinion that “I’m too old for this,” Volpentest, who used to set up karaoke equipment and emcee shows, said he’s looking forward to trying out for “American Idol” — the talent-search show with a near-cult following — when it makes an audition swing through Seattle in September.
Volpentest wowed the crowd — and apparently, the judges — with his music-video-worthy rendition of Five for Fighting’s “Superman,” a tribute to heroes who emerged from the 9-11 tragedy in New York City.
He assumed a mild-mannered, Clark Kent persona at the start of his act last Saturday night. Then off came the glasses and jacket, revealing a Superman outfit, replete with the trademark red cape.
Volpentest’s antics included tossing “kryptonite” (light sticks) into the crowd and double clutching the mike while dipping in a dramatic kneel that invoked the spirit of Elvis.
Volpentest said he considered belting out an “old standard,” but decided, “I’m going to go all out … rather than do a boring ballad.” His schtick evolved after he viewed a video his wife, Cathy, shot during his practice perfor
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