Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin were once considered Kings of Croon, and Michael Bublé is the heir apparent. Unlike Harry Connick Jr. or Josh Groban, Bublé possesses an everyday guy-next-door appeal. Oozing boyish charm and casual charisma, this well-scrubbed entertainer has, over the past decade or so, became an easy listening icon. His repertoire -- a mix of classics and soon-to-be standards -- allows him to woo audiences and reap the rewards. The benefits include celebrity and superstardom, a fistful of awards, and enough hit records to make him an enduring presence in popular radio, film, and television.
Ironically, Bublé originally envisioned himself a professional ice hockey player -- he is Canadian after all -- but his lack of ability and passion for performing eventually persuaded him to pursue a career in showbiz. "If I was any good at hockey, I probably wouldn't be singing right now," he once told the Ottawa Sun. A failed stint as a commercial fisherman further affirmed his quest for musical success.
Nowadays, he seems to bask in his image as a devoted lounge lizard, what with his ready smile, and ever loosened tie. Still, for all his cool moves and suave sophistication, it's Bublé's self-effacing persona and easy accessibility that create the most indelible impression. There's nothing around pointy enough to burst Bublé's beautiful bubble.
Michael Bublé. 8 p.m., Saturday, November 2, at BB&T Center, One Panther Parkway, Sunrise. Tickets cost $79.50 to $115 plus fees. Call 954-835-7000, or visit thebbtcenter.com.
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