Yes I am almost old enough to be a Journey Fan… not old enough to have seen them in concert in their heyday, but old enough to enjoy their music. I came across the Story of Arnel Pinada doing what I do day in and day out… surfing online. When I heard about new singer for Journey my first thought was – great, another Sammy Hagar doesn’t sound like the band kind of guy. Boy was I mistaken.

Arnel Pinada’s voice is amazingly similar to Steve Perry’s. Sure you can tell the difference but it’s close enough to not matter to me. But what makes this story so compelling is that Arnel is of Filipino descent but sings in English so well. Add to this the fact that he is not an overnight sensation.

He was discovered online in 2006 by Journey on YouTube at the age of 39!

I’m sure to many of you this is not news, it’s not like it happened today. After a recent appearances on Oprah and Ellen it’s not like this is going to be a secret.

What do you think? It’s not often a band can replace a lead singer with someone who is so nearly equally matched.

I read some of his history and it's kind of a downer with his mother passing at age 13, and being homeless for awhile. So I decided to skip it. But if you are a die hard Journey Fan or even just someone who is interested in the "Underdog" boy makes good kind of story it's definitely worth searching and reading. It's refreshing to see a band and a lead singer who isn't all tattooed out and in and out of rehab.

Comments Welcome.