Newspapers / The Warren Record (Warrenton, … / Jan. 9, 1985, edition 1 / Page 16
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Michael Jackson Look-Alike Winner Has Family Ties With Warren County The following article about Daemlon T. Johnson by Yvonne J. Anderson Is reprinted from The Carolina Peacemaker of Greensboro. Daemlon Is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Jasper P. Johnson of Warrenton. His father Is Tyrone M. Johnson of Greensboro, a native of Warrenton. By YVONNE J. ANDERSON "He's a very intelligent kid and very talented," his father said. "He's very mature for his age and I think he could use the experience of the interview." So Tyrone M. Johnson consented to let his 12 yearold son Daemion, talk to me about winning the $1,000 Michael Jackson Look-Alike and Sound-Alike contest held in the Greensboro Coliseum a few weeks ago. His father was right, Daemion is an intelligent, talented, mature 12 year-old who has much more on his mind, than teen idol Michael Jackson. "I've watched him for a long time because I could always identify with him," Daemion says. "He's been in show business since he was young and that's what I want to do." A seventh grade honor student at Aycock Junior High, Daemion has been following Michael's career since he was four-years old. While in pre-school Daemion would organize some of his friends to dance and sing like the Jackson Five-but it wasn't play to him, it was serious business. With all that practice behind him, it's not surprising that when Daemion took center stage during the contest, he outshined his older opponents. He had a different approach to the show. Surrounded by four body guards, one being his father, Daemion was escorted to the stage with his costume hidden by an oversized robe. He did more than mimic Michaels moves-Daemion brought the excitement and mystic that surrounds the superstar to his act, an act he hopes he can build into a career of his own. "I like pop, rhythm and blues, and soul music, and I want to do it all. Daemion says of his hopes. I want to do just what Michael Jackson has done, I want to sing, act, dance -1 want to do it all." Daemion has other interests, but he always makes those interests an extention of his first love. He has artistic ability - but instead of sketching landscapes, he draws pictures of today's top music makers, Prince, Morris Day and of course Michael. He also plays the drums and likes to read. Daemion is very conscious of the world around him. He says he is wary of the video music craze and the effect the violence portrayed in a lot of them has on young children (he doesn't consider himself, nor others his age and as the young he speaks of. "I think the violence isn't necessary first of all," he says in his mature way. "A lot of kids sit and watch videos all day and they really can't tell what's real and what isn't." "But there are some really good music videos and I think people would rather see their favorite artists play the music than just listen to it on a record," he STARTS FRIDAY HELD OVER In ttw Ytor of Porto* M. 2029. ft* ruUrt of fhh ptorwt d«vH#<l K>m«fhing maf tot no pfty. >1- n nki - ' MO pOwi NO ••Of. SomofNng unctoppabto They created BEVERLY HILLS SHOWTIME SAT.A SUN 3:00-5:00-7:00-9:00 WEEKDAYS 7:00-9:00 TILL 6:00 SAT. A SUN SHOWTIME SUN. ONLY 3:00-5 00-7 00-9:00 WEEKDAYS 7 00-9:00 ALL «« TILL6 00 SEATS S2.00 SUN. LOUISBURG THEATRE FRIDAY, JANUARY 11 THRU THURSDAY, JANUARY 17 'ROM WON A WARNCR COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY o SHOWS EACH NIGHT AT 7:00 AND 8:45 ALL SEATS AT ALL TIMES *2.00 DAEMION T. JOHNSON continues. "I just don't think that some of them should be so violent." I asked Daemion what kind of self-image he would portray as an entertainer. He answered, "just a well dressed-kid who sings his heart out." It's no accident that Daemion won the Look-Alike Contest, for his entire family was involved in the project. While visiting relatives in Washington, D. C., the idea of using bodyguards was developed. When he returned to Greensboro, Daemion's mother, Dianne Johnson, began sewing the necessary additions to the costume he already had. The contest at the Coliseum wasn't Daemion's first. He had won the same kind of competition at MC Square during the summer. With his notoriety growing, at least locally, Daemion is in the awkward position of having to balance career and friends. He says his friends have been nothing but supportive and he doesn't think all the attention he's getting has changed him. "I know I haven't changed, but there could be some people who think I have," he says. "But if they think I have and treat me like I have then they really weren't a friend in the first place. So I don't worry about it." Meanwhile Daemion's schedule is picking up as his parents plan several appearances for him through January. However, it's the Christmas season and although Daemion loves to perform, his attention for right now is centered on the spirit of the season. He's got $1,000 to help spread that spirit which he says is exactly what he intends to do. "Everybody asks me what I'm going to do with all that money," he says laughing. "I'm going to use it for Christmas presents and save the rest." Appointments Made By Warren Board Warren County commissioners in their regular session Monday morning made several appointments to county boards as follows: Commissioner J. T. Fleming to the Area Mental Health Board for the term of his office to replace former Commissioner Jack Harris; •Richard Green of Warrenton to the Region K Private Industry Council to fill the unexpired term of Joseph Alexander who resigned because of an employment conflict. •John Hawkins to the Warrenton Zoning Board of Adjustment retroactive to July 1964 for a three-year term; • Commission Chairperson Eva M. Clayton to the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments Board for the term of her office with County Manager Charles J. Worth as her alternate; Commissioner Fleming for an indefinite term with A. B. Hair of Norlina as alternate; and Mrs. Johnie Johnson of Warrenton as alternate to John E. Hawkins currently serving an indefinite term. The board also reappointed Oscar L. "Butch" Meek to a threeyear term and Peete Hilliard to a two-year term on the Warren County Planning Board, ' and approved a roster of 22 citizens for the Warren County Task Force on Delinquency Prevention. Teacher: "John, why don't you wash your face? I can see what you had for breakfast this morning." John: "What wasit?" Teacher: "Eggs." John: "Wrong. That was yesterday." Dr. Carolyn R. Gattis Chiropractor 211 Orange St. Henderson, N. C. Phone: 492-1986 Hours: 12 Noon Til 6 P.M.
The Warren Record (Warrenton, N.C.)
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Jan. 9, 1985, edition 1
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