Home Depot Idol? Salesman Uses His Ukulele And Becomes Internet Music Sensation
LAGUNA NIGUEL (CBSLA.com) A salesman at a local Home Depot is getting a lot of attention -- and it has nothing to do with his selling ability.
Sal vaca, perhaps better known as Sal the Appliance Pal, often gets a round of applause from customers.
The 74-year-old is known to break out his ukulele and break out into song at the Home Depot in Laguna Niguel.
He's been turning heads on YouTube.
He makes a sale and KCAL9's Jennifer Kastner reports that is reason enough to start a serenade.
"Then I grab the ukulele from down under and they say oh my god he's seriously gonna sing a song," says a smiling Vaca. "Then I ask them what their favorite song is."
Vaca's not just good at singing. You should see his dance moves, too.
The crowd asks to hear "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and he delivers a pitch-perfect performance.
Kastner asks what he sings if they don't buy anything?
"And when they don't buy? Under the rainbow!," he laughs.
A video of him singing "Over the Rainbow," landed on YouTube. His customers believe he is destined for fame.
Management says Sal is their number one salesman.
Buy a new oven and get a song.
"I made it in business but I was very unhappy while making money you know," says Vaca.
He much enjoys his sales job and making people happy.
Sal started playing the ukulele in his native country. the Philippines when he was only 4.
Vaca says playing now, 70 years and counting -- brings him the same joy he felt as a child.
And it seems to make customers happy, too.
"And thank you," he sings, "for buying from Sal, baloom baloom baloom!"
