By Tammy Roberts

Staff writer

Roberts@hometownnewsol.com

If your daily commute takes you through the beachside area, you've surely seen him.

By name, Michael Snuffin may not ring a bell.

But his signature black hat, intersection energy and sign-holding guitar skills have turned this local teen into a roadside rock star.

Michael, 19, left his home in east New Jersey last February to move to Satellite Beach with his girlfriend, Chanel Clayton, and her family.

About a month later, he responded to an advertisement that the Little Caesars Pizza in Indian Harbour Beach was hiring.

"They said they didn't need anyone to make the pizzas right now; they just needed someone to stand outside and hold a sign," Michael said. "I told them that I could do a lot better than that."

Since that day, Michael has been entertaining vehicles at the intersection of Eau Gallie Boulevard and South Patrick Drive five days a week.

"I work from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.," he said. "So, I get a lot of the rush-hour traffic."

While his job description only entails the occasional wave and sign twirl, advertising the chain's Hot-N-Ready pizzas, Michael puts a little more personality into his profession.

"I just like to go out there and have a good time," he said.

Each shift, Michael pops in his iPod and a pair of headphones and jams out to the likes of Metallica, Lincoln Park and Disturbed - using his sign as a guitar.

During his performances, Michael has been known to do jumps off the nearby street posts, give hi-fives to passengers in stopped cars and even take requests.

"I guess you could say I've really started to generate a fan base," he said.

The Little Caesars staff was so pleased with Michael's work ethic that they presented him with a token of appreciation - a custom-made sign in the shape of a guitar.

"It even has a strap," Michael said, as he played for his audience of beachside drivers. "It's a lot easier to play this way."

Brandon Watson, manager of Little Caesars, said he couldn't be happier with his newest employee.

"Whatever he does out there has been great for business," Mr. Watson said. "Everybody that comes in here mentions Michael. He's an awesome worker and a great guy."

Michael's growing fame opened up another job opportunity for him last month as a sign holder for another pizza venue in Satellite Beach.

"I'm always on the lookout for other openings," he said.

Some afternoons, Michael's girlfriend will visit him on the curbside, rolling her eyes as Michael exercises his "right to rock," as he calls it.

As for Chanel's thoughts on her boyfriend's musical antics:

"She thinks I'm crazy," Michael said, and then turned to his audience for one more set.

Curb appeal

Name: Michael Snuffin

Age: 19

Profession: Little Caesars sign holder with a "right to rock."

Best part of job: "Entertaining the people."

Worst part of job: "The heat."

Favorite Little Caesars pizza: Square pan with pepperoni and green peppers.

Hobbies: Guitar Hero, skateboarding, wrestling.

Future aspirations: To start a wrestling school.