Of course Americans are bound to have a different perspective on this accent thing. The use of pseudo American accents is endemic in British Pop/Rock. Here's some examples of how much!!! In the British Pop Idols show, Pete Waterman, one of the judges, criticised - almost ridiculed -one contestants for singing in a Jamaican accent BUT he didn't once critise any singer for singing with an American accent. Why? Because it's the norm. In another talent show, Fame Academy, contestants were given access to a voice coach, and the eventually winner, David Seddon, was told quite clearly, by the coach, to totally suppress his Scottish accent. Now, that isn't healthy!!