By "funny accent" I simply meant that a "colorful" commentator on NPR has to sound somehow different from a Noah Adams type voice. The accent, whether regional (Southern, Western) or "foreign," serves as the sign of that "colorfulness." My voice is easily identifiable--it is hoarse, somewhat raucous, uncertain in pitch. My accent is unidentifiable American but not perfect or bland. I have trouble with my "r"s. People I barely know can identify me on the phone--restaurants I order food from frequently don't even ask my name.