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Here's something interesting that may have been posted in the past but I may have missed it since I am pretty new here still!!
How long has everybody been doing the karaoke seen?And maybe throw some of your likes and dislikes to!! This question goes out to everyone involved in the karaoke scene!!!
Myself!! I have been involved in the karaoke scene for about 4 years, so you can call me a rookie!!!!
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My wife and I have been in the karaoke business for 9+ years. We feel we have one of the longest running shows in the country. We have been at the same bar, on the same night, with the same KJ for 9 1/2 years. Our other two shows we have been there for 6+ years. Our company is called, Fun Time Karaoke with "Mizz Liz". Minnesota.
------------------ "You'll never get out of this world alive, ya' just keep karaokin'"
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I've been going on an off for many years, but haven't been able to go on a regular basis until last October when I got my driver's liscence. I regularly go two nights a week.
Posts: 74 | From: N.W., B.C. Canada | Registered: Mar 2000
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Singer for four years end of next month. In 96' had my first experience with karaoke at family reunion. Sang off the DK 1-99, set. First song was "If" by Bread. First song at karaoke bar "End Of the World" Skeeter Davis. Two months later purchased a portable system. A year later bought the Pioneer V-10.
Karaoke improved my singing voice. It gave me interest in other types of singing too. I have been in various choirs and performed some solo's. Took voice last year for about 7 months which helped too. Would like to take more voice, if I can afford to.
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when i was tired of the band scene in late 1990 i became interested in karaoke and by jan 1991 i started my karaoke business.
Posts: 1898 | From: DuBois, PA | Registered: Jun 1997
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I started singing karaoke early in 1992 just after my 21st birthday. First song was "You've Got it All" by the Jets (Pioneer Laserdisc). I discovered country music in 1994 because some misquided soul told me I looked like Trisha Yearwood (I get that a lot) and at the time I had no idea who she was so I made it my business to find out. I've been hooked on country ever since. My friend Joanie has been doing a karaoke show at the same bar for at least as long as I've been doing karaoke (I think) and has had her own karaoke business for over 10 years.
Posts: 139 | From: Baltimore, MD USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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A good KJ friend of mine and his wife just ended an 11 year continuous run every Saturday night at the Holiday Inn in Toms River, NJ back in February. They were sold out to a lesser quality (my opinion) KJ for what I understand were unscrupulous reasons. I was at their first show in Jan of 1989 and at their last show in Feb of 2000. That had to be one of the first shows around.
------------------ Don Cook aka Harry Karaoke Creative & Unique DJ/KJ Entertainment
Posts: 123 | From: Ocean County, NJ, USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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I began singing karaoke in the early 1990's. My husband started first, his hobby later became my occupation. My first song was "The Banana Boat Song" (Day-O). I wanted a song that no one else had sung, something different so no one could compare how I did to anyone else. I was decent. I have learned a lot over time/singing technique. A voice developes over time, with practice comes greater ability. I am still listening and learning and I will never stop. I became a KJ in March of '97. The rest is history. I love my job, so many wonderful singers teach me so much, so many new songs!
Posts: 542 | From: Mobile, Alabama, USA | Registered: Jan 2000
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I started about 5yrs ago. I have been doing stand ins for coutry bands in my area for the last 2yrs. and have enjoyed doing this to improve my vocals. I have now done so much that it has opened the door for me to finally get into a recording studio to cut my own songs. Iguess I should thank Soundchoice for having starting my possible career in music. If it wasn't for them I wouldn;t have this chance at all. I guess a little that soundchioce makes these disc for us at affordable prices so the working class people can by them. THANKS
------------------ cal
Posts: 1 | From: boynecity,mi usa | Registered: Aug 2000
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My wife and I started attending shows in 1990 and purchased our first home unit soon after. By 1992 we had a larger selection in our basement than most kj's did who were running shows. From 1992-93 we rented our equipment to a local kj every Fri and Sat. After he screwed a couple of clubs and started to "forget" to pay us on a regular basis we cut him off. By the end of 1993 we were asked by a couple places if we would run the shows as they knew we owned the equipment. We now have 3 rigs with 9000 to 19000 cut selections plus a dj rig. We now have invested over $65000.00 and this has turned into a 3rd business for us. (My wife owns a veterinary practice and I also own a computer network company .)
Posts: 64 | From: Saylorsburg, Pa USA | Registered: Sep 1999
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I started singing Karaoke at the Amiga World Fair in October 1991, where they showed the Commodore CDTV (the first CD+G player available here). My first song, I think, was "Careless Whisper" by George Michael. What I like about it is that anyone gets the possibility of getting on stage and sing a little bit, without having gone through selection stages etc. In this it's a little like the Internet... What I dislike is that lately, in my area, the quality of Karaoke shows has decreased. Nobody seems to be interested in putting up a good Karaoke show anymore, they're all out for the money instead. You see poor adjusted equipment, or poor equipment itself, unfair rotations, hardly understandable announcements, late beginnings and thus shows with very few people all over the place.
Posts: 428 | From: Vienna, Austria, Europe | Registered: Apr 1999
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Ahhhh...I remember when we first started going to karaoke shows, watching people get up and sing. We were sooooo amazed at the talent! We used to bow and scream "We're not worthy" to coin a phrase.
Today, we expect good singers and quality amateur talent. Even the worst singers (in their beginnings) have become proficient through shear repetition and practice (including me!) To finally get yourself together enough to stand in front of a room full of friends and strangers could just about kill you.
The benefits of karaoke singing are vast, however. It does build confidence and people end up making friends they never thought they would make because they already know your name! Have you ever noticed that karaoke bars are some of the most friendly places you'll ever be in? Someone you don't even know will come up and shake your hand or pat you on the back and say "Great job!"
As time wears on, we all become a little jaded. We forget to applaud for every singer regardless of their talent. We forget how difficult it is to stand up there and sing to a crowd of strangers, because we have already conquered our fears. We take potty breaks when we see "Summer Nights" for the umpteenth time come up on the screen. And yet, it still gets uproarious applause in the end.
Karaoke is a social event not to be missed. No wonder we all get addicted!
Posts: 429 | From: Lincoln, NE USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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I was reminded not too long ago that I have been singing karaoke for more than 10 years. That, of course, is back in the days of laserdisc ONLY.
It happened after a Friday night bowling match. My team and I had gone to the bar for a celebratory drink. And after sufficient suds, I was convinced to try a song. My first: "Strangers in the Night" by Ol' Blue Eyes. And when the crowd started clapping when I hit the "doobie doobie doo," I knew I was hooked...
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Started singing in 1988 singing on Singing Machine 8 tracks then cassette tapes that same year. Began working for a company that had been doing karaoke in California in a restaurant chain called Carlos Murphys. They started business in 1984! I worked for them for 2 years, then started my own business as Stage Fright Entertainment still used tapes until 94 and switched from Sound Choice tapes to their CD+Gs....
[This message has been edited by fdcat (edited August 07, 2000).]
Posts: 176 | From: Orangevale, CA USA | Registered: Sep 1999
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Well, I guess the very very first time I experienced Karaoke was about 6 years ago when I was 24.
I went to this bar in California called "The Bicycle Club". It was the first Karaoke place I went to. I didn't know much about it at all. I definately wasn't going to go up there. I started talking to this guy sitting at the bar for awhile, and he told me "Oh, my turn is up." I watched him get up on stage, and he sang "New York, New York." I couldn't believe it! He was absolutely amazing! He quietly sat back down next to me again, and I couldn't just believe what happened. He acted like it was no big deal, but to me it was like something from the Twilight Zone.
A few months later, I had the chance to do it. There were only 3 people at this place, so we were just kind of screwing around. I sung "Do You Think I'm Sexy?" by Rod Stewart. It was horrid! I tried some others, but they were all bad. I gave up and didn't try again for a few years later, when by friends kept proding me to get up there (even threatening to put in a song in for me ... of their choice!).
Well, by trial and error, I found my voice range that fit me. Now I've tried about 250 songs... 200 good ones, and 50 stinkers.
Posts: 1487 | From: Irvine, CA, USA | Registered: Jun 1999
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quote:Originally posted by KLynB: I've only been participating for seven months. It never occurred to me to go out and sing until my therapist suggested I find something fun to do in which I could meet people. I've enjoyed singing for a long time, but, for whatever reason, I never tried karaoke (okay, the lack of driver's license is one reason). Everyone I know says it's helped me a lot; one person even called me an extrovert I just performed my 100th song this evening and hope to do most of the catalog.
quote:Originally posted by Doug Oswald: My wife and I have been in the karaoke business for 9+ years. We feel we have one of the longest running shows in the country. We have been at the same bar, on the same night, with the same KJ for 9 1/2 years. Our other two shows we have been there for 6+ years. Our company is called, Fun Time Karaoke with "Mizz Liz". Minnesota.
Where exactly is your show? I think i may have sung at it a time or two if i'm not mistaken just curious.
------------------ LIFE IS TO SHORT... live everyday a though it is your last, love always as though it is your first and sing like no one is listening
[This message has been edited by Jayelsea (edited August 09, 2000).]
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Yours truly has been spreading the good word of karaoke since 1988. Starting in 1996 I began hosting my own shows. Started in Buena Park at a tiny pizza parlor and now am performing all over. I currently have weekly gigs at junior high schools, city sponsored teen programs and of course local watering holes.
Posts: 110 | From: Santa Fe Springs Cal.cou | Registered: Aug 2000
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That's just what I love to hear Metalroke. I was so tired of people saying karaoke was only for bars. My first wedding cermony had a hard time accepting the thought that a karaoke was providing the service music and church vocalizing, til they saw how nice it was!
I had searched for a children's venue until late, besides just doing parties. I have one that has bought the equipment so I can come in before my club gigs and bring my discs. I have kids coming up to me to talk to the karaoke lady in school, restaurants, the malls. Or say they say, hey mom that's the lady who does "OUR" karaoke. It is very rewarding.
I find that the kids like the multiplex discs best so they have "someone" to sing along with. It helps out for the little ones who know songs but are too young to read, too. They are not bad with the equipment and less destructive than many drunken adults. It's giving the kids an opportunity to do karaoke.
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I just performed my 100th song this evening and hope to do most of the catalog.
