Carrie-Okie

No, that’s not going to be my nickname if I ever move to the Sooner State.

I’m talking about Karaoke...that thing you absolutely love...or that thing that turns your Friday night bar trip into a living hell.

If you’re in the latter group, you might want to move along.

This is for those of you who enjoy karaoke-ing to the max. It’s a tribute, and some tips for making the most of the phenomenon that lets us all be rock stars. My only real qualification to dole out advice is my own love for singing and music...and the 9 or so months I spent DJ-ing karaoke in Springfield.

If you find a good venue to karaoke, it’s the best...a place where the audience is supportive, everyone claps and cheers...and the DJ’s know how to keep up a fast rotation of newbies and regulars is what I’d look for.

My friend Robert and I rocked the karaoke captain gig for awhile at what used to be the sushi bar next to what used to be Traffic on Walnut Street. We seriously had a magical little karaoke family that gathered every Friday night. 

We had a good bunch of MSU students, great singers, and fun characters. We would just get that whole place dancing. Every week we led a bar-wide sing along to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The word “epic” is grossly overused these days, but I think that would be the only way to describe that experience. I still get a little misty-eyed when I walk by that little bar.

Now that my karaoke cred has been established, I’ve got a few tips for those of you who enjoy rocking the mic:

Find a Good Place: I mentioned this above. I haven’t tried everywhere in town, so I hesitate to list some...maybe there’s a gem I haven’t discovered yet. But the key to having fun is to find a place with people who are there because they enjoy karaoke too. Cheap beer is also a plus.

Song Choice is Important: YOU may be super pumped that the song list includes a little known song by an obscure band you love. If it means a lot to you, by all means, SING IT. But don’t expect people to jump up and dance.

If love from the audience is important to you though, you’ll need to pick a popular tune. Feel out the room and figure out what’s getting a response. I did not know there was a U.S. Karaoke Alliance...but apparently there is, and they’ve got a list of the top 500 karaoke songs of all time.

Know Your Stuff: You don’t have to know all the words to the song you want to sing...that’s the point of the little screen! But you should at least know the flow, melody, and rhythm of the song. If you don’t, you’ll screw up and get embarrassed.

Many of us only know the first few lines or chorus of a song, but aren’t sure how the rest of it goes at all. I’ve seen this happen with the song, “Ice Ice Baby” so many times! Yeah, yeah...”STOP! Collaborate and listen...” However there’s about 3 minutes and 45 seconds of more rapping that few people know, and they end up standing up there and struggling through it.

Speaking of the Words on the Screen: If you’re so drunk, you can’t read them...just stay in your seat, please.

Do Unto Others: If you are there for the karaoke...and you want people to sing along with you and cheer you on...do the same for them!

And Finally, It Doesn’t Matter if you can Sing...Just Get Into It! I mean it! Yes, some chick with an amazing voice is going to go up there and sing “Black Velvet,” and it will make you jealous that you don’t have the pipes. But, hey, Know your Limits and pick something that doesn’t require Mariah Carey-like vocal prowess, and then don’t be shy. Get into it and belt it out! You’ll sound better if you’re less nervous, and you don’t know most of the people in the audience, so you’ve got nothing to lose! Pretend you’re singing in the car.

This is all coming from someone who adores music, and loves to sing. I, however, was not given the gift of a golden voice, but when I step up to the mic and sing “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” I’m a star for a few minutes.

Hope to hear you singin’ around town soon!