It's easy to stumble to a karaoke venue drunk or get dragged in through peer pressure. You drink some more. A little liquid courage has encouraged many a body to get up and sing. Even at the coercion of friends, coworkers, and family members, it's not hard to get pushed into the spotlight. Some people loathe karaoke. They can't stand the idea or the sound. Others adore it! Guess which category I fall under? I've been going a very long time. I seek it out. I figured out a long time ago, that on any given night from Sunday to Thursday, the bar's usually slow and off nights, there would be a karaoke spot somewhere in every town EVERYWHERE. I've attended in many different cities, states, and even countries.
I remember back when karaoke, like Country, wasn't cool. In most of the country, it STILL isn't cool. However, it's picking up steam and is no longer for the random piano bar with it's gay, elderly and/or Asian persuasions. Oh no, karaoke has become its own leviathan. It is a monster unto itself! It is all consuming. It is demanding. It is challenging and at times VERY gratifying. It satisfies that need deep down inside to be recognized, to be famous if but for a fleeting moment only. It stimulates your imagination. It boosts your morale and self esteem. It is therapy for many and cheaper than a shrink. It is an addiction for others and hard to stop once bitten by it. For some, like myself, it's a predilection. Those called to it are relentless. There is a reason they call us "fans." The word is derived from fanatic. Fanatic is not too far from lunatic. We just have more focus on what we decide we are crazy about.
Have you ever run the gamut 2 weeks in a row not missing a night of karaoke because you broke up with your boyfriend? Have you ever hit up 5 or more karaoke spots in one night in an attempt to achieve a new personal best or to celebrate a birthday? Karaoke bar hopping is my favorite sport. Have you ever been handed homework, studied, practiced, and dressed up for an event like a show? Well, that's how karaoke has evolved. It is no longer just a passive sport. There are costumes, instruments, elaborate set ups, teams, musical theme nights, air bands. It takes audience participation, but at some venues this requires more effort. That's where the factions, addicts, and groupies come in. As a karaoke jockey your following is almost your pay to play as a musician. You draw the crowd, the bar makes money, they pay you, AND you make tips. That's how it works.
Each karaoke jockey or KJ has a following no matter how large or small. There is always a group or table of regulars that will attend every night of the week some multiple nights a week to show love and support. KJ's will post themes online of what musical concept they expect their minions to choose appropriate songs for them to download and have available for them to sing if they aren't on their list already. Other special nights, it might be a type of group of people from a specific industry that will attend once a month at a new karaoke venue every time. It could be a specific band that the KJ assigns everyone must sing from and learn. There might be elaborate staged and semi organized teams who dress in costume, come in character, and set up props for a song. These dedicated people who have devoted their night lives to this pursuit entertain as well as encourage each other.
I hope to see you there and know you'll want to join the circus yourself. Catch the fever!
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