Growing up I always loved to sing, and I think that is being singing professionally is actually from both sides of my family. My mother and grandmother also always sang around me in my youth too.

Despite that I actually had a pretty strong aversion to being front and center, the stage fright was horrible for me. Now I relish in it! How did that happen?

Well I started going to karaoke... religiously for many years.

What song gets me in the mood?

Please listen to this while you read!

Channeling that inner Austin Powers gregariousness is my motivation behind this song. I always get in a better mood, and more eager to interact with people through this jam. RIP Quincy Jones!

Why did I start going?

I found myself loving the karaoke environment. I used to think it was the hole in the wall dive bar I went to called Eastside (Den of Evil it used to be), however beyond that I just loved the game of karaoke.

Making others feel seen, have fun, and being an overall hype man. This naturally lead to me covering for the host as well. Now I do it as much as I can.

I wanted to learn how to sing, and to learn how to approach strangers naturally. The karaoke aura was a great ice breaker, as you could simply ask what are you singing/why don't you want to sing. Always able to start a conversation freely.

How do I go about experiencing karaoke?

Southside and Eastside bars (no relation haha) were the main dogs when I started going. Wed for one, and thur/fri/sat for the other. I went every night I could, and given you would get about a song per hour. Then you'd be able to sing 3-4 times a night. I dove right into it, and always tried to push my limits.

Always finding new songs to do, and stretch my voice further. I'm a tenor 2 to my knowledge, and yet I can sing as low as Elvis, and as high as Celine Dion (on a good day). However I mostly stick to Queen/Freddie Mercury most of the time.

As a host I try to keep it as fair as possible. While yes I need money, and I would accept tips. There is a fine line to not cross, and I try not to screw over regulars especially. I've always had a knack for recognizing faces, even if I couldn't remember everyone's name. Thus even semi-regulars would come in and I could make them feel welcomed by remembering them.

What types of bars have I been to?

It all started with a local place that would do it 3 nights a week, only one night when I first started, and even my mom used to go there when she was young.

Over the years more bars have cropped up, or have taken up hosting karaoke nights. Pretty much everything here is western style karaoke, where there is an open space for the whole place to interact. Instead of the eastern style of private rooms for you and your friends.

From a hole in the wall dive bar, to a poppy social club (used to be a speak easy), and even an arcade bar. There have been so many!

My experience outside of my town

I tried looking for karaoke when I went to Vegas or Los Angeles, and yet I couldn't really find any. I was really surprised, and I think I must not have looked hard enough or deep enough. Perhaps in Vegas they are more speak easy-esque type of locales. In Los Angeles I know there are more, but I just wasn't privy to them.

I finally got one of my first experiences in Dallas, and it was interesting with an open wall to the outside into this music festival type area/plaza.

What are some of my go to songs?

Warning this section may get long! haha

At my start I was so known for crooner songs, especially Beyond the Sea or My Way that someone wrote my name in the Sinatra section of the songbook at the time! However Queen has always helped me feel something in my soul, so I usually sing them most. My first song ever was...

Songs I do if it is a new place:

  1. Fat Bottom Girls - Queen (this being my first song I ever did in front of people, my leg was shaking I was so nervous. I try to do it first at new places)

Songs I haven't done in LONG time but I want to

Songs I do if I can hit high notes:

Songs I do if I can hit low notes:

My TOP 3 Karaoke Songs:

  1. Somebody to Love - Queen
  2. Can you feel the love tonight - Elton John
  3. Hot Stuff by Donna Summer or Pour Some Sugar on me by Def Leppard

Honorable Mentions:

What's next? "Closing Time"

While today is not the day to discuss it, I don't go to the original bar I used to go, as they screwed me over not only once but TWICE. However I found a new place that I like going to, and hosting at which is Social Room karaoke.

I hope that the next time I go to Los Angeles or even Vegas, that I can find a place to sing. I was astonished that I couldn't find anywhere the times I went.

I'll be taking over a place here in town as host, and I may even start karaoke at another joint too on another night. More and more karaoke in life!