It's Saturday night and a guy who calls himself Mr. Charley is belting out Frank Sinatra tune, telling us "That's Life."
After Mr. Charley sits down, a young women with purple hair gets up to sing an Adele song.
She's followed by lady yodeling "I Wanna be a Cowboy's Sweetheart" — it is so unexpected, and so well done, that the crowd goes wild.
Welcome to Karaoke. If you have a song in your heart, you can sing it out. Or, you can just be a fan.
In every city and every burg, there is someplace you can sing along to your favorite tunes — or watch someone else do it. There are good singers, and bad singers, familiar tunes and some you forgot or never knew. Regulars fans get to know the singers and each other. It is like a weekly social event.
If you haven't been to karaoke, you can search online for events in your area. Smaller venues, usually bars, have a more intimate audience. Bigger venues tend to attract better singers, but can be more impersonal. Show up early to get the best seats. When the show starts, applaud every singer and give newbies encouragement.
If you want to try out your vocals, practice at home first. Rehearse a high energy song and a slower song. The later it gets, the less likely that a long, slow ballad will be appreciated. You can listen and practice your songs on sites such as Sunfly or Ameritz.
When you get to the venue, you will give your name and song to the karaoke DJ. These days, most every song is available, but in some cases the choice can be limited to songs listed in a book.
When you are called to the front, sing with confidence, and when finished go immediately to your seat. Making a speech to the audience or lingering up front is frowned upon.
