Karaoke Stoker

I am probably one of the most inconsistent karaoke singers out there. I know a lot of people choose certain songs and sing the same ones over a lot. I think that’s great and certainly worth doing for your favorite songs– it helps you to perfect those songs.

Me, I admit I do have a few I sing a lot. I love “When a Man Loves a Woman” by Percy Sledge, it’s my current favorite. I like performing “I’m Too Sexy” and do it probably more than others because I get a lot of requests for it. What can I say? The ladies love to dance to it. I do have a lot of songs that I will sing over and over. There’s always gonna a be a long list of my favorites that I’ll come back to.

My desire to be different and to keep trying other songs is strong. I just feel that there are way too many good songs to sing the same ones too much. There are certain nights or occasions where the right song will just fit the mood or situation perfectly. If I’m feeling naughty, I sing Right Said Fred or maybe “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” by Rod Stewart. If I’m in the country mood I might try “3 Wooden Crosses” or “Good Directions”. My favorite (see above) is good if there’s love in the air. I just find that there’s always some sort of new emotion or event and there’s often a song that meshes with it. That’s the beauty of a great karaoke songbook. I can get lost in it. I can keep on searching all night for the right song. I have to stop myself sometimes to turn in at least something so I don’t miss my turn in the rotation. I just absolutely love picking out songs. There are often little gems in there that are rarely sung.

Finding the diamonds in the rough or picking that right song to fit the night are great accomplishments, but they are only the start of why I’m so diverse. Another main reason why I mix it up is that I will find songs I really enjoy and will connect with. Sometimes I’ll find one that maybe I’m okay at singing and could improve with time. Sometimes I don’t care so much about the performance as I do about connecting to the song. Often, the connections don’t even come during the song… it could be later that night or the next day. Last night for instance, I was so caught up looking up songs that I only sang once. “Radar Love” was it. Now as I sat here moments ago, thinking about that song. I’ve heard it many, many times. But, it clicked just then. You’ll find this sometimes too. You may hear a song or sing it a million times. But, you won’t really connect with it until the time is right. I found what “Radar Love” meant. It’s not just some party classic rock song. It actually now makes me think of someone special. And I realize that this song, along with many others, can have various meanings. That’s why I try new songs, to find new meanings.

The funny thing about meanings is simply just how they can be different. After further study of “Radar Love”, I realize that the song is most likely just about falling in love with songs on the radio. Perhaps, it could also be that he has this temporary love connection with ‘Brenda Lee’ as she sings her song. What do you think? I stated in the previous paragraph that the song makes me think of someone special in my life. Well, when I thought about just some of the lyrics on their own, I took it like the song was about the love of two people being there even while they are away from each other. So, my crazy thinking was that “Radar Love” for me was like me just thinking about someone I cared about brought the love there, beamed from above. That without here there at any point in time, I still felt the same just thinking about her. My point, if I have one at all, is that there isn’t necessarily a wrong meaning to a song as long as you believe it or feel it. What meanings do you get from song of your favorite songs? What about some of those hard to define songs like “Yellow Submarine”? Find the lyrics to it and try this: think about the song, perhaps even write your interpretation of it. Then, think/write new interpretations about it for each of these subjects the song could be about: drugs, death, politics, school, war, homeless or other ideas. See how many this song could mean so many things? And most of the time, the artists and writers leave it open for this reason. They don’t want to close connections that people may otherwise make with their songs. That’s just one beautiful thing about music, songs can mean so much.

In the past few weeks I have had two friends who had karaoke wedding receptions. Oh, and these were not your typical karaoke at the fancy wedding reception. These couples are 30 year olds who were getting remarried, hopefully for the last time. They didn’t want to have big fancy weddings and receptions. So, they had small private weddings. Then, they came to our regular karaoke night and had the reception parties there.

It may sound strange to some, but I think it’s perfectly cool in these situations. These were all my friends and I envy that they found love and are married. And I think it’s flattering to the karaoke group, host, etc. because on their special nights, they wanted to spend it with us like usual. It makes it awesome that they enjoy karaoke so much and being with that group of friends. So, here’s to you guys. I doubt you’ll read this but I wish you all the best.

Most regular karaoke places are bars. So is my regular place. And there is often drama associated with going to bars. Sometimes the drama makes me question myself each night if it’s worth going. And most nights I end up going. Here’s why.

The drama in a bar is often that a friend’s worst enemy shows up. Or friends are mad at each other. Or that couples are fighting. Maybe it’s someone keeps getting hit on. Or even sometimes you find that there are some friends who want to be more than friends. And all kinds of other dramatic episodes. A lot of drama indeed. What does it have to do with karaoke? Well, it has a lot to do with it.

Too much drama may keep people from going karaoke as much as they want. I have decided that there will always be drama but never enough to keep me from going. I have a lot of fun and enjoy meeting new people. Sometimes it seems it’s always the same people and I don’t meet too many new ones. Of course, when it comes to friends and the good people, it’s fine. I enjoy being around them. It’s just meeting new people is exciting. Whether there’s too much drama or not enough excitement, I think it’s still worth going. I still want to sing. I still want to have fun. And so should you. Limit the drama and its effect on you but don’t let it interfere with you having a fun night out. And don’t ever let anything keep you away from your karaoke.

We all do it. It’s the never-ending search for new songs to sing. I like to find new songs that fit my style and voice. It’s funny how I will hear songs on the radio and remember to try them.

Some of the newer ones I’ve tried and how they worked out:
3 Wooden Crosses - Randy Travis: Really like this one and people like to hear the story.
Good Directions - Billy Currington: I’ve actually did this for the first time a few months ago, but not at my usual place. It’s okay.
Nothing But a Good Time - Poison: A very fun song that the girls can dance to. Exactly the kind of song I love to ‘perform’.
Achy Break Heart - Billy Ray Cyrus: Sad this song turned into more of a joke now. But, I really like the lyrics. It’s just the guitar riff that makes it too ‘pop’ that I think ruined the longevity of it being a good song. I enjoyed singing it and its one of few songs I can sing kinda low and sound good at.

Ones I want to try soon:
Bad Day - Daniel Powter: Maybe. I’m thinking of trying it without the falsetto he does.
Paralyzer - Finger Eleven: A very popular more recent song that I think a lot of the younger people would enjoy hearing. It would fit more of my style, how I’d want to be if I was an artist.
Elvira - Oak Ridge Boys: Just for fun because a friend, another usual there, could totally do the oom poppa mow mow.

How about you? Tried any new ones lately you liked, didn’t like? Or are thinking about?

Just in case you were wondering, KAM is accepting story ideas. If you want to write, or want a story written about you or your business, let me know.

Email: jason@karaokeaddiction.com

Looking for stories about:
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Contests coming or results
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Here are some new ‘business cards’ I just ordered. I just got them today too. You can write your songs you normally sing on the back. Let me know if you want some for your singers and/or friends and I will send you some. Just email jason@karaokeaddiction.com.

They turned out really nice, but I didn’t realize that the back was glossy. So, it’s hard to write with pen. You have to use a pointy Sharpie or marker. But, nonetheless, they’re still cool to have and give out.

First off, I have to say that I am very careful about my karaoke collection. I do not own any illegally recorded disks and never will. I think as part of the music industry, it is important to be honest and to make sure revenues go to the parties responsible for bringing us great music.

That being said…

Here are the newest karaoke CD’s I purchased. I bought the first two from ExpressKaraoke.com, so you if like them, you might be able to still find these disks there.

Backstage Karaoke - Today’s Classic Rock Songs: Vol. 4617
1 Black - Pearl Jam
2 Daughter - Pearl Jam
* 3 Jeremy - Pearl Jam
4 Lemon - U2
5 Jessie - Joshua Kadison
* 6 Let Her Cry - Hootie and the Blowfish
7 In the House of Stone & Light - Martin Page
8 So Far Away So Close - U2
9 I’m The Only One - Melissa Etheridge
10 On Bended Knee - Boyz II Men
11 My Sharona - The Knack
12 Cry Me A River - Joe Cocker

Music Maestro - Country Hits of Today Vol. 39 - #6418
1 I Hate Everything - George Strait
2 Feels Like Today - Rascal Flatts
3 Come Home Soon - SheDaisy
4 Too Much of a Good Thing - Alan Jackson
5 Mr. Mom - Lonestar
* 6 Nothing on but the Radio - Gary Allan
7 The Bride - Trick Pony
8 That’s What It’s all About - Brooks & Dunn
9 The Last Thing She Said - Ryan Tyler
10 Awful Beautiful Life - Darryl Worley
11 Jesus Was a Country Boy - Clay Walker
12 It’s All How You Look At It - Tracy Lawrence
13 Goes Good With Beer - John Michael Montgomery
14 Put Your Best Dress On - Steve Holy
15 Days Go By - Keith Urban

All Star Karaoke - Mixed Country Vol. 11 - 2 discs
(from Wal-Mart)
Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace - Big & Rich
* Good Directions - Billy Currington
Tangled Up - Billy Currington
* The More I Drink - Blake Shelton
Online - Brad Paisley
Ticks - Brad Paisley
Oh, Love - Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood
So Small - Carrie Underwood
Wasted - Carrie Underwood
Fall - Clay Walker
Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go) - Dierks Bentley
It Just Comes Natural - George Strait
Measure of a Man - Jack Ingram
* Startin’ With Me - Jake Owen
Another Side of You - Joe Nichols

* Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off - Joe Nichols (CD actually spells ‘clothers’)
Your Man - Josh Turner
Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You - Kellie Pickler
My Angel - Kellie Pickler
Small Town Girl - Kellie Pickler
Things That Never Crossed a Man’s Mind - Kellie Pickler
Rollin’ With the Flow - Mark Chestnut
What Do Ya Think About That - Montgomery Gentry
If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows) - Rodney Atkins
These Are My People - Rodney Atkins
* Watching You - Rodney Atkins
As If - Sara Evans
If You’re Reading This - Tim McGraw
Love Me If You Can - Toby Keith
Just Might Have Her Radio On - Trent Tomlinson

* A handful of my favorites of the bunch

Here’s a new saying for a t-shirt I made up yesterday. I actually made one for myself already. If you want one, send me an email to jason@karaokeaddiction.com and maybe I’ll send you one free of charge.

I have chosen a less-generic and more specific blog title. “Karaoke Stoker”

Why that name? I was brainstorming through a ton of ideas to find something more interesting and unusual than just ‘karaoke blog’. I was looking for plays on words, or rhymes– anything to find an idea. While looking at rhymes for ‘broker’ to rhyme if I did something ‘ (blank) karaoker’, I came upon stoker. Upon review of ’stoker’s’ definition, it became apparent it would be part of the title. A ’stoker’ is someone who tends to a fire.

I found an instant connection to the word. I feel like with this blog that I’m am tending to the fire of my karaoke addiction and hopefully to that of all you readers. Whatever it is that I may write about in this blog, I am keeping the fire going with insight, information and just plain conversation.

Let me know what you think about the new blog name. I will probably add some new design to the blog to fit with the title.

Until next time, keep on with your karaoke.

The place where I fulfill my karaoke addiction the most is at the Colonial Bar in French Lick, Indiana. Each week is hit or miss on how busy it will be. No matter how busy it is, I always have a pretty good time there on Wednesday nights.

The KJ, Cherrie, has been hosting for many years. She does something that I haven’t seen others do before. If you start to come regularly, she will keep an index card for you that has your favorite songs that you sing. And if she sees you in there, you don’t have to fill out a slip. She’ll put you in the rotation automatically and pick a song out for you if you haven’t turned in a new one.

What songs are on my card?:
AC/DC - You Shook Me All Night Long
Right Said Fred - I’m Too Sexy
Beastie Boys - Fight For Your Right To Party
Percy Sledge - When A Man Loves A Woman
John Mellencamp - Hurt So Good
Hootie and the Blowfish - I Go Blind
George Harrison - I Got My Mind Set On You
John Lennon - Imagine
Beatles - Yesterday
Elvis - Blue Suede Shoes
Ben E. King - Stand By Me
and others.

I would suggest all KJ’s out there to have cards to save the songs of their singers. For individuals, I’d suggest making your own card so that you can remember easily the songs and numbers of your best songs.

Until next time, keep on with your karaoke.