How one Axel character showed the best and worst of karaoke
09/09/2007
by KindnKaring - A Writer from Helium.com

My first experience was the best and worst of karaoke. I had been on the down and out for quite awhile dealing with a lot of personal issues and a few money problems. One evening, some friends decided I needed to get out. Why in the world would they want to go to karaoke? Being put down or having to be told how someone else was better than me was not my idea of entertainment. In the end, I went along. I was craving a new experience and besides who wants to sit at home on a Friday night?

When we first arrived, we ordered some drinks. The place was packed, but we managed to find a table towards the back of the room. My friends immediately open the song list and began discussing which ones to pick. I, however, began to take interest in a table of about twenty mismatched people in the front of the room. All of them were laughing, having a genuinely good time together, and praising each other. I was astonished that even the elderly lady (who must have been in her eighties) seemed to delight in her surrounding and the various performers. I would never catch my grandparents anywhere near a place like that!

I had performed in front of hundreds of people for over ten years being a former performance major, but the idea of singing in public was absolutely terrifying. I spent an absurd amount of time singing in the car or the shower, but had never gotten the nerve up to actually sing in front of anyone. My friends tried really hard to get me up there, but there was no way I was getting out of my seat. I sat and watched as my friends sang their selections and enjoyed discovering the confidence and contentment that appeared on their faces when they sat down. I soon discovered that some of them really could sing and were a real joy to listen to.

One of our male friends could have easily been described as the most exited person in the room. It was the happiest I had ever seen him and the anticipation was growing to the point he was physically shaking. He had to be really good at it to enjoy it that much! In the five years I'd known him I had never seen him like this. Finally, the KJ called his name. He strutted up the stage as the first few bars of a guitar rock song started up. He was definitely creative.

There were notes coming from him that I didn't know existed in the human world. He was dancing, jumping, leaning into the mike, and screaming. It was as if he had suddenly turned into Axel Rose on steroids! He was one of my best friends and I tried really hard not to appear horrified or start to laugh. As I looked around the room, I noticed that everyone in the room was laughing. The elderly lady was laughing so hard, she was wiping tears from her eyes with one hand and holding her stomach with the other.

It was absolutely hilarious, but at the same time, I felt terrible for him. The poor guy was pouring his heart and soul into his song. You could tell that this was one of his favorite past times. He had even bragged on the way over about how good he was at it. The poor guy was now living my own worst nightmare! When he finished, I was astonished. Everyone cheered loudly and told him how wonderful he was. Some of the spectators even asked him what song he was going to perform next. The first thing he said to me when he sat back down was "what did you think?" I froze. I told him the truth. I told him it was by far the most entertaining performance of the night. I was somewhat confused. What would have been number one on my "life's scariest moments" list was one of the greatest thrills.

Out of the blue, I heard my name through the speaker. My face went white. My body shook with nerves. One of my friends had decided that it was time for me to "let loose". "Besides" she said, "what difference does it make if you can't sing?" I looked around the room one more time and she was right. What did it really matter? At that moment I discovered that the entire idea behind karaoke was not "who is the best singer" or "who can out sing who", but rather what you take away with you. I had spent too much time looking at music as a job rather than the expression, confidence, and creativeness that had gotten me started in music in the first place.

I stood up, let out my breath, and walked towards the front. One look at "Axel", and I let loose. After it was all over, I braced myself. In a room of approximately 60 people, there was complete silence. My heart sank. Then, I heard the best applause ever. Not only had I over came one of my biggest fears, but I didn't have one single beer mug tossed my way. Do you know what? It was one of my most memorable moments that I still think of to this very day.

After that night, I began to attend on a weekly basis. I also began to sit with the people at the front of the room. It was nice to take time every week and build a little confidence, make some new friends, and just forget about the world full of problems. There is no better feeling in the world than being creative and having it accepted by others. karaoke creates an atmosphere that allows one to get that little bit of attention and stardom that we all secretly look for without seeming selfish or suffering any permanent ill effects. Once in a while, you will encounter an angry and bitter person who can't seem to keep rude comments to themselves, but they never seem to stay very long. The "best" of karaoke does far outweigh the "worst" that appears, and most times the "worst" of karaoke is all in how you look at it.