SingItIndiana.com

Indy's To Karaoke Nights by Amy Bartner of Indy Metromix, March 3, 2010

(Go directly to the actual article by clicking this link: http://indianapolis.metromix.com/events/article/indys-top-karaoke-nights/1795820/content ) 

Instead of auditioning for “American Idol” — alone, in your basement — Southsider Jason Upham wants you to share your off-key voice with the world.

His new company, SingItIndiana.com, promotes the best karaoke bars/restaurants in Central Indiana and lets you share your experiences the next day on your favorite social networking site.

Using a Facebook site, a Twitter account (@SingItIndiana) and SingItIndiana.com, karaoke lovers can get constant updates, reviews and information.

“I’m promoting shows that are friendly to the karaoke singer,” said Upham, 38. “My ultimate goal is for it to be an Angie’s List for karaoke.”

SingIt Editorial:  For more on Indy nightlife, events and happenings, go to www.indianapolis.metromix.com.  And of course, for great karaoke shows in your area every day of the week, go to www.singitindiana.com.

I have been singing Karaoke since 1999 when a friend of mine asked me to go to a karaoke show at Big Daddies Coffee house on Pennsylvania Street in downtown Indy. I was wondering "do you prefer a show with the old fsahioned song books and song slips turned into the K.J. to secure your rotation spot?" Or "do you trust the new Laptop programs which are  designed to keep your spot in rotation all evening long?" A KJ that has the laptop program has made my karaoke night so much easier so that I can leave my big case of CDs home. I have made a list of songs in my notes on my Samsung Magnet Cellphone that I refer to in order to pick my song selections. I know of two shows here in Indy where the KJ has NO songbooks whatsoever. How do you feel about attending a show like this? One thing i miss is sometimes you might see a group or artist in there that you did not think of to sing. Sometimes the songbook jars your memory of a song you quit singing five or ten years ago and now when you sing it it is like new again. I really wish my favorite host would have a few songbooks just to help remember songs and artists. Without using song slips where you pick the version,  you may end up singing a version that you dislike of that song. Has  anyone been to a show yet with a Songstation Player? I wonder how good quality are they? I also think we should have a giant karaoke convention someday here in Indianapolis and invite all the CD companies and artists to attend and maybe have a  Nattional Karaoke Contest at  the same time. What do you think?

Submitted by Tom Botos

SingIt Editorial:  Tom presents some very interesting questions for us, the karaoke community of Central Indiana.  Please feel free to comment all you'd like and invite friends to comment, even friends who don't belong to this site.  Everyone can leave a post and we invite and encourage you to do so.  Maybe you can help shape the mode and method of karaoke at your favorite show to be a better one.

A Great karaoke comic!!!!

Get Fuzzy

By Darby Conley

If you are planning to have a party or even a wedding, consider having karaoke for your entertainment. You can find some reputable Karaoke companies locally in your phone book or by doing a quick search on the Internet. Word of mouth is another good way to find a reputable person. Asking friends and family of their experiences with that person is a good way to get reviews and find more information about the services provided, fees, quality and variety of music they provide.

Once you have done your research and have gotten a few reviews, you will need to pick two or three you would like to meet with. Give them a call and set up a time to meet so that you may go over any questions and what you have planned for your event. Make sure to ask what equipment will be provided and what you need to do on your end as far as providing proper power outlets and electricity if needed. If you are performing outdoors ask about a generator and the noise associated with it. Also remember to provide a list of songs you wish to have so that the DJ can make sure he/she has them or is able to obtain them in time if possible.

After you have made your final decision it would be a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau to inquire about past business and to see if that specific person has has any issues. After all you do not want to go in and find out later that they won't show up and they have done it before. If all is good call them to set a date and make a deposit. If you are booking a few weeks in advance make sure to give them a follow up call a week or two prior to check on the songs you requested and to finalize any details.

Now that you have your Karaoke DJ booked for your event all that is left is to consider what games you want to add to the party and how you will get your guests to participate. You can also request that your family and friends give you names to songs they would like to sing. Having a karaoke DJ at your even will make it special and unique. It will also give you many memorable moments to think back on.

Karaoke mania is sweeping the world! Have you taken your trip up to the stage yet to belt out your favorite song to those you know and love? If not, you might just find yourself on the singing end of your nearest karaoke system very soon!

So what is this anyway? What's the buzz about the newest karaoke player? What do you need to know to be "in the know" about this latest craze? Here are some facts, figures, lingo, and trivia you may want to know.

Karaoke is a Japanese word, made up of abbreviations of two other Japanese words. "Kara" comes from the word "karappo", meaning empty. "Oke" comes from the word "okesutura", meaning orchestra. So "Karaoke" literally means empty orchestra. Karaoke players play the music of the songs, without the lead vocals. So empty orchestra means you get the music without the voices.

The first system was invented in the 1970's in Kobe, Japan, by Daisuk Inoue, a musician. He leased his player for 100 yen, and Karaoke soon became the fun thing to do. Unfortunately, he did not get a patent for his invention, and someone else went on to patent it under a different name, "Minus-One".

As you see, his Minus-One system didn't catch on near as well as the catchy "Karaoke", so Daisuk still got his claim to fame. Word of Daisuk's new machine spread, and from Japan it has now become wildly popular all across Asia, Europe, and the USA.

Perhaps karaoke players are most popular of all in Finland. Finland holds several world records. They have more karaoke bars per capita than any other place in the world. They hold the world record for the largest amount of people singing the samesong at one time: 80,000 people! What song were they singing? Hard Rock Hallelujah! Finland also holds the world record for the longest round of non-stop singing: 240 hours!  Imagine that! Now you can use your system to come up with new world records!

Karaoke Lingo:

What's a new craze without it's own specialized vocabulary to go with it? Here are some words to know:

Karaoke Player - this is the karaoke machine itself. It plays songs, or music without the words. The lyrics are shown on a monitor so people can still sing the song even if they don't know the words.

Spinning Karaoke - this is cycling on stationary bicycles while singing. What a workout!

KJ - this is the Karaoke DJ. He runs the karaoke system, and gets everyone involved. He adjusts the player to alter the key or the pitch to better match the voice range of the singer, and adds some echo, so that everyone sounds more professional.

Kamikaze Karaoke - In Kamikaze Karaoke, the KJ will choose a pitch number for you, and you have to try to sing the song in that pitch.

Hitokara - means you must sing the song alone.

Karamovie - movie video clips where they leave out the voices

Health Benefits:

And here is great news - karaoke singing releases endorphins! Those are the "happy hormones" that make us feel good!

In addition, singing releases stress and tension, and helps exercise the lungs. So the next time you want to head off to your local karaoke bar, you can feel good about it!

Newest Types of Karaoke Player:

Now you can get Karaoke Ipods, Cell Phones, and DVD Player/Karaoke System combos. China has a Karaoke car. Japan, and now spreading to other countries, has Karaoke Boxes - system/sound-insulated rooms.

Krazy Karaoke Fact:

Jackie Chan sang the opening song for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics - KARAOKE STYLE!

Go figure. Maybe there's something to this after all. You should try it!

By Christine Durham

Christine Durham is the founder of The Song Station Studios. - http://www.TheSongStation.com Imagine having 53,000 karaoke songs inbuilt into one machine... The SongStation is #1 among home karaoke machines with 53,000 karaoke tracks. It is not just a karaoke dvd player. It also plays DVD, CD+G, VCD, & MP3. Find out more today!