by Johnny Slade

Created on: April 25, 2008   Last Updated: May 05, 2008

It was a boring Monday night sometime in 2001 when a few friends and I decided to go out and about in the local suburb of Chandler, Arizona. We stopped by a nearest bar and by great coincidence, it was Karaoke night and we thought, sure, why not? There was probably about 20 to 30 people in the bar and the vibe was upbeat enough so we settled in with a few pints. I've always known to be able to carry a tune, not great but sufficient enough to not annoy everybody's eardrums and I've barely prioritize my singing skills because my main instrument is the guitar and that'd been the instrument of my duty in the many bands that I've been involved in. Since I have always had the reputation of the musician amongst friends, I was the obvious first candidate to get up on the microphone and I readily accepted to have a little fun though I was unsure of my pipe range and I was a little raspy being a little buzzed from the drinks(I am not condoning any alcoholic influence to have to do karaoke but it does go hand in hand, if you do drink, please be responsible!). Anyhow, although I would've normally picked a Beatles song, I didn't, Instead it a song by The Doors ("Break on through") because I surprisingly thought(being under the influence and all)that Jim Morrison's range is quite low, relaxed yet belts it out at the same time.

I remember after hearing my name announced on the P.A. speakers, I felt a little bit of chill at the back of my neck even though I already consumed plenty of "Liquid" courage, and at the same time I thought "this is for a barrel of laughs make it comedic if you can't pull it off". I started to sing and it came to my surprise, my Morrison impression was dead on and vocal range was perfect! Having knowing the song well, I did not need the guidance of the screen for the lyrics or transitions, I had my eyes close most of during the song to focus on my singing but I could hear the crowd going wild with their screams and cheers. It was a blast and the compliments after I was done kept on flowing beer from a tapped keg. Afterwards, a couple of strangers bought me drinks along with a "You rock!" or "Have a drink on me, Mr. Morrison!" compliments, one of them became a date a week later but, (ahem) that's a different monologue of its own (nudge,nudge,wink,wink, know what I mean? say no more!).

Anyway, I've never realized my actual singing skills and potential until that night and as I've said before, I was way to busy sharpening my chops with the guitar and barely bothered with the singing part of music. Karaoke helped my confidence with singing and opened a new potential skill. Bottom line is that it is all good clean fun and Karaoke is for everybody skilled or not skilled. Having the guts to get up and sing in front of people is a very commendable way of just showing that you are having a blast and you don't care what anyone thinks because you are having such a good time!

Learn more about this author, Johnny Slade.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.