by Frank L. Parker

Created on: August 01, 2009

The story of the "karaoke fad" begins in its country of origin, Japan, where karaoke has had a long and respected history. Originally designed for upscale and overworked salary men to blow off steam and relieve stress after a grueling sixteen-hour work day, karaoke has since morphed into a worldwide cultural icon, appealing to young and old alike. In Japan, the word "fad" does not apply to karaoke as it is so engrained in the culture, where 95% of bars feature karaoke both at the bar itself and in the more recently popular "karaoke box," where singing is done with a group of friends in a private room isolated from the bar crowd. There are no "KJs" (karaoke-jockeys) in Japan because the bars are designed and built with karaoke in mind, and many are computer controlled with uniform song menus throughout the country.

Where karaoke was already wildly popular in Japan more than 25 years ago, here in the USA, the karaoke craze began to hit its stride in the 1990s, and the term "fad" is applicable, as karaoke appeals to a quite large but segmented group of people. There are some who are not fans of karaoke, although I can't imagine why, and not every bar in the U.S. offers it. The bars and lounges that do have karaoke generally offer it on a night-by-night basis requiring a "KJ" to set up for a "show." The "KJ" is largely the focal point of the evening, and is responsible for setting up the equipment, making the song menus and request slips available, playing the discs, ensuring a fair song rotation, and keeping the crowd entertained and motivated even when a less-than-good singer has just finished a set.

Currently, what makes this fad so popular with so many here in America? Put simply, it's fun. Karaoke is like a pseudo-concert that you can enjoy as an audience member, a singer, a dancer, or all three. You never know what song will be up next, and the song menus are often diverse enough to appeal to everyone. Love songs, rock, pop, rap, hip-hop, novelty songs, show tunes and TV show theme-songs, are all there for the singing!

What kind of singers can you expect to find on a karaoke night?

The great singer. For the individual singing in front of a bar filled with friends and strangers alike, it is a way to highlight your vocal talents and get the instant approval of your peers with thunderous applause, and sometimes free drinks. No, you're not Beyonce, or Neil Diamond, or Madonna, but if you can skillfully sing one of their songs and draw the attention

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