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Hello. I am a former karaoke addict. How did I kick the habit? Well, you never really kick the habit, if I had the time or money I'd still be going to every hole in the wall to sing Reba.

That's my thing, I sing. I do any sort of contest, from karaoke to talent. I sing, and karaoke gives you the thrill of being on stage for an audience without the huge undertaking of falling flat on your face, and having to move back home to your parents.

I know, I know, when people think karaoke they think of one of two things: Japanese businessmen in suits singing the 50's and 60's hits, or drunks falling off the stage singing some rendition of Hank Williams "Why Do You Drink?"

I'd had my share of nights where the song I'd just put up to sing, was covered by some drunk toothless redneck, who had neither rhythm nor vocal talent. It was awful, they hit notes I'd never thought to hit, and they caused the hair on the back of my neck to stand on end. And, unfortunately it left me standing in sideline frantic to find my next song, and to work it up mentally before hitting the stage.

I've been the front runner at some clubs, the person half the bar loves, and the other half wishes she would never come back. I had a repertoire, I knew exactly which fifteen songs I'd sing the night before, typed up and ready to hand in when I walked through the door.

I used each performance as a personal concert, I had fans, and it felt good. I thought for sure that, any moment a Nashville recording agent would be in the club just aching for their next big star'.

Of course that hasn't happened, and though I can't get on that stage as often, I'm still an addict. I still flinch when someone pops a foul note, I pout in my corner when a person steals one of my' songs. If I have a night where I can go sing just one' song, I'll be there until the cows come home, or the bar closes, whichever comes first.

And although the fans I had now spend their drinking nights crooning over another karaoke star, I still get a rise when I belt "Fancy." I still find women shaking their heads, and clapping their hands when I churn out my own personal version of "Red Neck Woman." And I still love the feel of the applause.

Learn more about this author, Madison Lang.
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