Social - June 2003

Catching the craze

Amateur singers heed the karaoke call

By DIANE TURBYFILL, LTN Staff Writer

“You don’t have to call me darlin,’ darlin.’ You never even call me by my name,” Danny “FatBoy” Brooks sings Wednesday night at the Rock Garden.

FatBoy is a regular at the local club, and his fans know him by name. But he still remembers the first time he took to the stage about nine months ago.

“I just wanted to participate,” he says. “I wanted to join in the fun.”

He now visits several of the bars in town at least three times a week, making sure to sing a few songs.

The karaoke phenomenon seems to be gaining momentum in Lincoln County.

“People love to karaoke,” says David Kuss, owner of the Rock Garden. “They like it so much we have it three times a week.”

On Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, karaoke enthusiasts flock to the bar to sing their favorite tunes.

Kuss has hosted karaoke nights since the private social club opened in December 2002. Dianne Wilson, or “the karaoke queen” as Kuss refers to her, runs karaoke at the Rock Garden — providing the equipment and song books.

“She’ll go up to 2 o’clock in the morning for them,” Kuss says.

Kuss has even been known to hop on stage for a duet or trio from time to time.

Just down Aspen Street from the Rock Garden, karaoke rocks the house at Emma’s Sports Bar and Grill on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Owner Wayne Magee says he gets a positive response from his customers.

“They love it. I would never have believed it.”

Emma’s was one of the first places in town to offer weekly karaoke. Crowds have been coming to the local establishment to sing the night away for more than two years.

Magee used to pay an entertainer to come in for karaoke night to run the show. Because of the demand, he eventually purchased karaoke equipment. And it’s put to use.

Magee remembers a night last week when a group of teenagers hosted an impromptu karaoke performance.

“Normally we don’t have karaoke that night. But they got asked to sing, and they got up there for about three and a half hours,” he says. “They had a ball.”

Annette Cummings, co-owner of Crossroads Bar and Grille, says Fridays are her favorite night at the establishment on Cat Square Road.

“I love our karaoke. The lady that does our karaoke is such an entertainer.”

Karen Benfield — who refers to her service as Blonde Karaoke — plays karaoke and dance music on Friday nights at Crossroads.

“It is an expense, but it works out,” Cummings says.

She says Benfield and the customers are featured during karaoke.

“Our customers love it. They get a chance to display their talent.”

While she finds karaoke entertaining, Cummings says she’s not one to take to the stage.

“Oh honey, I can’t carry a tune in a bucket. I wish I could,” she says. “We have some people who come who have beautiful voices.”

Her favorite song to hear is “Margueritaville.”

“The guys usually sing it for me every Friday night,” she says.

Familiar faces can be found at the three bars during karaoke nights.

Many patrons greet and cheer for each other.

Shirley Moore and her friends, Jane Jordan, Teresa Lavasseur and Jean Navey have been enjoying karaoke together for years. Shirley remembers the first time she got up the nerve to sing.

“Dianne (Wilson) kept saying, ‘You got to do it.’ So I got up there and did it, and I love it.”

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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