I have had an interest in karaoke for a few years now.
It all started when I saw they were holding a karaoke championship at the Philadelphia club.
I went down (none of my family would go with me).
I sang 'the Wanderer' but the only trouble it was my first time and I was trying to sing into the side of the mike.
Even so, I got a four pack of lager for me troubles.
Anyway a couple of years ago I went to the Dusty Miller at Barlborough with me family. It was New Years Eve and I managed to sing 'Come on Everybody' with what I thought was good style. My eldest daughter confirmed this, but my late wife said I was tone deaf.
I then sang 'Wonder of You' which was in tune. I was lined up to sing number 3, Ring of Fire (which was probably caused by eating too much curry), but it was too near midnight so I missed out.
Anyway to cut a short story long, I got up at the Midland in Killamarsh last night(New Years Eve) and had a go at 'What do you wanna make those eyes at me for' and ' Mac the Knife'. My daughter said I sounded like Rolf Harris on the second song, when in fact I was struggling with me breath because of heavy sinusitis.
I'll probably be having a go at karaoke more often now,as it's become one of me interests to get meself back on track.
So please be gentle on me if you see me at one of your local pubs. As the saying goes :'be good to me I gave blood yesterday'.

Happy New Year to you all.

Alanbro,
I have worked part time as a KJ (the name for a Karaoke DJ) for a couple of years, and can help you with some tips.

Don't wait untill you are tipsy before plucking up courage, you will sing 20 times worse than if you are sober, but will not notice how bad you are. Also drunk punters are extremely tiresome for the KJ.

Don't smoke. Smoking will make your voice lower, and reduce the range your voice has. If you do smoke, don't smoke before you actually sing.

Never sit down while singing. This makes your voice tone terrible, giving you less power/range

hope that helps..

Why not go to DekOne and get your own customised Karaoke disk made with your fave tracks on it. You can practice them at home / car. Then you can take it with you to Karaoke nights and they will be happy to put it on for you. :thumbsup:

I am usually driving when I visit Pubs and I mainly drink things like Coke or J2O. I just enjoy socialising and having a good night out.
I don't smoke, but obviously some pubs still have a smoky atmosphere at times and that can't really be avoided.
My youngest daughter used to have a Goodmans karaoke unit, but she lost interest and sold it on. I never got to use it really.

Thank you so much for your advice, Muddy Coffee, and getting a customised disk is a great idea. I think I was trying to breath too much in between verses and got myself a bit nervous last night.
Regards from Alanbro.

Hi Alanbro,

If you want a karaoke player, I noticed that they're selling them at Blockbuster video for £40.
Those players double as a DVD player for your TV as well.

Looking at your selections. Can I suggest you try some neil diamond. You might find Cracklin' Rosie a good one.

The industry standard format is a CDG (CD plus graphics)also called CD+G. These are normal CDs which will play on every cd player. But only show the simple 16 colour graphics on special karaoke players.

There is another type of format called VCD (Video CD). These ones will play on any computer and most DVD players. This type often show a video in the background.

Ahhh, good ole Karaoke!

I love it, but can never find anywhere that does it. The only place I've ever found it was in the Highcliffe at Greystones a few years back.

In the summer, I went to an all you can eat chinese in Bristol and they had karaoke. Wish some of ours would do it...

" Wok This Waaaaay, talk this waaaay..."

There is karaoke available every night in the fine city that is sheffield. Near me there is The Big Tree On Sunday, The Albion london road on saturday, the old crown on thursday I think, and the Sheaf house on weds.

Miss from Ranmoor -

There's a cracking karaoke not too far away, infact, it's a number 60 bus-ride and short walk to The Shiny Sheff. They've been having karaokes for the last nine or ten years and the quality of singers is very good.

Infact, it's worth going just to see Mike, who briefly 'featured' on X Factor as John Travolta. Honestly, you'll laugh yo ass off!!

Ring up beforehand, but the karaoke usually takes place on Thursday evenings from around nine o'clock. And no, it's not all old'uns up here (although I doubt you'd find me trying McFly's latest pile oh ahem, ahem).

But as I say, do check up. I've recently learned that the landlord got a right old pasting over the supposed 'festive' period....,

i live in fulwood nd get the 60 bus so just wonering where the shiny seff is!!

Originally posted by jswr
i live in fulwood nd get the 60 bus so just wonering where the shiny seff is!!

Shiny sheff is at lodge moor, right opposite the golf club.

For anybody living Killamarsh, Renishaw or Barlborough area(or willing to travel) there is the Midland in Killamarsh which has karaoke on Sunday nights and I think another night during the week. At Renishaw there is the Sitwell Arms which has karaoke on Sunday nights and there's the Dusty Miller at Barlborough which has karaoke, but I'm not sure what nights.
They're the ones I know definitely.

The landlady Pam used to have a cracking Karaoke at the now defunked Nags Head in Shalesmoor. Does anybody know if the Manchester pub that she took over now runs a Karaoke also ?

I love Thursday's at the Shiney, although haven't been up for a while. Next meet venue me thinks :-)

I love karaoke and have been singing for about 10 years now!

Karaoke at the Shiney Sheff is quality and there are some great singers.

The Masons at Crookes used to be good when the landlord was Maltese George, but he's moved on sadly :-( Heard that the Midland is good though - what night's is it on and is Paul Anthony still running the show?

If you've never seen Dave Van Keyes karaoke, you haven't lived. Top entertainment... and he arrested Rita, the cad!

It wasn't Paul Anthony on New Years Eve at the Midland.
He's very good though and he used to have a country music karaoke once a week.
I'll check next time I'm passing the Midland.

I bought a Goodmans DVD player last year and it has Karaoke on it. There are sockets in the front for two microphones which were provided with the player.
I have built up at small collection of Karaoke discs to practice to.
You can send away to a place called KDS and they provided me with a catalogue of titles.
I received another disc a couple of weeks ago.
On it are Running Bear, Stuck on You, Will you still love me tomorrow, Handy Man ( the slow version),Sealed with a Kiss, Poetry in Motion, Let's Dance, I remember you, Pretty Woman and a few more.
My favourite which I have sang in a few pubs is Your Cheating Heart, although I also enjoy singing Wonder of You.
I've not been to karaoke for a couple of months now, but I might get the impulse again this weekend.

A fanatic is where you keep all the programs.
I couldn't go tomorrow so I will try yesterday.

Why not try The Bedroom on West Street, every Sunday.
Launching Bedroom Pop Idle with grand Prize of:

£1000 yes £1000

Watch the forum for updates:

Heats begin Sunday 23rd April.