Karaoke has become very popular over the past decade in the USA. So what is Karaoke? Karaoke is simply singing the words to your favorite song as the words highlight in on a TV screen. The  vocals from each song have been removed and you will now be the lead singer. People can sing individually or in groups.

Where did Karaoke originate? Karaoke originated in Japan over 20 years ago as a form of fun, family entertainment in restaurants and exclusive Karaoke Clubs. It is used as a form of individualism, expressionism and therapy to help reduce stress in their daily routine of life. Karaoke is very popular in the Asian and Philipino cultures and has taken the USA by storm!!

With the popularity of American Idol, people all over the world want to try their hand at singing their favorite songs. Did you know some of the biggest singing stars of today and yesterday use Karaoke on stage so they won't forget the words to their own songs? Elvis Presley used cue cards to help him with his performance in Hawaii. Frank Sinatra, the Chairman of the Board himself, used scrolling words during his later years. Mitch Miller, probably the earliest inventor of Karaoke, used the little bouncing ball to go over words on some of the earliest cartoons. Some of the older adults will remember this form of Karaoke, but it wasn't called Karaoke at the time. It was called sing-a-long. And that's what Karaoke is known as today!!

Did you know that Karaoke is not only for bars? Most people associate Karaoke with Alcohol and bars, but Karaoke is actually enjoyed by people of all ages. I do many events every year where there isn't any alcohol present and people still sing. You just need to give them a reason to sing.  Karaoke is fantastic for children as it helps them with reading and comprehension.

Adults of all ages enjoy Karaoke too. I've performed at some Senior Citizen Homes where men and women in their 70's and 80's sing. I'm always amazed at how well they do!! It just goes to show that,  at any age, at any time of the day, people love to sing. It is a fun form of entertainment!!!

I do not do Karaoke in bars or nightclubs. I am a DJ who has added Karaoke to my DJ service. I do not enjoy the bar scene as I am a non-drinker and non-smoker. I don't have anything against anyone who drinks or smokes, but bars and nightclubs are just not the place I want to do Karaoke. I prefer to do Karaoke at the types of events listed above.

If you've never tried Karaoke before, my best advice is to pick a slow to medium tempo song, something you're very familiar with. You know the one that you like to sing in the shower to? Yes, that one!! Once you've come up to the stage and hold onto the microphone, you'll have some sort of familiarity with the song and your confidence level will be much better. Now, all you have to do is watch the countdown bars and sing-a-long as the words highlight in. You're a star!!

Karaoke can be a fantastic addition for your next event!!

Talent Shows
Singing Contests
 School Dances
Wedding Receptions
Wedding Rehearsal Dinner
Bachelor / Bachelorette Party
Anniversaries
Corporate Events
Fund Raisers
Church Events
Birthday Parties
Military Functions and Formals
College Formals
Senior Citizen Dances
Singles Clubs
Team Building


 

A DJ TO GO features an exclusive Karaoke Library from Sound Choice,  the leader in quality Karaoke accompaniment tracks. I've tried other Karaoke brands, but none compare in quality to Sound Choice.  Sound Choice uses live studio musicians to lay down their tracks, recording each track in the original key and tempo of the artist. Other manufacturers may use a combination of studio musicians and synthesized music. Some may not even record the song in the original tempo. Therefore, the tracks don't sound like you're used to hearing. They may sound very funny and different. I've even seen wrong lyrics, or words spelled wrong displayed on the monitor. That's the difference between cheap Karaoke tracks and Sound Choice.

There are many other differences between Sound Choice and other Karaoke brands. Sound Choice will display the name of the song, artist, and key the song is recorded in. Next, Sound Choice displays how many measures it is to the beginning of the song. On the last measure, Sound Choice displays 4 square countdown bars above the first set of words to be sung. Once that last bar disappears, the words will start to highlight in as that is your cue to sing. All songs have a musical break somewhere in the song. Sound Choice tells you how long the musical break is, and during the last measure, those 4 or 8 countdown squares appear with the next set of words. Again, once those squares disappear, it's time to start singing again. Other cheaper brands of Karaoke will not give you those visual cues. You have to be very familiar with the song to know when to start singing at the beginning and the middle of the song. If you're inexperienced at singing Karaoke, unsure or unfamiliar with the song, it will very difficult for you to keep up with the song you have chosen.

The next time you inquire about Karaoke from another DJ/KJ, ask if they use an exclusive library from Sound Choice. Using Sound Choice Karaoke tracks is another reason why A DJ TO GO is known for quality.
 

To get the party started, no one likes to go first. No need to worry!!! I have a variety of songs I can sing to break the ice. My favorite is singing Elvis songs, as he's had a huge impact on my musical aspirations as I grew up listening to him. I, nor anyone else, can sing or move like him. I can do a pretty good impersonation of him, though!!! How many singing DJ's do you know out there?

Professional Equipment I use:

Shure SLX Series SM-58 Professional Wireless Microphones.

Professional grade Karaoke player, not some player that was meant for home use!!!

Mackie Mixing board for complete control of microphone volume and levels.

Two TV Monitors, one facing the singer's)  and one facing the audience so the audience can follow along to see how easy it is!!!

Bose Premium Personal Amplification Speakers for Professional Musicians