Mark Bialczak

Home | Pages | Archives

If you want to sing in public badly enough, you can

May 4, 2015 9:51 am

Missy Reese sings at karaoke night at Village Lanes in East Syracuse, N.Y.

Missy Reese sings at karaoke night at Village Lanes in East Syracuse, N.Y.

I enjoyed judging the karaoke contest Saturday night at Village Lanes in East Syracuse.

The nine singers who signed up ranged in talents, certainly, from very good to very brave.

That’s one of wonderful things about karaoke. Anybody who wants to sing can. It’s really the great equalizer.

You don’t have to be great. Maybe you just have to want to be great. A legend in your own mind, perhaps. Or maybe just somebody who wants to get better and better and better singing. Or somebody who likes to wail and doesn’t care about the consequences?

I wrote about the phenomena that won’t go away for my weekly Mark It Up community blog for Syracuse Public Media site waer.org. If you’d like to read my story, click the link below.

http://waer.org/post/karaoke-keeps-going-strong-including-contest-village-lanes

By the way, Missy Reese, the singer I caught in my picture above, was one of the good ones. She took one of the four slots to advance to the next round of the competition.

Do you enjoy watching friends or family sing karaoke, and if so, why? Do you enjoy watching strangers sing karaoke, and if so, why? Would you rather sing in the shower, in the car, or at a karaoke night, and why?

Share this:

Posted by markbialczak

Categories: Entertainment, Freelance

Tags: , , , , , , ,

65 Responses to “If you want to sing in public badly enough, you can”

  1. I love singing karaoke, but only after a beer to calm my stage fright. 🙂 Or else I can do fine with my eyes closed. 🙂

    Like

    By rachelcarrera on May 29, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    1. When you visit we’ll have two drinks and sing, Rachel, single and duet. OK?

      Like

      By markbialczak on May 29, 2015 at 7:49 pm

  2. A friend hosts a weekly karaoke night and we attend as a family most weeks. My husband and I sing regularly and the kiddo will jump in now and then. I have actually been doing it for years. My ex-husband had a friend that ran karaoke in multiple bars where we lived and we would join her a couple of times a week (pre-motherhood, of course). When I started, I had to have a drink to calm my nerves….but once I got pregnant and couldn’t do that, I had to learn to do it on my own. Now I can stand at the mic and belt it with the best of them……or at least the loudest of them.

    Like

    By Storm Chaser on May 6, 2015 at 2:38 pm

    1. Way to go, SC! Loud is good, I think. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on May 6, 2015 at 5:53 pm

  3. I’ve only been to a few Karaoke bars but enjoyed them. I did end up singing at one after too much to drink and with a partner. Ha! I don’t remember much. neat that you got to judge Mark. that would be fun. Did Karen join you?

    Like

    By Paul on May 5, 2015 at 10:55 pm

    1. Karen did not join me that evening. It was the same day as the Crawfish Festival, and she chose to attend that event in the afternoon, so instead wanted to stay home and unwind from her long work week on a Saturday night. Can’t say I blame her, though I’m sure she would have been thoroughly entertained.

      Like

      By markbialczak on May 6, 2015 at 9:31 am

  4. Gee, no one ever asked for my autograph except the cop who gave me a ticket once., um, maybe it was a couple of times bro Mark. I guess I coulda been famous if I had signed that contract, but just too afraid. I got my 15 minutes of fame with Skynard though, and every Sunday morning behind the mic in church, shielded by my Martin D78. I also wanted to play the violin badly, and I was an over-achiever there. The family banished me to the barn, but the cow went dry after I practiced there for a few days, so I had to go back to the end of the cornfield. We had a lower yield of corn that year. Tried moving in with my grandparents, both deaf, but the neighbors complained and there were visits from the police, so I finally decided that just wasn’t my thing and traded it for my first guitar. Good decision.

    Like

    By Kentucky Angel on May 5, 2015 at 6:11 pm

    1. I wonder what what have happened if you would have signed and toured with Skyhyrd, sis Angie. Nah. If you don’t wonder, I won’t eitther.

      Like

      By markbialczak on May 5, 2015 at 10:44 pm

      1. Actually, I would probably be dead bro Mark. That night was about a month before the fatal plane crash where so many of his band were killed.

        Like

        By Kentucky Angel on May 6, 2015 at 8:15 am

      2. Oh, gosh, sis Angie. Well, life had you make the proper decision.

        Like

        By markbialczak on May 6, 2015 at 9:41 am

  5. I sing (poorly) with a lot of heart, as they say 😀 I sing at church, in the car, in public when it will embarrass my children, and while watching The Voice. Speaking of, if I just believe in myself…believe that I will hit that high note…I will…in fact, I believe in my voice so much I’m pretty much going to be a very famous singer very soon. Do you want my autograph now before I hit the big time?

    Like

    By Angie Mc on May 5, 2015 at 4:56 pm

    1. I want it now, and I want it again then, too, Angie McFly! OK? Deal?

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on May 5, 2015 at 5:26 pm

      1. Deal 😎

        Like

        By Angie Mc on May 5, 2015 at 6:00 pm

  6. Hey there Judge. I sing a lot in my car when sober, in bars when not. I am a die-hard Gladys Knight, without the Pips. ☺ Van

    Liked by 1 person

    By vanbytheriver on May 5, 2015 at 9:37 am

    1. Let’s hop on the Midnight Train, Van. Sounds good to me. Pips need not apply. 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      By markbialczak on May 5, 2015 at 9:55 am

      1. ☺ Yep…that was my song !

        Liked by 1 person

        By vanbytheriver on May 5, 2015 at 10:26 am

      2. I just knew it, Van.

        Liked by 2 people

        By markbialczak on May 5, 2015 at 10:38 am

  7. Mark, I’m not a fan of Karaoke, but I’m a fan of yours for saying that the singing ranged from good to brave – You have a beautiful heart! At first I read the title of this post as, If you want to sing badly in public you can – which sounds like the mission statement for karaoke bars to me… 😉
    Diana xo

    Like

    By dianasschwenk on May 5, 2015 at 12:09 am

    1. They want people to sing great, medium, and bravely, Diana! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on May 5, 2015 at 12:27 am

  8. We’re going here, huh, Chum? Giggle. I do love me some karaoke, if I have a drink to calm the nerves. However, I love watching others more. Some really do get into it, you know. I adore that you were a judge. I bet it was a blast!

    Like

    By Audrey Dawn - Oldest Daughter Redheaded Sister on May 4, 2015 at 11:40 pm

    1. It was fun, but serious, too, Aud, this judging.

      Like

      By markbialczak on May 4, 2015 at 11:58 pm

  9. Yes to everything, Mark.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Ann Koplow on May 4, 2015 at 11:28 pm

    1. I know you will, Ann. Some Steely Dan for you. 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      By markbialczak on May 4, 2015 at 11:57 pm

  10. I’d love to see some folks singing karaoke. I love singing people. I like your reasons for why people might be singing. I would never do it. But I’d love to watch while others did it. I think singing is one of the greatest soothers of human souls.

    Like

    By Chatter Master on May 4, 2015 at 9:57 pm

    1. When we have our big BloggyVille party, we’ll have a no-stress zone karaoke machine set up in the corner, MBC. What do you think? You’ll sing then, right?

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on May 4, 2015 at 10:18 pm

      1. Oh my! Wouldn’t that be an incredible party? And yes…yes, I think I would sing! 🙂

        Like

        By Chatter Master on May 5, 2015 at 10:05 pm

      2. I think all of us would sing at that party, MBC. Nothing to lose! We’d all be so happy. 😉

        Liked by 1 person

        By markbialczak on May 6, 2015 at 9:10 am

      3. I bet there would be quite a few singers!

        Like

        By Chatter Master on May 7, 2015 at 7:44 am

  11. oh, how wonderful this would be! i’m an amazing car singer and my kinders think i’m good, but the reality is…….otherwise) don’t care though, i love to sing.

    Liked by 1 person

    By ksbeth on May 4, 2015 at 8:15 pm

    1. I heard you sing the Maryland school song to pay off a certain bloggers football wager, and you had an amazingly deep voice, as I recall, Beth. 😉 You sounded a bit like Vernon Davis, in fact. I think you should go for a karaoke night with your daughters. You have nothing to lose. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on May 4, 2015 at 8:46 pm

      1. We have done it at Heidi’s bowling bday party a few years back )

        Like

        By ksbeth on May 4, 2015 at 9:10 pm

      2. Fantastic. What song was yours, Beth?

        Like

        By markbialczak on May 4, 2015 at 10:10 pm

      3. spirit in the sky

        Like

        By ksbeth on May 5, 2015 at 5:54 am

      4. The Norman Greenbaum special! A classic from our wayback. Great choice, Beth.

        Like

        By markbialczak on May 5, 2015 at 7:40 am

  12. Allegedly my boyfriend is superb at karaoke, I cannot tell you because I make him do it when he is in Tokyo!
    Nx

    Like

    By nikibayard on May 4, 2015 at 8:12 pm

    1. Now, Niki, I say it is time for you to take a night out for karaoke with your boyfriend in Brighton, don’t you think? Maybe you’d even be inspired to sing! 😉

      Like

      By markbialczak on May 4, 2015 at 8:43 pm

      1. ho ho ho… ur such a joker 🙂 X

        Like

        By nikibayard on May 5, 2015 at 3:26 pm

  13. I think this is an unusual way of showing people you appreciate music and singing, Mark. I admire that you were a judge for this and I enjoy karaoke, so It would be fun for me, too.
    I am only able to get up and sing, if a few friends are around and there is a few drinks consumed beforehand. I hope no one remembers my singing, since I usually hold the microphone far away and let the others who are singing with me take the ‘burden’ of the song more. I love this post and would have enjoyed being in the audience. So glad Missy did a fine job, along with a few others moving on.

    Like

    By reocochran on May 4, 2015 at 5:46 pm

    1. There are lead singers and there are backup singers, and everybody has their role, Robin. 🙂 That’s what groups of friends are all about, right? 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on May 4, 2015 at 5:54 pm

      1. Mark, I like the idea of being a back up singer or even one who just gently sways back and forth to the music! ha ha!

        Like

        By reocochran on May 6, 2015 at 5:26 pm

      2. You go for that job and you’ll get it every time, Robin. 😉

        Like

        By markbialczak on May 6, 2015 at 5:57 pm

  14. Oh dear I have enjoyed karaoke on too many occasions. I love your description ”very good or very brave’ I think that is perhaps the kindest of description which could be given to describe it.

    Like

    By tric on May 4, 2015 at 5:28 pm

    1. Thank you, Tric. I try. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on May 4, 2015 at 5:30 pm

  15. This is the national sport of Taiwan. Even the hotels have long corridors with sound-proof rooms which you can rent and use for karaoke. It’s incredible. Our friends have a big karaoke room in their basement and that’s how they entertain. And nobody is the least bit shy about it. Such a cultural difference. They sing their heads off – English and Chinese songs – with great enthusiasm.

    Liked by 2 people

    By Silver in the Barn on May 4, 2015 at 5:02 pm

    1. Good for their enthusiasm and lack of inhibitions about it, Barbara. Now, I must ask. Did you?

      Like

      By markbialczak on May 4, 2015 at 5:04 pm

      1. Oh, you better believe it! I channeled my inner Stevie Nicks and belted them out while my husband sat and shook his head quietly in the corner. LOL!

        Liked by 1 person

        By Silver in the Barn on May 4, 2015 at 5:09 pm

  16. I love to do karaoke, and I have a horrible voice. I jump around, dance, and in general ham it up. it’s fun! But a contest? I don’t qualify for that. I have enjoyed nights when the crowd is really into it and we all cheer for each other, even if we don’t know one another and most of us are not very good.

    Like

    By mohawkvalleygirl on May 4, 2015 at 4:54 pm

    1. That’s the spirit of karaoke, Cynthia, when everybody knows their level and appreciates everybody else’s level as well. I like that you ham it up, fast song style. Good for you! I ham it up for Bobby Darin’s version of ‘Mack the Knife’ as my go-to karaoke song. Also, last time on the cruise ship, I busted out the first version of Sam Cooke’s “Bring It on Home” a cappella because I had rehearsed it but the karaoke crew did not have the music. The first verse was all I could remember without the screen lyrics. The rest would have been too slow of a ballad, anyway, with these new rules I am now accepting.

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on May 4, 2015 at 5:10 pm

  17. I don’t often do the karaoke, but I do like to hear good singing, regardless of the source 🙂

    Like

    By joeyfullystated on May 4, 2015 at 4:10 pm

    1. Yes, good is good is good, Joey. Agreed.

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on May 4, 2015 at 4:43 pm

  18. I would agree to keep upbeat tunes. Even if you can sing a great ballad, people don’t go to bars on Saturday nights to hear Debbie Downer. It’s supposed to be fun. On the other hand, don’t bother if you sound like Tiny Tim. I got the nerve up about 15 yrs ago, just before 2am closing time, to sing Roseanne Cash’s “Seven Year Ache” in front of a crowd of about 3 and never did it again. Now I sing at church, so the fear is gone, but it sure would be fun. How neat that you got to judge!

    Liked by 1 person

    By kerbey on May 4, 2015 at 2:12 pm

    1. I think it’s time for you to karaoke again, Kerbey. You love to sing, so you have nothing at all to lose.

      Yes, it was fun to judge. The people had a lot on the line, so I took it seriously.

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on May 4, 2015 at 2:20 pm

    2. Oh I SO agree about Debbie Downer! I was once at a karaoke night in Potsdam, NY and all these students from the Crane School of Music were there. Their voices were beautiful, of course, but slow song after SLOOOWW song! ugh!

      Liked by 1 person

      By mohawkvalleygirl on May 4, 2015 at 4:52 pm

  19. I’m pretty much inline with the rest. I’ll sing in the car and. Shower but not in front of a crowd…mainly because I can’t sing. But I enjoy watching others who either have talent or brave enough to get up there. Of course some may not remember what they did the next morning but that’s the fun part.

    Like

    By George on May 4, 2015 at 1:37 pm

    1. Yes, it’s fun to watch all the levels, George. The great and the not-so.

      Like

      By markbialczak on May 4, 2015 at 2:17 pm

  20. Karaoke, that is a line of bravery I wouldn’t want to cross. Singing while washing the dishes is as close as I would come to singing in “public”. 🙂

    Like

    By Fannie Cranium on May 4, 2015 at 1:19 pm

    1. Some people are good enough to know there limits, like you Fannie, and some people are good singers, too. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      By markbialczak on May 4, 2015 at 2:16 pm

  21. I sing to the muzak at work. It’s a good thing we’re closed most of my shift…

    Like

    By evilsquirrel13 on May 4, 2015 at 10:23 am

    1. I can imagine you bellowing away at Mecca without a care or a bucket to carry the tune, Bill. 🙂

      Like

      By markbialczak on May 4, 2015 at 12:09 pm

  22. I sing in the car, all the time. The only way I could sing in front of others, as the center of attention at the moment, would be if I were very inebriated. I could not care less what other drivers on the road think of me when they see me belting out tunes on the commute 😀

    Like

    By NotAPunkRocker on May 4, 2015 at 10:23 am

    1. Your method is a good system, J. I often would like to hear the folks I see singing full blast in their cars without inhabition, though!

      Like

      By markbialczak on May 4, 2015 at 12:08 pm

  23. Oh, that sounds like a lot of fun Mark. I’ve never been to a Karaoke bar when the karaoke was actually happening but it’s fun with friends at parties. You know, the word badly in your title can be taken two ways!!

    Like

    By Marissa Bergen on May 4, 2015 at 9:57 am

    1. That’s why I wrote it that way, Marissa. That’s what a karaoke bar is all about, both ends of the spectrum.

      Like

      By markbialczak on May 4, 2015 at 10:07 am

      1. Ha, glad I picked up on it! Got to get up pretty early in the morning to get by me. I tell you Mark, I’m sharp as a tack!

        Like

        By Marissa Bergen on May 4, 2015 at 1:28 pm

      2. You are plenty sharp, Marissa. That’s why I hang out with you. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        By markbialczak on May 4, 2015 at 2:16 pm

Leave a Reply

Mobile Site | Full Site

Get a free blog at WordPress.com Theme: WordPress Mobile Edition by Alex King.