Story in The Bakersfield Californian

Got good vibrato? Top amateurs will represent area bars at fair competition BY DREW PHILP, Californian staff writer E-mail: dphilp@bakersfield.com | Thursday, Jul 5 2007 11:30 AM Last Updated: Thursday, Jul 5 2007 11:38 AM Local karaoke stars agree unanimously: Buck Owens' songs are not a good choice for winning the 2007 Kern County Karaoke Contest.
Photos: Photo by Amy Rymer Tanice Copeland, who works as a bartender at Schweitzer's Pit Stop five nights a week, sings “I Try” by Macy Gray during karaoke on Monday. Photo by Amy Rymer Jennifer Foster finishes singing during karaoke at Schweitzer's Pit Stop on Monday as Anthony Helmick, right, announces her name.	"It can work against you," said Mac McClanahan, resting his voice outside of Kosmos after a rendition of the Temptations' "Ain't Too Proud to Beg." He added, "I need to work on my country." What you will hear at the competition, culminating at the Kern County Fair's Three-Way Chevrolet stage Sept. 24, is Motown, R&B, and country-influenced pop. Of course, there is always room for a new sensation. If you're thinking, "I sound good in the shower! I can sing like Buck! I have no vocal shame!" then you may be able to secure a spot on the stage, and even win the $500 prize money. To be eligible to compete at the fair, you must win one of the semifinal sing-offs held at bars around the county. The qualifying rounds officially start on Sunday and last for eight weeks, culminating in the final showdown for the chance to represent your favorite karaoke spot at the fair. Anyone may enter, and one female and one male vocalist will be selected from each location. Promoter and karaoke jockey, or KJ, Kyle Brown said he is hoping to recruit some record label and music business types to judge the final competition. "If you're a singer, it's going to be a great thing for you," he said. The contest will also be a competition for best DJ/KJ, best song selection, and best karaoke location.
Karaoke competitions bring out some stiff competition though, complete with wobbly vibrato and vocal swoops fit for a televised diva. Some of the karaoke regulars at Kosmos are professional musicians. McClanahan said he just returned from a stint as the singer for a cruise ship band called the Cast Away's, Thomas Robinson said he once sung with the band War, and Therese Muller is an actress at the Spotlight Theater. They are all vying for spots on the fair stage. Motown and soul receive a lot of rotation in Muller's karaoke list, particularly Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools," because it's "music that your voice can move with," she said. She also said it's advantageous to play to the crowd for the win. "Here, you have to stick to pop music," she said. McClanahan expects the crowd to gravitate toward country music, but thinks he can enchant the judges with his style of R&B jazz-fusion. "If a strong R&B act follows a strong country act, you will have to put your thinking cap on," he said. Robinson said Stevie Wonder songs are his forte. "I like to think I can sing songs nobody else can," he said before hopping onto the stage to croon "Ribbon in the Sky." Alas, don't expect to hear the hometown favorite Buck Owens during the competition, unless a brave newcomer is up to the challenge. "Anyone who has the guts to get up there and sing has to be respected," Robinson said. Think you have the pipes to win a spot at the fair? Here are some of the local establishments where you can make your career or break the bank buying drinks for an angry audience: • Le Corusse Rouge, Over 21, Tuesdays 7 to 11 p.m. 4647 White Lane, 834-1611 • Kosmos Restaurant and Sports Bar, Thursdays: under 21, 7 to 8:30 p.m.; 21 and over, 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. 1623 19th St., 324-4286 • Schweitzer’s Pit Stop, Over 21, Mondays and Thursdays, 9 p.m. to midnight. 10807 Rosedale Highway, 587-8888 • Cactus Valley Mexican Restaurant, Over 21, Wednesdays 8 p.m. to close. 4215 Rosedale Highway, 633-1948

Kern County Karaoke Newsletter & Website serving all of Kern County, Ca 661.633.1949
Kern County Karaoke is published monthly. All rights reserved. Copyright @2007. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission of the of the publisher is prohibited. bakersfield karaoke