I joined the school choir in the 3rd grade (a year earlier than most students were permitted to join) and continued to sing in various choirs throughout college. I never felt that I had that great of a voice, and hated singing solos.

   I first came across karaoke in Japan while on a youth exchange through the Lions Club. Karaoke is very different in Japan, the land in which it originated. Karaoke clubs have private rooms that can fit 4-10 people, so you only sing in front of your friends. This makes it somewhat less nerve-wracking. I was convinced by one of my very drunk host-fathers to sing “25 or 6 to 4” (an old Chicago tune) and begrudgingly agreed. I wasn’t very familiar with the song, but I gave it a shot. When I was finished, I hadn’t died and the drunk Japanese men were eating it up! I continued to karaoke in Japan for the duration of my stay, always in the private rooms, only singing in front of old, drunk, Japanese men. I felt more confident about my voice, but still dreaded the thought of singing in front of sober strangers.

   When I started college and found out that part of one of my music classes involved singing up in front of the class by myself, I almost started crying. I made it through this trial too, and realized that I was actually not half-bad, and had a pretty decent voice. About two years into college I met Bonnie, a vocal major with an exceptional voice. She encouraged me to go to karaoke bars with her. After several alcoholic beverages, I took the stage for my first “public” karaoke song. The crowd seemed to love it, and Bonnie seemed impressed given that I was more of a band person than a singer. I got the karaoke bug, and continued to karaoke through college and beyond, always making sure I sang before Bonnie.

   One night we went to Bob’s show at Joe’s Bar & Grill in Riverside. I told him I was interested in being a K.J. He said he was very impressed with me and asked me to try out for an opening at Omaha Jack’s Grillhouse in Rancho Cucamonga. Four days later I did…and got the job! (It was the second time I’ve landed a position involving singing lately. I’m the new choir director at a local high school.) I had a blast doing "O.J.'s" all summer and miss my "regulars". We'll be announcing a new location soon!