One of the things that Bobby K is always leery of is fads in karaoke. The karaoke community has certainly witnessed its fair share of corporate invaders (see Cardioke), 2 bit hacks, and flat-out frauds. For this reason, new karaoke developments must always be taken with a grain of salt.

Well, Colonel, punch me in the face and call me Mikey, because Bobby K is blown away by PowerPoint karaoke and is hereby endorsing its spread.

Popularized in Germany around the turn of the century, this practice has taken on a new cult following amongst stateside geeks of all stripes. Basically, you take a powerpoint slide you’ve never seen and know nothing about, and then give an impromptu presentation on it. The awesomeness never stops.

Then after that, head on down to the bar, get drunk, and go home. That’s what I’m doing right now! Cheers, everybody!

If you love karaoke and you love it on the weekends, then you’re human.

If you love karaoke and you love it all week, then you’re a resident of Kane County, Illinois.

Here’s the scoop on what’s up this week for our favorite midwesterners:

Full Schilling karaoke night is on Fridays. If you show up drunk, there’s no cover.
3724 N. Clark, Chicago, 773-248-3330

Celtic Crown Public House has karaoke the next night (Sat), but don’t expect it to start at 10am… because it starts at 10pm. 4301 N. Western Ave., Chicago, 773-588-1110

Pheasant Run Resort & Spa karaoke in style, baby! You have the karaoke dance party on 10/11, 10/18, 10/25, and the sweeping new phenomenon “Sing with the Band” on 10/26.

Head to the Gale Street Inn in Diamond Lake for karaoke insanity. My Uncle Frederico was sick as a dog the night we went there (too much singing the night before), but he was having so much fun, he took the mic for the incredibly difficult
“How Bizarre” by New Zealandish group OMC. 935 Diamond Lake Road, Diamond Lake, 847-566-1090

Durty Nellie’s karaoke night at 9 on Tuesdays. Need I say more? Yes, there is a $7.00 cover. Located at 180 N. Smith St., Palatine, 847-358-9150

River Lane Pub in Geneva, IL kicks it with some steller karaoke on Thursdays. 630-845-9633 for more info.

And who could hate you for wanting to hit up some State Street Pub karaoke action down in Marengo, IL? Just be quick about it, because Friday night is the only night that they “officially” sanction singing. (Don’t tell them I told you this, but you can bring your own mic other nights and sing anyway).

Kane County, what do you think????

Hall of Famer Suresh Joachim and Guiness Book’s number 1 Canadian record holder is going for broke in his attempt to break the world record for the longest stretch of karaoke singing … bringing the total to 50 hours.

That is difficult. What is even more difficult is doing it with grace and dignity. My friend Stacy tried it once, but she had to back out at hour 38 because she was 9 months pregnant at the time and the little guy decided to be born.

Such is life, Stacy. Such is life.

Bobby Karaoke’s brother, Charles Henry (he took his wife’s last name), made a surprise stop-over in Akroh, Ohio last week for some karaoke action with his college roommate. I don’t want to get too much into the details (he’s still married), but let’s just say the ladies were all over Charles for his Tom Jones karaoke beats. Without further ado, here is the long & short of what Charles reported back to bobbykaraoke.com:

• B.G. Bree’s - Sister Lori emcees karaoke at 9pm Mondays at this eggs-ellent haunt located at 451 N. Main St., Akron.
• Bocassio’s Sports Pub - Not feelin’ Lori’s Monday night Akron karaoke? No sweat. Head over to 958 Canton Road to get your dose of teenage heart throb Johnny D’s karaoke on Fridays, Saturdays, and Tuesdays.
• The Captain’s Cove - If you’re more into the sounds of Jimmy Buffet karaoke, slide on down to this joint on Wednesdays. Hint: We hear that even though Wednesday is the only publicized night for karaoke at the Captain’s, if you can get the bartender drunk enough, he’ll open up the karaoke chassis any day of the week!
• Cocktails Karaoke at 9 Monday at 1009 S. Main St. …… Pretentious crowd.
• Fiesta Room - Karaoke ALL WEEKEND long Akron-style with DJ Tracy
• Frank’s Place on Market - Mary Lou finishes the weekend off with karaoke Sunday… she’ll take you on a tour de force Delilah style - tell that special someone you love them. 549 W. Market Street, Akron, 44303.

Tip from the Locals: Akron isn’t big on morning or even afternoon karaoke. But once the sun sets… the Akron nightlife and karaoke scene is absolutely, positively on fire, folks.

I once was the victim of a drive by in south central (minnesota). Do you think that stopped me from enjoying the vibrant karaoke scene there? Hell no it didn’t. I pealed my ass off the curb and dragged myself into the local Mankato American Legion post where I got my karaoke on, singing some Oasis. Other places for karaoke wonderment in southern Minnesota include Chevy’s (sucks), Rumor’s Lounge, Bandana Brewery, and Wine Cafe.

So what you waiting for? Disconnect that 14k baud modem and get your sing on at one of dem fine karaoke establishments.

-Bobby Karaoke

Bobby Karaoke just got back from a long weekend in northwest North Carolina! It was great: karaoke in the morning, a sensible lunch, and karaoke in the evening. Here’s the karaoke scoop in Winston-Salem:

Tuesdays:

• Pretty boilerplate Buffalo Wild Wings chain serves up the Tuesday night karaoke scene @ 1045 Hanes Mall Blvd.

Wednesdays:

• WHO’S IN IT FOR THE MONEY? Practice the other days of the week at the other amateur joints, and then on the third Wednesday of each month, refrain from the lemon juice and head to the Winston-Salem Sports Zone Pub & Grill for an opportunity to bag a sweet karaoke cash prize. Hint: Weak competition is what you’ll face. Whooot! 7838 North Point Blvd.

Thursdays:

• Al’s Club Reno - Singing the sweetest karaoke rhythms at 71 Waughtown Street, Winston Salem, 27127 (Thursdays only)
• Karaoke with D Smooth and LA Sound AT Winston-Salem NC’s hottest karaoke Thursday — The 411… it’s 25 and up, so you gotta be god-awful old, but it’s worth the wait. Don’t even think of wearing jeans with holes in them. 411 N. Cherry St. Winston-Salem.
• Green’s Supper Club - a silly concept for an establishment, but at least the karaoke night is fun! Dig it. 4735 U.S. 29 North, Greensboro, NC

Fridays:

• Tee Time Sports & Spirits at the Healy Plaza is a good time if you’re 8 years old. Otherwise, avoid this place even on karaoke Saturdays.

Saturdays:

• Day of rest in Winston-Salem.

Fresh off the Utah Jazz game 7 defeat the prior week, Battier pours his heart into this country song. Not good for the NBA. Not good for karaoke.

As karaoke fever sweeps the nation, it has turned up in the most unlikely of places - Augusta, Georgia.

The Augusta Chronical hit a gold cache this week when it went panning for karaoke nuggets:

Downtown at the 1102 Bar & Grill on Friday you have karaoke with Bill Tolbert. At Athens Restaurant or Little Nick’s Bar & Grill (as the local’s call it, 246 Bobby Jones Expressway), you have karaoke Thursdays.

Karaoke with Russell Schroder on Tuesday’s at Cadillac’s (3328 Washington Road). Tony Howard Wednesdays at Dudley’s Dawg House Sports Bar (which sounds like a really lame UGA hangout). Peggy heads up the karaoke on Tuesdays and Saturdays at Shannon’s (300 Shartom Drive) - this one is Bobby’s pick. If you head to Shannon’s, be sure to tell Peggy that Bobby K sent ya.

If getting drunk is more your style, Sidetrack Bar and Grill is YOUR PLACE on karaoke Wednesdays. And what self-respecting Georgia Bulldog hasn’t been to Club Argos on karaoke Mondays and Thursdays?

The scene at Fishbowl Lounge can be sketchy, but with Linda and Paul karaoke nights are unforgettable (Fridays only). Stay away from The Hayloft on karaoke nights unless you like getting mugged and waking up in a pool of ice sans a kidney.

Lastly, if you are an Augusta grandpappy, head on over to the ole VFW Post 649 for karaoke Friday and all the Mitch Miller you can eat.

It blows my mind that a city so close to the backwards college known as UGA would have such a lively karaoke scene.

Folks (from Bridgeton, New Jersey),

There comes a time in every Bridgetonian’s life where he/she just puts all work aside and says, “WTF, I need to sing.”

Maybe you are a Bridgetonian (one who resides within the confines of Bridgeton, NJ)? Maybe this is your time? Your time to sing.

Well, unfortunately, unless you were one of the people chosen last Thursday (out of 30 people who tried out), you won’t be singing at the Greater Bridgeton Area Service Clubs’ 4th Annual Karaoke Talent Show on September 8th. Sorry, maybe next year.

BUT… that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun, because you can still get your greasy little paws on one or more of the 400 tickets that Bridgeton News is reporting as available! You can get your ticket on at Dill’s Seafood, Century Savings Bank, or any of the participating Bridgeton Area service clubs. C’mon, would I lie to you? Uncle Bobby wouldn’t lie to you.

In addition to fine New Jersey karaoke, attendees will be eligible for the 50/50 raffle and depending on your age, you may also be eligible to purchase alcohol from the cash bar. SWING! Best of all, the night’s proceeds benefit the Bridgeton Police Athletic League.

Karaoke with a purpose? Nah, I just can’t wait to watch someone knock the crown off of Holly - the winner of last year’s event.

By way of BuzzSugar, (whatever that means), I present to you Paul Rudd and David Wain doing karaoke at an Of Montreal concert in Brooklyn. For those of you who don’t know (like me), these guys were in the movies. Key word is ‘were.’ Watch if you’d like:

I wouldn’t recommend it though.