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????

USC’s amazing Daily Trojan newspaper served up a true gem this week by providing karaokers with a quality viewers guide for the two hottest television shows currently on air: Don’t Forget the Lyrics (FOX) and The Singing Bee (NBC).

NBC and FOX first aired their “reverse karaoke” shows this summer. NBC’s “The Singing Bee” premiered July 10, beating FOX’s “Don’t Forget the Lyrics!,” which premiered July 11 , by one day. The summer release date of “Don’t Forget the Lyrics!” prompted NBC to move the premiere of “The Singing Bee” from fall 2007 to early July.

“Don’t Forget the Lyrics!” is broadcast Wednesdays and Thursdays, and “The Singing Bee” is set to return Tuesday, September 4. For those who don’t want to spend half their week learning popular songs’ obscure lyrics, a choice must be made - FOX or NBC.

Quality journalism should not go unnoticed. Karaoke for life.

BK was planning a review trip to Bowling Green, Kentucky when he caught wind that the deathly humidity there and the heavy drinking has prevented the sport of karaoke from ever fully developing in this part of the world.

This is unfortunate, because I know a few of our readers hail from that part of the woods. Hang in there guys; maybe someday karaoke will be available at the following places and nights:

• Southern Lanes Friday, Saturday
• City Limits Lounge Wednesday, Friday
• Ricky Beavers karaoke Friday
• Grumpy’s feat. Rick Dunn Friday
• Miss Kitty’s, 3315 Louisville Road, Wednesday
• Betty’s Bar Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
• Dumplin’s Diner in Adairville Karaoke contest every Saturday

Until that time comes, we will keep on praying to the karaoke gods for you folks down in Bowling Green Kentucky suffering from lack of karaoke culture. Time will tell.

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

To the utter dismay of Bobby Karaoke, the author of an article about the hit new fill-in-the-blanks lyrical game show, The Singing Bee (on 10 p.m. Wednesdays on NBC, CH), used the term “karaoke” in his profile of the show. You could call it a typo, an accidental oversight, or an intentional jab at bobbykaraoke.com. We would call it disgusting.

We would also call this type of verbal mudslinging unconscionable:

Despite the shmoozy jocularity of host Joey (Fat One) Fatone — whose enthusiasm is as infectious as the bubonic plague — I found myself getting annoyed at the way minor inconsistencies were penalized when every other word was correct.

Infectious as the bubonic plague? Does this guy think he’s funny? Bobby Karaoke had a childhood encounter with the bubonic plague and his glands swelled up like soccer balls.

I hereby declare that our readers should boycott TheRecord.com for peddling filth.

Read a press release on thekaraokebeat.com (TKB) today and decided to check out what all the hot fuss was about. Turns out, nothing much. I visited the community section of the site only to be underwhelmed by the sound of crickets in my backyard and a guy named Clayton pretending to “sing” by typing lyrics on the page. Folks, that is not karaoke, that is typing… of the Mavis Beacon variety.

Anyway, at this time I wouldn’t recommend the karaoke beat to my 11 year old kid brother, let alone to any serious karaoke amateurs or professionals.

TKB, if you’re reading this, take my advice: Since you’ll never win in the content game… at least dazzle us with some animated gifs.

Your friend,
Bobby Karaoke

As many of you enthusiasts out there may know, Boogie is that rare, karaoke + dance jive video game that the Nintendo wii consumer has long demanded. And boy is it fun. Last night, for instance, I went cow tipping and despite being tired still had time for 2 rounds of Boogie with my BFF at 2:30am.

Does it break the cardinal rule of, “Dancing and karaoke don’t mix!”??? Yes, it does. Does Bobby Karaoke care??? No he doesn’t! You see, even though you have to dance a little (how unprofessional), you also get to sing to some SERIOUS pop muzak… I’m talking Fergie, Cyndi, Britney, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

I recommend buying this game, closing the door, and using it for practice for the Friday night karaoke gig. It might seem silly, but no one will be laughing when you bring them to tears with your version of Pink’s “Dear Mr. President.” So whatchya waiting for? Buy Boogie on Amazon now! Select free Super Saver Shipping and be sure to tell ‘em Bobby sent ya.

Don’t like practicing karaoke? Get a job.

For years, Harrisonburg Virginia has been on my list of “Places with karaoke that could become places with GREAT karaoke.”

Well, my friends… it looks like that time has come. The Rocktown Weekly (Reporting on the “Flip side of Harrisonburg” - I know, stupid tag line), spoiled the fun by leaking the mother load of sweet karaoke events.

You have Bennie’s Beach on Broadway, with karaoke on Friday and Saturday, you got Buffalo Wild Wings on Thursday, Spanish karaoke at Guzman’s, free karaoke at Mulligan’s Pub and Eatery down in Staunton, free pool at The Pub (1950 Deyerle Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22801) and karaoke Tuesdays.

But if Main Street singing is your thing, DO NOT MISS Alley Lanes Sports Grill on Friday… Virginia karaoke at its finest.

With all the bad going on in the world, looks like there still are some rays of bright light out there. Mad props, Harrisonburg.