Ready to sing some karaoke at your favorite bar? Want to know what it takes to "wow" the crowd? Here are my "Top Ten Karaoke Secrets" to help you stand out from the rest.
1. Pick a song you love!
What do I sing?
How to choose a song that stands out!
Imagine yourself... In front of a crowd of a few friends and a bunch of strangers... On a stage... All eyes on you... and you're belting out a song and receive a standing ovation... ahhh... That could be you! How you ask? Well, it all starts with your song!
Eventually, you will end up with a whole CD full of songs you know and love. I've got 4 or 5 of them now filled up with my favorite songs from Etta James, Hole, Joan Jett, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, etc.. the list goes on and on.
I'll sing "boy" songs, "girlie" songs, duets (Love Shack is always a crowd-pleaser) but it all starts with that magical CD in my car stereo cranked up as loud as I can get it.
2. Know your voice
3. Work the crowd! They want to be entertained!
The next thing to learn to do is work your crowd. Singing a sexy song? Play the part! Are you rocking out? Then work it! When you first start out, you may be nervous in front of all of those people but this is your chance to shine!
Sometimes, it helps to pick a "silly song" when you are first up there... Something that you don't have to actually sing very well - think punk rock - but you can put on a show. Let's be real - we're not stars but we can act like it!
4. Dress the part! 
Want to gain confidence on the stage? Dress up! I don't mean get a tuxedo or a ball gown but put on an outfit that makes you feel confident! When dressing for a karaoke night, I make sure I put on my favorite outfit.
5. Add "Props"
This may sound cheesy but a good hat or a cool pair of shades can go a long way into making you feel confident and entertaining the crowd. Singing country? Add a cowboy hat or some fun chaps. How about some blues? Don an old fedora!
One of my favorite things is seeing a friend of mine put on a pair of those disguise glasses with the big nose and moustache and him singing the "Humpty Dance".
6. Bring a friend (or two or ten)
Consider singing a few songs with friends. Of course, a good duet it always nice but a whole group of girls singing "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" is a blast. Have even more fun with it - get a bunch of guys on stage to sing "Ice, Ice Baby" or "Its Raining Men".
Karaoke is meant to be fun - not serious! So, have FUN with it already!
7. Find the perfect place!
More than likely, you have choices when it comes to where you go to sing karaoke. Try a few places out, using the same song selections. You will find that you sound completely different at different places!
Different karaoke hosts (known as KJs) will run different sound set-ups. Some just cue up the song and let it rip, not bothering to make any adjustments to the sound quality (one guy in Biloxi even hits the sound board!) while others do their very best to adjust the volume and effects to help you sound your very best.
A good sound person can make a mediocre singer sound pretty dang good! A bad sound person can make a great singer sound awful though.
As an experienced karaoke singer, I have sang in pretty much every place they have karaoke here in Baton Rouge and there are a few places I just won't go back to. I sounded awful!
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8. Don't drink too much
Sometimes, people tend to want a little "liquid courage" before they get on the stage. That's all well and good to have a drink or two before you get up there. However, try not to over do it. This is easier said than done for me sometimes, I will admit.
One or two drinks can help you relax and loosen up but too many drinks and you will look ridiculous. Stay sober enough to know what you are doing and to maintain control of yourself.
Be sure to have a designated driver too!
9. Watch and Listen!
Pay attention to other people singing. If you like what they are singing, write it down, download it when you get home and make another CD with that song on it.
Observe how they work the crowd. Some people may not sing very well but they have a stage persona that gets people up and clapping and dancing.
Believe it or not, karaoke is not about how well you sing but how much fun you have up there! Notice how the ones who don't mind "messing up" but who have fun with it get the biggest applause. One of my favorite singers was "the black Reese Witherspoon" - looked just like her, but black. She wasn't a great singer but that girl put on a show! It was hilariously awesome.
10. Just relax
Don't take it too seriously. After all, karaoke is not life or death. Its not brain surgery or rocket science. Its karaoke. No matter how bad you screw up, no one will care the next day. Have fun, entertain yourself and your friends. Come back the next time and do it again!
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