What’s new June 2002
Congratulations and our warmest thanks to all the wonderful people who made KaraokeFest 2002 such a special and successful event. Karaoke absolutely deserves a day like that… and we have even bigger plans for next year!
There are so many folks to thank that this page could easily be completely filled with just their names. So let me say, from the bottom of our hearts here at Karaoke Scene Magazine, we offer our most sincere thanks and gratitude to all of the very dedicated and talented people who worked so hard, both behind the scenes and on stage, to make this a truly special event. Thanks also to all of the folks who attended KaraokeFest 2002… breaking all past attendance records! After all, this event is for you.
An additional tip of the Karaoke Scene hat goes to all of the vendors at the Karaoke Expo portion of the show. It was gratifying to receive such strong support from fine companies like Gold Sponsors, Voco Pro and Audio 2000’s, and from Bronze Sponsors, Priddis, Music Maestro, Sound Choice, Top Tunes, Ace Karaoke and KZLA Radio. Thanks also to our non-Karaoke related vendors. You were all terrific!
And the winners are… the winners are actually all of the nominees, contestants and participants in each of the various categories and competitions. The Golden Achievement nominees were chosen by the Karaoke community, who cast literally thousands of votes, to be worthy of recognition. The Crème de la Crème Finalists were selected by their peers at a series of qualifying and semi-final rounds from 23 venues located across 5 counties throughout Southern California. Each and every one of you is a winner deserving of our respect and applause. We salute you!
And the winner is Karaoke itself… as we showcase Karaoke and its supporters in a positive, honest and meaningful way. We love Karaoke and all the good things it has come to represent. KaraokeFest is our chance to show it off to the rest of the world the way it should be shown. Not as some weird, gimmicky fad, but rather as the people’s music where, through singing, talent is discovered and developed, new and lasting relationships are forged, self confidence is enhanced and happiness and fun are the order of the day. An entertainment umbrella under which individuals from various and diverse walks of life come together to share their love of music as they sing to, and for, each other. Karaoke is unique. Anyone can do it. There is no other form of entertainment like it. Karaoke is here to stay and deserves its special day. We are honored to be able to provide it.
Please check out www.karaokefest.com for all of the final results and lots of additional photos. Also available for viewing online is a video clip of KNBC, Channel 4 News coverage of KaraokeFest 2002. Just click on the KNBC icon and enjoy (for Mac use option-click).
Plans are already on the drawing board for KaraokeFest 2003 and several meetings have already taken place for advance planning of what is shaping up to be an even more spectacular “Fest”. We have begun negotiations with some major media entities for extended coverage of KaraokeFest 2003 and its participants from the Golden Achievement Award nomination process, through the Crème de la Crème Singing Competition, to the actual event itself (more to follow on this in future issues). Due to the success of KaraokeFest 2002, we have also been approached by some prominent national product representatives wishing to be involved in sponsorship positions of next year’s event. All in all, it looks pretty exciting. So stay tuned… we will keep you informed every step of the way.
