What’s New Dec. 09 – Jan. 10
2009 has certainly been quite a year! Just for starters, our “Male Karaoke Vocalist of the Year” winner from KaraokeFest 2009, Abraham McDonald, went on from there to win “Oprah’s Karaoke Challenge” and took home a check for $250,000 and a recording deal! Wow! Way to go Abraham!
Some of you may know that the Oprah Team came out from Chicago and spent almost the entire day at KaraokeFest 2009 taping and interviewing the contestants from our singing competitions for possible inclusion in their show. That’s where they found Abraham McDonald…and the rest is history, as they say.
Karaoke Scene would like to express our thanks to the “Oprah Winfrey Show” for their positive portrayal of Karaoke on national television. They have done a great deal for the Karaoke community as they showed Karaoke as it really is, not just a bunch of drunks with a microphone, but real people with real talent, reaching out with something wonderful to offer. We would also like to thank Oprah’s staff for their courtesy and professionalism. They are really a class organization.
The Karaoke industry continues to move in new directions with new hardware and software choices popping up all the time. And Karaoke, as an entertainment medium, continues to flourish. Karaoke remains the number one form of live entertainment in Southern California with hundreds of venues from Ventura County to the Mexican border. And Karaoke Scene Magazine is available in all of them to be enjoyed by everyone.
Our “Singer’s Showcase” at www.KaraokeScene.com continues to be a huge favorite with singers all around the world. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you should because you have really been missing a great time. It’s like an online Karaoke party.
And for all you KJs out there, the “KJ Directory” at www.KaraokeScene.com is the perfect way to make sure the whole Karaoke world knows about you and your Karaoke shows. It is the ideal way to let everyone know who you are, where you are and what you can offer in the way of services. And it’s inexpensive, too, only $25 for a whole year!
Don’t forget, you can see your own photos in Karaoke Scene Magazine. We are still accepting photos from all over the Karaoke community for publication in future issues. We appreciate all the folks who have sent us their photos and hope to hear from more of you in the future. Here are just a few suggestions:
Your photos should be about singing.
Please make sure your photos are sharp and clear.
Please be sure your photos are in a digital format (jpeg files); no prints.
Please send your photos by email to photos@KaraokeScene.com or, if you have a lot of them, you may put them on a CD and mail them to:
Karaoke Scene
PO Box 2633
Cypress, CA 90630
We look forward to receiving them.
Our staff is very busy working on the upcoming SongBurst ‘10 Singing Competition, the winter’s biggest singing contest. SongBurst will again offer both an adult (18 and older) and junior (17 and younger) contest. There will be thousands in cash and prizes as well as a terrific time for all, individuals and families alike. Exact dates were not available at press time due to the potential sale of the Orange County Fairgrounds by the State of California who owns the property. We are awaiting word from the Orange County Market Place as to the progress of the situation. There is even a chance that Songburst ’10 will take place at a different venue, depending on how the situation develops. You can check out all the latest information regarding SongBurst ’10 at www.KaraokeScene.com as soon as it is available and, of course, our next issue will provide the complete details.
Congratulations!!! Three time KJ of the Year winner for Orange County, Donna Thomas has once again raised a phenomenal amount of money (exact amount not available at press time) for the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles during her annual gala fundraiser at the TomKat Lounge in Buena Park. Karaoke Scene salutes Donna Thomas and all of the many folks who unselfishly give so much of their time and money to help these children who need it so much.
Finally, at this special time of year, it is good for all of us to reflect on the many blessings we receive but take for granted. Try to do a kindness to someone who may need a little boost. Take a step back and maybe let another person have their way about something. Try giving the gifts of “love and kindness, warm hearts and an outstretched hand of tolerance” this holiday season. Do this, and it will surely come back to you many times over.
All of us at Karaoke Scene Magazine wish you the happiest of holidays and a prosperous, song-filled New Year!
