Each year, our crack staff of fine writers shares what it takes to sing at the “Finals” at KaraokeFest. Suggestions range from “How to Sing Properly” to “Overcoming Stage Fright” and “Picking the Right Song.” We offer valid advice that assist singers throughout Southern California in their quest to make the KaraokeFest “Finals.” I’m no expert in the area of singing technique, which is why I commend Karaoke Scene for these terrific articles. In fact, many of the suggestions put forth can actually help finalists in their efforts to succeed in what I consider to be the most important and prestigious Karaoke singing contest in the nation. Ladies and gentlemen will compete in the “Finals” again this year at the L.A. County Fair for thousands in cash and prizes and the coveted titles of “Male & Female Karaoke Vocalist of the Year.”

I can, however, dispense suggestions in other areas that may help you in your journey to make the “Finals” and have a great time along the way. I call it the “22 Club Strategy.” Before I explain this strategy, let me dispel a few myths many singers use for excuses as to why they don’t make the Finals.

Myth #1: “Contestants are not the best judges!”

I have been the contest coordinator for KaraokeFest singing competitions since the year 2000. I’ve seen just about every ballot since then. I can tell you, contestants are absolutely the fairest judges! In this contest, participants cannot vote for themselves. It’s in the interest of the contestant to vote for the best singer to get that singer qualified and out of the way. In the preliminaries, the votes are not weighted. This means that whether you vote for a singer in 1st place or 6th place, the vote is worth only one (1) point. No individual can be a “kingmaker;” especially if a lot of folks compete in a given evening. And the audience usually shouldn’t influence what a contestant sees or hears.

The audience is a bad judge for two reasons. First, members of the audience may have come at the request of a certain contestant, which makes them automatically biased. Second, alcohol can influence whether the audience is even paying attention throughout a given contest. And some members of the audience cannot sing or may not sing very well. Finally, some of the members of the audience may be prone to liking particular songs in spite of how well they are performed.

Myth #2: “Contestants vote for their friends!”

It’s amazing to me how fair contestants actually are when judging. After looking at tens of thousands of ballots, I can personally tell you that “buddy voting” is minimal. In life, your closest friends can be your toughest critics. Good friends are the ones offering constructive criticism to help in overcoming obstacles in any number of situations. It’s no different in competition. During the evening, I’m constantly surprised at how candid contestants are with one another regarding what they need to do to improve on a particular performance. It’s important to remember many contestants develop reasonably close friendships during the contest run and can be great advice-givers.

Myth #3: “The best singer doesn’t win!”

While its true good singers can lose in a “Club Finals,” the fact is, the competition is tough. Only one male and female each are selected at each “Club Finals.” This means really good singers can come close to winning, without advancing to the KaraokeFest Finals. One more thing to consider, the “best singer” is an opinion, not a fact or exact science.

Now, how can you overcome these myths?

The 22-Club Strategy:

A good reason contestants are successful at making the “Finals” at KaraokeFest involves planning. The preliminaries are a five-week adventure with venues spread throughout Southern California. Some of the clubs are grouped geographically. Add to the equation, the timing of the “Club Finals” (or semi-finals) and, with the proper approach, you can be successful by giving it your best shot at making the “Finals” at KaraokeFest.

Our contest venues are strategically located throughout Southern California. Let me offer suggestions that can help make the preliminary rounds more productive, and a lot more fun!

1. Location! Location! Location!

Venues in four counties will be participating this year. As a habit, contestants visit clubs reasonably close and that are located in neighboring cities.

• Northeast Passage: Gem City Grill/Monrovia and Hi Brow/Pomona.
• L.A./O.C. Corridor: Club Rock It/Hawthorne, Penthouse Lounge/L.A. and Family Room/L.A.; PV Bowl/Palos Verdes; Crest Sports Bar & Grill/Torrance; The Palms Steak & Seafood/Downey; Royal Room/Bellflower; Cal Bowl/Lakewood; Keystone Lanes/Norwalk; Starting Gate/Los Alamitos; Moose Lodge #1945/Buena Park; Westminster Lanes/Westminster; Chaser’s Lounge/Orange; and Linbrook Bowl/Anaheim.
• Inland Empire Express: J.D. Allison’s and Tequila Hoppers/Upland; Laws Bar & Grill and Dukes Bar & Grill/Riverside; and Kelly’s Sports Bar/Chino.
• Southern Swing: Don Jose’s/Lake Elsinore.

2. Timing is Everything!

This is a strategy proposed by past contestants. Simply put, the later the “Club Final,” the better the chance at making it to the “Finals” at KaraokeFest. At each “Club Final” only one male and one female are selected. Attrition sets in. Your chances for selection continue to increase as more singers qualify and are removed from the mix.

• Last Chance Gulch: This year’s final “Club Finals” include: Thursday/Gem City Grill; Friday/Family Room; Tuesday/Club Rock It and Sunday/Penthouse Lounge.

Keep in mind this is a contestant-driven strategy. This means week 1 (one) might be busy at these clubs. These are great week 3 – 5 clubs to visit.

3. Think Outside the Box!

Successful contestants always strive for a fresh audience. Be willing to drive to Lake Elsinore to present your “package.” Competing outside your home base could be your ticket to the “Finals” at KaraokeFest! Also, use your time wisely. Say, driving from PV Bowl to Club Rock It; the Starting Gate to Don Jose’s Elsinore; and the Royal Room to either Cal Bowl, Moose Lodge #1945, or Crest Sports Bar & Grill is a day well spent to attempt to qualify at TWO locations.

Also, keep in mind if you are 18-20 years of age, only the Starting Gate in Los Alamitos, Moose Lodge #1945 in Buena Park, J.D. Allison’s in Upland and The Palms Steak & Seafood in Downey will allow you to compete.

4. Give Yourself a Chance!

I’ve witnessed too many contestants lose because they haven’t tried hard enough. Qualifying at only one club and losing in the “Club Final” is still LOSING! The “Club Finals” are very challenging. Try a multi-club qualifying strategy. The more effort you put in, the better your chance to reap the reward of competing for the big bucks, etc. at KaraokeFest. There are no “blue” clubs or “red” clubs, just 22 undiscriminating venues offering an equal chance of winning based on talent and good judging.

5. Also, always go in with a positive attitude.

Don’t walk with a cloud over your head. All you can do is your best. If you are negative, you are not at your best. If you don’t qualify at a club, try again at another club. Take it from one who knows, contestants learn more from losing than winning. With a positive attitude, the five-week qualifying journey (plus the additional weeks of Club Finals) can be even more fun than reaching the destination.

One more very important note: PLEASE carefully heed the sign up times. We allow an hour to an hour and a half for sign ups for each round (depending on the venue). If you arrive past the sign up time-window (even 1 minute late), you may not be able to compete in that round. And gas is expensive. Do yourself a huge favor, ARRIVE EARLY!

Do your best, be fair judges, and good luck on your 2013 KaraokeFest Crème de la Crème travels!

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Article by: Manny Pacheco

Manny Pacheco is a Southern California television and radio personality, who has worked on NBC's Santa Barbara, and at KRLA, KFI, and KBIG. He's now the award-winning author of two books in the Forgotten Hollywood-series that shares America's s story through the eyes of actors from Hollywood's Golden Age. He currently hosts a Forgotten Hollywood program on Financial News and Talk radio network every Saturday at 3p. Manny also hosts Karaoke shows at the Starting Gate and Mr. B's each Friday and Saturday.

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