Karaoke Scene – What's New

Guess what? It’s “SongBurst at Soboba” time! Karaoke Scene is once again very proud to be presenting this year’s SongBurst singing competition at the Soboba Casino, “Where winning is just the beginning.” We are excited to again have 2 fabulous radio stations on board for this event as well, X103.9, KCXX (The X)…an alternative rock radio station based out of San Bernardino and 101.3 KATY (The Mix)…an adult contemporary radio station based out of the Temecula Valley. These are great folks to work with and help make “SongBurst at Soboba” a really terrific event.

The excitement begins on Monday, February 27th and continues every Monday for 4 weeks (March 5th, 12th and 19th.) This will be an adults only competition (all contestants must be 21 years of age by February 27th, 2012). Sign-ups will be from 6pm to 7:30pm. The competition will begin shortly after the sign-ups are closed. Due to time restrictions, we can only allow the first 40 contestants to arrive to sign-up and compete in that night’s competition. Sign up rules (and times) will be strictly enforced so please leave yourself plenty of time to get there.

There will be thousands in cash and prizes with $2,500 cash for first place awarded at the finals which will be held on Monday, March 26th. Not only that, but there will be more prizes raffled off during the competitions for which all in attendance (competitors and audience alike) will be eligible.

For those of you who may not know, Soboba Casino is nestled in the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains and is your one-stop headquarters for California gaming and entertainment. Soboba features 2,000 slot machines, over 20 table games, two restaurants, a 12,000 seat entertainment pavilion and one huge sports lounge. Guest services stations are easily located at each entrance and exit throughout the casino. Casino employees are happy to provide any assistance or information you might need.

For more “SongBurst at Soboba” information, please see pages 10 and 1, call (714) 826-2212, or visit KaraokeScene.com.

Directions: The Soboba Casino is located at 23333 Soboba Rd. in San Jacinto (866) 4-SOBOBA (476-2622). Take Highway #215 south to the Ramona Expressway east to Soboba Casino; or take Highway #10 east to Highway #79 and go south to the Ramona Expressway then left to Soboba Casino.

These competition Mondays should be great fun for everybody, both singers and their friends and families. There is plenty to do at Soboba Casino so drive down early, relax and have a great time!

We are now accepting venues for this year’s KaraokeFest singing contests. This is the perfect way to bring attention and new business to your venue. If you are interested in being considered as one of the KaraokeFest 2012 singing contest venues please call (714) 826-2212 or email us at info@KaraokeScene.com and we’ll fill you in on all of the details. Please contact us soon as we only have a limited number of opportunities available.

Karaoke Scene would like to thank the Karaoke community for all the photos you are sending to us for publication. We sincerely appreciate your efforts. Please continue to send us your pics so we can publish them in future issues. Attention KJs…it’s a great public relations idea to take photos of your customers while they are singing at your shows and send them to us for publication. Karaoke folks love to see their pictures in the magazine. When sending photos please remember:

Photos must be in a digital format (jpeg files); no prints.

Your photos should be about singing.

Make sure your photos are as sharp and clear as possible (please don’t reduce their size).

 Please send your photos by email to photos@KaraokeScene.com or, if you have a bunch of them, please put them on a CD and mail them to:

Karaoke Scene

PO Box 2633

Cypress, CA 90630

For all you KJs out there, our “KJ Directory” at KaraokeScene.com is the perfect way to promote your business. People from all over are constantly checking it out to find Karaoke hosts when they need one. And now you can join for only $25 for a whole year. This is a real bargain! Don’t miss out on this great opportunity! Join now!

Don’t forget, our newest innovation, apps for your iPhone and iPad are now available at the App Store. Now you can have instant access to Karaoke Scene Magazine 24-7 right in the palm of your hand. Want to know who offers Karaoke shows on a given night? Want to review an article or check out an ad for a product or service? A couple of taps on your iPhone or iPad and you can check it all out instantly. What could be cooler than that? Okay, it’s FREE…that’s pretty cool, too. Visit the App Store and get yours today!

And if you haven’t already done so, be sure to subscribe to the sensational “Digital Edition” of Karaoke Scene Magazine. The “DE” offers everything that appears in our print edition plus much more! And it’s all just a click away. Just visit KaraokeScene.com to subscribe now. And here’s the best part…it’s FREE!

That’s it for now…

See you all at the season’s biggest singing competition, “SongBurst at Soboba.” And best of luck to all!

Karaoke Scene is once again very proud to present “the season’s biggest singing competition,” SongBurst at the Soboba Casino, “where winning is just the beginning.” We are also excited to have our 2 favorite Inland Empire radio stations on board for this event as well, X103.9, KCXX (The X)…an alternative rock radio station based out of San Bernardino and 101.3 KATY (The Mix)…an adult contemporary radio station based out of the Temecula Valley. These are great folks to work with and to help make “SongBurst at Soboba” such a fabulous event.

The excitement begins on Monday, February 27th and continues every Monday for 4 weeks. There will be thousands in cash and prizes with $2,500 cash for first place awarded at the finals. Not only that, but there will be more prizes raffled off during the competitions for which all in attendance (competitors and audience alike) will be eligible.

These competition Mondays will be great fun for everybody. There is plenty to do at Soboba Casino so drive down early, relax and have a great time!

For more “SongBurst at Soboba” information, please see pages 10 and 11, call (714) 826-2212, or visit KaraokeScene.com.

The “Digital Edition” of Karaoke Scene Magazine is proving to be hugely popular among Karaoke enthusiasts around the world. For those of you who haven’t tried it yet, it is a really cool experience. All of the features of the printed edition plus live links to advertisers, products and special videos, etc. It is the best way to explore the world of Karaoke, any time you wish, right from your computer. Try it…it’s free!

And then there’s our newest innovation, apps for your iPhone and iPad are now available at the App Store. This means that you can have instant access to Karaoke Scene Magazine 24-7 wherever you are. Want to know who offers Karaoke shows on a given night? Grab your iPhone or iPad and check it out. Want to review an article or check out an ad for a product or service? Grab your iPhone or iPad and check it out. What could be cooler than that?

Our “Singer’s Showcase” at KaraokeScene.com continues to kick Karaoke (you know what) 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. The next time you visit KaraokeScene.com, click on the Singer’s Showcase link to see what’s going on there and join in the fun!

Attention all you KJs out there, the “KJ Directory” also at KaraokeScene.com is the perfect way to make sure that everyone in the entire Karaoke world knows about you and your Karaoke shows…who you are, where you are and what you can offer in the way of services. At only $25 for a whole year, it’s a terrific bargain!

Want to see yourself and your friends in Karaoke Scene Magazine? Well here’s how. We are accepting photos from the Karaoke community at large for publication in future issues of Karaoke Scene. The “photo page” reigns as one of the most popular features in Karaoke Scene Magazine. People are always checking it out to see if they (or one of their friends) are in it. Could you be next? All you have to do is send us your photos and we will publish them in a future issue. It’s that simple! 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, please put them on a CD and mail them to:

Karaoke Scene
PO Box 2633
Cypress, CA 90630

Karaoke kongratulations!!! Three time KJ of the Year winner for Orange County, Donna Thomas has raised over $27,000, a phenomenal amount of money, 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 every year 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 sharing 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!

Our SongBurst 2011 competition (SongBurst at Soboba) is wrapping up with the Finals on April 4th. The event has been a huge success with the maximum number of contestants signing up each week to compete. Karaoke Scene would like to thank the fine people at the Soboba Casino for everything they have done to make this such a great event. Thanks also to radio stations X103.9, KCXX (The X) and 101.3 KATY (The Mix) for their support and the assistance of their on-air personalities at each contest round. The winners will be announced in our June/July issue.

KaraokeFest 2011 is coming on Saturday, September 10th at the fabulous L.A. County Fair in Pomona. By popular demand, KaraokeFest will be held on a Saturday so we can all celebrate during our day-long Karaoke party on Saturday and then have a whole day to relax and recharge our batteries on Sunday. Remember, the “Fair” is open longer on Saturday, 10am – midnight. All of the details for KaraokeFest 2011 will be available at KaraokeScene.com and in our coming June/July issue.

As KaraokeFest approaches, we are nearing the time for the “Oscars” of Karaoke, the “KJ of the Year Awards.” These awards are so important because they provide a way to honor the KJs whose special contributions to Southern California Karaoke deserve to be recognized. Whether it is great song selection, outstanding sound system, fairest rotation, entertaining personality or just overall a provider of a most special Karaoke experience, the “extras” provided by the nominees in their prospective areas make Karaoke better for all of us. So please be sure to vote for your favorite KJ…they deserve it!

Please bear in mind that the more votes that are cast, the more representative the results. You may vote online at KaraokeScene.com. The voting begins on May 15th and lasts until June 30th. In the interest of fairness, only one vote per email address and two votes per IP address will be accepted. Again, the “KJ of the Year Awards” depend on YOU, the Karaoke community, to participate and let those KJs who are worthy know that you appreciate their efforts. They are there for you; you should be there for them!

COMING SOON, the mother of all Karaoke singing contests…on July 5th, the prestigious “Crème de la Crème” singing competition will “kick off” with singers from all over Southern California (and beyond) competing for thousands in cash and prizes and the coveted title of “Male & Female Karaoke Vocalist of the Year” plus all that goes with it. As many of you know, our 2009 Male Karaoke Vocalist of the Year winner last year went on to win $250,000 at Oprah’s Karaoke Challenge on national television; and more recently, Clint J. Gamboa, our 2010 Male Karaoke Vocalist of the Year made it to the top 24 on American Idol.

Also starting in July will be the Crème de la Kids junior singing competition for those 17 years old and younger. And in August comes the colorful and exciting Crème de la King competition for all Elvis impersonators.

Don’t miss your chance to compete and become a singing star! All of the details for all contests will be available at KaraokeScene.com and in our coming June/July issue.

We are currently in the process of selecting the venues for our 3 KaraokeFest 2011 singing competitions, the Crème de la Crème, the Crème de la Kids and the fabulous Crème de la King. The number of hosting locations is limited so if you would like your venue to be considered, please contact Karaoke Scene at the number or email address listed below before May 1st.

KaraokeFest 2011 Expo will again offer a golden opportunity for Karaoke related businesses to exhibit and sell their products. The “Expo” area will be located adjacent to where our main show will be held and totally accessible to the tens of thousands in attendance. There will be an estimated 100,000+ people at the L.A. County Fair that day so exhibitors are sure to receive maximum exposure.

Major sponsorship positions for KaraokeFest 2011 are also available to qualified companies.

For sponsorship information, contest venue information or to reserve your “Expo” booth, please call (714) 826-2212 or email us at info@KaraokeScene.com. Space and time are limited so be sure to contact us now!

Don’t forget to subscribe now to the “Digital Edition” of Karaoke Scene Magazine. The “DE” offers everything that appears in our print edition and much more. And it is always available to you online 24-7. Go to http://KaraokeSceneMagazine.com to subscribe now. And best of all, it’s FREE!

And don’t forget our newest innovation, apps for your iPhone and iPad are now available at the App Store. Now you can have instant access to Karaoke Scene Magazine 24-7, right in the palm of your hand, wherever you are. Want to know who offers Karaoke shows on a given night? Grab your iPhone or iPad and check it out. Want to review an article or check out an ad for a product or service? Grab your iPhone or iPad and check it out. What could be cooler than that?

We sometimes get inquiries as to what the founder of Karaoke Scene Magazine, Dennis Snyder, is doing lately. Well, here goes. Dennis has been working with his fabulous “Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young tribute band and is currently involved with a new project:

On May 14th and 15th hundreds of musicians and fans of classic rock will descend on the Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys, CA to celebrate the timeless rock music of the last fifty years. Tribute acts to popular bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Journey, 80′s bands and dozens more will showcase on three or more stages throughout the weekend. Top talent buyers from summer concerts, casinos, resorts and nightclubs from around the country will have an opportunity to effectively one-stop-shop for the cream of tribute talent.

“There’s a reason Tribute Band’s are hugely popular at thousands of live music venues” says Dennis Snyder, co-producer of the event. “The music of the 60’s through the 90’s remains a solid draw yet many of the original bands from this era are no longer together or are very expensive.” Tribute acts help fill this demand at a fraction of the cost.

As press time approaches for print magazines a “Bands for Japan” tribute show is being organized to benefit those affected by the recent tragedies in Japan. It is tentatively scheduled for the evening of Saturday May 14th. Go to TributeExpo.com for more info when it becomes available.

Tribute Expo
Saturday and Sunday May 14 & 15, 2011
Airtel Plaza Hotel, Van Nuys, CA ( http://airtelplaza.com )
Hours: 10am to 6pm
Public Admission: $10 a day or $15 for both days

Talent buyers are encouraged to call ahead and get in on VIP perks including a complimentary hotel breakfast and much more. Bands wishing to participate please contact us via email.

tributeexpo@gmail.com
tributeexpo.com

SongBurst at Soboba!!! Look out! It’s SongBurst time again! Karaoke Scene is very proud to be presenting this year’s SongBurst singing competition at the Soboba Casino, “Where winning is just the beginning.” We are excited to have 2 fabulous radio stations on board for this event as well, X103.9, KCXX (The X)…an alternative rock radio station based out of San Bernardino and 101.3 KATY (The Mix)…an adult contemporary radio station based out of the Temecula Valley. These are great folks to work with and will help make “SongBurst at Soboba” a really terrific event.

The excitement begins on Monday, March 7th and continues every Monday for 4 weeks (March 14th, 21st and 28th.) This will be an adults only competition (all contestants must be 21 years of age by March 7th, 2011). Sign-ups will be from 6:30pm to 8pm. The competition will begin shortly after the sign-ups are closed. Due to time restrictions, we can only allow the first 30 contestants to arrive to sign-up and compete in that night’s competition. Sign up rules (and times) will be strictly enforced so please leave yourself plenty of time to get there.

There will be thousands in cash and prizes with $2,500 cash for first place awarded at the finals which will be held on Monday, April 4th. Not only that, but there will be more prizes raffled off during the competitions for which all in attendance (competitors and audience alike) will be eligible.

For those of you who may not know, Soboba Casino is nestled in the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains and is your one-stop headquarters for California gaming and entertainment. Soboba features 2,000 slot machines, over 20 table games, two restaurants, a 12,000 seat entertainment pavilion and one huge sports lounge. Guest services stations are easily located at each entrance and exit throughout the casino. Casino employees are happy to provide any assistance or information you might need.

For more “SongBurst at Soboba” information please call (714) 826-2212, or visit KaraokeScene.com.

These competition Mondays should be great fun for everybody, both singers and their friends and families. There is plenty to do at Soboba Casino so drive down, relax and have a great time!

Directions: The Soboba Casino is located at 23333 Soboba Rd. in San Jacinto (866) 4-SOBOBA (476-2622). Take Highway #215 south to the Ramona Expressway east to Soboba Casino; or take Highway #10 east to Highway #79 and go south to the Ramona Expressway then left to Soboba Casino.

Karaoke Scene would like to thank the Karaoke community for all the photos you are sending to us for publication. We sincerely appreciate your efforts. Please continue to send us your photos so we can publish them in future issues. Attention KJs…it’s a great public relations idea to take photos of your customers while they are singing at your shows and send them to us for publication. Karaoke folks love to see their pictures in the magazine. When sending photos please remember:

Photos must be in a digital format (jpeg files); no prints.
Your photos should be about singing.
Make sure your photos are as sharp and clear as possible (please don’t reduce their size).

Please send your photos by email to photos@KaraokeScene.com or, if you have a bunch of them, please put them on a CD and mail them to:

Karaoke Scene
PO Box 2633
Cypress, CA 90630

Be sure to check out the article from Tish Jones, our KaraokeFest 2011 Female Vocalist of the Year, about her trip to Utah for her own personal recording session, courtesy of Priddis Music and ProSound in our February/March 2011 issue (you can subscribe to the “Digital Edition” of Karaoke Scene Magazine for free…just click on this link, http://karaokescenemagazine.com/). She had an absolute ball! Thanks again to Priddis Music and Ace Karaoke for their sponsorship of KaraokeFest. We sincerely appreciate the support and generosity of fine companies like these in helping us present these major Karaoke events.

Another update, we are in the process of having Phill Cross with Cross Web Tech creating a complete “re-do” of our immensely popular website, KaraokeScene.com. We hope to have it completed by soon. We hope you will enjoy all the exciting new features that will be available for you

See you at “SongBurst at Soboba”…and best of luck to all!

Karaoke is truly exploding into a brand new decade. As the Karaoke industry continues to grow with new hardware and software choices galore, it faces some new challenges as well. And Karaoke, as an entertainment medium, reigns as the number one form of live entertainment as it can be found at hundreds of venues throughout Southern California. And Karaoke Scene Magazine is available in all of them to be enjoyed by everyone.

The “Digital Edition” of Karaoke Scene Magazine is proving to be hugely popular among Karaoke enthusiasts around the world. For those of you who haven’t tried it yet, it is a really new experience. All of the features of the printed edition plus live links to advertisers, products and special videos, etc. It is a terrific way to explore the world of Karaoke any time you wish from your computer, right from the comfort of your own home or wherever you happen to be. Try it…it’s a treat…and it’s free!

On top of that, our newest innovation, apps for your iPhone and iPad are now available at the App Store. This means that you can have instant access to Karaoke Scene Magazine 24-7 wherever you are. Want to know who offers Karaoke shows on a given night? Grab your iPhone or iPad and check it out. Want to review an article or check out an ad for a product or service? Grab your iPhone or iPad and check it out. What could be cooler than that?

Our “Singer’s Showcase” at www.KaraokeScene.com continues to be a big 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. The next time you visit KaraokeScene.com, click on the Singer’s Showcase link to see what’s going on there and join in the fun.

And for all you KJs out there, the “KJ Directory” also at KaraokeScene.com is the perfect way to make sure that everyone knows about you and your Karaoke shows. It is the ideal way to let everyone the entire Karaoke world know who you are, where you are and what you can offer in the way of services. At only $25 for a whole year, it’s a terrific bargain!

Want to see yourself and your friends in Karaoke Scene Magazine? Well here’s how. We are accepting photos from all over the Karaoke community for publication in future issues. The “photo page” continues to be one of the most popular features in Karaoke Scene Magazine. People usually check it out to see if they (or one of their friends) are in it.  Could you be next? All you have to do is send us your photos and we will publish them in a future issue. It’s that simple! We really appreciate all the folks who have sent us their photos in the past and hope to hear from even 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, please put them on a CD and mail them to:

Karaoke Scene

PO Box 2633

Cypress, CA 90630

We look forward to receiving them.

Due to the pending sale of the Orange County Fairgrounds by the State of California, who owns the property, we have no definite word about a possible SongBurst ’11 at the Orange County Market Place. There is a possibility that SongBurst ’11 will take place at a different venue, depending on how the situation develops. You can check out all the latest SongBurst information at KaraokeScene.com as soon as it is available and, of course, our next issue will provide the complete details.

Karaoke kongratulations!!! Three time KJ of the Year winner for Orange County, Donna Thomas has raised over $16,000, a phenomenal amount of money, 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 every year 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 sharing 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.

Just a reminder, we are in the process of having Phill Cross with Cross Web Tech creating a complete “re-do” of our immensely popular website, KaraokeScene.com. We hope to have it completed by soon. We hope you will enjoy all the exciting new features that will be available for you

All of us at Karaoke Scene Magazine wish you the happiest of holidays and a prosperous, song-filled New Year!

KaraokeFest 2003 will take place on Sunday, May 25th, Memorial Day weekend, once again aboard the world famous “Queen Mary” in Long Beach. Without a doubt, this will be the biggest and most exciting “Fest” ever with many new features and innovations.

Voting for the “Karaoke Golden Achievement Awards” and “KJ of the Year” competition will take place from February 15th to March 15th and will be done in the same way as last year by region-wide voting both at the local club level and also on-line at www.KaraokeFest.com (only 1 vote per email address and 2 votes per IP address will be allowed.) See page for details.

The “Crème de la Crème” competition which will decide the “Male & Female Karaoke Vocalist of the Year” will begin on Thursday, April 3rd at 20 venues throughout Southern California. See page for times, dates and other details.

The exciting “KaraokeFest Expo” will be back, bigger & better than ever with even more vendors of all kinds exhibiting their products and services. If you are interested in reserving a booth at the “KaraokeFest Expo” please contact Denise Barnum at (562) 879-5632. Call now for the best locations!

In addition, your ticket to KaraokeFest 2003 entitles you to free access of the ship. You may stroll her decks, immerse yourself in her rich history, visit the many interesting shops or make plans to come early and enjoy the famous “Queen Mary Brunch” (reservations recommended). Don’t forget there is a first class hotel aboard the “Queen” and KaraokeFest/State Room accommodations are available. You may call the “Queen Mary” direct (after February 15th) at (562) 432-6964 and ask for the special KaraokeFest rates.

Great news! Prices for “KaraokeFest 2003″ will be held to just $7.00 per ticket if purchased before May 20th. That’s right, only $7.00 per ticket. After that date, and at the door, tickets will be $12.00 each. Tickets may be purchased online at www.KaraokeFest.com or by calling (714) 826-2212.

Here’s some big news! The documentary (tentatively titled “Karaoke Dreams”), based on our “Songburst 2002″ event, is scheduled to air on Sunday, March 2nd, on VH1. If this production is well received, a series based on the road to KaraokeFest 2003 could be the result. We are all very excited about what this could mean to Karaoke but, of course, we’ll have to take it one step at a time. Be sure to regularly check the “Songburst 2002″ page on our website www.KaraokeScene.com or by visiting www.SongBurst.com, for all the latest information for this event. And congratulations to Steve Williamson and Elnora Beck, the male & female winners of “Songburst 2002″,and to all of the talented performers who participated in the event.

We are working on an exciting new project, a Karaoke “radio” show (“That’s Karaoke”) which will appear on our website www.KaraokeScene.com or by visiting www.ThatsKaraoke.com. This “streamcast” will be the first in the nation “radio” show solely dedicated to the universal phenomenon of Karaoke. The show promises to be both entertaining and informational, a virtual meeting place for what’s happening in the world of Karaoke. At all times the concept of Karaoke will be treated with respect, however, this show will be laced with humor, satire and fun. Check the “That’s Karaoke” page for the premier show date.

Karaoke Scene’s recent visit to the NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention Center confirms that Karaoke continues to grow and flourish. We visited many of the leading Karaoke software and hardware company’s exhibits at the show and were more than pleased by what we heard. As the Karaoke world continues to expand, many new and exciting innovations are on the horizon. And, of course, will keep you informed.