In a rapidly increasing number of taverns and restaurant lounges in Du Page County, people are sampling karaoke. And, no, it isn`t an appetizer.
When Russ Kotlarz of Elk Grove Village tried karaoke (pronounced ”kar-ah-OH-kee” or ”car-OH-kee” or ”VID-ee-oh-seeng-ah-long”), he was getting a taste of a hot new form of entertainment.
Here`s a clue: Karaoke is being served when laser disc equipment plays music videos of familiar tunes with the lead vocal stripped out.
Though the bouncing ball is absent, Kotlarz, like all karaoke singers, is aided by lyrics running along the bottom of the video screen. The lyrics, along with the music and background vocals, help make it look easy when Kotlarz stirs up the audience with a rousing version of ”Wanted: Dead or Alive.”
Easy enough to try it? If you haven`t had the chance yet, you probably will soon. Karaoke, where the audience provides the entertainment, is successfully debuting in many parts of Du Page.
Participants, guided by music and lyrics, are often so taken with singing publicly that they cut loose by the second stanza. When asked about the crowd that cheered him enthusiastically, Kotlarz grinned sheepishly.
”Well, a lot of them are my friends from work. I talked them into coming and hearing me sing, and I think they`re having a good time,” he said.
The appeal of live-the-fantasy karaoke is propelling it to the enviable status of hottest new item in the entertainment industry. Sales that were at zero prior to 1987 are now variously reported between $200 million to $330 million for 1991.
Besides taverns, karaoke is debuting as an alternative to traditional live entertainment at office parties, weddings, graduation parties, and . . . grocery stores?
Next time you go for eggs, be on the alert. Pepsi Cola Co. will be using karaoke in Du Page to draw attention to ”taste tests” with the hope that shoppers will throw down their coupons for the chance to perform, a not unlikely response based on the participation karaoke has been known to generate.
About 1,500 different songs-anything from Sinatra to country tunes, to recent rock releases-contribute to the popularity of karaoke among groups as diverse as executives and bikers (and shoppers?).
Yet, variety of selections alone can not explain the willingness of audiences to perform. There are only theories.
”There`s a star locked inside all of us,” said Joey Tufo, manager of Bocce restaurant in Bloomingdale, which reports a 70 percent increase in bar business on karaoke nights.
”Karaoke gives people a chance to do something they really have always wanted to do,” Tufo said.
”What`s the first thing everyone in America learns to do?” asked James Strauser, owner of Center Stage, another for-hire karaoke company. ”First thing in kindergarten? They learn to sing. That`s why people love karaoke.”
Strauser has had reason to puzzle over the phenomena, which originated in Japan. Like most karaoke entrepreneurs, he has experienced a huge success, up from a one-man operation to a 16-employee company in less than a year.
Bar owners are opening their arms to karaoke, spending from $2,000 to $15,000 on systems they hope will boost declining liquor sales.
Many establishments are piquing interest by offering contests. Yet, karaoke is a popular diversion even when contests are not an incentive.
”It does bring people out,” said John Karabatsos, regional food and beverage manager for Brunswick Northern Bowl Recreation Centers.
In February, Brunswick opted to try karaoke, tracking revenue to see if the investment could be financially justified. Increases in bar sales of as high as 25.9 percent prompted Brunswick to purchase its first system, with plans to buy more.
Pioneer, one manufacturer of karaoke equipment, is quick to deflect the notion that karaoke leads to more drinking.
”No, what`s happening is that people are staying at places longer, and other people, people who wouldn`t normally go to a bar, are coming out because they want to try singing,” said John Opitz, regional manager based at Pioneer offices in Itasca.
Opitz said sales are ”through the roof” in the last year, indicating more people are stepping into the limelight.
And the thrill doesn`t have to end when the song is over. Many karaoke operators have the capability to tape the singer, and there is seldom a charge for the service.
”It`s an additional incentive to come on up and do it,” said Bernadette ”Pineapple” Michelsen, a longtime resident of Bloomingdale and one of the first to promote karaoke in the Du Page.
”I was on a layover in Hawaii,” said Michelsen, who is an international flight attendant for United Airlines. ”I saw karaoke, and I just loved it.” Convinced karaoke would appeal to many, Michelsen started The Music Box, a business that sells equipment and offers a for-hire entertainment service, complete with ”emcee” or host-a component Michelsen said is essential to making karaoke a success.
”You`ve got to have the right person,” said Mark Campise of the Winfield House, who employs either professional deejays or popular local musicians to host karaoke evenings. ”Otherwise, the people just sit there and won`t try it.”
Plans for karaoke ”host” schools are being undertaken by several karaoke entrepreneurs who believe that establishments that own their own equipment will be eager to teach their own employees and save the nightly expense of hiring a host.
”Emceeing is fun,” said Michelsen. ”But the nicest part is hearing the incredible talent out there.”
Like Russ Kotlarz, who won the contest he had brought his friends out to watch. Kotlarz is a former band member currently in between groups.
”It keeps me in practice,” he said. ”It`s a chance to perform.”
Though talent of varying degrees is on display at any karaoke sessions, on occasion there is a marked absence of it.
”But, we don`t care if they are terrible singers,” said Bruce Davis, owner of Sir Donald`s in Downers Grove. ”If they have the courage to get up on stage, then they get the applause.”
Laughter, not applause, is the plum for the select few performers who ham it up at the mike, giving old favorites a new twist.
”It`s great fun,” said Barb Stiefel of Schaumburg, a program analyst.
”It really brings people together; you get closer to your co-workers, your friends or whoever you are partying with.”
Karaoke is extremely popular in Japan. There, with an estimated 70,000 karaoke systems in commercial use, the phenomenon has withstood the test of time. But will karaoke retain a following in the U.S.?
”It`s here to stay,” said Lynne Miller, a karaoke emcee from Addison who was bitten bad by a big karaoke bug when she won a trip to Orlando. ”It is absolutely the thing of the `90s.”
Whether karaoke stays or goes, for the moment quite a number of people are giving that favorite tune a go. Others are coming out for the rare glimpse of friend or co-worker belting out a version of ”Born To Be Wild.”
Steven Boucher, zone vice president of Pioneer Laser Karaoke Division, explains it this way: ”People love to watch other people no matter what they`re doing.”
For the time being, karaoke is giving people a lot more to watch.
