Questions
for Carolyn
Carolyn Hawks

Heading for Yuma on the 4th of July is asking for trouble if you want to
karaoke while you are there, nothing much was going on.
On Monday nights you can karaoke at Johnny's Other Place, NOT connected with Johnny Stewart - but I'll tease him about it anyway, located at 244 East 16th St., (520) 789-9367 and Famous Sam's, 2052 South 4th Ave., (520) 783-7267.

Of the two, Johnny's Other Place would probably be the best if you are looking for a more professional venue. Famous Sam's is your better choice if you want something more casual.

Johnny's Other Place is a fairly large restaurant/ bar that has a big dance area in the back. The sound system is powerful and cuts all the way to the front of the building. The stage was built for performing and singing starts there at 8:00 pm. This is no "let's dump the KJ in the corner and have the singers stand in aisle" set up...this is a lighted performing area, separate from the dance floor and the bar. I arrived there too early and the friend I was with was starting to feel ill, so I didn't get to sing or to hear anyone else. I was intrigued with the setup enough to want to go back another time and try it out.

Famous Sam's is a small cafeteria-style restaurant/bar that devotes one of the booths to the KJ and the singers. Singing starts here at 8:30pm. For a small system, it was doing a good job! The KJ was young, in casual street clothes and the crowd was young also. Again, I was too early to hear any singers and the friend I was with was really feeling awful. I saw that the crowd would probably prefer the newer Pop tunes rather than the Country stuff that I usually bring with me, so I thought we'd better call it a night. All you Pop singers, and there are some great ones out there, if you have time and are going through Yuma on a Monday night...stop into Famous Sam's for a minute and check it out, kick back in your board shorts and tank tops and relax.

A Suggestion: When you go to a new club, don't be so eager to sing that you rush to get your slip into the KJ. Sit down and take a look around. What are the people paying attention to: the singers, the pool tables or the conversation at the bar? Listen to the sound system and what is being played. Can you hear the singer on the low notes and during the soft passages or is it all one "wall of noise"? Watch the crowd: are they only wanting to dance or are they actually listening?

If you have a variety of songs with you or if you are picking something out of the KJ's book, pick something that will please the crowd first and will allow you to sound your best. Getting the crowd's attention with something they like will get you the attention you want for your next time up and THEN you can unload with that "killer" signature song of yours. You will be a hit and they will want you to come back.