karaoke  
       noun 
Japanese, from kara empty + Oke, short for Okesutora orchestra

a form of public entertainment, originally from Japan, in which people sing to a recording of the music of popular songs, sometimes reading the words on a screen 
(Personal Addition: Sometimes just making up your own words and/or screaming loudly)

                                   
                                          
   
     Karaoke is many different things to many different people. To some its a very addictive need in their lives ..... a way to become somebody other than who they are in their everyday lives. To others it's a way to release their inhibitions, and to some just to make fun of themselves and everything they see around them. Some take it seriously, too seriously, while others don't take it as seriously as they should. The one thing I've realized, is that it is a form of personal expression that is as different as each person's personality. It seems to me that the longer one particular locality has Karaoke, the more and more you find true community talent. People that want to sing well, will seek out the shows where they know they will be taken seriously, and applauded for their efforts as well as their talents.
        Ten years ago when Karaoke was new to the Tampa Bay area, it was thought to be a passing fad, not to be taken seriously. A place to go and be as silly as you wanted. Today there are more than a few who have gone on to become full fledged stars, and it all started by getting up the courage to sing at a Karaoke show.   It is apparent that the older we get, sometimes the harder it is to do the seemingly simple things in life. People are seeing younger and younger talent emerging because kids don't have the same inhibitions that adults have. They haven't learned how to be embarrassed.
        If you haven't been to a Karaoke show lately, find an establishment that's had a show for a while, keep an open mind, and sit back and be prepared to be entertained. My hat is off to the many, many of you that have made Karaoke the purest form of " community entertainment ".
And " thanks" for letting me be a part of it, and for helping me to pay my enormous credit card bills every month.
            Remember, the hardest part about doing Karaoke,
                            is just getting up and " DOING " Karaoke!