DJ Panama Jim, Peak to Peak.

I have been hosting Karaoke at the Stage Stop for the last 4 years and during that time we have built a group of talented singers who love to perform and have FUN! Unfortunately the Stage Stop closed it's doors over the summer. Thanks to Heather, our Karaoke show will continue at her new restaurant; The Branding Iron located at 35 E. 1st street in Nederland this September. I look forward to seeing you there!

There are still a lot of people on the fence when it comes to singing Karaoke. There’s a good chance you have seen it in person and you might have a few friends who already love it. Getting up on stage is a different matter. It’s not easy to gather the courage to sing and possibly be embarrassed in front of total strangers. Even though it may kick your anxiety into high gear, Karaoke is definitely something you should experience at least once in your life.

What do you have to lose?

You might just discover a brand new hobby that will keep you entertained for years.

Below are 10 reasons why you should pick up the microphone and give Karaoke a shot:

1.  Karaoke Makes You Happy - Singing releases endorphins into the brain, improving your mood and giving you a natural high.

2.  Live Entertainment - Karaoke is a great way for singers of all skill levels to share their talent with the world. You don’t need to have the greatest voice in the room to Karaoke. Just relax, be bold and let your inner American Idol loose! Don’t panic if you miss a lyric or sing off key; power through it, act like you didn’t do anything wrong and your audience will never know.

3.  Get A Workout - Singing increases lung capacity. As you breath deeper it gets the blood pumping through your heart. This increases the circulation of air in your body and lung capacity overall. As more air passes and circulates, it strengthens your lungs and clears your respiratory tubes and sinuses. You also use your stomach muscles and diaphragm to control the air moving in and out of your voice.

4.  Have Fun with Friends - Spending time with your friends in a hilarious activity can be a great bonding experience. You’ll have stories to tell for years – “Remember when John sang ‘I Touch Myself by the Divinyls’, I laughed so hard I fell out of my chair”. Even if you don’t want to sing, The Branding Iron is a great place to hang out. They have everything you need for a fun night on the town: strong drinks, great food and live entertainment. Simply hanging back and watching others strut their stuff can be a great way to spend an evening. Come out and make some memories!

5.  Build Confidence - The #1 Fear for Americans is Public Speaking. Singing is just speaking to music. The more you put yourself out there in front of an audience, the easier it will become. You’ll build confidence in yourself and stretch your abilities.

6.  It’s Not That Scary - Most people say fear is the number one reason for not getting up on stage. But it’s more anticipation than fear that you have to worry about. Once you get over that initial anxious stage fright, singing really isn’t that bad. You’ll find that your adrenaline takes over and the song will be done before you know it. In my experience, many are ready to sing again once they realize that it wasn’t as bad as first thought.

7.  You Can Get Better - Don’t worry if your first song doesn’t go well, practice makes perfect. Lots of people have a shaky first performance but like anything in life, Karaoke is something that you can get better at with practice.

8.  Cheaper Than Starting A Band - Karaoke provides the chance to be a Rock Star without the hassle of starting a band, learning to play instruments, buying band equipment, hiring a manager, booking gigs and eventually having to fire your brother-in-law for being lousy.

9.  You Might Get Discovered - While it is rare, there have been cases where Karaoke singers have been discovered on stage. Our community is crawling with talented musicians who come out to local venues. You have to be in the right place at the right time, but it will all be worth it if someone notices you.

10.  Become A Rock Star! - Karaoke lets you live out dreams to own the stage like Axl Rose, “Hee Hee” like Michael Jackson or perform a full-out rendition of Aretha Franklin’s “Respect.” It’s your chance to let loose, dance around the stage and have lots of fun. You’ll be the envy of people who’ve always wanted to try it but never had the guts. Whether you’re trying to make new friends or be the life of the party, knowing what you’re doing on a Karaoke stage is a fun ability to possess. Of course it might take some practice before you become truly great, but you're sure to have fun along the way.

Watch The Mountain-Ear for upcoming Karaoke show dates at The Branding Iron all year.