Last night I won first prize in a karaoke contest ($50). A little background - I am fairly quiet and conservative.
My friend ("the Fish") typed out a blog on it today (Dave the G. is my karaoke name):
Gullifty's Underground, Wednesday night karaoke. The room was dark and filled with regulars and newbies anxious to entertain with there personal song stylings.
At a table down front, sat Dave the G and the Fish, munching on a meatball and chicken cheesesteak sub respectively. Dave the G., with slips at the ready, was prepared for the start of the night's activities.
The Fish sat undecided, leafing through the food encrusted song-book, looking for that first selection.
The Wednesday night karaoke contest awaited. As usual the crowd muddled through the first three hours, managing to only get in two selections per person thanks to the rapid fire skills of KJ's Frank and Vicki.
At last it arrived! Tonight's contest was to be "Song Unseen". The line up was formulated by our hosts and the Fish was thrown to the wolves with the number one slot. Eleven singers were to follow.
The Fish was given two choices, a Carole King song or "The Lido Shuffle". In a panic, he went for the obvious and laid down a somewhat mediocre performance of "Lido". The crowd response came, but was barely audible above the chorus of crickets.
With silent, motionless resolve, Dave the G awaited the arrival of his number three slot. At last the moment of truth, and the G strolled to the stage uncertain of his fate.
Vicki handed the microphone to the G and announced, "Your choices are, "No No Man" by Ringo Starr, or "You've Got to Fight For Your Right to Party" by the Beastie Boys". The shouts from the audience began as they urged the G to go for the song of their preference.
Beads of sweat began to glisten on his brow as he mentally wrestled with the dilemma before him. Finally his mind saw the perverse opportunity and he muttered into the microphone, "Beastie Boys". Cheers rang out from the crowd and seconds later the music started.
The G began his vocals and without pause, he threw caution to the wind and released his inner BeastieBoy. As the song progressed the crowd began to stomp and cheer and sing along. The room was alive as the G rocked the house like he had never done before.
He finished and Vicki called for audience reaction on three. "One, Two,Three", and the accolades from the crowd were deafening. Nine singers later, the smoke from the vocal Armageddon cleared and , yes, Dave the G emerged victorious for his killer rendition of The Beastie Boys tune.
The worm has definitely turned.