Hey everybody. =) As you may know, I have a penchant for karaoke. Since moving to Seattle, I've found a great karaoke spot: Thursdays at Blue C Sushi, in Bellevue, WA. The guy who hosts it, Pete, keeps the vibe fun and playful; and the song selection is mind-boggling. There's a regular cadre of peeps who are there most Thursdays, and they are amazing to be around - supportive and accepting, just the way karaoke is meant to be.
A couple of weeks ago, one of them shot me a txt Thursday morning letting me know that that evening was a local qualifier for the World Karaoke Championships' Washington State Finals. I went, sang Ordinary People by John Legend, and qualified. A few days later, at the WA State Finals, I sang Somewhere Over the Raindbow / What a Wonderful World by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and wasn't selected to advance any farther.
Well wouldn't you know, some of those who were selected must've declined, because I got called back! So this weekend I am journeying down to Albuquerque, NM to participate in the West Region Finals. The Top 5 males and females from a pool of contestants that is comprised of 14 states (Alaska, Arizona, No. Cal, So. Cal, Colorado, Hawai'i, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nevada and Washington) will advance to the National Finals in Houston, TX.
The biggest lesson I took away from the State Finals is that uptempo songs or songs people want to sing along with or dance to are the best sellers. So for the competition, I've chosen Faith by George Michael and then Mr. Brightside by The Killers.
I'll be live blogging from the event Saturday and Sunday, so check back here for updates if you're interested! Wish me luck. =)
Friday, 7:00 AM :: A few minutes until I board the plane to Albuquerque! After last night's 'roke at Blue C I'm feelin relaxed. I'd like to try to get Ordinary People switched with Mr Brightside as my #2 song. I'll try visualizing good things and hope the universe agrees.
Friday, 4:30 PM :: What trip to NM would be complete without some amazing Mexican food? It turns out a bunch of the WA singers were on the same flight, and we're bonding. :) In a few hours we'll head over to the venue for meet and greet!
Friday, 11:00 PM :: A summary of the Meet & Greet.... let's see, what's important? #1: There will be roughly 37 contests competing in total (not sure about the split between male & female). With the top 5 males and top 5 females advancing, I'd be lying if I said my hopes didn't just go up a little bit. #2: The venue is perfect for my songs! There's a stage and lots of amply lit floor space in front of it for moving around in. I'm now really excited for Faith tomorrow, because I will be using that floor space, believe you me. =) We're expected to be at the venue (Exhale Bar & Nightclub) tomorrow morning at 11:30 AM. So tonight I will be resting up and drinking lots of water. #3: One of those seemingly impossible coincidences... one of my fellow WA singers not only moved here from NYC, but actually used to work in the exact same building I did by Madison Square Park... CRAZY. See you in the AM!
Saturday, 12:30 PM :: Seems there are just over 30 singers here... I'm #11. Butterflies a'growim. George Michael, don't let me down... The venue is a gay bar after all. :)
Saturday, 12:40 PM :: Judges just announced that top 10 males and females advance...!! Odds are getting better. Gotta have faith. ;)
Saturday, 2:00 PM :: Well... That went okay. Definitely struggled with the lyrics a bit... And flat out ran out of breath at one point! But the judges said they couldn't take their eyes off of me, and they're looking forward to hearing my other side tomorrow. It's awesome to hear all the talent in the room.
Saturday, 5:15 PM :: Day 1 has finished up, and my 'Roke Roomie and I celebrated with some Sonic Burger on the way home. (For the record, he's probably going to win this thing.) Now, those of you who've ever watched any kind of competition with me might know that I tend to call things once I feel pretty confident in how I think something's going to end up. Well, after seeing everyone, I feel like I've still got a chance to crack the Top 10. There were numerous male singers who were way above and beyond me... in a different stratosphere really, but at the same time, of all the guys who went today, I feel like I might've been #1 for stage presence - meaning I interacted with with the audience, and more importantly, they had fun - which is the main reason I chose "Faith" in the first place. So tomorrow I've gotta show a different side with John Legend and hope the combination of the two songs does the trick.
Saturday, 6:30 PM :: Video from today. =) Now you can see for yourself: Had a ton of fun, but flubbed it a bit. Luckily the energy made up for a couple blunders.
Sunday, 10:00 AM :: Team Washington had some fun last night. Maybe a little too much fun. =) My roomie and I are both a little groggier for it this morning, but still ready to go and give our all in today's final round. We're gonna hit Starbucks on the way over to get some tea down our throats and into our stomachs, and hopefully by the time either of us has to take the stage we'll be back to 100%. I'll check in when I hear what spot I'm singing in today!
Sunday, 1:00 PM :: The singing is underway! I am #22 of 29 or so. Will be recording again so I can post online later. The Ordinary People in this room have so much talent...! Case in point, the first two males both have a musical theatre background.
Sunday, 2:00 PM :: 10 singers down, 20 or so to go. Really hard to say who's going to Houston at this point. Fingers crossed...!
Sunday, 3:15 PM :: 20 down, 10 to go. Really hopin I can crack the top 10. I'm so proud of my new friends; what a great weekend, and I am so thankful to know them now.
Sunday, 4:00 PM :: I can't do much better than that - 100% positive feedback from the judges. If I don't go to Houston then I can't be disappointed. Will update when the results are in.
Sunday, 7:15 PM :: No luck for me... Near perfect scores today, but my flubs during Faith did me in. Judges said it was a hard decision and I should be in Houston, but it is what it is. Amazing weekend, amazing people. Will post the video later!
Sunday, 9:30 pm :: I finished in 11th place. Ouch. =) Although if any of the Top 10 can't make it to Houston, I'll get a call saying I get to go. (That's how I got to Albuquerque after the Washington state finals after all, so why change things?) Either way, I leave here with new friendships that wouldn't have otherwise come into being, with some people that I admire and enjoy being around. I know that we will all be seeing each other again back up in Seattle now that our weekend has come to an end. And now, for those interested, video from today!
