Karaoke is great "live" entertainment...when, of course, the entertainers ENTERTAIN! I sing at good venues; that draw good singers, great crowds, and the more the merrier. I think I hold my own with the best. Not because I'm the best singer... far from it! But I offer something extra. I give it some juice!!!... and a little juice can go a long way! Thus in hopes of always improving the sport, I built this website!
You see, I'm "karaoke performer-"--not a "singer". Its what worked for me. Sure, I can imitate an original artists....like many karaoke singers.... But there are times I choose to deviate from the original artists' version AND THEN go one step further. I also "perform" songs with action, stunts, dance, and crowd participation....and when you get the crowd involved..., you can steal the show from any singer anyday of the week!.
As a newbee, I learned early on , that I was not winning crowd by reading/singing the words from the monitor. And thats what separates singers from perfomers. There's nothing worse than a "would be" singer standing in front of the monitor, reading/singing the words from the screen, and sounding JUST LIKE MADONNA (worse--they rarely come close ) BUT if I wanted to hear Madonna, I would buy her CD. To the contrary people watch karaoke for performance. And thats what can make a so-so singer--- a Hit--- versus just another singer...the performance is key!
MOONDOGGIES KARAOKE POINTERS
Because there are some basics of karaoke that Moondoggie recommends as follows..and these guiding principals can make ANYONE a good karaoke entertainer...!
1. EVERYONE KNOWS TWO SONGS! (And Make Sure You Know Them!) Every single person knows two songs. You sing them (and probably many others) all the time! And I don't just mean in the shower. You either already know this or you just haven't thought about it. If unsure, list your ten top favorite tunes (that you sing--even if just in your mind), and try singing two. Yeah! you 
have two songs! The more "popular" the songs, the more likely karaoke crowds will like them!
If you are torn between several songs take your list and evaluate them. Are they songs that others know? Are they sad songs, happy songs, mad songs or bad songs. I prefer happy songs and songs that others know or should know! Depeche Mode sounds great, but karaoke is difficult cause their songs are black! Led Zepplin sounds great but not many REALLY can sound like Paige, and Stairway to Heaven is better left unsung!!! No you will have much greater success with a couple of positive songs---unless YOU ARE TRULY gifted and can sing the Blues...then you go right ahead!!! This website isn't going to help you...you can probably sing, already!!!
For the rest of us...we need to start with two, up beat, up message and up on your feet kinda tunes! Once you figure this out, all you need is to learn them...with the REAL WORDS. You can usually locate them on the web by running a lyric search. Cut/paste and there you have it! Then get the original version and start practicing. Next find out if the song has a karaoke edition. Most hit songs have had a karaoke version made.
2. SINGER vs. PERFORMER. (One vs. The Other. Maybe Both!) You will know almost instinctively 
which one you are. And if not, ask your friends to listen and give an honest opinion. I started karaoke as a joke. Did impersonations, and took funny songs and made them more funny. Props, costumes, and whimsical behaviour made it fun, because I REALLY COULDN'T SING. Later, my singing improved, and eventually improved a lot. Now I can do well in both singing and performing but clearly I am not the greatest of singers who sing regularly at the Lamp! As for performers? I would wager a bet! So you too may find this approach helpful
3. LOSE THE MONITOR! (the "TV Crutch" is for Losers)---watching a singer read/sing the words to a song is about as entertaining as watching moss grow. If you can't sing the song without reading the words, you need to learn the song better. Of course, karaoke wouldn't 
be karaoke, if the lyrics weren't on the screen. It helps the crowd follow along, and is a good way to keep yourself in check especially when it comes to tempo, pitch, and melody breaks...but if you are glued in front of the tube...believe me you look like it and thats BORING!!!!
4. WORK THE CROWD (or Screw the Crowd) It isn't so much the song you sing, but how you sing it. If you become lost in your "own little world" you usually will lose the crowd. Perform the song by thinking and then 'acting" out the song is OR how the singer might actually perform it or some combination of the two(I sing a trilogy of Queen songs that begins with "God Bless America"...then kicks into We are The Champions, etc. ---its very interesting to watch how many people get into the GBA beginning when I work the crowd).
5. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT (fans want perfect--or at least a good show) This probably seems
obvious. I have been known to practice up to 3 times per week 1- 1 1/2 hours each session; then go and sing publicly 3 times that same week. Realistically though, 2-3 times per week is necessary. Some of the session should be voice training exercises and the balance is practicing your songs. Get used to singing in front of the mirror. Home karaoke setups are available all over the web. HAVE FUN practicing too! Drink lotsa water...and consider "Entertainer's Secret"--a little voice lube....
