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I dusted off my rusty vocal pipes and made the trip up to one of Karen's shows last Friday. Of course I got lost on the way there. Even though Karen had given me detailed instructions, I only wrote down the ones I thought were importante (not smart!), so many thanks to the extremely helpful counter person at the Shell who gave me a free map, showed me where I was, and where I needed to be. Of course it helped that I threatened to sing both parts of Picture if he refused to help me with the directions.

I heard plenty of new songs that I didn't know, plus a few that I was more familiar with such as

Mary Chapin Carpenter, I Feel Lucky
Steeler's Wheel, Stuck in the Middle
Rolling Stones, Paint It Black
Beatles, Back in the USSR
Paul McCartney, Maybe I'm Amazed
Olivia Newton John, Let Me Be There
Heart, Crazy On You
Randy Travis, Honky Tonk Moon (sung by me )
Shelley West, Jose Cuervo
Gerry and the Pacemakers, Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying

Of course the fact that a Paul McCartney songs was sung gives the show two extra-credit stars in my book.

During the one dance number she played (7th inning stretch), who walks in but the famous Swingcat along with Mrs. Swingcat, and of course his fabled Shure mic. Swingcat is the consumate bluesman with an edgy brashness, and he plays a mean air big bass. It was great to see him in action and nice to talk with him. Karen has a great bunch of singers with quite the diversity of songs, which to me makes for an enjoyable evening. I was surprised to hear the Olivia Newton John song (a favorite of mine, as my sister had the song on one of her albums), and noticed also that people got up and danced to it. As Karen says, you never know what will get people out on the floor--a karaoke truism. The Swingcat left his mic on the stage, so other singers were able to use it as well. I noticed that Swingcat was not wearing his trademark hat that is shown in his avatar, so it is probably a good thing that he did not sing You Can Leave Your Hat On. He did team up with another songster for a grand rendition of Sweet Home Chicago. All in all, a great night out.

I'm jealous! I would have loved to have been there. Karen is my kind of people!

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She is a kick! Haven't been to her show yet, but she did come down to mine once. Swing met up there as well the editor for the local karaoke paper as well. Fun night!

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Driz, you have no idea how pleased I was to finally meet you! I know, you probably thought I was some spinny blonde because I kept telling you how happy I was to meet you. Sorry, cant help that....

I really enjoyed having you and the Swingcats at my show. I hope you'll make it up more often - it really isn't that far, is it?? That's a very cool mic for sure, and how nice of him to let everyone try their hand a it.

Yes, the singers at my show that night certainly presented a diverse picture - I don't think I could have stayed in the biz this long without that element. It was a smaller than normal group that night for some reason, but that aspect of it allowed me to spend some time with my out-of-town guests.

I will have another visitor from far away in a couple of weeks and will be happy to report on that post visit, too.

I'm really pleased that you made it and that you had a good time - and sorry that you got lost.

Nice to finally meet you Karen. Thanks for sitting at our table for a bit! Karen tried on Swingcat's sunglasses and all of a sudden transitioned into this blues lady.

omigosh, that is TOO FUNNY! Wow...to be compared to a woman of such stature!

Who's that knockin' on the door? Somebody's ringin' the bell!

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

One of my Sir Paul favs!

It was an EXCELLENT night out! FINALLY got to meet the ELUSIVE SeattleDrizzle! Karen and I have been trying to get him to come out for YEARS NOW!! It was OUTSTANDING TO SEE HIM IN PERSON!!

The original plan was to try to gather as many Portland and Seattle people for the visit--FLIPPER couldnt make it as his wife's work schedule is very difficult to work around. Charmin(Bluestainedshoes) had prior commitments and couldn't get away. Lonnie was out of town for the weekend. So we went with what we had! Perhaps next time we can arrange for those that missed to make it.

But this is typical of how we do it in the PAC NW. If its not a weekender to Seattle, The T-Bird in Tacoma then its one of Karen's gigs in Snohomish. Looking at the next visit for when they get done building her new venue with 60 person seating and an all new stage.

Karen is the consumate host--look forward reading the upcoming article I'm doing on her in KS Magazine. Not to mention that she took us out to breakfast in Snohomish the morning after Karaoke. We then proceeded to take a day drive to Bellingham and Whidbey Island and Stevens then met up in Monroe, Wash for an evening of seeing her husband JOE's band Dog Leg Preacher.

Ty Hughes, Editor/Publisher of the NWKaraoke and Live Entertainment Guide Magazine(the one I write for) made an appearance and partied the night away with the band!

If its not the Puget Sound then it's Portland(PDX) for either a Karaoke bar or bar-b-que Karaoke Party at MY HOUSE---Gryf can attest to that! Or MickyJ at the Karaoke Bar.

But then thats how we SWING in the PAC NW. You come up here and you're going to get the ROYAL TREATMENT!!! So let us know when you might be coming up and we'll put together a KS Meet-up for you!!

So look forward to more on this visit----photos and incriminating evidence to follow!!

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

Next time wait til Micky is up here! He is also a kick. Wished I could have made this last meetup! Should make a full blown Karaoke Scene getogether - remember the JOLT meetups?

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I agree with Babs on this one...... .....yes I'm jealous...

Well lets coordinate it----for this one I hadnt heard back on when MckyJ would be back out here. So we can work on that for the next time---and Gryf is only out here once every couple years or so.

Oh and SHARON................................u ever going to get back up here??????

There also used to be a guy up in Bellingham as I remember but never hear from him anymore and another guy had a show in Sedro Wooley or up near Snoqualmie Pass--but he was only on here for a short time also----and there used to be a guy in the Air Force who had a show in Seattle if Im not mistaken--but dont hear from him on here either.

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

As to the hat------------it FINALLY got worn out from all the pretty girls snatching it off my head and wearing it themselves as they danced and slithered around me as I sing!!! So we will have to go to the Saturday Morning Market here in PDX or the specialty Haberdashery story to get another one!!!

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

It was my pleasure to play hostess to all of you and I look forward to visits from others. My new venue opens in a couple of weeks - I popped in there yesterday to check out the new room and am looking forward to the challenge of filling a 60-seat room every Thursday night. Kurt, you and Linda are a kick in the pants. Driz, looking forward to more visits from you - have to keep the rust out of those pipes!

Charmin (who is no longer BSS, by the way, cause she felt the need for "a change" ) tried, but will try harder next time. I hate that I missed it, sounds like you guys had fun. I'm so dying to meet more people from here. Maybe Sharon will be in Seattle again soon and we can all plan a meet up then. Would be fun.

(show the pics Kurt!)

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

Hey Charm--what place did u go karaokeing at in the meantime? Rivershore Hotel in O-City?

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

No... Tachos:)

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

Ahhhhhhhhh I can see why you left quickly from there. I dropped in there about 2 weekends ago on a Fri night and it was DEAD and they closed early at 11. But the KJ was NOTHING to write home about and yes they play an excessive amount of the music you describe. Their food is good there but thier Karaoke is not. CLEARLY you missed having the SWINGCAT himself KJ'ing there(like that one night you came to see me and you got up on the big OLD SCHOOL MIC in your CUTE LITTLE POCHAHONTAS Halloween outfit !! ).

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

What would u think of making a run up to that Casino at La Center?(New Pheonix Casino). Danny the KJ does not play any of that music for filler and they sing alot of country songs AND, AND, AND, I DONATED THAT VERY SAME MIC YOU SANG ON AT TACHOS for him to use at his shows!!!! (I have a new one). So think you could talk hubb into that? He could go play black jack while you do the singing---and I could talk Linda(the SwingKitten into coming along for that--and Danny the DJ lets you bring your own discs!!---so bring Gretchin Wilson). They also have a good Chinese restaurant with the casino--so make it a dinner date also--and Im pretty sure I could lure Mr & Mrs Flipper along for that.

Hey--maybe its time for the SEATLE/Snohomish people to make a trip down to PORTLAND!!!----Meet em' part-way at La Center. For dinner, Gambling and Karaoke!

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

Oh and I specifically had KAREN LOBBYING CHARM HARD---told Karen to REALLY PUT THE SCREWS TO HER TO GET HER TO COME UP..................but Alas...........it wasnt meant to be. Charm has all these cute little GRAND KIDS that have to be tended to!

(She had so many Grandkids she didn't know WHAT to do!!)

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT