How to be a Rockstar at karaoke
A local karaoke host offers up some sound advice
Even you, Bonnie Tyler, can be banned for singing "Total Eclipse Of The Heart."
Article Tools
Jermaine Smith likes it when you sing. Even better, he likes it when you sing terribly—just as long as you've got a little booty-shaking stage presence. Smith, under the moniker "JermainEvent," has been ringmaster to the off-key for years as a ubiquitous host in the Denver karaoke scene. And recently he launched his own karaoke company, Rockstar Karaoke, with friends Brandon Cruz and Mark Star. Smith chatted with Decider and he offered some tips on how to bring your best game to the stage. (Hint: Just say no to cheesy '80s ballads.)
Decider: What karaoke song could you live without ever hearing again?
Jermaine Smith: I'm really, really, really sick of hearing "You're The One That I Want" from the Grease soundtrack. I hate it so much. I've been doing karaoke for eight years, and that song will be requested at least three times a night.
D: Is there any song you actually enjoy seeing people perform?
JS: One song I really enjoy hearing, from a girl anyway, is "Seether" by Veruca Salt.
D: Is there a song that always gets performed so terribly you never want to hear it again?
JS: The one song that people do horribly is "Total Eclipse Of The Heart." I can't stand it. I had to ban that song last year.
D: Why do you think people are always requesting that one?
JS: Because in the movie Old School, The Dan Band did "Total Eclipse Of The Heart," but they put the f-word in it. People try to do that and try to make it funny, and it just turns out being lame.
D: What about an inappropriately long song choice?
JS: Oh, yes. Metallica's "Enter Sandman." It's like seven minutes long. It's nice for me because I can go outside and have a cigarette, drink a beer, go to the bathroom, and come back and the song is only halfway through. [Laughs.] The majority of the song is just music anyway, so the crowd gets to watch you stand onstage. It's a whole lot of fun to listen to that song over and over again.
D: Do you have any favorite songs that you sing when you host karaoke?
JS: I will sing Frank Sinatra's "Fly Me To The Moon" or "At This Moment" by Billy Vera. Sometimes I'll throw in a little "Zombie" by The Cranberries.
D: Are those songs you think you sing well or just enjoy performing?
JS: They are songs I like, but I think I can sing them well. I am very animated onstage, and I like to entertain people. When I do Sinatra, I go into a lounge singer act and totally ham it up. It's all about making people laugh and making them feel comfortable. I do those songs because if I act silly onstage, it puts the crowd at ease. They don't feel so nervous about getting up in front of everyone if the host looks like a jackass. [Laughs.]
D: Do you have karaoke regulars?
JS: Oh, yes. I have a group of about 12 regulars who've been coming over the years. When I wasn't doing karaoke for a while, they would call and ask me when I was starting up a new night. I have regulars who have amazing voices and some who are just terrible, but are so much fun to watch.
D: Do you have any tips for someone who's never done karaoke before?
JS: Karaoke isn't about the song itself; it's about getting up there with confidence and having fun with it. Go crazy and dance around—that's what the crowd wants to see! Try not to get nervous or freaked out. You don't have to have a good voice. Don't take it too seriously. I mean, you're not going to get laid by doing karaoke. I've been doing it for eight years, and I haven't seen it yet. [Laughs.]
Rockstar Karaoke hosted by Jermaine Smith happens every Monday night starting at 9:45 p.m. at the Hi-Dive, every other Wednesday starting at 9 p.m. at the Walnut Room, and every Thursday starting at 9:45 p.m. at Rockbar.
