Getting our music out there really is what we are all after. Regardless of whether you are chasing dreams of commercial success or are working on the idea that music should be free for the masses. Getting it to the masses is the end goal. What better way than to take it to a place where you have a captive audience for the entirety of your song?! That's right a Karaoke Bar!!

I know. I know. I can hear the mass "Uggg!" and feel the angry stares across the web from you pure artists. If you think about it, though, here is a chance to perform one or two tracks to generate interest in your music from people it otherwise would not have reached on top of testing your tracks out in front of an audience without fear of losing a gig or dealing with an angry bar owner.

Davies Dawn has been doing this for quite some time and are able to generate fans quickly from the bars they go into. They say it Started off as a way to test the songs on a live audience much like a focus group the major labels would use. It has enabled them to hone in on their target audience and improve their song writing.

I sent Paul a message to see how they do this in case anyone wanted to try it. Here is his response.

"Once the audio is set (studio mix recorded without lead vocal), the software that we have used is from MicroTechnology at www.mtu.com They have a complete set of software for creation of the lyric & audio sync and the CD-G karaoke disk creation (instructions are included). They also have karaoke software necessary for running a karaoke show. As a side note, although the software claims that any standard CD Burner can be used to burn CD-G disks, I recommend one that is rated for burning CD-G Text graphics as well (look at the site for details)."

As a former DJ/KJ I can tell you the crowds in the karaoke bar really just want to have a good time but when they hear something they really like they will tear the house down to let you know. Once you have set up your CD-G just take it in fill out your request slip to get in the song rotation and let the KJ know you have brought your own disc. They won't think anything of it. LOts of people bring their own store bought CD-G to the bar. Besides if you are like me you just wanna have good time performing for people. Try it out you just might like it. Remember this is helping get your band's name out there and helping you test songs for your set list/CDs playlist!

Wow, weird idea, I never thought about that. You really had people singing local band's music? I suppose if you were going to do that, then it would be something that the club would have to play often and that the regular crowd would have to know well and respond to.

Very interesting, I have not ever thought of this before!