Used to be, karaoke had a questionable reputation. It was something that people goaded their friends into doing for fun. But with shows like American Idol flitting into the nation’s consciousness, everyone wants to see if they have the stuff to be a star. In Hudson County, a bevy of bars has been hosting karaoke nights and drawing regulars who want to make the next round of finals in July.
Oddfellows in Hoboken
Bartender Adam Ahl, who was the first place winner of the finals at Oddfellows in Hoboken two weeks ago, has a good voice and can mimic the voices of Ray Charles and Joe Cocker. Some would say there are singers with more skill, but Adam has what most do not.
Adam Ahl has style.
Adam and his friend Shannon Bowden, who came in third at a recent karaoke night, are karaoke regulars. They are friendly with the other competitors and have a following. So much so that the host of Wednesday night karaoke, Chuck Chamalian from Evil John Entertainment, called Adam one night when he didn’t show.
Adam doesn’t take himself too seriously. He sings with energy that his fellow singers respond to. He almost always dedicates at least one of his songs to a specific female, which brings a laugh from the crowd because the girl constantly changes.
“What’d I Say” by Ray Charles was the song that got him into the finals. He enlisted the help of some of the female competitors, who were glad to sing back up as an “Adam-lette.” He also wore sunglasses and played the air harmonica.
Another finalist, Devan DiGregorio, is a professional singer. She regularly performs at the Rainbow Room, and Cipriani’s on Wall Street, and is working on a solo project. With her long brown hair, stage presence, and vocal talent, she won the audience over with “Angels” by Jessica Simpson in the semi-finals. She says she likes to perform karaoke because it is good practice for work.
When asked whether she would ever consider performing on American Idol, she said, “Never do reality TV. Never do reality TV. But if that is my last option I would consider it.”
Two of her friends, Danielle Miller and Tina Philhower, are also regulars in Hoboken. They both have a musical theater background and pitch perfect sound. They frequently liven up the crowd with background dancing during each other’s songs.
PJ Ryan’s in Jersey City
Sunday and Wednesday nights, PJ Ryan’s in Jersey City is another place to be for karaoke. And it wouldn’t be complete without regulars like Elliott McDaniel and his friend Tom. Elliott is a seasoned performer and a favorite who has made it to the finals four times. He knows how to work the room as he sings. Elliott says he likes karaoke because he tries to spot talent for a cable TV show that he produces.
Elliott said, “It gives you a chance to sing with background music and vocals. You may not get the chance otherwise.”
John Chamalian, owner of Evil John Entertainment, has watched karaoke grow in local popularity. The PJ Ryan’s venue has been running the longest. When he gets a new singer, he tries to make them as comfortable as possible.
“I believe everyone can sing. It is just a matter of finding the right song,” John said.
John got over his own stage fright 12 years ago when his girlfriend made him sing “Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding at a karaoke night. He runs both karaoke nights at PJ Ryan’s and one at the Oddfellows location in Jersey City. He says that each of the bars has a different atmosphere, and he tries to play music in between the singers that reflects the mood and tastes of the crowd.
Oddfellows in Jersey City
According to John, Tuesday night at Oddfellows in Jersey City has a much different crowd than PJ Ryan’s. The feel is more relaxed with less pressure on performance. Robert Carnero, a regular at Jersey City, said he likes karaoke because, “It’s a great place to meet new people. Here you only meet people who respect each other, like family.”
According to John Chamalian, it’s also a good practice night for the regulars that hit all the venues. He said, “No other karaoke singer is going to ridicule you here, unless they are really stuck up.”
John is busy preparing for the next round of finals this summer. He thinks that this time he will have separate competitions for the men and women, so more people can win.
City Bistro in Hoboken
John LoPresto is the man with the mic on Tuesday nights at City Bistro on 14th Street in Hoboken. When Gina Avoletta, general manger, was considering candidates to host the night, she immediately thought of John.
“We picked him because his voice is dynamic and his personality is charismatic,” Gina says.
LoPresto is a Weehawken resident and familiar face in Hoboken. He is the lead singer of the local cover band Yo Cuz, which has been around since 1994. He has been singing all his life. When he first heard the album One, By Led Zeppelin he knew he wanted to be a singer.
According to John, karaoke is popular because “It’s about people having a few drinks and having a good time. It’s about bringing people together.”
LoPresto’s karaoke style includes improv. He often tells jokes between songs or will sing an acoustic version of popular songs. His karaoke night is popular with local musicians like Alex Sheen, who will borrow John’s guitar for a song, and Jonathon Hoop, a Hoboken resident who was in the original band Union Hill. It gives them a chance to practice their music in front of a crowd. LoPresto’s focus is on the community aspects of karaoke rather than competition. The crowd responds to him. People will often shout for him to sing another song, instead of pushing to get their own songs in. The crowd dances when he plays. He takes the pressure off of new singers by jumping in if they get lost in the lyrics. That, along with the candle-lit bar, make it a safe haven for singers who might be intimidated by the brighter lights and stage setting that the other venues have.
Who’s next?
So who’s going to be the next idol? All of the bars compete to see who will host finals. The next round will be in July. Adam Ahl says he plans to keep his title by practicing a few new songs. For his Joe Cocker impression, he says he has to smoke cigarettes and drink whiskey. Devon DiGregorio plans on practicing her best belting songs to steal the title. She has the voice, the ambition, and the audience response. But will it be enough? Or is there another singer out there waiting to appear? We’ll have to wait for the next round of finals in July to find out.