Once in a while, you find the place that everyone knows your name. Or in the most recent case, where you know everyone else's name. Karaoke bars often end up as divy bars, as often times, a run of the mill Karaoke machine is simply brought into the bar to boost sales two or three nights a week. The groups of clientele tend to run small and can be somewhat eccentric.

I find it common that people are terrified of Karaoke stages. Would be superstars turned coward often claim to require copious amounts of alcohol and only sing songs "that they know". "I'm not a very good singer" is a frequent claim.

If there's one thing to be learned from the last year of excursions to Joe Mercury's Thursdays, it's that the qualities for good Karaoke singers are different than one might at first expect.

• You need not be a good singer
• You need not know the song.

Though these things will help, they can be compensated for through a) Song Selection b) Stage Presence.

Karaoke is as much about being a good singer as it is enjoying your own performance. Complaining about others is also part of the fun. But most of all, have fun in the experience and enjoy the ability to be the center of attention. As the Burger King of Karaoke will tell you - let your emotions run free: cross your arms to your heart, fall to your knees, and drop your pants on stage.