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Loosely
translated, “Karaoke” means empty orchestra
in Japanese. According to folklore, the tradition
got its start in Japan after a musicians strike.
Anticipating another walk out, an orchestra owner
recorded a performance and, instead of canceling
shows after another walk out, he played the tape
and the choir sang along to the background of an
“empty orchestra.” A few decades later and there's
a new pastime sweeping the nation.
Most
ordinary performers enjoy Karaoke as lighthearted
fun. But some are taking what was once a mere hobby
a step further towards achieving life-long dreams.
All across America in smokey nightclubs, bowling
alleys, and bars, stars are born. Scouts from leading
recording companies such as Sony, Time/Warner, and
EMI have begun following the exciting new trend.
“The
Karaoke scene is really, really hot in Seattle right
now,” claims Rod Browning, 38, of Interscope Records
Artists & Repertoire. “As a matter of fact,
we've got our sights on a certain young lady right
now.”
Although
the popularity of the Northwest's 90s “grunge” phenomenon
has tapered off in recent years, sources confirm
that a growing Karaoke scene is developing right
in Seattle's back yard. “We like Chinese food, and
we like good music!” exclaims Charlie Wong, owner
of Charlie's Chinese restaurant in Mukilteo, Washington.
“Business was too slow,” Wong explains of the restaurant’s
past decline in business, “but after Karaoke came,
things really started to pick up!”
Wong
began advertising Karaoke nights late in ’89, in
an effort to attract new customers. Now venues like
Charlie's are sprouting up everywhere. “We've got
super-duper talent,” says Wong, “and there are regular
singers that are really starting to pack the house.
That good. Now we sell more egg roll!” Hang on Seattle—you’re
about to be rocked by Charlie's hottest new star:
Sheila Saputo.
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Saputo’s
weekly performances are electrifying. “Last week,
this 70-year-old man said, ‘How do you do it?’”
Saputo comments, “and I said, ‘I don't even know,’
and we high-fived. It was pretty sweet.”
Saputo’s
crowd pleasers include Michael Bolton's “We're Not
Making Love Anymore,” MC Hammer’s “Hammer Time,”
Weird Al's “Eat It,” and Saputo's personal favorite,
“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor. “I have this whole
USA outfit,” Saputo says of her performance. “I
just jump around and stuff, freaking out! That song
really got me through some rough times, man. It's
pretty sweet.”
Saputo’s
first memories of performing were at the local Skate
King in her hometown of Lavonia, Michigan. “I did
‘We're Not Gonna Take It’ by Twisted Sister,” Saputo
recalls enthusiastically. “I wore leopard skin tight
pants and a yellow wig and held a fake mic out on
the rink.” And the rest, as they say, is history.
Tragically,
Saputo recently sustained crippling injuries after
a freak horseback riding incident. “[It was my]
first time on a horse,” Saputo explains, reliving
the horrifying ordeal, “and his leg just buckled
and launched me two football fields or something.”
While the accident was devastating for Saputo and
her family, she has managed to keep her spirits
high by rehearsing her routines at home. Throughout
her recovery, Saputo has kept a close relationship
with the horse. “The horse’s name was Star Spangled,
and I went to see him after the accident and sang
the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ for him,” Saputo states
emotionally. “I just told him, ‘No hard feelings,’
or whatever. It was pretty awesome. I saluted him
the whole time and stuff. I'm doing my own exercises
to get over the pain. I rented the Kathy Ireland
workout video and have just been trying to keep
up. It's hard with the brace, you know?”
During
her prolonged recovery, Saputo has been busy with
her new side project band, Strawberry Jam. “I've
sent out copies of our demo to everyone, and I'm
still waiting,” she says. “I go to Sub Pop like
three times a week, just trying to let them get
to know me and stuff, and to show them how driven
I am."
It's
only a matter of time before the labels start making
their offers. In the meantime, you can catch Saputo
Tuesday nights at Charlie's, 20358 Highway 99.
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