Review of karaoke at China Inn

I had heard good things about karaoke at China Inn. They run karaoke there Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights, with a selection of KJs that rotate around. I finally decided to visit there for the Friday night karaoke. Summary... a good place for the older crowd.

Let me say this first, if you are looking for a place to get sloppy drunk and sing Don't Stop Believin' with twelve other guys and sing Cee Lo Green with the naughty words, this is probably not the place. As much as I love hearing people laughing because that can't keep up with the lyrics of a rap song, there are times when a fellow needs to get away and hear some of the older stuff. BTW, when I say "older stuff", I don't mean Backstreet Boys.

Karaoke on that night was hosted by JC and Company. Excellent collection of music, Jim was a very affable host, teasing some of the regulars just a bit, but keeping everything friendly. Very easy going fellow and very clearly the crowd has known him for years. After chatting with him a bit, I felt the same.

The crowd was also a good-natured group of folks, and it was also clear that many of them had been karaoke buddies for a long time. Even with that, I was made to feel quite welcome. I sat next to a fellow that I started chatting with and had a grand old time.

The speakers were excellent, being Bose L1. The mics, on the other hand, left a little to be desired. The mics for the singers were Peavey wireless mics.

If I may pontificate on the plight of KJs for a moment... KJs are faced with a dilemma. They want the patrons to sound good, but, let's face it, the mics get a lot of abuse. And wireless mics are great, cuz people are free to wander around and don't trip on mic cords.

But wireless mics are tragically expensive. I ran shows with a wireless Audio Technica mic that cost me about $100. And it was a cheap wireless mic. Which means, it would distort for anyone with a powerful voice or with a lot of overtones in their voice. Ideally, I would have spent the $400 for a wireless Shure SM58. But... this is karaoke.

So... the Peavey mics distorted pretty bad when Big Johnny got up to sing. Big Johnnie is a big guy and has an even bigger voice.

But all in all... I had a great time. And that what counts.

John the Revelator