Off Key Karaoke

My Karaoke experience began before Off Key Karaoke was even thought of.

Almost three years ago, Aubree (now retired) and I used to work together at this hell-hole called Ruby Tuesday. (That's not libel since this is considered opinion- an editorial... take that, lawyers!). Anywho, she began this once-a-week job bartending at the sports mall in Deerfield Beach where her sister (Sissy) used to do Karaoke. Well, me and my best friend, Lauren, eventually decided to go. For the record, this was not your "typical" bar. There was a hockey rink on the left side, a soccer field on the right, and a food stand (and a bar) in the middle. I, to say the least, was hooked.

So after awhile, we became groupies. Whereever there was a show (and no early school the next day), we were there, cheering on our KJ's and requesting songs that we wanted them to sing. After some time, we became what is now referenced as "Karaoke Nazi's." (Kinda ironic for a Jew, eh?) I would never sing- I still don't. I just pick songs that I would like other people to sing. But I know I suck, so I just sang from my seat. But, if someone sang a song and we thought they did a horrible job, we would hold up signs that said, "NO!" and if they did good, we would hold up a sign that said, "YES!" and either way, we would shout at them. "You butchered it! Never sing that again!" or, "Sing it again! I LOVE that song!" (That was my thing when I was drunk- "I LOVE that song!!!")

So week after week, we would religiously show up at the sports mall, heels in hand at the end of the night when we could barely walk on our feet, and a drink in the other. Good times at the Sports Mall.

Eventually, when Aubree was doing her own shows, she started at Crabby Jacks. One in Deefield and one in Boca. With her audience building, she met a lot of people- and so did we... especially the ones that would buy us drinks (those were our favorites). One person in particular that became a groupie- Lee. Now that it's the "in" thing to do, I would like to clarify that I was going to Lee's bar (I reference SoCo as Lee's bar) before it was the coolest place in the world to everyone else.

Off Key hasn't been around forever (and barely as long as I've known everyone). But the people I've met through this experience are people I will know for the rest of my life. Some are assholes and cunts, and some are honest and naturally good-hearted. But all in all, I love that crowed. They truly make me smile when I walk in there and they sing a song that I LOVE!!!

So I know I'm not there religiously anymore. And I know I don't sing and have no room to criticize. But Robert, Doris, Aubree, Sissy, Lee, and many more people that have come and gone, I will always remember because those experiences with those people hold a lifetime of happiness for me. Despite what they are doing now or what the future holds for all of us, we will have always had our wonderful (and mostly drunk) karaoke nights.