Well,
I guess I got Uncle Dave's temperature rising a bit ??
Just remember that it is not you, but the topic that I am giving my
very personal point of view about.

My definition of karaoke is:
Music already recorded in one way or another, hit the play button
and sing along.
And if everything is on tape or MD, included the singing, and the
artist is acting like this is live, then I call it cheat or fake,
not a live performance.
(As we see almost every day on TV, singing as high and clean as ever,
even when doing all kinds of things except from singing.
Wonderful instrumental solos, and not a cable plugged in, neither the
powercable to the amps!)
Maybe thats what they call unplugged?

Life lessons?
Most of the local performers who use songs known by others do the
best they can to copy the originals, we use to call it cover-songs.
I would rather see it done more personally, but the guests/audience
often seems to like the music similiar as they use to hear it in the
radio or TV.

I have seen karaoke singers who have memorized the words, and even
perform and sing far better that some of the "pro" do, so you can't
count all for one.
Many who have the gift to sing wonderful can't play any instrument,
or maybe not read scores, so already done arrangements is a nice tool
for them, as all the technical equipment is for us.

About the mentality and the rudeness among people, not ONLY the karaoke
singers, I fully agree with you.
I guess this is a way to behave that we see more and more, and the
respect for other people is a "dying art".

/Quote:
In reality - I'm sure it was created to save money by cutting out the
need for a live performer. It's doing just that.........
Quote\

And so does the automatic arranger keyboards and midifiles, one single
machine is the whole band.

Maybe it is possible to agree about that I do not have the very similiar
point of view as the pro's, but that I agree fully in when you or others
do your shows, you have the right to do it your way, use and without
being disturbed of too drunk "I am Elvis" or other guests who always want
to be the "one and only star".
GJ