What's New

April / MaY '05

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The excitement continues to build for KaraokeFest 2005 at Knott's Berry Farm. Wow, what a day this is going to be! So many things will be going on.

First, we would like to thank our Gold Sponsors: VocoPro, Priddis, Ace Karaoke and DigiPie; and our Silver Sponsors: Music Maestro and Greg's Pro Audio. We certainly appreciate your support. You make this event possible for the entire Karaoke community to enjoy.

The prestigious Crème de la Crème regional singing competition is taking place right now at a venue near you. Check out page 17 for all venue locations. You may qualify at any or all venues to increase your chances of being selected to make the finals at KaraokeFest. We would like to welcome the Royal Room in Bellflower (a 7 night a week Karaoke venue) to the competition this year replacing Club 49. We are happy to have them on board. There is also the possibility of a new Karaoke documentary that will be shot at some of the contest venues and at KaraokeFest itself. As we receive more information about that we will post it at www.KaraokeFest.com.

The folks at Knott's have been hard at it adding no less than 4 new rides since last year's "Fest" (including the Silver Bullet and the Screamin' Swing, both world class attractions). The park has never looked better or been more exciting to visit, truly something for everyone and fun for the whole family. Tickets are only $24, a real bargain, (that's $21 less than the regular price of $45) and that includes KaraokeFest and all of Knott's world class rides and attractions. To order tickets you may call (714) 826-2212 or visit www.KaraokeFest.com. There are only a limited number of tickets available at this price so please order yours right away.

There will again be 7 Karaoke stages located throughout the park, right on the midway, so everyone will have plenty of opportunities to sing all day long. There will even be a children's stage in Camp Snoopy for all the youngsters to show off their talents. Last year we were amazed at the level of talent displayed by some of these great kids.

The main show will be hosted by radio and television personality, Manny Pacheco, in the Charles M. Schulz Theater and it will include the finals of the Crème de la Crème regional singing competition. Seven grueling weeks of competition will culminate with the finest singers and entertainers that Karaoke has to offer competing for the coveted title of Male and Female Vocalist of the Year. And, by popular demand, the renowned Shawn Parr of KZLA will be returning to host both the male and female competition. He was sensational last year and we are very happy to have him back. What a show this will be!

Also included in the big show are the Golden Achievement Awards (the Oscars of Karaoke). These prestigious and highly prized awards are presented to individuals and venues selected by the Karaoke public at large through open voting throughout a 45 day period beginning on February 1st and continuing through March 15th. There are 5 finalists in each category (plus ties). The nominees are listed on page 10 of this issue. Congratulations to all of you who are nominated for this year's awards. If you are a finalist…you are already a winner. If you are announced at KaraokeFest as a winner in a particular category…you are truly special

The Karaoke Expo will be really cookin' this year with lots of exhibitors and vendors showing off all the newest and most popular Karaoke hardware and software as well as related products. You're bound to find something to amaze you or something you've just got to have. This year all of the Expo booths will be located in the vicinity of the front of the Charles M. Schulz Theater so there will be more of a Karaoke "Bazaar" atmosphere.

And now here is some really good news. Karaoke Scene has brought together Mark Warshaw Productions and Gary Heimann Productions to produce a first class, professional quality, multi-camera production video of KaraokeFest this year. No more ifs, ands, buts or maybes. There will be an extraordinary video product available this year at a cost of only $20 each or $30 for two. You will have your choice of either DVD or VHS for this price. Don't miss this opportunity to relive your KaraokeFest experience over and over again for years to come or to send one to a friend or loved one. You can order your video(s) in advance by calling (714) 826-2212 or by visiting www.KaraokeFest.com. You may also purchase them at KaraokeFest. Just look for the Karaoke Scene booth in the Expo area at the front of the theater.

The Southern California Karaoke community has lost a long time friend and supporter. Frank Lucero, more popularly and affectionately known as "Wolfman" recently died in a tragic automobile accident. He will be missed by many including those of us at Karaoke Scene.

Finally…get out to those Crème de la Crème venues and show off your talents. We'll be there and are looking forward to seeing all of you. Also, if you are a Golden Achievement Award nominee, don't forget to make your plans to be at KaraokeFest. All nominees will be introduced and recognized during the main show. You are all winners and deserve to be applauded. See you all at KaraokeFest 2005!