CHANGES

It's been a long while since I posted here and many things have changed. Among those changes, Monaghans has postponed karaoke for the new year until about March, maybe later. That still isn't confirmed. I'll keep you informed

The bar business has changed (dare I use the word "drastically") and the LLBO appears to be on a witch hunt everywhere. Many sports bars, nightclubs and restaurants have been targeted for underage drinkers. In some cases allegedly "setup" for failure. From Oakville and west, it seems that many bars have raised their admission age to 21 or higher and increased security with professional security services. Understandably, some bars are demanding 2 pieces of I.D.upon entrance. Other venues are scanning your I.D. or drivers license in addition to taking your photograph. All of this increased security has affected the patron attendance. In some cases The way I see it is, it's not the fact that patrons are being asked to produce I.D., it's the slower wait time and hassel of getting through the door. I myself, was carded at a local bar on December 26. When the much younger security guard at the door asked me for I.D., I seriously wasn't sure how to react. I just said to him "really"? I'm 46. He said, I have to do it for the camera's.... The funny part was, the next 5 people that entered behind me, didn't get carded. Then I thanked him for the flattery and told him he made my day. Merry Christmas. The point of this blog is for all owners to understand that your customers get it. They understand now that LLBO is actively charging owners for underage drinkers. Here's my two cents. If you know young a person that is trying to be cool, trying to buck the system, trying to drink under age.....encourage them to wait their turn. They will have many years of drinking ahead of them. Sure, I get it, it's not as fun when you're "of age". Well remember this young people....you're only fucking it up for yourself. You're future of drinking at a public establishment has now been damaged due to your careless trials of breaching security with cheezey fake Alberta I.D. sold at every headshop in Toronto LOL!!! Now, bars are not accepting you (19-20 year olds) as a responsible trusting customer. I hope the laws change and the LLBO someday has the power to start charging these kids with fraud and underage drinking in addition to bad owners allowing this to happen. All of the owners I know and work for, are good upstanding citizens trying to operate a business, just like me. Without them, there IS no me.

NEW SCHOOL YEAR

It's been a while since I last posted here.  Many great things are happening.  Just to give you a jumpstart, Shane Domino Gray went into the studio to record some demo material and came out with a recording project.  We are happy to announce that she will be releasing a promotional disc of original material in 2012.
There are no promises of fame and fortune but baby steps and a a great team of writers, musicians and management are pooling her talents to make a really great product, that should be noteworthy of getting major attention.  This is not a basement recording project.  This is the real deal.  Full production recording in a major studio. If anyone would like to have Shane perform at a function, please contact me at 905 785 1300. She will be working to earn her SOCAN membership.  No job too small. Charities welcome.
Cheers!

Another Great Sheridan Year!!

It was exactly that!  The last day of karaoke was amazing.  Crazy singers came out and barffed out some tunes and belched out some songs.  It was a great ending to a great school year.  Congrats to all those students that have completed their courses and are moving on to LIFE!  Everyone else.  I hope to "....see you in September...."  Oh ya, Wake me when September ends.

Weather Or Not!

The weather has been playing a major role in keeping attendance a tad lower at Shakers and Monaghans the last couple of weeks.  But it does not dampen the spirits of the attendees (insert drum shot, har har har).  I have had record breaking amounts of singers.  What normally turns into a 50+ song night has been pushed to the limits at both venues by about 15%-20% increase in songs.  Having said that, a few factors come into play.  Because fewer people have attended, this leaves a little bit more room to rotate the line-up quicker.  In addition, I am aware that shorter songs have been sung and little to no interuption in between songs makes for a smooth rotation.  Keep'em coming guys, the nice weather is on the way, let's fill the bars and have some fun.  Encourage eachother and bring a new friend or two.  Get them hooked on ikaraoke and let the goodtimes roll.   Cheers.

Cancelled: Fridays At Bronte Sports Kitchen

After a long drawn out building of a pleasant karaoke night that otherwise would have had afforded an empty venue, the Bronte Sports Kitchen has opted to cancel Friday night karaoke. Having said that, I would have appreciated some notification. However, the talk is that karaoke will move to another day of the week in which I personally can't perform.  But wait....there's still more....once the weather gets a little warmer, then karaoke is said to be put on Sunday afternoons from about 3-7, the family hour.  Cool.  Alot of this is talk at the moment, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Although I knew the Friday change was coming down the road, it became a surprise to me when I showed up only to find a band setting up in my place.  I say no more.  

Follow this blog, I am negotiating a Friday night somewhere that will step up my karaoke game.  You may be singing through a true rock and roll PA system. 

See you tonight at SHAKERS.

9V BATTERIES DON'T WASTE THEM

As many of you know, I go throught a load of 9v batteries for my wireless mics.  I have always felt a little guilty about disposing of these batteries because I always knew that there was still some life left in these battery cells.  I am specifiacally speaking of 9v batteries.  Well, below is a video I found that will save you some money and knowing that you are not "as greatly" contributing to polluting the earth.  You can easily, pry open a 9v casing with a pair of needle-nose pliers and inside you will find 6, 1.5v batteries called quadruple "A" (AAAA).  At full charge they are 1.5v.  When dead, about 1.3v.  These batteries are a close fit to a Triple "A" (AAA) battery.  In a pinch, this rocks.  Watch this video.  it's very short and fast.  9v battery hack.

Shane Domino Gray Wins

It's Official, Shane Domino Gray has taken the championship title at Boston Pizza (Dixie/Eglintion) Karaoke competition.  (Shane is a regular star singer at Monaghans and Shakers)  For all of us that know and love her talented vocal stylings, this came as no surprise.  No bull, In many respects she was head and shoulders above the competitors. Song choice being the biggest and of course talent.  One judge claimed to be a Canadian Idol pre-judge travelling across Canada several times. He said, "If Canadian Idol were on right now and you walked into my room, sang that song, I would have definately moved you to the next round"  Supporters went ape-shit. 
Shane was on her game, moved the crowd with talent, entertained one judge by changing a lyric or two for laffs and won over some competitors supporters.  I eaves dropped on a young lady  supporting another singer, that openly said, "oh ya, she definately deserves to win".   I agree and so did all of Shane's fans. 

Shane, you have been blessed with an amazing talent, everyone around you knows it and wants you to succeed.  Do good things with it, and that goodness will come back to you tenfold.

See you all tonight at SHAKERS SATURDAY NIGHT KARAOKE.  See side margin for location and details.  Cheers.

Video Links of her performance and win announcement at top left margin.