By BEN OLSON/For The Herald — In my zeal to prepare for writing the karaoke edition of the entertainment column, I looked at what the internet told me were the 9 most iconic karaoke moments in movies. It just talked about them, though. Then I found a YouTube video clip of the 10 best karaoke scenes in movies. Most of the choices were on both lists, including the top one, Jim Carrey singing Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody to Love” in the movie “The Cable Guy.” Riveting.
Karaoke is live music
While I’ve only been writing about live music in the Highway 58 corridor, I’ve come to the conclusion that karaoke is, in fact, live music. It’s being sung by live performers who are fortunate enough not to have to hire a band or set up any equipment, or even show up on time.
When I first encountered karaoke, the DJs made a point of letting you know how many different cassettes they had of popular songs you could sing. A lot of genres were totally missing, or very underrepresented. That was then. With the internet, everything is available. Live versions, studio versions and covers by a wide range of artists doing the same song can be brought up. The latest technology has made it possible for you to be a star!
And where can you be a star in our readership area?
Karaoke along the 58 corridor
The Dexter Lake Club, in the heart of downtown Dexter, has karaoke every Thursday evening beginning at 5:30 p.m. Jared is the DJ, and has been doing this for quite a while. For information on this or any other music events, call 541 581 3000.
The Logger’s Den, in the rear of Big Mountain Pizza, on Highway 58 in Oakridge does their karaoke every Wednesday night from 7 until 10 p.m. The bartenders run the karaoke operation that night. For more details, contact Big Mountain Pizza at 541 782 9520.
The Moose Lodge, also along Highway 58 in Oakridge, is rocking every Saturday night with DJ Andrew Leach at the controls. Things kick off around 7 p.m. Even though it’s a private club, the public is welcome for events like this. For more details, please call 541 782 2558.
The new kid on the block is the Corner Bar in uptown Oakridge. The new proprietor Rob runs the karaoke every other weekend, both Friday and Saturday nights. The next weekend is coming up! Rob has told me that the karaoke equipment is always set up, and if you and your posse get a wild hair to sing some night, he would be more than happy to accommodate you. The Corner Bar is open from 3 p.m. until midnight, Wednesday through Sunday. Details can be had by calling 541 782 1828.
All four of these establishments offer a full bar and a food menu. There is no cover charge for the karaoke events.
Beyond karaoke
The 3 Legged Crane in uptown Oakridge is proud to present Chris Baron (www.chrisbaronmusic.com) on the stage Friday night, March 18, beginning at 6 p.m. Chris has been plying his trade on the west side of the Rockies for 20 years now. He has 5 solo albums to his credit. The Crane features hand-crafted beers and a sandwich and dinner menu. There is no cover charge for this event.
Broken Horn will be back on stage at the Lion Mountain Bakery this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 18,19, and 20 from 11 p.m. until 1 p.m. Accompanying himself on electric guitar, Broken Horn covers a wide range of pop standards, easy listening tunes and country classics. The Lion Mountain offers a spacious, relaxed atmosphere and both a breakfast and lunch menu. There is no cover charge for the performance.
The Dexter Lake Club in downtown Dexter will be having their regular open mic/jam sessions this Tuesday and Sunday, hosted by the multi-talented Brian Chevalier. Things kick off about 6:30 p.m. Bring your fiddle and play along. The Dexter Lake Club offers a full bar and a dinner and sandwich menu, and, of course, no cover charge for these musical events.
Yours truly is back, sort of…
My wife and I enjoyed a little R and R, which you may have read about. I somehow managed to suffer some sort of setback from my surgery that I had 2 months ago, so I’ll be taking a hiatus from playing live music until we get this figured out. It probably won’t stop me from writing, though, so you’ll continue to get a weekly entertainment column and another one with my random musings.
Keep supporting live music and the musicians who make it!
Oakridge musician Ben Olson, entertainment editor and columnist for The Herald, can be reached at [email protected]
George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.
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