For two San Luis Obispo residents, Doc and Nancy Thompson, a Japanese version of a fail-safe, hi-tech sing-along called karaoke is music to their ears.

The couple own and operate California Karaoke, the largest entertainment venture of its type on the Central Coast . Six days a week, the two pack a trunk full of computer-generated gadgets into their car and drive to a number of popular venues from Creekside Lanes in Atascadero to Bills Place in Arroyo Grande.

And, six days a week, aficionados drive similar miles to pack the bars where the Thompsons appear. There, they meet with others who share the same love of performing and, together, they make music, choosing their favorite songs from the Thompson’s’ collection of more than 4,500 specially recorded pieces.

The idea of an electronic sing-a-long dates to 1984, when it received its first tryout in a converted boxcar in rural Japan . The name comes from two Japanese words: “kara” from karappo, meaning empty; and “oke,” a shortened form of the Japanese word “okesutura,” meaning orchestra.

In short, it is empty music, a reference to the fact that the records are made with­out a vocal, and that’s where the Thompsons customers come in.

Paulina Burton, a San Luis Obispo mortgage broker, has been singing to the beat of the Thompsons’ music for five years. Her picture is on the wall of one bar in a special frame reserved for ‘Star Performers.’

“I come so often because there’s a sense of family. Doc, Nancy and the others are like part of a family,” Burton says.

If you are not familiar with karaoke, it is a Japanese import but has been so thor­oughly Americanized it’s been called “Mitch Miller for the 20th century.” It’s the ultimate in hi-tech audience participa­tion and the ideal choice for anyone who likes to sing but is unsure of his or her abilities.

The Thompsons grew up in Fresno , spending much of their adult years working in the health care field. Nancy worked as a nurse and health care assistant. Doc has a doctorate and was a certified psychotherapist for 25 years. In the early years, he was a mental health program director in Fresno County . When he tired of that and turned to private practice, Nancy came with him as office manager.

Then, he explains, “We went through a series of events that resulted in a complete change in lifestyle.”

The couple moved to the Central Coast and settled in Cambria where they opened an electronics store.

Former healthcare professionals turned Cambria Electronics storeowners Doc and Nancy say their lives changed overnight after hearing a salesman demonstrate some karaoke equipment in their shop.

One day, a man peddling electronic equipment stopped by and demonstrated the latest in karaoke equipment.

Almost overnight, the Thompsons were in the business; now, they own five fully equipped systems.

Sometimes they work together, as they do at Bills Place in Arroyo Grande; some­times Nancy works alone as she does with ‘Star Performers’ Night” at the same site; and, at other places, specially trained emcees take over.

Wherever they can he seen, the most likely venue is a bar because the music seems to fit and because customers like the ambiance. But not everyone comes for the beer and pretzels.

August Gabriel, who is manager of the Nipomo Swap Meet, has a different reason to come to the shows.

“I don’t drink but I love to sing in bars. Karaoke is my answer,” he explains.

Writers have offered numerous reasons for karaoke’s popularity. Some have even likened the experience to Andy Warhol’s legendary “15 minutes of fame.”

Thompson puts his own twist on it. “I think everyone wants to be an enter­tainer and karaoke gives them a guaran­teed three minutes of fame.”

While the songs are a combination of today’s favorites and yesterday’s stan­dards, they are made especially for karaoke, recorded with full orchestra backing but without a vocalist. Words are shown on a video screen, along with rhythm cues, and special lighting is added. With hi-tech help, every performer sounds great, even those with moderate ability or no experience.

Those who arrive first sing first, and, after that, singers appear in strict rotation.

“I play between 30 and 40 songs each night and, even on a busy night, each singer gets to belt out several songs” Thompson explains.

According to Nancy , current favorite sing-along songs include “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” by Brooks and Dunn, “ Sweet Home Alabama ” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and almost anything by Garth Brooks. Nancy has a large repertoire and can sing blues, rock and classics, but Doc admits to being somewhat “limited.”

“I’m a three-song wonder. I can do ‘Mack the Knife,’ Love on the Rocks’ and ‘Blueberry Hill,”’ he says.

According to the couple, one of the most talented singers is Rory Aylward, a Mono Bay regular who is also a televi­sion producer (“Silent Night,” shown on Hallmark Theater, is one of his projects).

Not long ago, he performed his rendi­tion of the Frank Sinatra standard “The Best is Yet to Come.” As the lights dimmed and music swelled, Aylward’s voice and phrasing were so close to vin­tage Sinatra that it seemed almost as if the real man had returned.

About a year ago, Doc was interviewed on BBC by talk show host Ros Atkins about techniques and technical advances. Doc’s view was that there is little that is new in karaoke but the technology is being applied in creative and unique ways.

The Thompsons set up regular shows at several bars. They will also bring their music—complete with custom recordings, flashing lights and a sound system that rates high in decibels—to any location and occasion you want from a birthday party to a bar mitzvah. For details, call

(800) I-LOVE-2-SING.

© SLO County Magazine April 2004