The Star Next Door

"Karaoke All-Stars"       
By: Rob Carlmark

Since the 1970's, people across the nation have been getting in touch with their inner rock star, thanks to to a Japanese invention known as karaoke. Rob Carlmark has the spotlight on several Central Coast residents who've gone from singing in the shower to singing on stage in part one of "Karaoke All-Stars."

For 15 years, Bill's Place in Arroyo Grande has been a hotspot for karaoke on the Central Coast.

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"We don't have any talent scouts here, nobody is looking for the top gun singer," says Doc Thompson, of California Karaoke. "We are just looking for people that just want to have fun."

As our cameras caught several patrons belting out various tunes, one singer stood out-- "Star Next Door" Howie Slater. After a five-month hiatus, Slater is back, crooning tunes for the folks at Bill's Place.

"It's actually pretty scary," says Slater. "People think it is easy, but you do havea fear but once you get the mic in your hand, the fear goes away."

Slater says it's the connection to the audience that keeps him coming back for more karaoke.

"You listen to the crowd, and the crowd tells you how you did, and that takes it over the top," says Slater.

If you think you have what it takes to sing a song or two, Bill's Place in Arroyo Grande offers karaoke five days a week.

Copyright KSBY 2005

To watch news segment in Windows Media Player, click here:

http://californiakaraoke.com/video/KSBY.wmv