THE KARAOKE SINGERS

Andy Warhol might have had karaoke in mind when he avowed everyone would have 15 minutes of fame in their lives.

Karaoke is Cape Girardeau's newest nighttime entertainment, where students, plumbers, salesmen anyone can get on stage in front of an empathetic crowd and belt out their favorite songs to the karaoke accompaniment.

From 6-9 p.m. every Friday at Rutherford's in the Plaza Galleria, fantasies become reality as Joe and Susie Sixpack become entertainers.

The karaoke machine provides background musical accompaniment for singers who choose from more than 1,000 songs in the karaoke song book. The word "karaoke" is Japanese for "empty orchestra," an apt description as far as it goes.

But the definition doesn't say anything about fun, and that's what Ron Mix, owner of Rutherford's and the first person to bring karaoke to Cape Girardeau, said it's all about.

Mix said karaoke has nearly doubled his Friday night crowd. And it's a crowd that thoroughly enjoys itself.

"I'm really happy with the number of people who come in, and they're talented," Mix said. "But what's been fun is it's not competitive at all.

"We have some of the Greek organizations from the university come in and sing songs as a group; we've had people who do choreographed dance steps and gestures with their songs.

"Whether someone's really talented or not, it's still good entertainment and the audience never fails to show its appreciation."

Rick Brown runs the Bud Light pool and dart leagues in Cape Girardeau. Part of Brown's job description includes "hanging out" in bars throughout a four-county area, and he calls Rutherford's his "home bar."

Since the karaoke started about six months ago, he's only missed two or three Friday nights.

"I'm kind of a guinea pig who goes up there early to get people started," Brown said. "It's nice to get up and get a reaction from the crowd and then watch their reaction to other people.

"It's just really enjoyable. A lot of people say, `I never could do that.' But if they just watch and see a few other people, they'll see they can.

"Whether they're good or bad, people are always willing to listen and give people a chance."

Manassa Galaxy sound system put on the karaoke show Jan. 22. They're also scheduled to bring karaoke to the Downspout, between Cape Girardeau and Jackson on Highway 61, on Saturday.

Joe True, who works for the company, said they try to make it as easy as possible for people who want to sing.

If it's their first time, would-be entertainers generally show some reluctance to sing alone, so True and others are available to sing duets.

As the song's being played through the sound system sans vocals, the lyrics are displayed for the singer on monitors around the stage. "It's just like following the bouncing ball," True said.

The song list for Manassa's karaoke includes everything from Alabama to the Zombies, "A Brand New Me" by Dusty Springfield to "Your Song" by Elton John. Old show standards, patriotic and inspirational songs also are thrown into the mix to assure something for everyone's tastes and talents.

Mix said one of the best things about karaoke is it lets him see a side to his clientele he wouldn't otherwise see.

"It helps me get to know them better," he said. "Some people who come in here all the time you might never know that they have talent or a sense of humor. It shows sides of people that you wouldn't expect.

"I think it's something a group of bank tellers or nurses can come in together and have some fun with."

The crowd at karaoke night is a mixed lot. From college students to professionals. On Jan. 22, members of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority at Southeast Missouri State University were out in force as they are every Friday night at Rutherford's.

Some of them could sing, but preferred instead to chant like cheerleaders the words to the B-52's "Love Shack," which joins Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl" as a favorite among sororities.

"We usually get a group of girls to come out every Friday," said Kelly Simpson, an Alpha Xi from Troy. "There's nothing else to do in Cape on a Friday night and this is a lot of fun.

"You can just go off and act crazy and (you) don't care what people think."

Beth Farrow of St. Louis, also an Alpha Xi, said she was a reluctant participant at first.

"My friends drug me out here and dared me to sing," she said. "I found out it's a blast."

As a karaoke veteran, Brown said some people purposely "butcher" songs as a gag, but a majority who sing try to do well.

"It turns out they get to do something they've always wanted to," he said.

Mix said people don't have to worry about boos or vegetable projectiles because it's all done in a non-competitive, fun atmosphere.

"It's one of those things where I don't think anyone doesn't get applause," he said. "It's addictive. Your first couple of times, you're really nervous, but then it becomes so much fun that it's addictive.

"That's really what karaoke is all about having a good time."