Throw a great karaoke party!

Easy Steps to hosting a Great Karaoke Party!

No matter which karaoke service you use, here are some helpful recommendations to hosting the greatest karaoke party ever!

Before the karaoke party

1. Invite your friends: Send invitations to your friends and family. Make sure to include a few people who like to sing who will break the ice - it usually only takes one or two people to sing a song and then everyone wants to have a turn. If you’re using The KARAOKE Channel ONLINE, include a link to the song library so that your guests can browse the songs and maybe even practice if they want to before the party.  Send them this link: http://www.thekaraokechannel.com/online#page=library_highlights
2. Invite your neighbors: If you live in close proximity to others you might want to invite your neighbors too, better that they join you than complain about you!  At least give them fair warning that they may be hearing loud singing from your house or apartment.
3. Test your setup: If you’re using The KARAOKE Channel ONLINE you might want to move your computer to your living room or connect your computer to your TV screen test out the connections and cables a few days in advance in case you need to get a cable or two from your local electronics store.
4. Prepare song lists:
   • If you’re using the online website, print the song list (or part of it) so that your guests can browse the print out while someone is singing (LIBRARY > Browse Songs > Printable Song List.  Since this will print the entire song list, you might want to filter the list by using the SHOW and SORT BY features.  If you have a smart phone, you could also use The KARAOKE Channel Mobile App to browse the song list (the app is available at the App Store / iTunes as well as on Google Play). You can log in to the app with your ONLINE account credentials.
   • If you’re using The KARAOKE Channel TV App on a Smart TV, or The KARAOKE Channel App for Google Chrome - the song list will be the same as the online website or the Mobile app, so you can follow the above note as well to print a list in advance or use the Mobile app during the party.
   • If you’re using The KARAOKE Channel on Demand through your TV provider, browse the songs on the channel in advance and make a list of songs you think your friends will enjoy singing
   • If you’re using songs you downloaded from the Download Store, create the list of songs that you’ve downloaded, if use  iTunes to play the MP4s or Windows Media Player to play WMVs - and create playlists so that you can easily find the videos for people to sing.
5. Prizes: Everyone loves winning a prize. Find a few prizes to give away for the best singer, the funniest singer, the loudest singer.  Be creative with your prize categories and prizes!

The day of the karaoke party

1. When tidying up your party room arrange the furniture to create a stage area
2. Stock the fridge with drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and cupboards with goodies
3. Dig through your closets and pull out a few wigs, sunglasses, scarves and hats and anything else that would make a great prop or costume
4. If you’ve got a disco ball you’d better hang it up!
   
5. Charge your camera you won’t want to miss recording the night either with pictures or video!

At the party

1. Assign someone to act as Karaoke Jockey or take turns to make sure that there is always someone singing or music playing.  The KJ’s job is also to make sure that no one person hogs the microphone and that shy people get to sing too.  Good KJ’s know how to encourage people to sing without being pushy.
2. Play karaoke games - pass around song suggestions with the chips - take a chip, pull a song title out of a hat and get up next to sing it
3. Create karaoke themed drinks = be inspired by song titles and rock and pop stars.  What would you mix into a Lady GaGa cocktail?
4. Make sure to take lots of pictures
5. Announce prizes during the party

Tips for the Karaoke Jockey :

• Announce each singer as they come up to sing and after they’ve sung and make sure that the audience cheers every singer on
• If using The KARAOKE Channel ONLINE:
  • Add easy and fun songs to sing to the  favorites list, check the Top Party Songs for inspiration
  • Switch to Full Screen mode (refer to HELP > HELP CENTER > Karaoke Player for detailed information on all the features of Full Screen mode)
  • Use the Quicklist to access favorites and drag and drop songs to the Song Queue
  • Use the song queue to line up singers and add the singers name to the song they’ll sing
  • More detailed information about Party Mode at The KARAOKE Channel ONLINE is available in this article

Technical tips for setting up karaoke on TV

• Use The KARAOKE Channel TV App (for Google TV (US), for LG Smart TVs (Canada) or on your computer (using Chrome web browser) - (high-speed Internet required)
• Use The KARAOKE Channel ONLINE and connect your computer to your TV
• Download MP4s from the KARAOKE Channel Download Store and Connect your iPod or iPhone to your TV
• The KARAOKE Channel on Demand - just tune to The KARAOKE Channel, browse the song lists with your remote!

Karaoke Parties are Fun

Remember that it’s all about having fun and enjoying each others’ company.  Try to keep a positive fun vibe going and don’t let anyone take the performances too seriously.  And although drinking alcohol can loosen people up to sing (not necessarily better), if anyone drinks too much, please don’t let them drive.

If you have pictures from a karaoke party that you’d like to share please send us links to them, or post them on our Facebook Fan Page.

If you’re using The KARAOKE Channel ONLINE and have a web cam, press record and share the link to the recording(s) in the comments!  We’d love to see and hear you sing.  Here’s a sample web cam recording from one of our after-hour get-togethers :

Post updated: May 11th, 2012

Post from: Karaoke Lounge

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The KARAOKE Channel Mobile App for Android is now available at Google Play. Featuring the high quality karaoke videos that The KARAOKE Channel is known for this app offers more songs than any other app out there.

The KARAOKE Channel releases Mobile Karaoke App for Android

The KARAOKE Channel Mobile App for Android

This karaoke app for Android, like its counterpart on the iPhone, comes with 50 great songs in the style of today’s top artists, including Lady GaGa, Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson and many others. The complimentary song list is updated on a monthly basis to ensure there will always be new and popular songs to sing. Thousands more songs are available with the 30 day subscription.

Song lyrics on high quality videos - the best way to karaoke.

Sing along as the lyrics are displayed on entertaining videos. The songs play with scrolling lyric cues on original concept video backgrounds and an optional lead vocal guide track can be turned on or off, to help sing the songs if necessary. Full song lyrics are included on each song’s info page.

Use your ONLINE account on Android

If you already have an ONLINE account at The KARAOKE Channel ONLINE, all you need to do is download and install the app, then log in to the app with your ONLINE account information.  Star Members of the ONLINE site have access to all songs available on mobile.

It’s easy to find karaoke songs

Songs are easy to find, browse the Featured lists by category, the Charts by genre, scroll through your Favorites or use the Search feature to search for songs or artists or lyrics.

The KARAOKE Channel Mobile App for Android Song Listing

The Song Info page shows information about the song of course (year, duration, key) and allows you browse related content, like other songs in the style of the same artist and recordings of the song, but also lets you view the full lyrics for each song.

Recording songs is not supported with the Mobile App.

Enjoy Singing Karaoke Wherever You Go

Looking for inspiration? Check out these karaoke singers singing with the mobile app:

What are you waiting for? Sing Karaoke Today with your Android smartphone!

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Great Karaoke Songs to Sing at Easter

• Oh Happy Day, in the style of Sister Act 2
• The Old Rugged Cross, traditional
• People Get Ready, in the style of The Persuasions
• Amazing Grace, traditional
• At the Cross, traditional
• His Hand in Mine, in the style of Elvis Presley
• Here Comes Peter Cottontail, traditional - one for the kids!
• What a Friend we have in Jesus, traditional
• How Great Thou Art, traditional
• You Raise Me Up, in the style of Josh Groban

Gateacher74’s beautiful karaoke performance of Oh Happy Day!, in the style of Sister Act

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These songs are also available with The KARAOKE Channel Mobile App or in MP4 format for download at The KARAOKE Channel Download Store.

Happy Easter everyone!

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Duets, a new singing competition on ABC TV

The premier date is yet to be announced, but now is the time for you to sign up for your chance to sing with Kelly Clarkson, Lionel Richie, Robin Thicke or Jennifer Nettles on “Duets” ABC TV’s new singing show to enter the ring of TV Singing Competitions with the likes of American Idol, X Factor, The Voice, America’s Got Talent and CW with the new Star Next Door.

Casting details are posted for Duets on ABC’s website: http://abc.go.com/site/casting

If you enter the casting call, please let us know how it goes!  Good luck!

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St. Patrick’s Day tunes to bring you the luck of the Irish!

The karaoke songs on tap to celebrate the Irish this weekend are:

• Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Traditional song
• When Irish Eyes are Smiling, Traditional song
• My Wild Irish Rose, Traditional song
• Whiskey in the Jar, in the style of Metallica
• Danny Boy, in the style of Traditional
• The Wild Rover, Traditional song
• For The First Time, in the style of The Script
• Molly Malone, Traditional song
• Dreams, in the style of The Cranberries
• Runaway, in the style of The Corrs
• Wearin of the Green, in the style of Tony Malone and the Raparees
• Chasing Cars, in the style of Snow Patrol
• The Orange and The Green, Traditional Song
• The Boys Are Back In Town, in the style of Thin Lizzy
• Nothing Compares 2 U, in the style of Sinead O’Connor

For inspiration, look no further than Azurelle singing Runaway in the style of The Corrs:

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Sing your heart out!

Love Songs for Valentine’s Day

Choose one of these love songs and sing your heart out today!

1. Unchained Melody in the style of The Righteous Brothers
2. At Last in the style of Etta James
3. Love Me in the style of Justin Bieber
4. How Sweet it is To Be Loved by You in the style of Marvin Gaye
5. Always on My Mind in the style of Elvis Presley
6. I Just Called to Say I Love You in the style of Stevie Wonder
7. Your Song in the style of Elton John
8. Saving All My Love For Your in the style of Whitney Houston
9. Heaven in the style of Bryan Adams
10. You Are So Beautiful in the style of Joe Cocker
11. My Girl in the style of The Temptations
12. The Rose in the style of Bette Midler
13. My Love in the style of Paul McCartney
14. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face in the style of Roberta Flack
15. One Hand, One Heart in the style of Neil Diamond

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Share your online karaoke recording

After recording the love song, share your online karaoke recording with your loved one either:

• by email using the SHARE Email to a friend feature; or
• share your recording on Facebook
  

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Sing a karaoke duet with your Sweetheart

Singing to someone is great, singing with someone is even better! If you want to sing along with your love, choose a duet!

• Ain’t Nothin Like The Real Thing (Duet) in the style of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
• (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life (Duet) in the style of Bill Medley, Jennifer Warnes
• You’re The One That I Want (Duet) in the style of John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John
• Endless Love (Duet) in the style of Dianna Ross Lionel Richie
• I Got You Babe (Duet) in the style of Sonny & Cher
• Could I Have This Kiss Forever (Duet) in the style of Whitney Houston and Enrique Iglesias

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Microphones and The KARAOKE Channel on TV

The KARAOKE Channel TV App for Google TV

To amplify your voice and mix your vocal performance with the music when singing along with karaoke on your television there are multiple solutions available. However since there are many varieties of microphones, mixers,  televisions and speakers, we can only provide the following information as a guideline as to what equipment you might want to purchase.

Microphones require amplification and cannot normally be plugged into an “audio in” port on your television.  In addition, depending on the television, plugging anything into the “audio in” may cancel the sound from the television itself.  Since when you are singing karaoke, a mix of voice and music is desired, an external mixer would be required.

The type of audio mixer to look for is one that accepts a microphone input (usually with a 1/4″ or XLR type connection) as well as an “audio in” (most likely a 1/4″ connection).   If the microphone you are using requires “phantom power”, please be sure to purchase a mixer that provides phantom power to the microphone. An audio cable from the television “audio out” to the mixer will also be required to mix the music with the vocal.  Finally an audio cable from the mixer’s “audio out” to the speakers will be necessary, and external speakers are preferable. It is not recommended to plug the mixer’s audio out in to the television audio in, as this may cause feedback or a delay to occur.

As mentioned, there is a wide variety of equipment and microphones to choose from, and not all will be compatible with specific television sets.  If there is a music supply store in your area that sells microphones and mixers, they may be best to help you choose a microphone, mixer and speakers that will work best with your TV.  The  World Music Supply website,  is an example of a possible audio mixer that may work, depending on the microphone you have as well as the audio in connections supported by your television.  Please note The KARAOKE Channel has not tested this equipment and cannot guarantee that it will work with your system.

Note that while  many TVs today have USB ports, in most cases these ports are for data transfer only and not for USB microphones or mixers (which require plug and play drivers that are only available for PC/Mac computers).

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Get into Party Mode with The KARAOKE Channel

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Updated for the 2011 Holiday Party Season!

Sign Up and Log In

If you don’t already have an account, sign up for Free Membership at The KARAOKE Channel ONLINE.  Free Membership offers you 50 free full length songs to sing along to.  All of the Party Mode features listed in this article are available with Free Membership.  But, 50 songs may not be enough for you and your friends to have a party with.  Three types of Star Membership are available, each giving you access to full length versions of the thousands of songs that are available in your country.  Since the Shining Star Membership is effective from the time that you purchase it and continues for 48 hours thereafter, it is the perfect choice if you are hosting a karaoke party.  If your party will last longer than 48 hours, you might want to purchase the Rising Star Membership, billed monthly or the Superstar Membership, billed yearly.

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Browse Songs and Add to Favorites

Browse the song library by genre, era or language.  Or check out the charts for some great suggestions for party songs for girls and guys.  Use the Add to Favorites feature, by clicking the heart shaped icon located next to all songs, to save songs that you think you and your friends would like to sing at the party.

Add Song to Favorites for easy access later

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Print Karaoke Song List

In advance of the party, print the song list to hand out to your party guests so that they can be looking for songs to sing while others are already on your sofa/stage singing their hearts out.  By default, the entire song library will print, in alphabetical order. You might want to set the SHOW and SORT BY features to limit the list a little.

Print the Song List in advance

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Browse the song list with The KARAOKE Channel Mobile App

If you’ve got an iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad, you can use The KARAOKE Channel Mobile App (available from the App Store/iTunes),  to let guests browse the song list while people are singing on the computer at the Online Website.  When a guest knows which song they’d like to sing, all you have to do is search for it by song title or artist name in the sidebar’s and then drag and drop the song into the Song Queue.  Both of these features are described below.

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Switch to the Full Screen Player

In order to live the full karaoke party experience you need to display the lyrics in full screen.  Click FULL SCREEN on the player to switch to Full Screen Mode.  don’t forget to make sure your web browser is also set to Full Screen.

Switch to Full Screen Mode for the Full Karaoke Trip

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Keep the party going with the Song Queue

Here’s where the fun really starts.  Access your list of favorite songs at the top right of Full Screen Mode in the Quicklist.  Drag and drop songs from the Quicklist - Favorites (or other Quicklist) or from Search results into the Song Queue.  You can add up to 33 items in the Song Queue at a time and you can easily rearrange the queue in case someone isn’t ready to sing their song.

Drag and drop songs to the Song Queue

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Take a closer look at the Song Queue. Drag and drop songs from the Quicklist or search results listings into the Song Queue. Rearrange the order of songs in the queue by clicking and dragging to a new position. Click the “x” to the right of the song to remove it from the list.

Drag and drop songs into the Song Queue

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Edit the Song Settings for each Singer

Once you have songs in the Song Queue, click Show Song Settings to modify the settings for each song, according to the Singer’s preferences.  Everyone wants to see their names on the big screen, so at the least, enter each performer’s name.  Other settings available are: Lead vocal (on/off), Key change (if available for the song), Video or Black background, Lyric Wipe settings, Record (on/off).

Display each Singer's name on the big screen!

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Hide the Sidebar for an even bigger Full Screen

Once the singers are lined up and the song queue is rolling, you can hide the Sidebar while singers are singing to let the lyrics take over the complete full screen. The playback toolbar will disappear when you’re not using it, and reappear when you move your mouse back into the screen.

Full Screen with Sidebar Closed

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Click the Close Sidebar icon at the top right of the screen:

Close SideBar in Full Screen

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The song currently playing will be displayed at the bottom right of Full Screen and will alter to Next Song, including the name of the Singer (if you’ve entered a name).

Song Playing and Next Song

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When you need to add more songs, or rearrange the order of the songs in the queue, click Open sidebar icon..

More Karaoke Party Tips

If you’re looking for more general information on how to host a great karaoke party with any karaoke product or service, here’s another article that may help you.  How to Throw a Great Karaoke Party!

Have a great karaoke party!

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Songs giving Thanks

Some of these songs are obvious choices, others are not, but all are about gratitude for something or someone.

• Thank you for Being a Friend, in the style of Andrew Gold
• Thanks Again, in the style of Ricky Skaggs
• You’ve Made Me So Very Happy, in the style of Blood, Sweat and Tears
• How Sweet it is to be Loved By You, in the style of Marvin Gaye
• How Sweet it is to be Loved by You, in the style of James Taylor
• There You’ll Be, in the style of Faith Hill
• Thanks to You, in the style of Marty Stuart

God Bless the U.S.A. in the style of Lee Greenwood

Although not directly about Thanksgiving, one of our favorite songs about being thankful is God Bless The U.S.A. in the style of Lee Greenwood.  Here it is for you to sing now:

Songs about Potatoes

Sure turkey is the main ingredient for Thanksgiving dinners, but what kind of dinner would it be without the potatoes?

• Mashed Potato Time in the style of Dee Dee Sharp
• Addicted to Spuds in the style of Weird Al

Traditional Thanksgiving Songs

Here are traditional Thanksgiving songs that everyone knows.

• Over the River and Through the Woods, in the style of Traditional
• We Gather Together, in the style of Traditional

And for those of you who need a bit of comedy with your turkey dinner, here is Adam Sandler’s original Thanksgiving Song.  This isn’t a karaoke song, but there is nothing stopping you from  singing along, in fact we encourage you to sing loudly.

• The Turkey Song / The Thanksgiving Song, Adam Sandler, Saturday Night Light

Thank You

We originally published this article 2 years ago, but everything is still true!  Again we’d like to take this moment, readers, members and fans of The KARAOKE Channel, to thank you  for your support and passion that you share for singing with us, whether you sing online, with downloads from the store, with karaoke on your cable tv service or tv app or with your iphone/ipod touch with the karaoke app or with our videos on YouTube, we thank you!

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American Music Awards 2011 Nominees

Nicki Minaj and Pitbull announce the 2011 American Music Award Nominees:

The 2011 Artist of the Year Nominees are Adele, Katy Perry, Lady GaGa, Lil Wayne and Taylor Swift.

Adele has the most nominations this year with 4, while those with 3 nominations include Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Lady GaGa, The Band Perry, Rihanna, Lil Wayne. Double nominations include Beyonce, Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Jason Aldian, Kanye West, LMFAO, Nicki Minaj and Pitbull.

We’d love to hear your predictions as to who will win!

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