Last night, Josie and I met with a blogger friend at a bar on the east side. Unbeknowingst (is that a word?) to me, they have karaoke on Tuesday nights at 10 PM. Caitlin jumped at the chance and actually was one of the first few "singers." Josie and crew gently cajoled me to get up there for a while, and then pleaded, begged, and I think at one point threatened. But I refused.
Here's the thing - People assume that because I do stand-up, that I'm an outgoing, extroverted , confident kinda guy. Nothing can be further from the truth.
In reality, the reason I started doing stand up in my thirties is due to my fear of public speaking. I got lock jaw before going on stage at my first few stand-up shows.
In fact, when I was supposed to be on Blind Date, I got so freaked out, that during the on air interview, I actually forgot my name!
ANYWAY, I did kinda want to try, so I checked out the book of possible songs they had on file... Motley Crue's Shout at the Devil jumped out at me, but then I thought that no one else there knew the song...karaoke is best when others are singing along. Though I love the theme song to The Sound of Music, I couldn't see myself prancing about like Fraulein Maria. Then I saw G & R's Sweet Child O' Mine. Perfect! Then someone went up and sung it. D'oh! We kept scouring the book, and after coming across and singing a few bars of Kenny Rogers's The Gambler, our crew begged me to try it. Though I agreed is a perfect karaoke song, I declined.
Fast forward ten minutes, and dude running the karaoke announces, "Next up...Harris!" Shit.
Yup... they put my name in. I slowly ambled up to the front, asked the guy what song I was doing (usually people know), swallowed hard, and tentatively began to "sing."
Then I saw Josie in the crowd cheering me on, and before I knew it, my arms were swinging and my head bobbing, as I exhorted the crowd to "know when to hold them, know when to fold them, know when to walk away, know when to run."
Rock On,
Aitch
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10 comments:
Aw, I'm sorry we put you on the spot like that. For what it's worth, I thought you were great! And it was really nice to finally meet you. I hope I didn't scare you off with my drunken stupidity. I'm not usually that drunk. I swear.
"The Gambler" is also my karaoke song of choice. For I know there will be plenty of time to count my money when the dealin's done.
Josh
hey caitlin,
come now...you aint sorry! but that's okay - as I said, I kinda wanted to, but prolly wouldn't have if left to my own devices.
didn't notice you drunk...i didn't feel drunk, though i woke up to hanngover.
anyway, good meetn' you too!
hey josh homer,
yup...gotta see if they have The Piano Man...another awesome karaoke song.
rock on,
aitch
i think you rocked. you are the hero i've been waiting for.
hey josie,
maybe you can see if they have a lil Bonnie Tyler.
but thanks sweetie!
rock on,
aitch
Kind of funny Piano Man story - at my mom's pretend wedding to my stepfather (they wouldn't "officially" get married until this year, almost 15 years later), the entire bridal party of about 12 people stood in a line, arms clasped together, turning around and around the dance floor, singing "Piano Man" at the top of our lungs. It was one of the major highlights of my life. And a big surprise to the DJ.
I have a fear of public speaking, too, which is why you'll never find me doing any public SINGING!
Good for you, tho---even if it was just "singing."
JD at I Do Things
hey caitlin,
josie was MOCKING me for wanting to do The Piano Man.
hey JD as I Do Things,
sometimes I do things so YOU dont have to.
rock on,
Aitch
don't you feel more powerful now?
hell, we've all been in that exact place. on both sides.
hey molly,
powerful? not sure about that...hopng i will next time, when i sing "Shout at the Devil"
Rock On,
Aitch
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