American Idol

American Idol begins season 9 on January 12, at 8 PM... but will we be able to see it?

Time Warner Cable is in contract disputes with FOX Networks over pricing. FOX wants to charge Time Warner $1.00 for every subscriber it has, and the cable company say "NO WAY!" The contract does not go into effect until Jan 2, 2010, which means locally, any cable subscribers could be in the black as far as their favorite FOX shows.

TWC is refusing to negotiate with FOX over the issue, saying it would need to raise all of it's cable prices. Insiders say this could change the way network series are sold in the future.

Let's hope we get to see Idol Season 9!!

New Titles Added

Check out the NEW Songs added to our rotation...

We just added 35 new current releases to the karaoke selection, including Miranda Lambert - "White Liar," Britney Spears - "3," Snow Patrol -"Just Say Yes," Blake Shelton - "Hillbilly Bone," Randy Houser - "Whistlin' Dixie," Toby Keith - "Cryin' For Me," and Whitney Duncan - "Skinny Dippin."

Coming soon... Adam Lambert - "Whadya Want From Me," Reba McEntire - "Consider Me Gone," and Carrie Underwood - "Undo It."

If it's out.. we have it! Just ask.

Check out the new TGIK web design http://www.thank-god-its-karaoke.com
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Toby Keith Decade's Top Artist

In 1993, Toby Keith’s debut single, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” rose to the top of the charts, christening a career that has garnered ample recognition, fame and fortune. This year the singer/songwriter has been honored by Billboard as its Top Country Artist and Songwriter of the Decade. Keith also ranked No. 3 on the publication’s Top 200 Artists of the Decade list.

Keith’s prominence should be no surprise as he annually shows up on the Forbes list of Top Earning Country Stars. For 2009 he was No. 3, behind Kenny Chesney and Rascal Flatts, with estimated ‘09 earnings of $52 million. On the 2008 chart he grabbed the No. 1 position with earnings of $48 million.

Keith’s mantle of recognitions is crowded. The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) bestowed its 2000-2009 Songwriter/Artist of the Decade Award to him for songs such as “How Do You Like Me Now,” “As Good As I Once Was,” “God Love Her,” “Beer For My Horses” and many more. Also during the last decade Toby was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, won the ACM Entertainer of the Year Award for two consecutive years and earned a three-time Country Artist/Songwriter of the Year Award from BMI for his catalog which has generated over 65 million performances.

In addition to writing songs and recording, the artist has successfully toured throughout the U.S. and recently returned from a two-week sold out European schedule that included nine shows in six countries. He regularly journeys to perform for the troops in the Persian Gulf and other locations prompting the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) to honor him with its Distinguished Service Award. Keith also owns a chain of restaurants, his own record label (Show Dog Nashville), has starred in two major motion pictures and recently launched a clothing line.
Last but not least, Toby Keith’s singles during this decade have reportedly spent more than a year at No. 1. This year he achieved his 27th No. 1 career single, the 16th of this decade.

Dollys Lyrics Sell for $7,150

Dolly Parton's handwritten lyrics to "I Will Always Love You" fetched $7,150 at a charity auction this week in Nashville. In addition, Willie Nelson's handwritten lyrics to "On the Road Again" brought in $3,510. The online auction offered donated lyric sheets from dozens of notable singer-songwriters.

Proceeds benefit the Americana Music Association. Other top bids include Robert Plant's "Please Read The Letter" ($2,225), Patty Griffin's "Heavenly Day" ($2,010), John Hiatt's "Have a Little Faith in Me" ($,2000), John Prine's "Angel From Montgomery" ($1,700), Peter Frampton's "Baby I Love Your Way" ($1,110) and Kix Brooks' "Red Dirt Road" ($1,060). The auction brought in about $30,000 after expenses.

Billboards Top for 2009

Billboard Magazine, which tracks the sales and airplay for all music, has just released it's Year End issue for 2009. Here are some of the Top Hits over the last twelve months;

COUNTRY SINGLES

1. "I Run To You" by Lady Antebellum

2. "Whatever It Is" by Zac Brown Band

3. "Boots On" by Randy Houser

4. "It Wont Be Like This For Long" by Darius Rucker

5. "River of Love" by George Strait

6. "Sideways" by Dierks Bentley

7. "People Are Crazy" by Billy Currington

8. "Alright" by Darius Rucker

9. "Sweet Thing" by Keith Urban

10. "Big Green Tractor" by Jason Aldean

HOT SINGLES (Popular)

1. "Boom Boom Pow" by Black Eyed Peas

2. "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga

3. "Just Dance" by Lady Gaga

4. "I Gotta Feeling" by Black Eyes Peas

5. "Love Story" by Taylor Swift

6. "Right Round" by Flo Rida

7. "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz

8. "Single Ladies" by Beyonce

9. "Heartless" by Kanye West

10. "Gives You Hell" by All American Rejects

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New Years Karaoke

Hope to see everyone on December 31, for New Years Karaoke Party at the Watertown VFW Hall.

Admission is free and open to the public. Please bring a dish to share or pass.

We will have lots of party favors, surprises, singing, dancing, and FUN!!

Ring in 2010 and say goodbye to 2009 with TGIK and your friends! Bring along as many people as you wish... the more the merrier.

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TGIK Video (YouTube Version)

A YouTube version of the Video made for TGIK of our famous singers and faces from 2008 and 2009... Looking forward to capturing more friends and singers in the coming year!

Karaoke Cafe - TROUBLE

From Chartbuster's Karaoke Cafe in Seymour, TN, just outside of Knowxville...

Vocal Range

Vocal Range... What It Is, How Much Of It You Need To Sing Great
by Judy Rodman


How can you increase your vocal range? It's a question I hear all the time. Many times, this question is uninformed. There's no need to sing in whistle register if you're not doing Maria Carey style vocal runs, or singing the part of "Tony The Tiger" in those commercials. Why people have contests over this eludes me. Here's a more informed question:

How much vocal range do you need?
Answer: You need enough range to sing the songs you want to sing... without straining your voice.

So, if you experience vocal strain or weakness trying to hit the low or high notes in the songs you want to sing, you may indeed need to extend your range. But wait...what does this mean?Extending vocal range has two meanings, the way I see it.


◘Extending voice as low and high as you possibly can without strain.

You do this with vocal exercises designed to work your voice lower in chest voice and higher in head voice or falsetto than you would ever really sing in a song. This is very good for working the vocal apparatus out, flexing and strengthening the vocal muscles and adding to their ability to change the thickness and length of the vocal cords to the extreme. The cardinal rule is that this training and exercising must never be undertaken so far or so fast as to cause vocal cord strain. Ever pulled a hamstring? Can you imagine doing that in your throat? If it hurts it's wrong! As in other athletic endeavors, form is everything, and patience is the key to improvement.


◘Extending your middle, or mixed, voice where you will be singing in practical application.

This involves vocal exercises that enable the coordination of musculature within the vocal apparatus, so that changing the thickness and length of vocal cords is done with great finesse, which involves such things as the tilting of the thyroid cartilage and the balancing of strength in the thyroarytenoid muscles with that of the crycothyroids. It also involves a lifting of your soft palate. These vocal exercises must be designed to carefully go over the "break" point(s) in your vocal range until they erase that break and your voice blends in one seamless register.A little understood fact: Extend your ability to mix your chest and head voice registers and it will have the practical application of extending your vocal range when you sing. I used to have the worst break of anyone I've ever heard; Power Path & Performance method cured it.

Hope this helps clarify. If you'd like a vocal lesson to learn safe and effective vocal range extending exercises, let me know.

*Taken from JudyRodman.com BLOG
Judy Rodman has many years of professional experience as an award-winning recording artist, stage and television performer, multi-genre hit songwriter, studio producer and vocal consultant, and a highly sought-after voice teacher.

TGIK Video

A new video I created to show of some of our Friends & Fans from 2008-2009! Enjoy!

Singer Fail

This looks like somebody singing at one of our Karaoke shows... LOL

52nd Annual Grammy Nominees Announced

The list of nominees for the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards has been announced! Beyonce received a staggering 10 nominations, with Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga following close behind with 8. Some ist of nomnees are below. The awards show will take place January 31 in Los Angeles, and televised on CBS.

Album of the Year:
‘I Am…Sasha Fierce’, Beyonce Knowles
‘The E.N.D.’, The Black Eyed Peas
‘The Fame’, Lady Gaga
‘Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King’, Dave Matthews
‘Fearless’, Taylor Swift

Record of the Year:
‘Halo’, Beyonc Knowles
‘I Gotta Feeling’, The Black Eyed Peas
‘Use Somebody’, Kings Of Leon
‘Poker Face’, Lady Gaga
‘You Belong With Me’, Taylor Swift

Song of the Year:
‘Poker Face’, Lady Gaga
‘Pretty Wings’, Maxwell
‘Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)’, Beyonce Knowles
‘Use Somebody’, Kings Of Leon
‘You Belong With Me’, Taylor Swift


Best Country Album:
'The Foundation’, Zac Brown Band
'Twang’, George Strait
'Fearless’, Taylor Swift
'Defying Gravity’, Keith Urban
'Call Me Crazy’, Lee Ann Womack

Can't wait to see who wins!! It should prove to be a great show.

Britney Hits Number One With "3"

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of her debut on the music scene, Jive Records is releasing Britney Spears The Singles Collection on November 23rd. To launch the special package, a brand new single entitled "3," which Britney recently recorded with hitmaker Max Martin, was released on November 9th in the UK and debuts at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, making her the first artist to do so in over three years, Billboard magazine reports.

The critically acclaimed single will also debut at #1 on the Billboard Digital charts. The ultimate fan box set version of The Singles Collection will contain all 29 of her singles, including the new song "3." Each disc will be packaged in its own slip sleeve case with original artwork, and will include an additional b-side or a remix of the track. The collection will include a DVD featuring all of Britney's videos in chronological order. The ultimate fan box set will also include a special booklet featuring iconic images and fun facts about each track.

The standard version of The Singles Collection will contain 17 of her chart topping favorites along with the new song "3," all on one CD.

New Releases

Check out all the brand new songs at Thank God It's Karaoke!! Come out to a show and sing with us... we have all the latest releases!

Joe Nichols - "Gimme That Girl"
Josh Thompson - "Beer On The Table"
Pearl Jam - "The Fixer"
Corbin Easton - "A Little More Country Than That"
Kesha - "Tik Tok"
Lady Gaga - "Bad Romance"
Miley Cyrus - "Party In The USA"
Beyonce - "Broke Hearted Girl"
Carrie Underwood - "Cowboy Cazenova"
Nickelback - "Never Gonna Be Alone"
Tim McGraw - "Southern Voice"
Susan Boyle - "Wild Horses"
Owl City - "Fireflys"
Michael Jackson - "This Is It"
Michael Jackson - "Music And Me"
Michael Jackson - "Ease On Down The Road"
Colbie Caliat - "Fallin' For You"
Lady Antebellum - "Need You Now"
George Strait - "Twang"
Alan Jackson - "I Still Like Bologna"
Brad Paisley - "Water"
Big Kenny - "Long After I'm Gone"
Daughtry - "No Surprise"
Fast Ryde - "That Thang"
Jessie James - "I Look So Good Without You"
Jordin Sparks - "Battlefield"
Kate Voegele - "99 Times"
Keith Urban - "Only You Can Love Me This Way"
Lady Antebellum - "I Was Here"
Mariah Carey - "Obsessed"
Miley Cyrus - "He Could Be The One"
Whitney Houston - "Million Dollar Bill"
Rob Thomas - "Someday"
Shinedown - "Sounds Of Madness"
Uncle Kracker - "Smile"
Tim McGraw - "It's A Business Doing Pleasure With You"
and many more!!!

Top Karaoke Songs for 2009

The American Karaoke Group, AKG, has reported its Top Ten Karaoke songs for the entire year of 2009. The list is compiled by 41 reporting KJ's throughout the USA based on number of times the song is performed per reporting event. Here are the top performed songs from all of, 2009...

1. "People Are Crazy" by Billy Currington
2. "I Told You So" by Carrie Underwood
3. "Pokerface" by Lady Gaga
4. "Take A Bow" by Rihanna
5. "Black Or White" by Michael Jackson
6. "American Ride" by Toby Keith
7. "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood
8. "Boom Boom Pow" by Black Eyed Peas
9. "Run To You" by Lady Antebellum
10. "Free And Easy Down The Road I Go" by Dierks Bently

All but three of these are popular at TGIK Shows as well... :)

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