Karaoke Assassin

Well it was bound to happen.  According to a New York Times article today, karaoke singers in the Philippines are being murdered in frightening numbers.  And the majority of them are being bumped off after singing "My Way".  I can't say that I'm surprised.  And I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP (to borrow a phrase from Dave Barry).You can click the link above (New York Times) and check for yourself.  Apparently Filipinos take their karaoke pretty seriously and will not tolerate sub-quality performances.  If your voice is no more than a croak, well you just might croak.  Experts studying the phenomenon are not sure why "My Way" sung badly evokes the most homicidal tendencies, but they speculate the song is just so darn familiar, you  darn well better do a good job of it.  (My own theory runs more to "OH NO!  NOT 'MY WAY' AGAIN!  PLEASE, SOMEBODY STOP HIM!!")

According to the article, "Karaoke-related killings are not limited to the Philippines. In the past two years alone, a Malaysian man was fatally stabbed for hogging the microphone at a bar and a Thai man killed eight of his neighbors in a rage after they sang John Denver’s "Take Me Home Country Roads".  Karaoke-related assaults have also occurred in the United States, including at a Seattle bar where a woman punched a man for singing Coldplay’s “Yellow” after criticizing his version."

Mostly the violence is limited to the occasional brawl when someone gets too many turns at the mike, but I can't say I blame them when tempers boil over into murder and mayhem after listening to several hours of drunken karaoke divas and dudes.    In fact, I'm thinking that there may be a career opportunity as a Karaoke Specialist gun for hire.  I might apply for the job myself. 

A Moving Moment

We performed a matinee show yesterday for a mostly older crowd at our favorite dinner theater.  We ended the show with our military tribute to the Armed Forces.  We sing the anthem of each branch of the service and ask anyone who has served in the military to stand when they hear their anthem.  We started with the Air Force, then the Marines, the Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, Navy, and finally the Army.  With each anthem men and women stood proudly around the room.   When we got to the Army, that's when the most people stood. We began to sing "Over hill, over dale, we have hit the dusty trail",  and people all over the room quickly got to their feet.  Then I noticed the elderly man at the table right in front of us.  He struggled to get out of his chair.  He grasped the table, and tried to rise, his wobbly legs failing him.  Then two strangers from the next table gripped his arms and helped him stand up, which he was barely able to do.  Tears came to my eyes and I almost couldn't keep singing. This ordinary-looking man who had been smiling and laughing  through our show, was suddenly a proud soldier who had served his country and would not let anything, including his own body,  keep him from standing up for the Army.  Then we sang "God Bless America". 
And he did it again.

Thank you, Sir, whoever you are.  We salute you.