Ringing In (and singing in) the New Year

It's always good to welcome new singers. Last week, some of Brenda's co-workers joined us at Scor. One is no longer a karaoke virgin. It was a fun, festive evening for everyone. 

We'll be singing at  Scor this Wednesday evening, with only one more night left in 2009! New Year's Eve, we  will be ringing in the New Year and singing  karaoke at River Rats, West Carrollton VFW.  It is open to the public, with food served at midnight.   Join us if you can!

Brenda and I wish you and your family a very Happy New Year full of happiness and good health.

Cheers!  Cary

Christmas Cheer

We've been spreading Christmas cheer throughout Dayton this week with two great nights of singing and celebrating with friends. 

 We indulged in wine and Christmas Cheer at A Taste of Wine last night. As usual, there was a "standing room only" crowd that was lively and fun.  We sang Christmas carols for the first hour, then moved on to some old rock and roll and disco!

Some party-goers even bring their own instruments!

Wednesday night, was my annual Christmas Karaoke Party.  This year, it was at Scor.  Old friends and new friends mingled for an evening of singing and party games (scratch off's , Christmas Trivia and Pass the Parcel).  

                 

Some people came in costumes.

Tina and Karen, two of our regular patrons, were also celebrating their birthdays with us. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TINA AND KAREN! Thanks for spending the evening with us!

I hope YOU are also having a joyous holiday season. 

Cary

Tis The Season

Seasons Greetings!  The last few weeks have been busy with Christmas activities. The tree is up, the stockings and lights are hung and and over 50 Santas have taken up residence in our house. Brenda is doing lots of cooking and I am doing lots of singing.  Ollie, our new kitty, is settling in for his first Christmas. 

Our annual Karaoke Christmas party is at Scor on December 16th.  We will be having several special activities. We hope you can join us and celebrate the season with old friends and new. 

By the way, Ollie is practicing for a singing career.  He's not quite ready to take the mic yet, but he has a great set of lungs!  

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

Musically, 

Cary

Thanks To Our Veterans!

Veteran's Day was a few weeks ago, but this weekend marked another opportunity to honor those who served in our armed forces.  I have been honored to provide the entertainment at the 3rd District Midwinter VFW conference for the past 5 years. This event is held at the Holiday Inn and is very well attended. As a veteran and a member, I was proud of the turn out this year, and proud of all the services  the VFW organization supports throughout the year for the benefit of our veterans and our active duty personnel.  I am always touched by the annual tribute paid to our POW's and MIA's who are absent, but never forgotten. 

                           "Judy, Judy, Judy" and I singing at the conference. 

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!! MARK YOUR CALENDARS.  MY ANNUAL KARAOKE CHRISTMAS PARTY WILL BE HELD ON DECEMBER 16TH AT SCOR.  HOPE TO SEE YOU!

Still Doing It "Her Way" at 75

We all had a wonderful time celebrating Carolyn's  birthday with her at Scor. Carolyn may be 75, but she is now aging in reverse!   No sipping tea or water for Carolyn.  She gulped down Tequila Shooters! 

 

No sitting quietly on the sidelines! 

Carolyn was picking up younger men! 

Carolyn was the Trivia Queen, as everyone learned  about her life. Did you know that the Loch Ness Monster was first spotted the year Carolyn was born? Carolyn started singing Karaoke when she was 70 years old. Five years later, she is still going strong and the audience loves her. Carolyn's favorite song is "My Way" because it describes her attitude towards life. Congratulations, Carolyn.  Keep on doing it your way! We love you!

  

Hello Kitty!

Brenda and I are the proud parents of a little orphaned kitty who appeared at our house yesterday. Poor little thing was starving, scared and pathetic. What a difference a day makes! She is making herself right at home now and is learning to eat and play.  She thinks our dog, Gizmo, is her mama.  Fortunately, Gizmo is being very tolerant and protective of her. 

HALLOWEEN

Didn't get many photos taken this year, but here are a few.  That's Jim and Gail as the flapper and hippie, and I am the Scotsman, of course. And yes, I did wear something under my kilt! Shorts! I needed some pockets! Hope your Halloween was fun!

The Beat Goes On...

Many people will walk in and out of your life, 
but friends will leave footprints in your heart. 

We will always treasure our memories of Bernie and Gracie.

The beat goes on and on and on, even when some members of the band are gone. This week we saw the passing of two very special people, Bernie Karns and Grace Cliff.  Most will remember Bernie's  lifetime as an entertainer. Remember also, that through all his trials and experiences, the beat went on.  Gracie too, was always upbeat, headstrong and supportive. As we remember these two in the coming days, let's keep the beat going. The  beat goes on......

Hayride to Paradise

Congratulations to Stacey and Doug Middendorf! I was honored to be the DJ/ KJ at their wedding reception Saturday. The wedding party arrived on a hay wagon and that set the stage for a fun evening! Best wishes to Stacey and Doug!

There's Singing Going On At Scor!

We are continuing to draw good crowds at Scor, thanks to all of you who faithfully follow me and to the many new singers who come each week.  We average 22 singers each week and an equal amount of listeners.  Come to sing! Come to eat! Come to shoot pool! Come to spend a good evening out with friends!  Hope you can join us Wednesday nights at Scor!

We scored at Scor!

Wow! We had a great night at Scor last night, for our first night of Karaoke. We FILLED the place and had so many great singers. We also had a big crowd of listeners. Thanks to everyone who brought friends. A big thank you is extended to everyone who came.  I know that some of you traveled a long way to get here (Mason, West Chester) and I truly appreciate your support and friendship.  I also want to extend a big thank you to bartender, Steven and waitress, Lyndsey.  They really worked hard to keep up last night, not anticipating the crowd they would have!  Did you get to meet the owner, Greg?  Greg was going from table to table extending a warm welcome to everyone.  We had a new crowd to sing to and also gained a few new singers. I heard rave reviews about the food (especially the pizza and fish/ chips), everyone loved the big screen, and we had dancing in the aisles.  I think we have found a "new home"!  Hope to see you next Wednesday night. Spread the word! We have the best karaoke in Dayton, thanks to the wonderful friends and talented singers.  

Have a great week!  Oh, and for you "wine drinkers", I am at the wine bar Friday night (9/18).

Musically, Cary

Wine, Washes, and Wet Noses....Wow!!

What a weekend we had in Dayton! Urban Nights, A Taste of Miami Valley, the Greek Festival, Italian Festival....and a Ya-Ya party for Brenda (Happy Birthday, Cindy)...it was not a weekend for dieting!   Sunday was a day of pampering, for us and for our dog, Gizmo.  Our favorite establishment, A Taste of Wine in Miamisburg, was the location of Wine, Washes and Wet Noses. This was a fund raiser for the Humane Society.   Square One Salon and Spa pampered Gizmo and other lucky canines with baths and wonderful gift bags, then we all congregated on the patio for wine and beer.  There was a lot of tail wagging and sloppy kisses, as the wine flowed. The wine bar staff suddenly found themselves refilling water bowls along with wine glasses! What a fun day!  

Hope you can join us at Taste of Wine on Friday, September 18 for some adult pampering. I will be performing from 8-10:30. Come to sing, or come to listen!

Also, please join us at Scor in Bellbrook each Wednesday from 8:30 - 11 PM.  This is karaoke at it's best and YOU are the STAR.  

Musically, Cary

Mommy and Daddy With Gizmo                            

Jamie and Bobby

NEW KARAOKE IN THE DAYTON AREA!

We have a new spot for Karaoke! Beginning Wednesday, September 16th, I will be at Scor from 8:30 - 11:30 PM. Score is located at 4439 St. Rt. 725 in Bellbrook.  It is in the 2nd shopping center east of the intersection of Wilmington and St. Rt. 725.  For those of you traveling on I-675, exit at the Wilmington Pike Exit (#7) and go south on Wilmington Pike for one mile. You will pass Applebees, Lowe's, Kohl's and Kroger.  Turn left at the traffic light onto Rt. 725. Scor is in the 2nd shopping center on the right.  Scor has a large menu of great food at very good prices. Come early for dinner and stay for the evening.  Let's show Bellbrook what a wonderful karaoke group we have! Exceptionally talented singers, faithful followers and great friends!

I will also be at the Middletown Senior Center on October 20 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.  Dinner will be served. This Center is not your typical Senior Center!  It is beautiful, vibrant and one of the hubs of the community.  October 20th is also my birthday, so I am really moving towards those "senior days".  Come Celebrate With Me!

Hope to see you soon!

Musically, Cary

Say Good-Bye

Come and say good-bye to Chimney's Inn Thursday night. Matt has proven to be a great supporter and a good friend to all us Karaoke people for the past couple of years. I know he, Carey Ann, Tammy, and Brenden will miss us as we miss them. Matt, Thank you for all the wonderful food you have served up in large portions. Carey Ann & Tammy Thanks for serving with a smile and a laugh. Brenden Thanks for a good pour and good talks. OK FOLKS---MATT WILL SING or so he said. So Come on out and listen cause you know if you sing Karaoke in the Forest and no body's there to to hear, does the microphone still work?

Dog Days Of Summer

Whew!  It has been the hottest, most sultry week of the summer. Our dog, Gizmo, is spending these "Dog Days of Summer" by relaxing in the hammock.  It's Siesta Time!

Hope you can join me this Thursday at Chimney's for a cold beverage on a hot summer evening!  I will also be entertaining at A Taste of Wine Friday evening.  Let Brenden pour you a "cold one" at Chimney's or a refreshing glass of wine at the wine bar.

PRAYERS NEEDED:  Roy and Susie's granddaughter, Elle, is in the hospital battling a painful episode of her Crohns disease.  Prayers are appreciated to help this wonderful young lady make a speedy recovery.

 

Hope to see you soon. Musically, Cary

50 Summer's Of Love!

Happy 50th Birthday to Love Douglas!  Saturday night was the perfect night to celebrate her special birthday at Murphy's Woods with Karaoke, dancing and Las Vegas games. Love's family really put a lot of work into the preparations, food and festivities.  It was a wonderful evening. 

A big thank you to the Murphy and Douglas Family and Happy Birthday to Love!

Love Is In The Air: Dayton Weddings

Lisa and Samuel Chessman

We had a wonderful weekend of beautiful outdoor weddings and the weather was perfect!  Polen Farm was the setting for a fairy tale wedding for Lisa and Samuel Chessman.  They were married at the gazebo and the reception was on the patio of the house. Beautiful couple and beautiful wedding!  The crowd danced to current "Club Mix" music until late in the evening. 

Lisa Chessman and I

Mr. and Mrs. Matt and Carey Ann Heyden held their wedding reception at Benham's Grove on Sunday.  It was another beautiful summer evening.  Matt and Carey Ann chose 70's and 80's music for their reception and the crowd really boogied down!  Matt is the owner and chef of Chimney's Inn and Catering in Miamisburg.  He planned and prepared most of the food for the reception. The food was outstanding!!  Matt is certainly among the best chef's in Dayton.  Call him for your catering needs. 

Sealed With A Kiss

 Matt and Carey Ann Heyden         

Matt and Carey Ann are off to San Francisco for their honeymoon, while Lisa and Samuel settle into their new home.  Congratulations and best wishes to both couples!

     

Call me with your DJ needs:  937-885-4516

I will customize your event to help you create the wedding of your dreams. 

A Wee Bit O' Scotland in Dayton!

Brenda and I went to the Celtic Festival Saturday night at Riverscape. After a heavy downpower in the afternoon, it was a beautiful evening for a festival.  We were lucky enough to get a table by the main stage and we stayed for several hours.  It certainly brought back memories of our recent trip to Scotland!

Haggis and Chips were sold. Haggis is to Scotland what Hamburgers are to the States.  I wasn't brave enough to try it! Traditional haggis is baked in a sheep's stomach. 

A young girl prepares to go on stage. We saw some great clogging. 

Yes, we saw men in kilts. I particularly liked the T-shirt this man wore. It says "It's a kilt! If I wore something under it, it would be a skirt."

This final photo was taken by Brenda in Scotland. Always fascinated by men wearing kilts, she was especially interested in these bikers!

            

Hope you have are having a great week and that I'll see you at Chimney's this Thursday.

Bikers in 

Scotland

Let's Try Something New!

I just read an article about a housewife in South Korea who sang for over 75 hours at a Seoul karaoke bar, breaking the Guinness World Record.  She sang 1, 283 songs before she gave up, at the appeal of her family to quit for her health.  She was given 30 second breaks between songs and a 5 minute break every hour. She was also barred from singing any song she had sung in the past 4 hours.  That is a lot of singing and a lot of songs!  As I read this article, I was thinking of how many weeks we seem to sing the same songs over and over.  Knowing what songs we do well, we tend to stay in our comfort zone and repeatedly sing the same songs.   I will challenge myself, and you, to try something new!  I'll be at the VFW Post 9927 on Wilmington Pike tomorrow night (Friday).  Come join me and let's sing some new tunes!

By the way, Congratulations to Matt and Carey Ann, as they "try something new"! They are getting married this weekend!  We wish them much happiness.  We took up a collection for them last week at Chimney's and gave them a card and some money.  They plan to put the money towards their honeymoon to San Francisco and the wine country.  

Wha's Like Us?

Wha's Like Us?  No one! The Scots are wonderfully unique!!  We have returned from Scotland, with many wonderful memories.  A big THANK YOU is extended to Bill and Denise, Mum and Dad, and Muriel and Brian for opening up their homes and hearts to us.  We also want to thank John and Shirley, John and Sheila, and our new friends, Pat, Fiona and Colin.  

Here a just a few highlights of our trip:

Exploring quaint fishing villages in Fife.  Cottages in the villages are painted in rainbow colors. We loved walking through the streets, hearing the calls of the seagulls and always being close to the sea. 

Discovering a windmill from the 1700's in St. Moran's. The windmill pumped seawater into saltpans, where  salt was made.

                                                                

Edinburgh Castle

Handling a sword at Edinburgh Castle,

that dated from the 17th century. 

Touring beautiful Glamis Castle. This was the childhood home of the Queen Mother and the birthplace of Princess Margaret. We truly felt like we were invited into someone's home. The Castle is currently occupied  by the Strathmore family. We were honored to meet the Dowager Countess of Strathmore in Glamis. We spoke with her at length, hearing the story about how she met her husband (the Earl) and how she recently saved the Post Office of Glamis village. She was absolutely delightful and we really enjoyed speaking with her.               

Glamis Castle and the Countess

Celebrating our anniversary at a wonderful Italian 

restaurant with Denise and Bill.

Karaoke tidbits:  Do you remember the song "Five Hundred Miles" by the Performers?  We were told that it is considered by many Scots to be the new national anthem of Scotland!

I hope to see you back at Chimney's in Miamisburg this Thursday, July 16th for more karaoke fun.  And, for you wine drinkers, stop by a Taste of Wine in Miamisburg on July 17th for entertainment and indulgence!

Cheers!  Cary