Well said Garry!!...

The following could go in the gig comments section but I place it here as it's in keeping with current discussions.

I think Chatswood RSL remains #1 simply because it just has everything going for it. I know competitions receive much criticism but so called 'competition venues' don't suffer in popularity when you're talking about a place with a base of loyal singers / regular patrons.
That near intangible quality of 'atmosphere' plays a big part too imo. At most venues I've attended (and that's a LOT), regular staff seem to just 'tolerate' the karaoke whereas at Chatswood RSL, many actually seem to enjoy it - even those who at first glance you think don't but if you observe them over a few karaoke nights you'll see their eyes consistently drift to the stage and you'll see them linger in the karaoke area for no apparent reason before returning to their other duties. These subtleties tend to add to the karaoker's positive experience there because it seems like most people are having fun which is usually quite infectious. With the professionalism of most of the staff and certainly Garry the KJ himself, along with the well set out and maintained club, as a patron, one gets the sense of professionalism that provides with it, comfort. When those elements are lacking, such as if you go somewhere that people don't seem to be enjoying themselves at all (a real mood-killer), it results in DIScomfort even if only at a near unconscious level and soon, you'll see the show gets canned because it's failing to attract anyone - regulars or otherwise.
There may be the regular patrons of the venue but they're there any night and not specifically for the karaoke. Big difference - especially when you're talking about the votes here at w2s.
Have the positive elements though and the loyal fan base just continues to build. Long before I attended, there were many such fans and now that I've been amongst their ranks for several years, I've seen that most of those original fans have remained steady regulars at the venue. At the 10th anniversary event held a few months ago, even people from the very first karaoke spots were in attendance. That's TEN years later people. You don't get that kind of devotion if you don't have the magic formula.
Garry / Rising Star Karaoke and the RSL (well, one man in particular at the RSL as the regulars know) combine to create that magic formula and it's what keeps the regulars coming back and new ones checking it out and RETURNING before making converts of them too and so on and so forth. It's gradual, sure but it's happening. Enough fans with enough motivation (like this) to talk about or vote for their favourite venue that hosts one of their favourite pastimes (karaoke) just as Rising Star Karaoke / Chatswood RSL has... well, it's a no-brainer, really. OF COURSE, Chatty RSL will be number 1 - and deservedly so.
Also, I think it's important to say that Garry DOES advertise w2s in the song books and on the big audience screen, so the idea to visit the site does get enforced but again, it's a subtle thing which is why he doesn't have to encourage us with words or bribes at all to give such testimonials. He didn't ask for the votes but he got 'em. He didn't ask for this testimonial but I gave it and gladly. For all the negativity that seems to accompany any karaoke crowd, there's a lot of good will at this particular karaoke venue.
Submitted by Johnny B on 06-12-2006

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