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Karaoke Elvis conquers the world
Story by Peter Munro
November 2, 2008
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http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/music/karaoke-elvis-conquers-the-world/2008/11/01/1224956409685.html

SPOTLIGHTS swirl about stonemason Tony Monea as the lyrics to Copacabana scroll behind him on a screen. A gyrating conga line forms while he sings centre stage.

A storepacker tangos alongside with an empty microphone stand, while a young man breakdances across the floor. This wandering band of karaoke performers chase the spotlight across Melbourne each week for their three minutes, 20 seconds of fame.

From such humble stages, Australia has soared to the top of the competitive world of karaoke. Mr Monea, 36, wearing stonewashed jeans and matching hair, sings once a week at Glen Waverley's Mountain View Hotel, one of 800 karaoke venues across the country. 'I like to sing, to embrace the music and life,' he says. 'I just feel like I'm in another world. Karaoke fills the void of everyday life.'

Such singing can lead to greater things. Three Australians have won world karaoke championships in as many years - making us the most successful nation of singers to recorded music in the world.

Our latest winner is Michael Bates, 22, last week crowned 2008 world karaoke champion in Finland, under the fizz of an indoor fireworks display. The call centre worker from north Adelaide secured the title against competitors from almost 30 nations with his showstopper You Raise Me Up. His nearest rival, Britain's aspiring tenor Anthony Garcia, fell flat in the final by missing the high B in the aria Nessun Dorma. 'When you're in the moment, you either go for the note or you don't, and he didn't,' says Mr Bates, who practises two hours a day at home using his own PA system.

His motley crew of songs over the two-day competition included big hits from Celine Dion, Meatloaf and the disbanded British glam rockers The Darkness. 'It's a matter of keeping people in the palm of your hand,' he says. 'I want a song that's going to stop them for the next 2.5 to three minutes from getting that next drink. I want to keep people coming back for more.'

Karaoke world championships Australian organiser, Kate Kelly, says a 'relaxed passion' for singing has pushed us to the top of the performing world.

'It's not necessarily the best voice that will win,' she says. 'It's the overall performance.'

Back at the Mountain View Hotel, floor covering salesman Shane McGinley, 34, and high school teacher Diane Krosby, 41, are belting out the B-52s' Love Shack.

Mr McGinley struts across the stage, improvising to the lyrics scrolling on a screen before him.

'If you sat here and said 'sing me a song' I couldn't do it, but put me before 50 people and I'll sing,' he says.

'I'm a weak bastard, but when I'm up there I feel like 10 men. I feel like I'm on top of the world.'

Submitted by David on 02-11-2008

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