‘Idol’ dreams

When the sun goes down, more than a few eyes and ears are drawn to the attractive blonde visible through the window, giving her vocal all to an adoring crowd of gathered fans, some of whom may have wandered in off the street on the way to somewhere else. Soon, with their original plans for the evening scrapped, the audience settles in for what will be a raucous evening of “Jackieoke.”
The brainchild of Keats’ owner, Alex Nicholas, “Jackieoke” is Jackie Cullen’s weekly karaoke show, now two years old and with no end in sight. Cullen, a Tyrone native, enjoys playing host to, as she put it, “all types of people: man, woman and beast.”
Keats patrons are not alone in their dedication to karaoke, a kind of sing-a-long that got its start in Japan two decades ago and is enjoying newfound popularity in the U.S.
According to the increasing number of bars hosting a karaoke night, the trend has become big business. Indeed, what was once relegated to family rec rooms is now a big draw for the young and trendy.
“All the hip and cool bars are doing it now, and people gravitate toward what is hip and cool,” said Sean Murphy, who runs MurphGuide.com, an entertainment and bar listing Web site. “I remember the Elbow Room, which has since closed, was the first place that did karaoke where hipsters went to.”
Everywhere from the Irish bars along the Upper East Side to the trendiest lounges on the Lower East Side, and all throughout the tri-state area, karaoke is commanding an audience, and bringing in large numbers to witness, and participate in, the spectacle that ensues.

“Jackieoke” night
The roar from Keats’ is evident even before one can see where it is coming from. Wafting down the canyons between towering office buildings near East 44th Street are the sounds, performed with loving regularity, of such classic songs as “Brown Eyed Girl” and “Sweet Caroline.” Happening upon the bar, one immediately notices the sprightly figure up front, bouncing about the small stage built especially for her show. This is Cullen. Petite, with an electric smile and an alluring voice, she rarely sits still.
The crowd clearly adores her. When she does not have arms thrown around her for a rowdy version of “Piano Man,” Cullen is busy changing the tracks, encouraging the wallflowers to get up and sing, and keeping the mood light.
If there is a lull while groups are deciding what song will next be subject to their unique vocal stylings, Cullen will take to the stage solo and wow her following with her own set of standards. On this evening, she was joined by a brave soul to perform the Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow duet “Picture.”
Her appeal is apparent to anyone looking on.
“She makes people feel more comfortable just by being there,” said John Nash, a first-time visitor to Keats.
“People who might have felt silly getting up to sing were calmed by her being there, since she was so into it. She helps anyone who loses the rhythm or is just afraid to get up there. Her energy is amazing.”
One of the keys to a successful karaoke show is a DJ or host with personality, and Cullen fits that bill. She wears many hats — hostess, DJ, and backup singer for those who need a dose of either courage or direction. She sang with a band before she left Ireland for New York City six years ago, but Cullen insists she had never done anything like this before.
“Around the restaurant, I was always singing, so Alex said, ‘Let’s do a karaoke night,’ ” she said referring to Nicholas and her days as a bartender at Keats. “At first I was a little wary, with people pulling on you and all, but it took off.”
“The first night, loads of Irish ones came over from Queens and I didn’t know what was going on.”
She does now. Cullen draws crowds from all over the city and she has noticed how the trend has grown to include more than her original Irish following. Keats’ karaoke interests are not limited only to “Jackieoke.” DJ Dan Canavan sits in on Friday for a similar show.
You can see it all here. From giggly gaggles of college girls, to the serious players who come to show off their vocal chops, performing with eyes closed and giving a performance with all the ferocity they can muster.

How it came to be
Murphy launched MurphGuide in 1997, when he says the trends favored brewpubs, swing dancing, and cigar bars. He was looking for new events to add, and started the karaoke section at the suggestion of his then-girlfriend (now wife) in the Web site’s infancy.
It has consistently drawn attention from the karaoke-loving community, as well as casual Web surfers. Now drawing about 22,000 hits a month, the site clearly provides a service to an established and enthusiastic community.
“There are a lot of fans out there,” Murphy said. “It’s like a cult following. It’s been drawing steady numbers over the last two years.”
Murphy says people contact him about current karaoke parties, as well as which ones are no longer running, making it one of the most well-maintained and updated areas of MurphGuide.
What caused this sudden resurgence in the popularity of karaoke, which enjoyed its 15 minutes of American fame in the 1990s but never quite went completely away?
“Probably ‘American Idol,’ ” Murphy said, echoing the sentiments of many familiar with the trend.
He was referring, of course, to the immensely popular reality TV show where contestants are judged and systematically voted off each week after singing a popular song. The show draws millions of viewers but has many critics, who question the validity of a talent show where the contestants are basically doing a well-produced version of karaoke.
The karaoke going on across the city is decidedly more about having fun. Some hosts, such as Cullen, and theme nights will draw a crowd.
Downtown’s Arlene’s Grocery hosts a popular “Punk/Metal” karaoke night, and some lounges host movieoke, a recent mutation of karaoke where participants act out roles in a movie while it plays on a screen.
But some karaoke nights fade shortly after they begin. “Some places will do it on a Friday or Saturday and really get the crowd going,” said Murphy, “and others will do it on a slow nights, because they know Monday and Tuesday aren’t busy.
“They’ll end up not making any money because if it is on a slow night, they have to split their profit with the DJ, so those places do it for a few months and then stop. The owner’s aren’t really committed.”
There are a considerable number of Irish bars that have been hosting successful karaoke for years, regardless of the trends.
Iggy’s Uptown, a bar on Second Avenue and self-proclaimed “karaoke heaven,” hosts karaoke every night of the week. Known for its more eclectic play list, it consistently attracts diehard fans.
“Iggy’s is well-respected place in the karaoke community. . . . They are at the point where Broadway stars will come in to sing one,” Murphy said.
Back at Keats, it is the wee hours of morning. By now everyone who wants to take a turn has done so. This is when impromptu group sing-a-longs begin, when friendships are forged over sloppy versions of Britney Spears songs. Everyone is a star at closing time.
Suddenly, a glass crashes to the floor from one overenthusiastic performer’s hand.
“I just can’t leave them alone,” said Cullen, rushing back up to the stage.
Judging from Keats’, karaoke is, in the end, all about having fun.
“It’s nearly a form of therapy for hard-working New Yorkers,” Cullen said.