After a few months of singing karaoke at The Ramada, I went to sing one night and I was told that the karaoke host had been fired. I laughed because I couldn't see how a person could allow themselves to be fired from such an EASY job. I told the man that was running the show that evening, "ANYBODY, could host karaoke!" He asked me if I thought I could do it, and then he went on to say that it required being a good singer, having a charming personality, a good sense of humor, having patience, a good memory, the ability to handle drunks, take criticism, be fair, be stern and most of all be able to run to the ladies room and get back before the singer finished their song. I thought to myself, I CAN DO THIS! That night, I began training as a karaoke host with The King of Karaoke, Bobby Hill, and I have been doing it ever since. Under Bobby's guidance and training, I worked at such places as The Ramada, The Holiday Inn, Degenaro's, The Margale Inn, and The Beltway Restaurant.
As time went on, I was growing by leaps and bounds as an entertainer. I was entering karaoke contests for cash, and even winning a lot of them. With the encouragement of friends and the blessing of Bobby, I was ready to go off and start my own karaoke company. With the help of my former partner, Bruce Barrett, JUST 4 FUN KARAOKE was born! That was July 18, 1995! The company name came from the fact that people were really taking karaoke a bit too seriously. Instead of having the enthusiasm that was shown to the woman in the lounge that sang "I Will Survive", people were not as receptive to the singers that just wanted to have some fun, and karaoke was losing its' luster. J4FK developed the concept that by making people feel comfortable, it made getting them up to sing, a lot easier. One of the many things that distinguished J4FK from many of the other company's is that we have not worked and will not work, at every club that wants to hire us. We set a standard many years ago, and won't compromise that for any reason. I've also factored in all of the foundational things that Bob Hill taught me, and the formula works! I try to be all that I can be and give all that I can give at every show, no matter if there are 3 people, 30 people or 300 people there. I aim to please and I give quality and professionalism at all times. Over 14 years later, Just 4 Fun Karaoke is still going strong! Karriem Gardner and Eric Brown are my co-host's with the most and every week they entertain the masses with their strong vocals, great personalities and charm.
Just 4 Fun Karaoke has entertained in such nightclubs as Nick's, Mariah's, The Brickhouse, Courtney's Place, DJ's of Baltimore and Silver Shadows. Currently, we are at The 7122 Sports Bar & Lounge, formerlyTee-Bee's Place, located in Northeast Baltimore. While the stability of nightclubs has been prosperous, I have also entertained at several AFFRAM FESTIVALS, The Baltimore County African American Heritage Festival, The Kunta Kinte Festival, The NABA Conference that was hosted here in Baltimore, The Department of Social Services, The Links, The Caroteers, Jack & Jill, RADIO ONE, Morgan State University, Sojourner Douglas College Summer Program, Dunbar High School, The Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Cherry Hill Elementary Schools 163 & 159, Maryland Crabfeasts & Festivals, Pepsi, The Maryland Music Festival, The stone Soul Picnic, Funkfest and a host of other private affairs. Last year we began doing Gospel Karaoke. I thank God and Greg Dawson for planting the seed and blessing me with a Ministry that I didn't see coming! We've done karaoke for several local churches and festivals and I am looking forward to watching this part of Just 4 Fun Karaoke, Inc, grow!
The VISION of JUST 4 FUN KARAOKE would have never come to fruition without the love, encouragement and support of God, Family and Friends. I want to thank you all, from the bottom of my heart because you'll never know how much you've impacted my life by helping me on this entrepreneurial endeavor. Below you will find a "Special Shout Out" list. Please don't be offended if you don't see your name, charge the omission to my head and NOT my heart and the fact that i've met a ton of people over the years and I couldn't include everyone. Those people listed below are the BACK BONE that supports J4FK. Thanks again to EVERYONE!
SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS: GOD- Thanks for your Son.. My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Your Grace, Your Mercy and Your MANY Blessings!
Mom & Dad- Thank you for always supporting me and encouraging me, no matter how crazy things may have appeared, and for teaching me to reach a little further each time! If I can dream it, I CAN BE IT! I love you like LIFE!
My Family- THANK YOU for your support! I love me some y'all!!
Mrs. Dora Jackson, Roberta Sewer & Al "Bunky" Johnson- Thanks for believing in me and for investing in my dream.
Bobby Hill (The King of Karaoke)- Thanks for training and molding me, and for bringing out the potential in me that I couldn't see.
Bruce Barrett- Thanks for helping to SPARK the flame. We put our heads together and we made magic. Thanks for all that you've done, and all that you do! Horizon's Unlimited in the house! FAMILY 4 LIFE baby!
Karriem, & Eric- Thanks to my brothers for the love, support, encouragement & friendship. You are my RIDE OR DIE partners and I thank God for you. If I don't say it enough, let me put it on paper: I appreciate ALL THAT YOU DO!
Rodney & Blanette- THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for keeping me employed for so many years! Rodney, with the combination of Courtney's and Tee Bee's I think we have the longest history of karaoke host and club owner. You're the best! Thanks for supporting my ideas and always having my back!
Mercedes Hall- Thank You so much for your training in vocal stylization! Those lessons were very valuable to me. You taught me the difference between singing and SINGING and I will never for get it. Much success on your upcoming project...YOU ROCK!
Big Steve, Scott "Bugs" Allen, DJ Scotty B, & Juan "Rainmaker" Faidley- You brothers have been the oil that has kept me moving smoothly for many years. Thank you and I love you MUCHLY!!
Angie, Jackie & Carldell- Precious and few are friends like you! Thanks for being there for me! Good, Bad and Ugly situations were much easier to handle with your help and encouragement. Special thanks for those pep talks and motivational speeches that help keep me on track!!
Taylor, Tiny, Dana, Mary, Kathy, Keira & Bridget- THANKS GIRLFRIENDS for always having my back! Thanks for being there for me thru MANY years of up's and down's, the joy & pain and the life lessons that i've learned!! ;-) Dee, Connie, Brigitte, Shay, Nadine, Bobbie, Christina, Nay, Tee, Larita & Reneisha, I was blessed to have met you during the "new" era of J4FK. Thanks for the support and friendship that helps keep the music playing.
Taz, Smoov, JR, Monty, Gary, Maurice and Harold- Thank you my brothers for your support thru the years. Without you all individually, my colorful world would be grey!
Troy "Ghost Host" Rawlings, Adella Short & Jason Orem- Thanks for keeping me on my Spiritual toes and thanks for the MANY PRAYERS...THEY WORKED! Times that I wanted to quit, you three kept me lifted. I love you all dearly. Troy, thanks for teaching me about the true meaning of passion because it made me a much more focused entrepreneur! GodBlessOneLove!
Tim & Pam Watts- Thanks so much for keeping the Karaoke Party Train rolling, and for breathing NEW LIFE into the karaoke scene! Tim you inspire me. Pam, thanks for being Tim's ROCK, and for the support you've shown me and J4FK!
Mountain- Thanks for being such a great friend. Your patience and your compassion have helped me thru a very difficult time and I thank you for that! Love ya Boo!
DebbieDebbie- Thanks for doing what you do with the Karaoke Spotcheck! Thanks also for the encouragement & support and for keeping everyone in the Maryland karaoke world informed!
The Planet Planit- The Best is Yet to come!!
My Blue-tiful soror's of ZETA'S PHI BETA SORORITY, INC.- Thank's for reitterating the principles of Finer Womanhood!
Paul Franklin- Thank you so much for your encouragement, support and for putting up with me during my growing pains in the early years of my solo career! Thanks for reviving my spirit and restoring my ability to DREAM and THINK BIG.
Thanks Kitty for being patient while Mama works on her MY SPACE page! Now, please stop walking on my laptop so I can finish designing my page!!
You scored as You have the Gift of Discernment. You have the Gift of Discernment. It is a well sought after gift my friend. It is a true blessing and curse to know when others lie to you, and to read their eyes. It can cause much pain and hurt if abused. Be very cautious.
You have the Gift of Empathy
81%
You have the Gift of Discernment
81%
You have the Gift of Wisdom
75%
You have the Gift of Perception/Aura Vision
50%
You have the Gift of a Seer
44%
You sadly do not recognize your gift yet
6%
What is your gift?(PICS)
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