Search for Dennis Haskins on YouTube, and you’ll find several videos of the actor singing everything from “Piano Man†to “Mustang Sally.†He sings the latter with Hulkster daughter Brooke Hogan, no less.
Haskins loves to sing karaoke, it seems, and on Tuesday, the Chattanooga native will release a CD/Free DVD combination called “Karaoke With Your Favorite Prinicipal Dennis Haskins, aka Mr. Belding†at FYE Records in Hixson.
The idea for the release came up after Haskins noticed the YouTube postings.
“I love to sing and have been hanging out at Dimples in Burbank, home of the original karaoke bar in America, by the way, and people come in and take phone videos and put them on YouTube,†Haskins said.
“They were getting so many hits, I thought why not put out an album and the DVD.â€
The CD was recorded this summer at Mikron Studios in South Pittsburg, Tenn., with Mike Headrick. Cody McCarver produced the project, and Mike Yarworth financed it.
“It’s a local production,†Haskins said, “with the artwork and everything being done there.â€
Haskins appears in McCarver’s “Red Flag†video, and the two started talking about doing the karaoke project about a year ago, McCarver said.
“The thing with Dennis is, he said karaoke is about having fun and singing along. He can sing well enough, but it’s about having fun.â€
The CD contains seven tracks with Haskins vocals and the same songs with no vocals. The Free DVD has some behind-the-scenes and making-of moments.
“You can sing along with me, or you can sing by yourself,†Haskins said. “For me, it’s not about being the best singer in the room but about having the best time.
“I’ve done musicals my whole career,†he said. “I was doing a musical when they found me for ‘Saved by the Bell.’ I can sing a little, but I just like to get up there and have fun.â€
Haskins chose the set list from songs he’s performed at karaoke bars around the country.
“A song like ‘Georgia’ is a great song. I’m not trying to be Ray Charles or even Jamie Foxx. The idea is to sing along.â€
