When you walk around Columbia, NC at night you can usually hear music, sense movement, and see lights moving at the Good Times Tavern above the Columbia Crossing Restaurant.

Karaoke nights at the Tavern happen periodically throughout the year.

Frank Hughes, an area resident, has been coming to karaoke nights at the Tavern for several years and likes going for several reasons.

“Neither my wife or I can sing. We have no singing talent whatsoever. I would say two years ago we went to the Tavern to have something to eat, it turned out to be a karaoke night. My wife says let’s just stay and see what this is like. We found it to be really outstanding. I have found that there are the same people every time it is there. They are extremely talented, ” said Hughes.

Around Christmas two years ago, Hughes had a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Hughes had Milton Bullock, the last remaining member from the Platters, as a featured singer.

“That summer we stopped in Atlantic City on the way back from visiting family and saw Legends in Concert. Some of the imitators were as a good as the famous artists. I got this idea that why don’t we have a concert and it will be a combination of Milton Bullock and his partner Mary Tate, and local legends,” said Hughes.

Hughes talked to all of the singers and they all agreed. Hughes let them pick what artists they wanted to imitate in performance.

“Then my wife says to me you need to perform with me. I don’t sing, but what we did was I agreed to do Sonny and Cher. We got dressed up like them. That started a trend for us. The fact that we can’t sing, we try to make up for and make people laugh by getting dressed up as artists for certain karaoke nights at the Tavern. We have performed as several people since then like Kenny Rodgers and Dolly Parton,” said Hughes.

Hughes praised the positive atmosphere of the karaoke nights.

“It becomes a family function. Everybody is there that you know. It is a clean fun enjoyable thing to do,” said Hughes.

Michelle Sanchez, the hostess of the karaoke nights at the Tavern,said the weekends when she comes to Columbia are special to her.

“Our crowd is amazing. Some sing, some dance, some just come to watch. Not everyone has the ability or talent to sing but they try anyways and everyone claps for everyone. We enjoy everyone that comes onstage and it gives the performer the chance to feel “Like a Star” for at least a moment. It feels more like a neighborhood party rather then Karaoke Night at the Local Bar. “

 

Sanchez noted people of all ages that come out and enjoy the entertainment.

“We have singers that sing the classics like Sinatra, Hank Williams, CCR, Elvis, Willie Nelson,to some of the newer artists like Little Big Town, Zac Brown Band, Usher, Reba, Robin Thicke, and so on. We even have a singing bartender.
The night starts with 20 minutes of DJ Music and the Karaoke starts at 8:30 p.m.
“Halfway through the four-hour show, we have another DJ break usually consisting of dances such as the Cupid Shuffle, the Wobble and the Electric Slide. We have a local group of ladies that love to line dance and do a marvelous job at it. They often line dance for the Karaoke songs as well, including some of the hip-hop songs,” said Sanchez.
After the Mid-Show DJ Break, Karaoke goes again until 12:30 a.m.

“The rotations usually consists of 10 to 12 people and we usually have about three to five rotations. If new singers join the rotation, they get put in to sing within 20 minuets so the wait isn’t long at all,’” said Sanchez.

 

Sanchez that said this year the Karaoke Nights have become more apparent.
“Our crowds are getting larger and this year we have had the very first Columbia Karaoke Contest which went extremely well and we have had two reunions as well.
“Normally reunions and private parties would be a more expensive event as part of my DJ/Karaoke Services, but because I love Columbia and its people, as well as the amazing loyalty the owners of Columbia Crossing have had with me, I do the reunions with no fuss, and no extra cost to the owners,” said Sanchez.

Sanchez also remembered in 2012 having the “Legends” Show with Milton Bullock the remaining member from the “The Platters.”
“Milton sang a few songs and our karaoke patrons dressed up as famous musical legends and sang songs according to the legend they dressed up as. It was so much fun,” said Sanchez.

 

Sanchez said she does get heat from others in her business on why she travels so far to do this show.
“What most people don’t understand except for those in Columbia is that, the people of Columbia Crossing and Good Times Tavern as well as the owners have stuck with me for a while. They are always concerned about how I’m doing and how the business is. They helped me get through a rough time when my father had cancer and they always treat me with love and respect. It’s hard to find true, honest, respectful and loyal people where I live, on the Beach (Kill Devil Hills), being as it is mostly tourists and new ones every week,” said Sanchez.

 

Sanchez has been involved in music her entire life.
“I’ve been awarded many honors for my instrumental abilities including the John Phillip Sousa Award – the award recognizes superior musicianship, dependability, loyalty, and cooperation. I play 11 different instruments. Trumpet was my main instrument growing up but as I reached my 20’s I started singing. I started teaching instrumentals around the age of 17. I got my teaching skills from my father and also through experience in teaching karate for five years. Now I teach guitar lessons, I sing and play guitar. I work a normal office job 40 hours a week in real estate as well as do two to four public shows a week.

 

Sanchez does shows every Saturday at Longboards Island Grill in Kitty Hawk and will soon expand to Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. She also does weddings and private parties up and down the East Coast.

Dana Summerell, owner at the Columbia Crossing Restaurant and Good Times Tavern, said karaoke nights retain a strong, loyal following.

“We have a huge local group that wants to know when our karaoke nights are. They follow it religiously. If they are not here it is because they are out of town and cannot be here. They know that they can go and you do not have to be a expert singer just to sit up there and have fun,” said Summerell.

Patti Gallant Gederburg, works at the Columba Crossing Restaurant and Good Times Tavern, said that karaoke nights brings area people together.

“We have a lot of diversity in Tyrrell County,” said Gederburg.

Summerell said that karaoke nights started in June 2009 close to the time that the Columbia Crossing Restaurant and Good Times Tavern opened as a business.

“We started it right from the get go having karaoke. Michelle, who does the event now, was employed by someone else. A few other hosts came in. No one likes anybody but Michelle,” said Summerell.

In the beginning, karaoke nights were held twice a month. Then they were dropped back.

“Now we have it at least twice a month. Two months in a row I have had it added a third time for class reunions that have specifically called me up. The Creswell class of ‘74 just had theirs and are booked for another time,” said Summerell.

The fact that people know each other helps the event.

“A lot of people are timid to come upstairs. After the first time they come up for karaoke, they come up again,” said Gederburg.

Beach venues have karaoke nights. But oftentimes it is full of people one might not know.

“Up here the bulk of your people are the same people every week. Once you come one time you know everybody,” said Summerell.

An estimated 50 people come to the karaoke nights. The class reunions have bumped the number up.