Taking karaoke to
the next level

By John Berger
Special to the Star-Bulletin

Karaoke singers vs. professional entertainers. Brian Robertshaw and his band, Stardust, are doing something to help bridge the chasm between the two each month in the Hanohano Room atop the Sheraton Waikiki.

Selected participants in the long-running FOX-TV "Hawaii Stars" television karaoke contest are invited up to sing with the group the last Saturday of every month, and Robertshaw says the experiment has been going well.

"We've had some real nice feedback. What we hear most is that they appreciate coming up here because they get to see there are more possibilities (for singing)."

Not that the formula doesn't have its embarrassing moments. Making the transition from karaoke tracks to live music isn't easy for amateurs. Most of the singers find their familiar karaoke track a comforting security blanket on stage and show up expecting to sing to that track -- no band needed, thank you.

Robertshaw and Valentine then do their best to create an impromptu arrangement that incorporates their instruments with the karaoke version. It isn't always easy.

"We've had tapes that were (only) a minute-and-a-half long, and not really in any key, and Brian and I are trying to figure it out. We've had times when they bring in the wrong version, and all of a sudden they're looking at me and wondering where they are, and I'm looking at them, like, 'I don't know either.' "

Robertshaw now avoids such technical problems by getting fresh copies of the music tracks used by "Hawaii Stars."

A true pro, Robertshaw has been playing the Hanohano Room since the '70s, and has additional credits as a composer, recording artist and record producer. He anchors the trio on piano, trombone, and sequencer, and shares the stage with guitarist John Valentine. Both men sing. Vocalists Rocky Brown and Ladyanne share the group's third slot.

The band's repertoire includes pop standards, oldies, light rock, swing and contemporary hits such as "My Heart Will Go On."

The combination has made the Hanohano Room the best place in town for a romantic late evening of dancing or quiet conversation overlooking the lights of Waikiki and Honolulu.

"Hawaii Stars" finalists Blythe Goya, Sterling Hao, Wayne Kinoshita, Kelly Mello, Denny Miyasato, Anthony Peterson and Tom Tanner will make their debut with one song each this Saturday. Stardust plays from 8:30 p.m. The guests go on at 10.

Most of the "Hawaii Stars" singers choose to go with material they sang on the TV show, and simply have Stardust play along with the karaoke track, but Valentine says he and Robertshaw can improvise around 500 pop songs if someone wants to try something new.

"If they tell us what (song) they want and what key, we can play it. They should take advantage of that," Valentine says. He has almost 20 years experience as a professional entertainer and recording artist. He performed with Pat Miguel as the duo Nite Splendor at the Sheraton Moana in the early '80s and was a member of the Love Notes during that group's heyday at the Esprit Nightclub in the early '90s.

Robertshaw sees using the karaoke tracks as a convenient and time-efficient way of "expediting the performance" when there isn't time for rehearsals.

"The big difference is with a karaoke tape you have to stay with the music that's been recorded. With live musicians everyone feeds off each other's creativity so singers can express themselves much more. They can actually have input in what's going on with the interpretation of the song."

Rocky Brown adds that singing with a band for the first time can be an intimidating experience, even for a professional. Brown enjoyed success as a recording artist in the Philippines, and as a member of the Broadway cast of "Miss Saigon" before coming to Hawaii, but recalls it was "still kind of frightening" to audition for Stardust.

"You're doing your two minutes and trying to show what you've learned for your whole entire life. You have to have a certain trust in yourself because it's not just amateurs or people who are going to a karaoke bar. It really is different being up there.

"There is a really big difference singing with a karaoke tape and a live band. I can be given a song (on tape) to learn and get used to singing it, but when I rehearse it with the band, the feel is different. Being able to adjust to both is important."

Robertshaw says that despite the many differences between weekend karaoke sessions with friends in a bar and singing professionally, it is possible to make the transition.

He discovered Stardust vocalist Ladyanne and former Stardust vocalist Jennifer Barber through their participation in "Hawaii Stars," and referred one of his recent guests to another bandleader.

"The possibility (of a singing job) is always there," he says.

Brian Robertshaw Tips for singing live Advice from Brian Robertshaw, John Valentine and Rocky Brown: Warm up before you sing. Plan your stage attire and movements to make a good visual impression. Expect the music to feel different when played by live musicians. Check out the group and the venue in advance; rehearse with the group if possible. Invite friends to come along for moral support. It can boost your confidence to see familiar faces in the audience.

Click for online
calendars and events.