Ear to the Ground
The best in hometown music, arts and theater.
Who is Rocky and why is he everywhere?
August 20th, 2009 at Thu, 20th, 2009 at 9:56 am by elizabethburlingame
(photo courtesy of Kyla Applegate)
This is Rocky, the 36-year-old karaoke guru who commutes to Oak Harbor from Bellingham several times a week in a “Karaoke Cruiser.” His strobe-lit van can be seen parked outside of area clubs on Pioneer Way and Highway 20.
Rocky has quickly become one of the most requested karaoke technicians in the city. He’s known for his easy way with the crowd and ability to break up the song assassins with ear-pleasing renditions of “New Sensation,” among others.
Although Rocky takes up gigs everywhere, he’s a fixture at a few Oak Harbor clubs and restaurants. You can find him at Bayside/Element every Tuesday at 9:30 p.m., Wedensday’s at Red Sky Martini Bar at 9 p.m. and the Two O’ Clock Gathering Spot on Pioneer Way Saturday’s at 10 p.m. Wednesday nights, you can sing to win a free prime rib dinner.
Singing with Rocky is a great way to break up the weekly grind and even for those who can’t carry a tune (like myself) it’s fun to watch. I’ve learned anyone can sing who only dares to. After all, it’s hard for crowds to get enough of “Just a small town girl, livin’ in a lonely world! She took the midnight train go-in’ an-eee-where!”
Check out some karaoke clips below of Oak Harbor locals Melissa McAlerney and Wes Ralston.
elizabethburlingame Liz Burlingame has covered features and education for about two years at the Whidbey News-Times. She graduated from the University of Washington in 2008. Liz is a former intern for 710 KIRO radio and The Seattle Times. She first began blogging during the presidential race for The Huffington Post's "Off the Bus" series, "The Dallas Morning News," site and a student-run Web site. In 2008, she went on a state-wide bus trip with the guv and blogged for Crosscut.com. Her News-Times blog will cover arts and entertainment on the island.
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