Sunday's Internet Edition, July 20, 2008.
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| Earl Holt sings a song while he waits for his dinner on Tuesday night. Holt has been singing Karaoke in the area for 15 years. – Photo by ADRIENNE DALE |
News editor - Its something that was termed the best kept secret in town, but now Michael Grant wants residents of Copperas Cove to know about it.
On Tuesdays and Fridays, residents can come in and listen to other covites sing away to tunes of over 300 songs.
Grant, owner of Grants Bar and Grill, implemented Karaoke night three weeks ago, and so far he said it has been a great success.
“We had some customers requesting us to bring it here,” Grant said. “I started looking around to different people, and this one seemed to fit.”
Handling the DJ portion of the Karaoke nights is Rich White of Tune Tyme Karaoke.
White said he likes seeing people getting up and having a good time by singing a few songs.
“Its like you get to be the star for a few minutes each time you go up,” White said. “Everyone has been so supportive.”
Karaoke night seemed to be such a hit, that Grant said every time, there have been people standing with no space left to sit.
“It gets pretty crowded in there,” Grant said. “I don’t know what we will do if the crowd grows.”
Earl Holt of Copperas Cove said that he has been singing at Karaoke bars for about 15 years.
“I used to go to Fort Hood to sing,” Holt said. “Now we come to Grants because it’s so much better.”
Holt said he also preferred to stay in Copperas Cove since he was also a longtime customer of Grants.
Kenneth Porter had his debut singing on Tuesday night at Grants.
“Its my fathers 68th birthday,” Porter said. “He wanted me to sing, so we headed on over here since we like the food anyway.”
Porter said that besides singing at home, the last time he was in front of a crowd was in seventh grade.
“It’s a good relaxing atmosphere here,” Porter said. “I don’t feel as nervous coming up and singing.”
Grant said that while business seems to be good on the two nights, he hopes it will help offset what revenues he may lose with the new smoking ordinance in effect.
“I expect that we will lose some business,” Grant said. “Hopefully this will help offset the costs and keep people coming in.”