| While the subject of karaoke elicits a roll of the | | | | for the PlayStation2, Nintendo GameCube, and |
| eyes for many people, there's no doubt that | | | | Xbox. The latest offering in the franchise, |
| karaoke has had a huge cultural impact, first in | | | | "Karaoke Revolution: American Idol," built on the |
| Japan and then around the world. For a myriad of | | | | smashing success of the TV series, "American |
| reasons, people enjoy singing and performing, and | | | | Idol." In this version, up to eight people can |
| there's no device that's more successfully leveled | | | | compete in duets, in teams, or as single players. |
| the playing field for public performances than the | | | | There's no doubt that "American Idol" has been a |
| karaoke machine. | | | | factor in the continuing popularity of karaoke. The |
| Traditional karaoke machines incorporate a | | | | premise that almost anyone has what it takes to |
| microphone, a recording of the instrumental | | | | become America's next singing sensation (and |
| tracks of a song, an audio output device, and a | | | | that, even if you don't, you can still get sympathy |
| video screen that displays the lyrics of a song. | | | | votes) has aficionados singing their hearts out - |
| Singers (or those who consider themselves to be | | | | whether at home or in public. |
| singers) use the microphone to sing along to the | | | | The television series has also brought about the |
| music while following the lyrics on a video screen. | | | | next evolutionary step in karaoke - turning MP3 |
| Karaoke singing gained popularity in Japan in the | | | | players and MP3 downloads into hot gadgets that |
| 1980s and then spread throughout the world in | | | | are perfect handheld karaoke machines. These |
| the 1990s. Typically, people would gather in bars | | | | specialized MP3 players allow aspiring "American |
| or clubs for "Karaoke Night," although some clubs | | | | Idol" contestants - and anyone else who enjoys |
| featured karaoke every night of the week. | | | | singing out loud - to buy and download any song, |
| In the new millennium, karaoke machines got | | | | input the lyrics, then remove the vocal track and |
| much more personal. Singles and families started | | | | record their own voices over the music while |
| buying home karaoke machines for their own | | | | reading a display of the lyrics. The internal speaker |
| enjoyment, as well as for entertainment at | | | | and microphone, as well as the display screen, |
| parties. It was easy to simply hook them up to | | | | make recording and playing karaoke-style songs a |
| the television, put a disc in the DVD player, and | | | | breeze. That's probably why this type of MP3 |
| have a blast. Karaoke continued to evolve when | | | | player is touted as the most widely used, |
| "Karaoke Revolution" was released for the | | | | pocket-sized karaoke player. |
| PlayStation 2 gaming console. The player used a | | | | These types of hot gadgets, the continuing |
| USB microphone or headset to sing along and | | | | success of "American Idol," and the spawning of |
| received a score based on his or her | | | | similar television shows like "The Singing Bee" and |
| performance. Subsequently, several more | | | | "Don't Forget the Lyrics!" all prove that karaoke is |
| versions were released, including a "Party Bundle" | | | | alive, well, and evolving to new heights. |