Karaoke aficionados instinctively know there’s something liberating about getting up in front of a crowd of strangers and belting out a favorite tune. Singing something like Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” can make everyone, well … happy.
Barbara McGhee, a licensed clinical social worker and mental health therapist and owner of Blue Note Karaoke, feels the interactive entertainment genre has more to offer than just fun. It can be downright therapeutic.
Earlier this year, McGhee launched her new business, Blue Note Karaoke, which brings karaoke to a variety of locations through temporary setups and mobile services. The business, she said, offers a “unique service that combines entertainment with emotional wellness.”
In nearly 20 years as a clinical social worker, McGhee has worked in a wide range of settings — from institutional to educational to medical. But throughout her career, she was always looking for new ways to connect with clients of all ages. Researching the health benefits of singing set her on an interesting path.
“There’s a science to singing,” McGhee said. “With senior citizens for example, it helps with memory, recall and is an actual mood enhancer. It increases dopamine, the feel-good hormone, and decreases that stress hormone, cortisone.
“For children, it can aid in building confidence and self-esteem as well helping them promote their thoughts and desires through musical choices. I learned how the joy of singing connects, engages and uplifts people.”
In a Fox 2 News interview a few months ago, McGhee shared how her own positive experience with karaoke inspired her to start the business.
“I love karaoke and use it as a self-care tool at the end of a busy week to unwind and destress, and it went from there,” she said.
That comment seemed to have resonated with the TV hosts, Blair Ledet and John Pertzborn, who delivered an impromptu version of Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary.”
McGhee has degrees in criminal justice administration and psychology, but, she said, she always wanted to add “entrepreneur” to her portfolio. She’s always liked to sing, had visited karaoke venues and even hosted parties at the W Karaoke Lounge in University City. But, she became intrigued with the thought of adding a twist to typical party bus services.
She saw an opportunity in a service that was designed to keep the karaoke party going from venue to venue or even having karaoke enthusiasts host their own private singing, drinking and eating parties on wheels.
So she and her partner, Harold Coleman, developed a business plan and bought a bus. They had it repainted jet black with floating musical notes on the exterior, then customized the interior with black leather seats, a groovy yet soothing 1970s vibe, a large TV screen for lyrics and a high-quality studio stereo system. Blue Note Karaoke officially hit the road in January.
In just a few months, the concept has grown exponentially. McGhee now offers karaoke experiences for tourists, outings to wineries, rolling business meetings where the TV screen is used for presentations, and pop-up events for parties, festivals, community events, fundraisers, churches and senior citizen and veterans facilities. She also wants to partner with companies to offer end-of-week karaoke pop-ups as a fun way to promote team building.
McGhee hopes a grant she recently submitted will be funded soon. The idea, she said, is to host pop-up mental health events where clinical social workers and other professionals will talk to youth from age 6 to 19 “about bullying, managing anxiety and social connections,” and karaoke will be used as part of a “group therapy hug,” she said.
McGhee hosted her first karaoke pop-up at Homer G. Phillips Senior Apartments last month and, she emphasized, there was no greater joy than watching senior citizens singing or listening to songs from their youth.
“As a therapist, I see the benefits of working with seniors,” she said. “Often they are very isolated, so the connection and social work pieces are very important to me.”
With a maximum busload of 14 people at around $30 per person, karaoke enthusiasts can skip the crowds and long wait times of traditional clubs and enjoy a more intimate experience where they can sing, sip and socialize with a group of their choosing.
McGhee concisely described a Blue Note Karaoke evening:
“It’s a unique experience for a common interest with the people you know and love.”
Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.
For more information visit: Https://Bluenotekaraoke.com