Jerry Craig Disc Jockey Sound Company

The Big Karaoke

Bakersfield had always been pretty jamming with karaoke since I moved here in 1993. I would go to the most popular karaoke bar and be part of the Fun for the night. I would put in a slip enrolling myself into the song rotation and wait until it was my turn to sing. Not knowing then what I know now I would get a little moody when my turn wouldn’t come up quickly. New people would come in and he would put them at the bottom of rotation making them before me on the turn around. After a few drinks and a little time I would go up on stage and become the hostest act in Kern County (or so I thought).
Karaoke grew on me as the years passed by. I learned to sing in front of people and exercised my vocal chords to a professional level. After becoming a singer for one of Bakersfields Country Music Bands “Nightlife” I was well on my way to a singing career. I soon opened a Karaoke and DJ company in Bakersfield called Wendy’s Wild West Entertainment which has boomed over the last couple of years.
When my boss retired I found myself without a job. I always loved music and knew Kenny Jay over at Loneoak Lounge was interested in selling his business. I went to the owner of The Loneoak and asked him, “if I Buy Kenny’s equipment can I have the Job?” He said yes and shortly after I started my new career in karaoke. Little did I know I would be getting an offer for a new day job the same week. But, I still kept the karaoke job and loved it.
Shortly after opening my business, my band was playing at a local bar and I had my car parked right outside the side entrance. I remember being up on stage looking out the front window and saw what I thought looked like my car driving by. After the set was over I went outside to get the band schedule out of the car and much to my surprise my car was not there. All of my original karaoke equipment, speakers, amp, monitor and CDG’s for the music were in my car. I had lost all of my equipment for my one and only karaoke show over at the Loneoak Lounge.
Thanks to good Car and Home Owners Insurance I received enough money to purchase all new equipment. My husband I decided since I had to buy all new equipment and music I was going to buy nothing but the best. My husband pulled out his life savings and added it to the insurance money to upgrade everything. I had tripled my equipment and had started doing other Karaoke shows in Bakersfield. I ended up doing Private DJ shows on the side. I teamed up with DJ Jerry Craig in Paso Robles and now do Weddings and other special events throughout Kern County and on the West Coast.
Because of growing demand, I have been working with my husband Justin McWilliams (lead singer of The Nightlife Band). He helped me start the business and has been my right hand man during the growing stages. He is now running half of my shows. I have hired DJ Jana Moore (Sings with Bobby Durham and The Bakersfield Sound) to do shows for me here in Bakersfield and over at the Coast. I am in the process of hiring another DJ for other events.
Karaoke is growing rapidly and has become one of the most popular choices for entertainment in Bakersfield. I enjoy the people I have met in this industry. Some not the greatest singers but sure do put out the effort. I always tell my customers, “If you have a voice, you can sing!” I admit, there is a difference between singing karaoke and being in a live band. Karaoke has no remorse where live band works around your mistakes. I have at times brought great karaoke entertainers to the stage with my band. Most were pretty good and they loved every minute of it. Afterall, you have to start somewhere!
I’m currently providing karaoke at:
The Lone Lounge- 10612 Rosedale Hwy Bakersfield, Tuesdays and Thursdays 8pm-1am
Trout’s Nightclub- 805 North Chester Ave. Bakersfield, Wednesdays 9pm-?
Tejon Club- 117 El Tejon Ave. Bakersfield Saturdays 7pm-11pm
Elkhorn Bar- Mission Street In San Miguel Saturdays 9pm-1am
Hope to see you at one of our shows!
Wendy McWilliams Wendy’s Wild West Entertainment

One Response to “The Big Karaoke”

1. Wendy Says:
   January 10th, 2008 at 3:32 pm

   Geeze…I need to learn how to spell..lol.. Hi Jerry!

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