ROYAL CASINO; EVERETT, WA

Come out and play at the Royal Casino

By Ty Hughes

If karaoke is your bag, then you'll find exactly what you're looking for at the Royal Casino in Everett every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.

Mr. Ed Barrett of Soundwaves Northwest has set up shop in the plush lounge at the Royal. And what a shop he has! Ed proudly employs his infamous and patented, fully computerized karaoke system, developed by himself and Rick Anheuser. This ground-breaking network features two remote computer stations available to the singers to search his database and put themselves into the rotation. Ed oversees the activity and patiently explains the process to his singers like a teacher would his students. The order of rotation is openly displayed on each monitor facing the audience, so there is no misunderstanding of who sings next. Each singer possesses the capability of uploading a bust shot, which is posted directly next to that singer's song choice in order of performance.

Ed's sound system is quite impressive, to say the least. A huge stack of sound equipment stands on stage next to a 5,000 watt booster and Ed's own extensive laptop computer that allows him full access to the system.

The sound is crisp and clear, but not so loud that you cannot carry on a conversation in the long, narrow room. A return monitor, at the feet of the singer, offers sharp sound aptly benefiting each performer and ultimately the audience.

The stage is of good size and is well decorated to promote a festive atmosphere appreciated by an eager room. In front of the stage is a good-sized dance floor that gets quite a bit of use.

Regulars, Steve, Amy, Larry, Dave, Jennifer and Dennis were on hand to relax, enjoy Ed's show and become part of the production by lending their own vocals throughout. Chuck was in town from Colorado Springs and made it a point to venture out and find some of our well-known Northwest karaoke. He found exactly what he was searching for at the Royal Casino.

The crowd is mature and knowledgeable. The atmosphere is comfortable, clean and upscale. The bar runs almost the entire length of the lounge and your service staff at the Royal are friendly, efficient professionals. Pull tabs are aplenty here, as the Royal Casino boasts one of the largest Pull Tab bars in Washington State!

Nobody is as gracious as your host, Ed Barrett, however. He always has a smile and an exuberant greeting for all those in his path. You can't help but love the guy!

The Royal Casino provides well priced drink specials and outstanding food items at a great price. Indulging myself with a full Sizzling Ribeye steak dinner, the smell captured the intrigue of everyone in the bar.

Chuck pulled out all the stops when he sang “Nobody” in a lively and theatrical, Rocky Mountain-style performance that brought loud applause and got everybody pumped up. Dennis sang an amazing version of Josh Turner's, Long, Slow Train, while Larry cooed Amazed By You to everyone's delight.

There are a host of card tables in the casino with which to busy yourself and satisfy that ever-present urge to gamble away those hard earned paychecks.

Make it a point to come out and experience Ed Barrett's unique karaoke entertainment at the Royal Casino every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Qualify here every Thursday night for the Evergreen Country Idol Contest through the end of July. The Royal Casino is located at 13010 Highway 99 in Everett. Reach them by phone at (425) 743-9200.