GREGORY’S; SEATAC, WA
Time-honored Gregory’s renewed

By Sue Sawyer

As long as karaoke has been around Seattle, Gregory’s across from Sea-Tac Airport has always been loyal to the art five nights-a-week and continues to set the bar for quality standards and for drawing a large array of talent to its room. That and all the fun singing too in a place immersed in years of memories that include the legendary “Bobby Joe” shows catering to the best singers in the area who traveled to Gregory’s for their five minutes of fame against the backdrop of “new technology.”

Today, Karr Productions (www.karrproductions.com) keeps the magic alive in Gregory’s newly renovated digs, adding comfy living room-styled chairs, lower restaurant sized tables with along-the-wall banquets for an opportunity to try out Red Lion’s exceptional, bountiful culinary arts at very popular prices.

The upside-down airplane is gone along with any flying references. New large plasma TVs surround the barroom and the old black curtained stage is gone along with the old bulky sound equipment. Only the Pioneer disc collection remains and the huge collection of discs Karr collected over the years. JBLs fill the room quite well and there is no “crank up” issue for the songs that need it. All the hostesses are trained well in mixing sound. Elisa who runs the show Saturdays worked in sound studios, sang with a Federal Way-based jazz band for years before hosting. She takes pride in making her singers be all they can. Aury on Wednesdays and Thursdays tune in her jazz followers and others as if they were performing live radio gigs. On Fridays, Tara caters to the “glad the week’s over” crowd, while Virginia brings out the country in people on “laidback” Tuesdays.

Every karaoke night is special for those who choose to spend their evenings in the bar. The staff is prompt and professional with a pleasing aire and are quick to point out their favorite menu choices when asked. No charge for parking. If you can’t find one in front of Gregory’s or along the hotel sides tell the valet where you are going and hand them the vehicle.

A rare event on a Saturday night featured Kody, a karaoke virgin who was persuaded to sing “Leaving On A Jet Plane” along with friend and gifted singer, Regina. She joined him to start and then she slowly made her way away from Kody allowing him to fly solo. He was so wrapped up in what he was doing he didn’t even notice she had left. His other friend, Charles, cried out at the end of the performance: “You’re no longer a cherry boy!” After that, Kody was all charged up to sing “Killing Me Softly.” Regina stayed to strut her stuff singing “Do You Want To Dance” and the next round chose “I’ve Got You Babe” dueting with Charles. Her sultry low range voice also worked for Billy Extine music.

Another sultry sounding lady was Carrie singing “Summertime.” Her friend Sue with bangs, straight hair and voice like Streisand performed the haunting “The Summer Knows.” Francisco, who was also thinking summer, chose “The Summer Wind.” Maybe Phil was longing for summer weather too with his rendition of “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues.” Carol nailed “What A Wonderful World” while Manny shined doing “The Lady Is A Tramp.” Genelle presented “Nobody Does It Better” and Doug did the popular “Home.”

The rotation moved very quickly and singers could easily sing four or five songs through 9:00 to 1:30. Discs are welcome and are treated very carefully although the songbooks are loaded with all genres. For that classy, special night out, your money and talent goes very far at Gregory’s. You’ll also become “family” to the gals that run the show and the bar.