That sound you hear is “Thunder-Oke”

By Mike Carlin, Karaoke Tonight

Put together the Tri-Cities’ top country radio station with the Tri-Cities’ best karaoke, at the Tri-Cities’ hottest venue; stir in some great prizes, blend in some awesome talent over a 10-week period, and you get “Thunder-Oke.”

Thunder Country, 94.9 FM, and Karaoke Tonight teamed up with the Red Lion Inn’s Grizzly Bar in Pasco, WA, to bring to the Tri-Cities a 10-week long karaoke competition. The American Idol-style contest will wind up during the first week in August, and along the way the ride has been awesome. Karaoke Tonight’s Mike Carlin plays host, while three judges from the radio station dish out points and opinions that can vary depending on their liquid consumption. “Big Jim” from the Big Jim and Shawna Morning Show plays the role of Simon from the popular American Idol TV show, while the faces in the other two judge’s chairs changes weekly. The crowded Grizzly Bar can get a bit rowdy depending on the judges’ opinion.

Just because the contest is sponsored by a country music radio station does not mean that all you will hear is country music - on the contrary. The week 6 competition, held Wednesday, July 12, saw latecomer Bryan Ingraham (twenty-sixth in competition that night) from the Tri-Cities receive the only 20-20-20 score of the competition thus far, with an Eminem hit. For those of us who do not really like rap music (that would me, myself, and with Big Jim), we were blown away by the stage presence and talent on display. And those like Michelle and others who qualified were invited to entertain during breaks.

Prizes included a big-screen TV from Thunder Country, a Caves karaoke machine from ABCD’s Karaoke Supply in Kennewick, and a hotel stay in Seattle provided by the Red Lion Inn.

Thunder-Oke runs start Wednesday nights at 8 pm. For more information and pictures, visit www.karaoketonight.net.