OAKTREE BAR AND GRILL; LAKEWOOD, WA
Oaktree music blues oozes pure gold

By Sue Sawyer

The Oaktree and Chris are synonymous. Chris has been hosting his show at the Oaktree for several years a majority of each week and has built a reputation for solid fun and good sound karaoke shows. His company, C&M Music Systems, besides running at the Oaktree has other systems in the field at other South Sound establishments.

Chris likes to use a chalkboard, letting everyone know where they stand in rotation. Also heading the board are the words "No Rap." "It's refreshing not to spend the night listening to the booze impaired trying to keep up with a machine gun, dirty word pace that would make a sailor blush," says Joe who is a regular at Chris' show. "There is just so much singing time each night", adds Chris, "that the range of talent out there needs to have a platform to show their stuff and I'd rather have it be traditional-style music."

In this place, singers like "Alabama" bring the blues to life through "It's Floodin' Down In Texas, I Know The Night Time" and "When Something Is Wrong." You don't need to travel to Jazz Alley. Just stay and listen to Eugene singing "Bring It On Home, Walk The Dog" and "Please Please Please." Eugene's love for singing started at about seven years old in Virginia where he grew up. After retiring from the military he moved his family to the Northwest and has a second career as a chef for The Franciscan Health System. He also is a DJ by profession and is especially proud of one of his daughters who is developing into a major singing sensation.

Oaktree's food menu reflects all day and evening, family style, inexpensive eating and during karaoke the kitchen is open to limited choices. After nine, bottled beer is $3.00 and there are drink specials. Smoking is only a few steps away (outside) from the pool tables and singing stage. There are plenty of booths and tables and there is still the birthday ritual "blow jobs" for those who celebrate their big day. A large variety of pull tabs and game machines adorn the walls.

Oaktree is one of the favorite singing arenas for local military and those traveling to Lakewood. For example, Manny Reyes looks forward to his time at Oaktree when he travels from Oregon to work with troops from his state that are returning home from overseas duty. Manny wowed the crowd with "Talk Dirty To Me' and "Hurts So Good." Booker, in the style of Mick Jagger, pulled off "Another Brick In The Wall" and "Too Bad." Shanna's soul rendition of "Take Me To The River" lives up to Ethel Walter's sound and Missy's "Bring Me To Life" and Danny's "Plush" received a noisy acceptance.

If you end up at Washington State Mental Hospital, turn around and go back a few blocks to the large parking lot on a small hill for Oaktree at 8011 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, (253)-582-2220.

Chris' karaoke show runs seven nights a week and starts at 9pm.