Roll with Bobby at the Loose Wheel

By Ty Hughes

There are only a few karaoke hosts out there that have the experience and longevity that Tacoma-based Bobby Miller brings to his position.

For 25 years, Bobby Miller has entertained, enabled, and propagated our South Sound habitants, and probably many of their children as well. Bobby was karaoke before there even was karaoke. By looking at him, you’d swear he wasn’t but a teenager away from being one himself.

Bobby is responsible for helping to create a real buzz for karaoke. He is very well immersed in the lives of those in his community, this side of the Narrows Bridge. They all share an appreciation for the joy his services bring. Most have taken the stage under his supervision at one point or another over the years.

Bobby keeps himself in good shape. He doesn’t drink, and stays fit practicing Taekwondo in his free time. With a wife and teen at home, Bobby has a twinkle in his eye that proclaims a copious amount of street smarts and wisdom.

Having been hosting karaoke for the past ten years at a little place called The West End, Bobby has amassed quite a following. Don’t go looking for him there because he’s moved on down the road recently. Nowadays, you can see Bobby and his karaoke antics in person at the Loose Wheel on 6th Ave, West of Pearl Street every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights. Oh yeah, and for those of you on the other end of town, he’s also hosting Friday and Saturdays at the Summit Pub off Canyon Road, near 512.

It must have been a Monday I stopped into the Loose Wheel to find Bobby setting up shop, preparing to bring happiness to many an unsuspecting fellow. As it was however, there simply tweren’t many to be had. It was Monday for godsake. Regardless, a full staff of five or six beautiful women were in full effect, and ready to serve.

The Loose Wheel is one big huge open room full of goodies to tempt your palette. Over yonder is a giant pulltab bar that rivals the size of the bar itself, with a pretty blonde girl managing over 50 bowls to choose from. That’s like a fulltime job here!

Oh, they’ve perfected the authentic American Sportsbar motif. You got your dartboards, your pool tables, your Air Hockey, how about a little Golden Tee Live, a Big Buck Hunter World, plus that Ultimate Big Punch game that everyone loves (take a breath), and a SuperShot Basketball game where the basket moves around on ya! This place has it all! Good food and drink prices too! Did I mention that all the girls are all hot? Well, they are!

OMG, you’ve got to get in here for breakfast on the weekend. Talkin’ huge plate of Biscuits and Gravy, or a gigantic Chicken Fried Steak breakfast. They’ve even got a breakfast to Cure all your ailments. Vegetarians are not encouraged to venture here. Saturday and Sunday breakfasts to write home about from 9:00am.

You know, Jolene and her friend came out from Port Orchard for some “good” karaoke, she said. Jolene used to host karaoke out there and is hoping to find a new gig soon. She sang a couple songs as Bobby fired up the system.

Suddenly, in bounces a young bouncy Yoyo. No, that’s her name, Yoyo! She’s a cute, giggly little thing. Bobby’s mentoring her on the sound system, hoping to employ her very soon. They sang a couple duets together (is that redundant?).

Bobby and Yoyo can download songs as needed to satisfy the customer requests. And, yes, he pays dearly for every single one, and damn proud of it, thank you very much.

He actually builds his own CDG files via Karaoke Version (www.karaoke-version.com) to offer songs that aren’t even available to purchase yet.

Come out and to the Loose Wheel and take it all in. They’ll treat you just how you wanna be treated. Welcome Bobby’s new Apprentice, Yoyo, to the scene. Good times prevail here, and everyone is welcome!

Loose Wheel Bar & Grill; 6108 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA (253) 301-1647.