Karaoke Forums

On Oct. 7th, I have been ask to perform at a celebration of life, or some of you may know it as a wake. A good friend of mines father past away a couple of days ago.
His parents were in the process of moving into one of the cabins at a Marina that I play at. During the move his father took ill. In my heart I firmly believe that his father knew of his fate and wanted to make sure the move was complete. If he hadn't followed through with the move, I don't believe my friends mother would have moved here but would have stayed at their previous house. But the father knowing this, wanted to make sure that his wife would be among friends when the end came.
This will be a first for me. It is at the familys request that I have been ask to perform.
I consider this a great honor and have given it a great deal of thought.
At the beginning of the ceremony, I will request that the immediate family come with me to the waters edge. Since this was to be their new home, we will have a prayer and a toast in his honor. Some folks may see this as being somewhat unorthodox, but I think it will be fitting for the occasion, and a chance for the family to have a moment alone to reflect on their past, and their new future. I will prepare a few words to speak in memory of their father. Then we will proceed back to the rest of the group where we will celebrate into the wee hours of the night.
This family has put a great deal of trust into me. I can only hope that I return the favor with this celebration.
So like I said, it will be a first...., good lord, whoever heard of a Karaoke wake.
That's a new one on me. Wish me luck and keep me in your prayers that I find the strength and courage this family will require during their time of need.
Respectfully yours,
James H. Gilbert
Maninblack

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I serve no man and am loyal to only one God.

Being critical of a person's success in any respect speaks volumes about the lack of your own.

Love as though you've never been hurt, Dance as though no one's watching, Sing as though God Himself were listening.

Actually, it sounds a lot like an Irish wake only with sound equipment
Good Luck!

What an honer it is James ! I think its awesome you are doing this ! And awesome that its not about the $ its about the heart & TRULY celebrating life ! I wish you loads of luck in this & I will keep you in my prayers. I am sure they will have lots of fun at a karaoke wake ! This is just awesome !  :hug: ( just wanted to give ya a big ole hug )

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Kelley
Star Sounds Karaoke & Mobile Recording Studio


[shadow=black][scroll]You have to respect your audience. Without them, you're essentially standing alone, singing to yourself....KD Lang[/scroll][/shadow]

James, if anyone can do this justice it's you. You are a well rounded entertainer with a respect for people and a great deal of integrity.

Good luck to you, I'm sure you will do just fine.

Chuck

I agree James. There is no doubt you'll do a great job. They
are lucky to have a person like you who cares. I was picturing in my
mind what you were describing and it sounds like a thoughtful idea.
I actually don't think it is strange to have karaoke for any occasion.
The benefit I just did was for an 18 year old boy who died, to cover
funeral expenses. They had a family friend sing a dedication song for the family.
It was the most emotional part of the day. It is a wonderful thing when family and friends can gather to celebrate life and the loved ones lost. Good luck sweetie.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Yep to all the above, and I'll also add that you seem to be the right guy for the job.

As far as karaoke for a wake?....I think it is an excellent chance for everyone to make a public statement or reflection about the guy once handed the mic......And they can also select songs appropriate to him and their memories of him.

So lead it off in that fashion. Make a statement about him or recite a memory you had of him or a short little story about you and him over the PA and then sing a song dedicated to him....then make sure to allow each singer the same chance before the music starts.

I suggest Toby Keith's "Wayfaring Stranger" if you can get down that low.

Good luck and my prayers go with you. Sorry for the loss of your friend. - Tonya

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Make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Psalm 100:1

Well I spoke with the sons today, and it just happen that yes they are of Irish/Scottish descent, so I was on the right track after all. I told them of my plans for a toast, and they were almost in tears just talking about how nice it will be. Now here's the kicker.  
We will be doing this in true tradition, yes that means we will be wearing kilts to the ceremony. Jeeeze now I wish that I hadn't worked so much this summer so I could have at least gotten some sun on my legs. Of course this means also that we want to have the Royal Scottish Bagpipe version of Amazing Grace playing in the background.  
We expect about 170 people for this event. So as it goes, a man is not judged by the amount of wealth he leaves behind, but the wealth of friends and family that he touched during his life.  
 
One other thing. When I went over to talk with the family today, they went off to the side for a moment and were talking amongst themselves. When they came back, they told me they had a present for me for all that I had done for them so far. They handed me the title and keys to their fathers car. Their mother already has her own vehicle and rather than get rid of it all together, they wanted someone that they knew to have it, so that I would basically still be in the family. I tell you folks, I have to admit that I am truly blessed with the kindness that my friends have shown recently. They have embraced me for all my worldly flaws and have brought me into their own. For as much as I ramble on here at the boards, I was at a total loss of words. They knew that I had been using my truck to haul my equipment around, and  wanted me to have another source of transportation, so I wasn't constantly having to load and unload the truck. Now mind you, it's not a new car, but it will definitely serve it's purpose and couldn't have come at a better time. It's times like this that make me sit and ponder my life, I'm so use to struggling to get what I have, that I'm often filled with self doubt. It's acts of kindness like this that really make me realize just how good things are. Sometimes all you have to do is surrender and open your heart to others around you.  
In short, today was a great day.  
 
James  
Maninblack

_________________
I serve no man and am loyal to only one God.

Being critical of a person's success in any respect speaks volumes about the lack of your own.

Love as though you've never been hurt, Dance as though no one's watching, Sing as though God Himself were listening.

Ahhh Blessings dont ya just love em ! You obviously deserve them James . Im glad things are going well. Good luck with everything  :)

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Kelley
Star Sounds Karaoke & Mobile Recording Studio


[shadow=black][scroll]You have to respect your audience. Without them, you're essentially standing alone, singing to yourself....KD Lang[/scroll][/shadow]

dude, you GOTTA post a picture of you in a kilt!!

Best of luck in the celebration of the man's life. YOU are the MAN for the JOB!

wow James this was really heart warming to read... good luck..

Good Luck with this.  I am sure you will do a terrific job!  Let us all know how it goes...

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Will sing or fish for food!!I'm not quite right!!

Are you going to wear anything under that kilt?
Inquiring minds need to know.  :swg:

_________________
[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Did someting sismilar for my Mother-in-Law's party after passed about 1 1/2 months ago.  She said she wanted a party, and by God that is what she got.  MAde up a slide show on one lapton, an used a projector to put it on the wall.  Had the other laptop qued up with her favortte music (Ozzy, Led Zep, Aerosmith, ect...) and had that playing throug the house speakers.  IT was great, and she would have loved it.

We had a bit of a un-formal service with a pastor from the local hospice organazation, then after he spoke everyone came up to the podium (sp?) and said some word too.

Well, that was a buch of fun, and after it was over we went to the bar and REALY PARTYED.  Set up the KAraoke equipment, drank TOO much and had a GREAT TIME.

Iv'e been to a lot of funrals in my lofe, and BY FAR this one was the best!!!!!  
Can ya say that about funerals?  That this one was the BEST ?  :confused:

When we did it, the get together was from 2pm until 3am. A lot
of people did tear jerker songs as dedications to the family for their
departed loved one. After a while the mother asked that there be no more of that.
They were having a hard time with it. I can't tell you how many times those songs made me cry that day. I totally agreed and just explained to people the family requested we keep it up beat for the rest of the night. This also meant stopping the drunken speaches to the family.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

I want to use the private ceremony by the water for the immediate family. When we go back up to the rest of the group, Iamb sure there will be folks who want to say a few words, but my emphasis will be on the fond memories and laughter of a departed friend and family member, not trying to see who can drown the others in a sea of tears.

Just to show you what kind of warped humor I have. When I was talking with the brothers about the private ceremony, we were standing down by the docks at the marina. They had also expressed that they wanted it to be upbeat ceremony, more like a celebration of life rather than a wake. I told the, no problems, in fact I've already taken care of it. I told them to look out at the buoys in the harbor and tell me what they saw. In unison they both said, 'No wake zone' and immediately busted out laughing giving me hugs and high fives. They knew they had picked the right person because even in the darkest of times, we still have to find a reason for living, loving and laughing.

Again I will break my vow of sobriety, but it will be in honor of a very good man, who befriended me without hesitation and without question.  

This event has me very humbled, and I thank each of you for your kind words of support.

And to inquiring minds, yes I will be wearing my boxers under the kilt. Don't want to go through all the trouble of trying to keep my focus on the family, only to fall down in front of everyone and show my shortcomings.

James
Maninblack

_________________
I serve no man and am loyal to only one God.

Being critical of a person's success in any respect speaks volumes about the lack of your own.

Love as though you've never been hurt, Dance as though no one's watching, Sing as though God Himself were listening.

Well folks, today is the day, wish me luck and say a few prayers. Will let you know how things went either later tonight or tomorrow.
Thanks
James

_________________
I serve no man and am loyal to only one God.

Being critical of a person's success in any respect speaks volumes about the lack of your own.

Love as though you've never been hurt, Dance as though no one's watching, Sing as though God Himself were listening.

My thoughts and prayers are with you James.  Best of luck (which I know you'll have )

Good Luck James !!!!!! You are in my prayers !!!!!  :wave:

_________________
Kelley
Star Sounds Karaoke & Mobile Recording Studio


[shadow=black][scroll]You have to respect your audience. Without them, you're essentially standing alone, singing to yourself....KD Lang[/scroll][/shadow]

Good luck James. I believe as the family seems to as well, that you are the man for the job.