Kasey and Karaoke Update

Guest Blogger

Kasey “Aaliyah” Jackson, Sophomore, Forensic Science Chemistry, COTC & Ohio State Newark

Hello again everyone, 

Last year my karaoke journey ended in Las Vegas as I placed 30th in America after I had placed 2nd in the Ohio Karaoke Championship which took me to Las Vegas. 

In Vegas, I did well but not well as I could’ve because I got sick and lost my voice two days before we left. I tried to press on anyway. 

Because of my hiccup for 1st place in the Ohio Karaoke Championship was a music arrangement error, I have decided to re-enter and I have gone through the proper lengths to purchase my own rights to the karaoke songs I have chosen this year so that I can practice and guarantee my practices and performances will be the same. 

This year the Karaoke World Championships have moved up so Karaoke Nationals has also moved up, which also means Ohio Karaoke Championships has moved up placing me in the first round of qualifying on April 3 at 9:30 p.m. Instead of having two songs this year for the first round they are only accepting one. The event will be held at Pastimes Crossroads, 121 E Campus View Blvd in Columbus. It is free and open to the public. If I qualify on April 3, the semi-final round will be held on April 24 and that will determine if I move on to the Ohio Karaoke Championship on July 12. I’m hoping for the best and I’m coming for that 1st place spot! I’d like to thank all the students and staff here at the college for all the support they’ve shown me throughout this journey. The best is yet to come!

Kasey and Karaoke

Guest Blogger

Kasey “Aaliyah” Jackson, Sophomore, Forensic Science Chemistry, COTC & Ohio State Newark

My singing history is very long, so I’m just going to touch on my recent success. About a year ago I auditioned for Ohio State Newark’s Got Talent where I placed second. After that performance, fellow students Elizabeth Beatty, Melissa Tobin and Hunter Spittler and Assistant Director for Student Life Justin Khol told me about Karaoke Night, so I started to going. I don’t think I’ve missed a karaoke night since.

This past spring the karaoke night event holders Tim and Vickie Craft asked me if I wanted to compete in karaoke. I told them I usually go home for the summer and that I wouldn’t be back until school started again. They said they would take my information and contact me when it was starting up. I came back and I went to the qualifying round, where I qualified and was the female winner for the first round. We were supposed to have a semi-final round but that round was eliminated and I immediately became a finalist. Finals were held at Woody’s Pub and Grill in Buckeye Lake, Ohio. We went two rounds; my first song was ‘Georgia On My Mind’ and my second was ‘And I am Telling You’ by Jennifer Hudson. The second was a little difficult because the arrangement was slightly different than what I had been practicing so I got stuck in the beginning of the song and the judges penalized me for it. I ended up getting second place still qualifying for Vegas; but only the first place winner had their fares paid. A very generous anonymous giver believed in me so much they offered to pay for me and my boyfriend’s way to Las Vegas so I could compete.

In Las Vegas, I will be representing the State of Ohio and in competition to win a prize of $1000 and a chance to represent the USA in Helsinki, Finland.

Las Vegas Karaoke Competition Schedule

ROUND 1 is Thursday September 28, and Friday September 29th.

I will compete Thursday between 10 am and noon.

I will compete Friday between 7:30 pm and 10:30pm.

ROUND 2 is Saturday September 30th if I make it.

I’m so honored to even be considered in this event and on this type of platform. I’m hoping to win, but if I don’t I am very happy to have had this opportunity to represent my state and schools.

After this competition is over I’m looking forward to finishing my education strong and seeking more venues to perform at. I want to thank those who have pushed and believed in me. Thank you to Justin Khol and Vorley Taylor for always making a way for me to perform. Thank You to my voice coach Perry Meyer. You are the reason I am going to Vegas, without you this would be impossible. Thank you to Vickie and Tim Craft for having so much faith in me from the beginning. Thank you to my entire family and all my friends. I appreciate EVERYONE!!!

My performances can be found on my facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/aaliyah.jackson