Brian Raftery, DON'T STOP BELIEVIN': HOW KARAOKE CONQUERED THE WORLD author: Mr. Media Interview

Summary: In Don’t Stop Believin’, Brian Raftery takes us to karaoke joints across the globe, each quirkier than the last. As he weaves stories of his personal karaoke experiences—the good, the bad, and the ones involving Foreigner’s “Cold as Ice”—with the broader history of karaoke in Japan and how it traveled to the U.S. (and around the world), we meet a crazy cast of characters who epitomize this fascinating subculture. With the popularity of shows like American Idol, Don’t Stop Believin’ comes during a resurgence of interest in singing. But Raftery would argue that karaoke is about much more than the notes and the lyrics. He explains America’s growing obsession with karaoke this way: “At a time when songs and albums are widely distributed but often privately indulged, karaoke is simply a communal form of music appreciation.” And it seems that, these days, the karaoke bug is biting all kinds. With handy lists for the karaoke connoisseur, such as “Fifty Songs I’ll Never Stop Singing at Karaoke” (translation: when in doubt, sing this) and “Thirty Songs I’ll Never Find at Karaoke” (don’t waste time looking for it), Don’t Stop Believin’ is a book for karaoke beginners and buffs alike—those who croon classics like Sinatra’s “New York, New York,” and those of us who shamelessly, religiously, belt out Prince’s “Raspberry Beret” every chance we get. Brian Raftery graduated from Penn State and has written for Wired, GQ, Spin, Esquire, and Entertainment Weekly, among others. Call in and talk to Brian live @ 1-646-595-3135 and be prepared to sing a verse of your favorite Karaoke tune!