I’m trying a new feature. Fellow blogger Trent McDonald encourages others to share something that made them smile in the past week. You can click here to join in the fun.
When I was a kid, I wanted to perform on stage with a band and back-up singers. Of course, I never realized that dream. But I recently discovered that singing karaoke is the next best thing.
The American Council of the Blind conducts a variety of activities on Zoom, including karaoke, held on Saturday nights. Anyone, no matter the singing ability, is welcome to perform before a live virtual audience, and the program is broadcast live on one of the organization’s Internet radio streams. Participants can accompany themselves on an instrument or with a track or just sing a Capela. The important thing is to have fun.
When I first started doing this last summer, I accompanied myself on the piano or guitar. But now, like just about everyone else who participates, I use karaoke tracks I find on YouTube. I record myself singing with the track in advance. So, all I have to do when it’s my turn to sing is share my screen, announce the song, and play the recording.
Last Saturday night was no different. I sang Abba’s “I Have a Dream,” a song that now has a special meaning to me, since I’ve lost two sets of grandparents, two parents, and a husband. Many people said they enjoyed my performance. This made me smile because my music made others smile.
You can listen to Karaoke Community Style on ACB Media 5 on Saturday evenings at 9 p.m. Eastern time. If you have an Amazon smart speaker, simply ask Alexa to open ACB Media. When prompted, ask for 5. Once you’ve done this the first time, you can simply say, “Ask ACB Media to play 5.” Alternatively, you can click here to access the stream. You can also download the ACB Media app on your smartphone. If you’re interested in attending this and other ACB community events on Zoom, you can email: community@acb.org and request a daily schedule be sent to your inbox.
How about you? What made you smile last week? You can click the link above to participate or share in the comment field below.
New! Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me
Copyright 2021 by Abbie Johnson Taylor.
Independently published with the help of DLD Books.
Sixteen-year-old Natalie’s grandmother, suffering from dementia and confined to a wheelchair, lives in a nursing home and rarely recognizes Natalie. But one Halloween night, she tells her a shocking secret that only she and Natalie’s mother know. Natalie is the product of a one-night stand between her mother, who is a college English teacher, and another professor.
After some research, Natalie learns that people with dementia often have vivid memories of past events. Still not wanting to believe what her grandmother has told her, she finds her biological father online. The resemblance between them is undeniable. Not knowing what else to do, she shows his photo and website to her parents.
Natalie realizes she has some growing up to do. Scared and confused, she reaches out to her biological father, and they start corresponding.
Her younger sister, Sarah, senses their parents’ marital difficulties. At Thanksgiving, when she has an opportunity to see Santa Claus, she asks him to bring them together again. Can the jolly old elf grant her request?
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My Corner 
I’ve started to sing on songs that I write, but I have never tried karaoke. OK, you mentioned people in the group playing guitar or whatever and singing along – I have done that a little, but not straight up karaoke. Sounds like a fun group. Glad you enjoyed it and people enjoyed your music.
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I also entertain at nursing homes and other senior facilities, accompanying myself on either the piano or guitar. To me, it’s rewarding when I can make people smile.
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