Friday Night Karaoke – Episode 76: “2026 FNK and... GO!”

Date: January 17, 2026
Host(s): Mike Wiston & Joe Rubin
Featured Community Singers: Kristoff Crafton, Jennifer Adams, Nancy Van Eindhoven, Rick Mendoza, Anastar, Mike Wiston, Katie Rose

Overview

The first Friday Night Karaoke (FNK) podcast of 2026 launches in true celebratory style, featuring a high-energy lineup meant to welcome the new year with a bang. Hosts Mike and Joe present performances by regular community favorites and take the listener through party anthems, rock classics, and singalong staples provided by the FNK community. Their banter is as lively and irreverent as ever, marked by stories of upcoming events, personal milestones, and the inclusive, enthusiastic spirit that defines the FNK group.

Main Theme:
“2026 FNK and GO!” – High-energy, feel-good, and party-ready karaoke performances to kick off the new year.

Key Segments & Highlights

1. Episode Kickoff – “Drink Myself Drunk” by Kristoff Crafton

• [00:00-02:05]
  The show begins with Kristoff Crafton's rowdy rendition of Rebel Son’s “Drink Myself Drunk,” setting a humorous and unrestrained tone for the episode.
• Notable Banter:
  • “That is how you start a podcast. That is how you start a New Year's podcast.” — Mike ([01:53])
  • Discussion: Mike and Joe joke about New Year’s resolutions (C failed at Dry January by Jan 2).
  • Kristoff’s performance inspires Mike and Joe to possibly change their own karaoke duet choices for the year’s PodFest event.
    “I kind of need to play Kristoff's version every time I wake up and maybe like, to help me fall asleep.” — Mike ([03:23])

2. Party Initiation – “Get the Party Started” by Jennifer Adams

• [07:01-09:40]
  Jennifer Adams launches into Pink's classic, energetically layering her own vocals.
• Host Reaction:
  • “Jennifer Adams never disappoints, dude.” — Joe ([09:50])
  • The hosts marvel at her ability to harmonize with herself:
    “Is not easy recording over yourself...when you get into that inception, the dream within the dream… it gets really, really complicated.” — Mike ([10:10])

3. Rock Anthems – “The Final Countdown” by Nancy Van Eindhoven

• [14:42-18:21]
  Nancy delivers a classic rock staple full of vocal power and nostalgia.
• Memorable Exchange:
  • “That was better than good. That was great. That was Nancy Van Eindhoven with the final Countdown by Europe and, oh, man, she had some good power in her voice.” — Mike ([18:29])
  • The hosts joke about the repetition of lyrics and universally recognized tunes:
    “If you know Final Countdown, it's the final countdown. If you know those words, you know all the words.” — Mike ([19:18])

4. FNK Community & Upcoming Events

• [20:36-23:30]
  Mike and Joe announce their upcoming appearance at PodFest in Orlando, inviting listeners to join their FNK karaoke party (with free food and drinks for members).
  • “We are throwing this huge...it's gonna be like 100, 150 people karaoke party.” — Mike ([21:32])
  • “If you are an FNK member...food and drinks on us. We love hearing you sing.” — Joe ([23:09])

5. Classic Rock’n’Roll – “Round and Around” by Rick Mendoza

• [24:29-27:38]
  Rick Mendoza delivers a Stones number, channeling classic rock n’ roll energy.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “I know, it's the Stones. It sounds so Elvisy, though. We were talking about Elvis before. It sounds Elvisy, doesn't it?” — Mike ([27:45])
  • Mike shares a personal story about planning a solo Disney trip and booking a 50s rock n’ roll diner, highlighting his love for the era ([27:55]).

6. Mid-Episode: Host Birthday & Podcast Milestones

• [29:20-30:43]
  Joe celebrates his 50th birthday live on air, with Mike singing “Happy Birthday.”
• Hosts joke about aging and the enduring vitality of rock legends like the Rolling Stones.
  • “I'm hoping I could, like, get out of bed right now. I'm 44. I'm hoping I can get out of bed. And they're, like, in their 80s and they're, like, still, like, you know, doing tours...” — Mike ([28:55])
  • Reflect on five years and 48,000 group members ([49:46]).

7. Host’s Choice – “Suck My Kiss” by Mike Wiston (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

• [33:02-37:33]
  Mike does his own high-energy, cheeky take on a Chili Peppers favorite, telling a humorous story about serenading his future wife.
• Notable Banter:
  • “Fun fact. I was dating my wife and then I sang her that song. And a week later we were married.” — Mike ([37:01])
  • “When you listen to yourself and it's like cringe, like, ah. But I did like it. It was fun.” — Mike ([37:26])
  • Joe pokes fun at Mike’s upside-down microphone and their podcast production quirks ([37:43]).

8. Tribute – “Crazy Train” by Anastar (Ozzy Osbourne)

• [42:26-47:06]
  Anastar belts out an energetic Ozzy classic live from a karaoke bar, commemorating the late Osbourne with style and defiance.
• Hosts’ Take:
  • “I would have loved to have heard that live. Well, you know, if you and I were there, what everyone else would be hearing on the podcast right now is Mike and Joe in the background.” — Joe ([45:45])
  • “Ozzy would be fucking proud. He'd be looking down from–he'd be looking up right now being like hat tip to that move, you.” — Joe ([46:12])
  • They appreciate the passion and physicality Anastar brings to the song.

9. Community & Moderator Appreciation

• [48:04-50:43]
  Mike and Joe highlight FNK’s origins (“just Joe and I posting songs and liking and commenting on the songs that him and I were posting. Super freaking lame. But it was great.” [48:16]), the explosion of participation, and the positivity maintained by their dedicated moderator team.
• Moderators:
  • “There is no negativity in this group at all...Our moderators are absolutely phenomenal in every way.” — Mike ([49:54])

10. Final Feature – “I Like it Heavy” by Katie Rose (Hailstorm)

• [52:33-58:19]
  The last performance is a tour-de-force, rock-driven track by group moderator Katie Rose that leaves hosts floored.
• Memorable Moments:
  • “That ending threw me way off. That was so cool. That was so cool. I didn't even know what was happening...” — Mike ([57:01])
  • “That girl's a rockstar.” — Joe ([57:20])

Quotes & Memorable Lines

• “We're all in FnK together.” — Mike ([03:39])
• “We need to rethink our strategy and we need to play Kristoff's version again one or two more times beforehand just to practice it and warm it up.” — Joe ([03:15])
• “She thrippled herself.” — Mike ([09:57])
• “If you know Final Countdown, it's the final countdown. If you know those words, you know all the words.” — Mike ([19:18])
• “Food and drinks on us. We love hearing you sing.” — Joe ([23:09])
• “I'm hoping I could, like, get out of bed right now. I'm 44. I'm hoping I can get out of bed. And they're, like, in their 80s and they're, like, still, like, you know, doing tours and stuff. Like, it's wild.” — Mike ([28:55])
• “Katie Rose, thank you for singing us out, man. So this was the 2026 FnK and go theme of the week.” — Mike ([58:34])
• “Negative free and ad free. And tons of gimmicks for your listening enjoyment.” — Mike ([47:46])
• “Super freaking lame. But it was great.” — Mike ([48:17])

Timestamps Index

| Segment | Key Participants | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|----------------------------|-----------| | Opening Song (“Drink Myself Drunk”) | Kristoff Crafton | 00:00–02:05 | | Host Banter, New Year, Podfest Preview | Mike, Joe, Kristoff | 02:05–05:41 | | Jennifer Adams – “Get the Party Started” | Jennifer Adams | 07:01–09:40 | | Nancy Van Eindhoven – “The Final Countdown” | Nancy Van Eindhoven | 14:42–18:21 | | Podfest & FNK Parties | Mike, Joe | 20:36–23:30 | | Rick Mendoza – “Round and Around” | Rick Mendoza | 24:29–27:38 | | Mike Sings “Happy Birthday” to Joe | Mike, Joe | 29:20–30:43 | | Mike Wiston – “Suck My Kiss” | Mike Wiston | 33:02–37:33 | | Anastar – “Crazy Train” | Anastar | 42:26–47:06 | | History of FNK & Moderator Appreciation | Mike, Joe | 48:04–50:43 | | Katie Rose – “I Like it Heavy” | Katie Rose | 52:33–58:19 |

Episode Tone & Style

• Irreverent, playful, energetic, and supportive.
• Hosts balance quick-paced banter with genuine appreciation for performers and community.
• In-jokes, light teasing, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into FNK’s quirky culture.

Closing & Next Theme Preview

• Hosts set the next theme: FNK Cheers — drinking songs and celebratory bar anthems.
  “Drinking songs, FNK Cheers is the hashtag. Hashtag FNK Cheers. And we're going to be singing songs that you would sing at a bar or with friends or just about drinking.” — Mike ([61:37])
• Reminder to join upcoming PodFest karaoke party in Orlando (Jan 16th).
• Emphasis on positivity, fun, and the growing FNK community on Facebook.

For more and to get involved:
Join the Friday Night Karaoke Facebook Group