Friday Night Karaoke: Karaoke Party Like It's 2024 with FNK

Episode Released: January 4, 2025

Episode Overview

In this upbeat and community-driven episode, hosts Mike Whiston and Joe Rubin kick off the new year with the theme “Party Like it’s 2024.” The episode celebrates some of the top karaoke performances from their vibrant Facebook group, showcasing eight winners from various weekly themes throughout 2024. Packed with incredible amateur renditions, lively banter, and a look ahead to both in-person karaoke events and future podcast plans, this episode highlights the inclusive, joyful, and occasionally irreverent spirit that defines Friday Night Karaoke.

Key Discussion Points & Segment Highlights

1. Opening & Show Format

• The show opens with a powerful cover of John Legend’s “All of Me” by Steven Strong, setting a high bar for the evening.
• Theme: This special episode serves as a “recap of 2024” (05:36), featuring eight of the year’s top karaoke winners from their Facebook group.
• The hosts maintain a laid-back, humorous tone, joking about their own karaoke mishaps and highlighting the non-competitive, positivity-focused nature of the FNK community.

2. Featured Performances & Community Reactions

Each winner is introduced with context about their background, song choice, and performance style, followed by authentic, enthusiastic feedback from the hosts.

A. Steven Strong – "All of Me" (John Legend)

• [00:15–04:35]
• Moving cover. Mike emotionally responds:

  “You gave your all and it was absolutely phenomenal. And I cried. I cried.” – Mike (04:35)

• Joe:

  “It was a cry worthy song... then he shows up and busts out a song like that and everyone cries.” (04:48)

• Set as the “kick-off” performance for the episode.

B. Mike Tahir – "All Star" (Smash Mouth)

• [09:29–13:02]
• Recognized for building “rock star” confidence as the song progresses.

  “By the end of that song he was a full-on rock star. He just kept getting more and more into it.” – Joe (13:05)

• Noted as a “December 6th win” for the group’s “One Hit Wonder” week.

C. Bonnie Rochelle – "I Want to Hold Your Hand" (The Beatles)

• [17:10–19:20]
• Praised for “spot-on” self-harmonizing.

  “Holy harmonies, those were great. She was spot on with those harmonies.” – Joe (19:29)

• Amusing discussion about the “misheard” lyric:

  “She thought it says I get high, I get high, I get high — which is the Beatles, it could be.” – Mike (20:11)

D. Eric Copper – "Limitless" (Original)

• [24:56–30:56]
• Powerful hip hop original about overcoming adversity and self-acceptance.

  “That was an entire vibe. That was a journey… I can tell it was a true story about him.” – Mike (29:14)
  “That was deep. That was phenomenal.” – Mike (28:45)

• Hosts note Eric’s diverse talent, referencing his prior winning Gaston performance from a Disney theme.

E. Lauren Greg – "Killing Me Softly" (Fugees)

• [32:41–36:44]
• Applauded for vocal inflection and ending the song a cappella.

  “You’re not killing anyone softly with that song. That was freaking awesome.” – Mike (36:44)

• Noted as her first post, winning for FnK Hip Hop Week in July 2024.

F. Nancy Van Eindhoven – "One" (U2)

• [42:35–47:38]
• Praised for multi-track recording and harmonizing:

  “She sang one, and there was two of her, and she pulled it off.” – Joe (47:38)

• Discussion about the technical skills needed for self-harmonizing using apps like Smule or Star Maker.

G. T Bone – "Everybody’s Talking" (Harry Nilsson)

• [53:14–56:56]
• Hosts highlight classic 60s vibes and the importance of song choice at karaoke:

  “That’s one of the choruses of the song that I know… if it’s karaoke, that’s the part I’m gonna sing along to.” – Mike (56:36)

• Noted as the FNK 60s theme winner for May 3rd.

H. Keith Hudson – "Live Like You Were Dying" (Tim McGraw)

• [59:34–64:47]
• Ends the show with big country energy:

  “Man, what a country voice. What a way to end the podcast.” – Mike (64:07)
  “That was phenomenal, dude. That was so good.” – Joe (64:23)

• Prompted discussion about country music’s storytelling power.

3. Community News & Upcoming Events

Orlando Karaoke Event

• In-person gathering: Announced for January 16th at “Oh Shucks” in Orlando, in conjunction with the PodFest conference.
• Free drinks and food for FNKers; RSVP via the Facebook group (21:24).
• “Drinks, food, karaoke are all on us. Just for being part of the Friday Night Karaoke community.” – Mike (22:35)

Mic Drop Challenge Teaser

• Mike and Joe hint at the possible return of the beloved “Mic Drop Challenge,” encouraging listeners to rally support in the Facebook group (39:07).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On karaoke nerves and community:

  “[If] you’re not sure what to sing, just sing a song that everybody knows, because everyone will sing it for you.” – Mike (15:02)

• On musical connections:

  “It is the best when you’re on stage and everybody’s singing along with you. It’s rock star level.” – Joe (15:38)

• Joking about their return after an absence:

  “We’re back. Like that pesky case of herpes. That rash on your ass.” – Mike (07:44) “Gotta put some FnK cream on that, man.” – Joe (07:54)

Fun, Tangents, and Personal Stories

• The hosts reminisce about their own karaoke escapades and challenges with multi-take recordings (e.g., the “pirate song” tangent at 09:00).
• Lighthearted side discussions involve Joe’s “wishful” karaoke song list and Mike’s Christmas gift to himself—a transforming Megatron robot with a “rock out mode” (48:48, 49:06).

  “I got the best present ever, because I bought it for myself, wrapped it, put it under the tree, and wrote, you know, To Mike. From Mike.” – Mike (49:06)

Looking Ahead

• Next Week’s Theme Teaser:
  The coming week’s karaoke theme will be “Movies, Cartoons, or Television Theme Songs,” inviting community members to share their favorite nostalgia-inducing intros (66:49–68:36).

Timestamps of Important Segments

• John Legend “All of Me” (Steven Strong): 00:15–04:35
• Smash Mouth “All Star” (Mike Tahir): 09:29–13:02
• Beatles “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (Bonnie Rochelle): 17:10–19:20
• Eric Copper Original “Limitless”: 24:56–30:56
• Fugees “Killing Me Softly” (Lauren Greg): 32:41–36:44
• U2 “One” (Nancy Van Eindhoven): 42:35–47:38
• Harry Nilsson “Everybody’s Talking” (T Bone): 53:14–56:56
• Tim McGraw “Live Like You Were Dying” (Keith Hudson): 59:34–64:47
• Orlando event discussion: 21:24–23:36
• Theme preview for next episode: 66:49–68:36

Takeaway

This episode is a warm, celebratory journey through a year’s worth of Friday Night Karaoke community triumphs. Whether you’re a singer, a listener, or just someone looking for an always-positive, highly entertaining musical hangout, this recap brings the energy, laughter, and feels—leaving listeners eager for 2025’s adventures, both virtual and in-person.

Find the featured artists and join upcoming events by joining the Friday Night Karaoke Facebook Group.