Sure, I can get my karaoke kicks elsewhere. And KJ Paul will find a new home for his KJ-ing. But there was something truly special about Wednesday nights at El Rio with KJ Paul. He brought every type of person into one room mid-week to belt their hearts out. There were no barriers, no stage – just a space and a microphone and everyone crowded around you.
I didn’t do karaoke before I found KJ Paul. I thought it was stupid. I thought it was scary. Then one night in 2011 I found myself in El Rio with a bunch of new friends, and I found a new confidence along with a home where we would all come together every week and not give a shit. There were also always the fixtures, who I think of as KJ Paul All-Stars. These people are pictured below and are just a few of the characters that made this night so special, whether it was with their impressive chops, their erratic dance moves, or just their natural charisma. El Rio on Wednesdays was a community of friends and strangers who all found their happy place singing along with KJ Paul, and it will be missed by many.
I have been behind the bar, popping Tecates and pouring “whisker gingies” nearly every Wednesday during KJ Paul karaoke for the past 5 years and it’s with a heavy heart that this change occurs. In the same breath, I’m so happy to welcome our new motley crew of KJs to El Rio as we continue karaoke every Wednesday night.
KJ Paul is absolutely one of a kind, and his ability to make superstars of us all deserves a genuine and hearty round of applause. Honestly, I think KJ Paul was instrumental in making karaoke cool again. Not an easy feat!
I’ve made some fantastic friends and have become engaged in such a really significant way with the community that’s been built around the mic on Wednesdays and I feel fortunate for all 260 of these Wednesdays with KJ Paul at the helm. I sincerely hope to continue to see, but mostly hear, everyone every Wednesday into the future!
KJ Paul Sunday’s at Dalva, I miss it so.
Whaaaaat, where’s he going???
I used to see that dude with a crown regularly in front of Clooney’s at 8am smoking a cigarette when I biked to work. I’ve seen him at El Rio a few times too.