Ahoy, karaoke enthusiasts and live music lovers! September 2024 was a month to remember for Rock Out Karaoke, as we brought our signature blend of rock ‘n’ roll and audience participation to the legendary stage at the Music Box in San Diego: the same stage graced by Snoop Dogg, Macy Gray, Ambrosia, and countless others. Talk about keeping good company!

We were thrilled to be part of the block party celebrating the Music Box’s 9th anniversary. The Music Box, already a hub for incredible musical talent, gave us the perfect setting to remind everyone why we’ve been San Diego’s original and longest-running live karaoke band since 2006.

Nostalgia on Deck

The night was packed with highlights, but our favorite part of this gig was welcoming two Rock Out Karaoke veterans back to the stage: Dave Swendsen on bass and Matt Souza on drums. Slipping back into the groove like a well-worn pair of Sperry’s, these two drove the show with precision and energy.

Speaking of nostalgia, we were joined by our old friend MJ on stage. If you’ve ever been to one of our 300 shows at the 710 Beach Club back in the day, you’ve likely seen MJ rock the mic — she was one of our weekly regulars. Dave, Matt, and MJ sharing the stage again was like finding buried treasure: familiar, dazzling, and worth the wait.

Hits, High Notes, and Hilarity

Our setlist that night was a buffet of bangers, from rock classics to pop anthems and everything in between. The crowd came ready to sing their hearts out, and we were more than happy to oblige.

Mr. Brightside? Check. Don’t Stop Believin’? Double check. A raucous rendition of “What’s My Age Again” that turned the entire venue into a sing-along sea shanty? Triple check with a cherry on top.

We were happy to be the warm up for the headline act: Yachley Crew. These guys always put on a killer show, and it was fun to sit back and watch them work the crowd.

Anchoring Our Legacy

If there’s one thing we’ve learned in nearly 20 years of making karaoke dreams come true, it’s this: the best moments happen when the audience becomes part of the show. From seasoned karaoke veterans to first-time singers testing their sea legs, the anniversary party was a reminder of why we love doing what we do. We’re not just a band; we’re a community. And this time, our community got to shine on a stage with a history as rich as San Diego’s music scene itself.

So here’s to the Music Box, Bass Dave, Drummer Matt, and all the incredible singers who joined us on this unforgettable night. Whether you hit every note or just hit the stage with enthusiasm, you helped make this event one for the books. As we like to say, you don’t have to be pitch-perfect to be part of the Rock Out Karaoke crew—you just need a little courage, a lot of heart, and maybe a couple of cocktails.

Until next time, San Diego, keep the yacht rock spirit alive, and don’t forget: when you’re with Rock Out Karaoke, every night is a greatest hit!

We’re back at San Diego’s premier Memorial Day event!

If you’ve followed us for any part of our 16 years in existence, you’ll remember that we played several Sing Dance Crawl events over the years (10 consecutive years, if you’re counting!). We’re happy to be back for another year at the House of Blues San Diego for some live band karaoke, starring YOU!

Grab your tickets, because this event always sells out and they’re going fast. Proceeds benefit the Wingman Foundation, so you can feel great about partying for a great cause.

Rock Out Karaoke is San Diego’s most dynamic live music performance group, combining the raw power of a live rock band with the fun of audience participation, where individual singers take center stage with the live band! Contact us today if you’re looking for the best interactive entertainment you can get for your next event!

The Rock Out Karaoke family had an unthinkable loss over the Thanksgiving holiday, as our very own Andy Hinson passed away at age 53. We’re still processing, grieving, and supporting Andy’s family during this time, and we thought it appropriate to try and describe here what Andy meant to us.

Any musician will tell you that there’s something magical about being on stage with others and feeling completely locked in. When you’re able to do that with someone dozens / hundreds of times for 10 years, you become family.

We first met Andy in early 2012 when he was playing with local Zeppelin tribute Dazed and Confused. He was a great addition to the ROK lineup, and having a second bass player on the roster would allow us to play much more often during those busy years. Andy committed to learning the 200+ songs on our list and had them all down within a matter of weeks. It certainly helped that he was a natural rocker and loved so many of the tunes we played.

Over the years Andy played too many gigs to count. These were our busiest years, and we traveled to Vegas, LA, and the California desert for corporate gigs — along with weekly and monthly commitments close to home at 710 Beach Club, JT’s Pub, House of Blues and more.

Andy always had a quick smile and easy going demeanor (usually supplemented by a quote from Big Lebowski or any number of classic films). Having grown up in Northern Virginia, he was a die-hard Washington Redskins (Commanders) fan. Beyond his affinity for great movies and football, Andy loved what you may think of as “pure” classic rock. Bands like Rush, Kiss, and of course, Led Zeppelin. And the hair – we have to mention those perfect golden, full-bodied locks, which, for much of the time we knew him, fell well past his shoulders. Definitely the envy of many women in the crowd!

Perhaps what we’ll cherish most of all from our time with Andy is how he treated others. He was simply one of the nicest guys we’ve ever known. One of Andy’s longtime friends summed it up perfectly by saying [paraphrased], “The best thing about Andy is that he played a starring role in some of the best days of the lives of everyone who knew him.” We agree wholeheartedly.

Thanks, Andy, for playing a starring role in many of the best days of our lives. Until we meet again… we love you.