If you love karaoke and you have a competitive side, you might want to enter a singing contest. It’s a chance to test your skills against the best singers in your area. It’s also a great opportunity to hang out with friends, meet new people, and become a star for the night. And if you perform well, you might even get a cash prize, or at least a trophy. Just remember that it might not be as easy as it looks. There are a lot of people who take karaoke seriously, and they’re going to be tough competition. If you really want to win, you have to prepare for a battle, and here are some tips that will help you.

While some musical equipment is more durable than others, all instruments and their accompanying gear must be stored with certain measures in mind, or else you will find yourself having to deal with expensive repairs or even replacing your instruments. So, before you lock away your gear, keep these tips in mind.
Invest for the long term.
While tempting, discount storage solutions may seem like a deal at first, but the cost-to-savings ratio can quickly reverse. As mentioned above, improperly stored equipment can bleed your wallet dry. All it takes is one day of extreme weather to cause expensive damages.

Your best bet is to invest in a climate-controlled storage unit which can guarantee certain storage conditions. Climate controlled units also tend to be insulated from the weather, making water and mold damage less likely. Not all units offer humidity control, and temperature guarantees can vary, so make sure you know what you’re getting. Also, keep in mind that while friends or family have the best intentions in mind, they are not professionals, and accidental damage can occur, likely to leave you with no recourse for compensation.

Storing electronic musical equipment.
Because they are generally made up of a combination of plastic, adhesives, and fine metals, electronics are especially fragile. Heat, cold, moisture, or even arid conditions can damage components in a device. Make sure your storage space meets the following specifications to avoid damage.

As I am writing this, I am listening to the musical stylings of Ray Boltz, and in particular, “Another Child To Hold.” That song moved me, way back, when I first heard it, and still continues to move me, I daresay, every time I hear it.

The chords, the words… The lyrics are simple enough to aim straight for the heart, the music has a complexity to its composition enough to stimulate the senses, opening up the heart and mind to the message. Not all musicians can accomplish this. Ray Bolz is a rarity, able to gently speak to the soul, and express the love to and for humanity.

Oh, I remember my first keyboard. How many years ago, was that? Well, I started with the piano when I was three years old. Probably earlier, but I can’t remember back that far! It was expected that we, as a musical family, play the piano. But, keyboards? Oh, that was a wonderful invention, allowing me to have my own “piano” in my room and listen to it with my headphones. Ok, I know I sound like an old fart, but “way back then” that was really something!