Welcome to KSS2011!

Interested? Click here or the link in the top menu! Sign-up ends December 12th!

Two years ago, in late November, I realized Christmas was just around the corner and wanted to do something special, but something different. Since I love going out and performing Karaoke, one idea was to invite a whole bunch of people that I knew to a local Karaoke joint and do a drawing throughout, creating random duets and having people perform together. The list of friends who actually enjoyed doing karaoke as much as I do is minimal, but I thought it'd still be fun.

I also had this strange desire to do something different with the Secret Santa tradition: broaden the Secret Santa reach to the entire world. Why only share the random gift of giving to just a group of friends or a group of office colleagues? Why limit the possibilities to physical merchandise that you have to ship across continents? I mean, attempting to pull off a worldwide Secret Santa, without boundaries and open to anyone, is an arduous, maybe impossible task, especially considering the varying degrees of shipping costs and delivery times.

However, inspired by the soaring popularity and accessibility of YouTube, the surprising success of online singing sensations (think Susan Boyle or Julia Nunes), and my personal love (and some say, obsession) of Karaoke, I've found a way to kick the Secret Santa up another notch, while being realistic about the ability of people around the world to follow through with it.

Thus, I present to you:

KARAOKE SECRET SANTA 

The idea of the Karaoke Secret Santa are for the participants to give each other personal YouTube videos, in lieu of physical gifts. These videos are determined by the participant's Wishlist, which is comprised of answers to certain questions, such as:

• Favorite Artist?
• Favorite Broadway Show?
• Favorite Christmas Song?

Once the Secret Santas are drawn, participants will view their partner's wishlist, choose a song that applies to their musical tastes or wishes, and create a homemade Karaoke video. Once done, the video is uploaded to YouTube and the link is delivered to the gift recipient before Christmas. Then, on Christmas morning participants will open their mailbox and see their wonderful gift: your heart and soul poured into a personalized Karaoke video!

So, please, if you haven't already, join us in spreading Holiday cheer and love in a very unique way this year! If you know anyone who would be interested in doing this, please send them the RSVP link. You would need an Elfster account, or you can sign in via Facebook.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Peace,

Joe R.

Creator/Administrator


P.S. Check out the "Karaoke How-To" link on the top menu for more signup info.

Welcome to KSS2011: A Brief History

Interested? Click here or the link in the top menu! Sign-up ends December 12th!

Confession: The year was 2009 and I had recently met the love of my life (only I hadn't confirmed that title, yet). The catch is I met her online as she lives in Australia and I live in the United States. Christmas was coming up and I wanted to involve her in some way. I also wanted to get to know her better, do something sweet for her without explicitly telling her and... hear her sing.

So, I devised this plan to be involved in this uber-special secret santa where the gifts are karaoke videos made and sent online. This way, anyone with an email (or now, an Elfster account) can be involved. I called it, "Karaoke Secret Santa" (or KSS, for short):

Karaoke Secret Santa - 2009 Playlist

(Ironically, she has yet to receive a proper Karaoke Secret video despite participating enthusiastically the past two years!)

It started off modestly. There were six videos made. A seventh video should have been made, but that participant flaked big time.

But, the next year, it grew twice its size. Twelve videos were made. At least two participants didn't follow through, but one other participant did twice: she made a make-up video which ended up being the most creative Karaoke Secret Santa video in its young history:

That year, we also lost someone very close to Karaoke Secret Santa who was a big influence to its creation:

His name was Armand Barbone and we shared the same passion for doing karaoke at McGillin's for the past few years. That passion also led to the original KSS idea when I wanted to do something special for Pam (the previously unmentioned love of my life) back in '09.

Now, inspired by the spirit of creativity, love and passion that its members has put into it, Karaoke Secret Santa enters its third year and you are invited to participate!

RSVP on Elfster

For more info on how to complete a Karaoke Secret Santa or what it's about, please click one of the links on the top menu or send an email to karaokesecret@gmail.com.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Peace,

Joe R.

Creator/Administrator

2010: Ann's gift for Dan

SECRET SANTA: Ann
RECIPIENT: Dan
GIFT: "Fireflies" (dance)




Unfortunately, Dan's Secret Santa didn't deliver a video for him, so Ann stepped up to the plate, and gave us this FANTASTIC dance that she made up herself. Thank you, Ann!

2010: Charlie's gift for Sian

SECRET SANTA: Charlie
RECIPIENT: Sian
GIFT: "Brave Sir Robin"




(Just a note for those who may not be familiar with Monty Python: that's how it's supposed to end. Haha.)

2010: Pam's gift for Mikael

SECRET SANTA: Pam
RECIPIENT: Mikael
GIFT: "Whatever You Imagine"

2010: James' gift for Armand

SECRET SANTA: James
RECIPIENT: Armand
GIFT: "Masterpiece"

2010: Armand's gift for Anna

SECRET SANTA: Armand
RECIPIENT: Anna
GIFT: "Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey"

2010: Xan's gift for Rubyrose

SECRET SANTA: Xan
RECIPIENT: Rubyrose
GIFT: "Mamma Mia"

2010: Jen's gift for James

SECRET SANTA: Jen
RECIPIENT: James
GIFT: "I Believe In Father Christmas"

2010: Joe's gift for Charlie

SECRET SANTA: Joe
RECIPIENT: Charlie
GIFT: "True Love Waits"

2010: Mikael's gift for Ann

SECRET SANTA: Mikael
RECIPIENT: Ann
GIFT: "Smile"

2010: Dan's gift for Xan

SECRET SANTA: Dan
RECIPIENT: Xan
GIFT: "A Song For You"

2010: Sian's gift for Dennis

SECRET SANTA: Sian
RECIPIENT: Dennis
GIFT: "Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)"

2010: Ann's gift for Jen

SECRET SANTA: Ann
RECIPIENT: Jen
GIFT: "All I Want For Christmas Is You"





I think James summed it up best with his comment on Ann's video:

"Quite, quite bloody brilliant."

Karaoke Secret Santa remembers... Armand Barbone (1982 - 2011)

Armand Barbone loved karaoke and was gracious enough to participate in the first two years of Karaoke Secret Santa, turning in two wonderful video treats. In 2009, he did "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World for his secret santa by performing in his pajamas while using Rock Band as his background music. In 2010, he found a video online of "Dominic, The Italian Christmas Donkey" and sang along to it. 

On January 15, 2011, Armand died suddenly. A playlist has been created to celebrate his life by remembering one of his passions: singing. It features his two Karaoke Secret Santa videos and a video made by Joseph Restubog after his death, on the night McGillin's dedicated their karaoke night to Armand. 

Rest in peace, Armand Barbone. (August 16, 1982 - January 15, 2011)

UPDATE: Here is a tribute I wrote for him on my other blog.

Thanks to all who participated in the 2010 Karaoke Secret Santa!

Hi, singers!

Thank you to everyone who made this year’s Karaoke Secret Santa a wonderful experience! Ten talented Secret Santas worked hard and delivered some awesomely creative videos. We will be featuring each video on this blog for you to enjoy and share with all your friends. In the meantime, check out the official playlist at:  http://www.youtube.com/user/KaraokeSecret 

Unfortunately, there have been four recipients who missed out due to their Secret Santa not delivering a video. We have contacted each of them and have gotten one solid response that a video was made, but we have not been able to confirm anything from the others since the beginning of January. We apologize to those who did not receive one. We are working on something special for you guys!

We're very sorry that this has occurred, and hope that it won't put anybody off participating in the 2011 Gift Exchange. Pam will be working on a survey for you guys so we can work on making the Karaoke Secret Santa process better. Next year, we want to ensure that everybody who signs up participates and receives a video.

Thanks again to all who have participated! Hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Sincerely,

Joe R.

Creator/Administrator

With Help By:

Pam

Assistant Administrator