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This story originally appeared in the Jackson Free Press. It was added to the Mississippi Free Press website in 2025.
Note that any opinions expressed in legacy Jackson Free Press stories do not reflect a position of the Mississippi Free Press or necessarily of its staff and board members.

When it comes to karaoke, DJ Matt Collette knows best. Here’s his advice on what to do and not to do to keep the DJ and audience happy.

DO be adventurous with your song choices.

DO have a good time.

DO show support for all performers.

DO learn microphone control. If you’re going to scream or belt a certain part of the song, pull the mic away from your face a bit.

DON’T drop the mic.

DON’T scream into the mic.

DON’T hit the mic. They are expensive.

DON’T spin the mic by the wire. It can short out or become unattached.

DON’T tear up or write in the song books.

DON’T use the song books as drink coasters.

DON’T go on stage unless you are called up.

DON’T start talking into the mic while the karaoke DJ is making an announcement.

DON’T use the mic stand as a prop.

DON’T turn on a song and then leave without letting the karaoke DJ know.

If you itch to karaoke every night, here’s where to go:

Monday

Fenian’s Pub

Burgers & Blues

University Place Sports Bar & Grill

Tuesday

Martin’s Lounge

McB’s Restaurant

Wednesday

Ole Tavern

Last Call Sports Bar

Club Magoo’s

Philip’s on the Rez

Shucker’s Oyster Bar

Thursday

Club Magoo’s

Hot Shots

Metropolitan Bar Sports Grill

McB’s Restaurant

Last Call Sports Bar

Friday and Saturday

Club Magoo’s

Debo’s Lounge

Hot Shots

For addresses, phone numbers and karaoke times, visit jfp.ms/dailykaraoke

See also:

Downtown Family Secrets

Smoking in Jackson? Not in Public Places

Jxn’s Drinking Laws

The Record Store Guide

Mosaic Masterpieces

Jackson Sports: Sweetness and More

Mississippi native Donna Ladd and partner Todd Stauffer founded the Jackson Free Press in 2002 in the capital city. The heavily awarded local newspaper did many investigations heralded across the state and nation and served as a paper of record due to its diversity, inclusion, in-depth reporting and deep connection to readers and dedication to narrative change in and about Mississippi. In 2022, the nonprofit Mississippi Free Press, founded by Ladd and JFP Associate Publisher Kimberly Griffin in 2020, purchased the journalism assets and archives of the Jackson Free Press. A Google grant through AAN Publishers enabled Newspack's integration of the JFP archives into the Mississippi Free Press website to become part of a more searchable archive of recent Mississippi history and essential journalism.