With karaoke, anyone can be in the spotlight. Singing is a great stress reliever and the perfect way to leave your worries at the doorstep. Besides, singing makes you feel good and it's just plain fun. A karaoke machine is a great way to have a blast with your friends and family and it's the perfect starting point to building your own in-house jam session.

The Japanese word Karaoke is derive from two words: Kara, which means "empty", and Oke, short for okesutora, or orchestra. Karaoke entertainment systems provide pre-recorded musical accompaniment of popular songs. In most cases, karaoke performers follow the lyrics on a video screen as the music plays on.

Karaoke music and parties have fully swept Asia, and is now making a solid presence in North America. Since the first virtual concert machine was introduced in 1970's Japan, karaoke parties have favorite pastimes for music aficionados of all stripes. Karaoke became so popular, the media adopted the term to use on occasions when a live performance was substituted by pre-recorded or "canned" music.

Musical elements have always been paramount in the formation of Japanese traditions. Music is reflected in all aspects of Japanese mythology, history and culture. Even Japanese Samurais implement singing, dancing and music into their vigorous education and training regimes.

Tracing the history of karaoke will take us back to the early 1970s, when a nightclub singer by the name of Daisuke Inoue performed regularly in a Utagoe Kissa, a Japanese bar. Inoue was so popular that fans would regularly ask for recordings of his music that they could sing along with. Inoue saw the potential and created a tape recorder that played a song when a 100 yen coin was inserted. Back in the 1970s, 100 yen would buy about two lunches, so it was a fairly steep price for a single song. Still, the combination of old-time jukebox and future karaoke machine proved to be a phenomenal hit in Japanese clubs. Inoue decided that he would lease the machines to stores and bars instead of selling them, so that the owners would not have to purchase new songs on their own.

The invention of the karaoke machine was intensely important to the culture of modern Japan; so much so, that Daisuke Inoue was awarded the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize for "providing an entirely new way for people to learn to tolerate each other."

Since the early 1980s, "Karaoke Time" has been a popular form of entertainment in east Asia. The karaoke phenomenon spread like a global virus, taking on other parts of the world. The popularity of karaoke reached record highs and it became a very productive industry. It wasn't long until the karaoke craze hit North America and took the continent by storm.

This new entertainment import flourished in the western world. Enterprising Americans quickly saw the potential of investing in this new type of entertainment. It provided cool, relaxing fun and was able to bring people together in a patient and tolerant manner. Nightclubs and karaoke bars known as "KTV boxes" began to open across North America, bringing new venues, software and equipment to eager performers.

Since karaoke first reached the shores of North America, people have regarded the pastime with increasing regard. While few American bars offer karaoke seven nights a week, as many in Asia do, these clubs have upgraded their equipment and replaced those tiny standalone machines that were popular two decades ago. Performers and audience members are able to sing along to song lyrics shown television screens placed throughout the club, and many clubs provide big screen TVs for viewing lyrics.

Karaoke has also found its way into may North American homes. There are inexpensive children's versions and high-end machines available for home use. These systems can be connected to any stereo or entertainment system, allowing entire families and partygoers to join in the fun. Karaoke music is widely available on CDs at virtually any record store, and can be downloaded online, allowing fans to sing along through their computers when personal karaoke machines are not available.

If you've got song in your heart and just need to sing out loud, find a karaoke machine and bring out the star in you.