Everyone wants to be in the spotlight, even if it's for just a little while. Through song, we can relieve daily stresses and leave the rat race behind. Therapeutic stress relief aside, singing is just plain fun. It's a great activity to share with families and friends, particularly through mini concerts or group jam sessions.

The word "karaoke" is a Japanese term derived from two words: Kara, meaning "empty", and Oke, a short term for "okesutora" (orchestra). This "empty orchestra" is actually an entertainment system that's packed with pre-recorded musical scores of popular songs and melodies. Most karaoke machines provide a screen with lyrics for the performers to follow along as the music plays on.

Karaoke has been popular in portions of North America for more than a decade, but it has been a full-on sweeping sensation throughout Asia for more than thirty years. The first virtual concert machine was introduced in Japan in the 1970s. Since then, karaoke parties have been favorite pastimes for all countless performers on the small stage. The phenomenon of karaoke was so huge that the media adopted the term to use for all occasions when pre-recorded music replaced live performances.

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.

The history of karaoke can be traced back to the early 1970's, and a singer named Daisuke Inoue. A crowd favorite at a bar called Utagoe Kissa, Inoue was often asked to provide recordings of his music so that fans could sing along. Realizing the potential, Inoue created a tape recorder that played a song for a 100-yen coin. At that time, 100-yen was about the price of two typical lunches, so it was considered expensive to use this new music machine. Even so, the combination of old-time jukebox and future karaoke machine proved to be a huge hit in Japan. Inoue decided that instead of selling the machines, he would lease them so that the stores and bars would not have to purchase new songs on their own.

The invention proved such an important social success that Daisuke Inoue was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. The basis of his award was for "providing an entirely new way for people to learn to tolerate each other."

The act of singing karaoke is known as "Karaoke Time", and has been a popular form of entertainment in East Asia since the early 1980's. The karaoke phenomenon quickly spread to other parts of the world, and its popularity soon reached record heights. Before long, the karaoke craze reached North American shores, took the entire continent by storm and opened brand new opportunities for enterprising individuals.

The new entertainment import industry of karaoke flourished in the Western world. Many Americans, quick to see the investment potential in this new style of entertainment, saw the moneymaking value in offering a new, trendy and fun way to bring people together in a tolerant, patient manner. Across North America, karaoke bars and nightclubs known as "KTV boxes" began to pop up. Eager karaoke performers took advantage of these new venues, software and equipment.

Since first arriving in the United States and other western countries, karaoke has gained regard and respect. Even though American bars are unlikely to feature karaoke seven nights a week as they do in East Asia, many have upgraded their equipment from the small, standalone machines that started the craze more than twenty years ago. While the singers perform, those in the audience can read along with the lyrics on television screens displayed throughout the bars. Many clubs even provide big screen TVs.

Many North American homes have also welcomed the karaoke sensation. From inexpensive machines for kids to pricey high-end versions, home karaoke machines can be connected to a pre-existing entertainment center, allowing family and friends to join in the fun. When performers tire of the karaoke music on hand, they can simply go online to download karaoke tracks from the Internet. With music available on the web, plus a couple of computer speakers and a microphone, you don't even need a karaoke machine to sing like a star.

If you've always wanted to be a star, karaoke is a great way to get your fifteen minutes of fame. Grab the mic and get in tune with the party animal in you!