Karaoke crowd flocks to Bullfeathers

Photo by Greg Wood/Special to Knoxville.com Mike and Laura Jenkins enjoy an evening out at Bullfeathers.

I don’t keep my love of karaoke a secret, and I never have. I never get sick of performing poor renditions of overplayed, mediocre classic rock songs, attempting to channel the spirit of John Kay, Dennis DeYoung, Lou Gramm or whomever else. Or, if I’ve had a few, butchering Mariah Carey tracks, thinking it’s hilarious when in reality it’s just very, very annoying.

So when some friends and I had spent a week suffering from cabin fever thanks to our recent terrible weather bout, we decided to head down to Bullfeathers on a Saturday night.

Much to our surprise, we found the place wall-to-wall packed. Traditionally I find that West Knoxville bars peak earlier in the evening and wind down well before the legally required last call of 3 a.m. But as we strolled in just after midnight we found table upon table, bar stool upon bar stool taken over by a massive crowd.

We stood around in awe for a few seconds trying to figure out what our first move would be, before we claimed a few empty spots at the table next to the front door, finding it to be the only open spot. Immediately, a man standing next to me struck up conversation.

“How does he hit notes like that?” he said sarcastically of a person’s wavering vocal performance of a Journey song. It brought to my attention that the entire place was actually paying attention to the karaoke. Of course, it’d be pretty hard not to. Squealing, off-key vocals make for quite the elephant in the room. But it seemed as if the entire crowd was giving the performers respect.

As person after person, group after group took the elevated stage decorated with vinyl records and their covers like a Nashville recording studio, I began to realize what a tall order karaoke at Bullfeathers might actually be.

When I said I love karaoke, it’s at least in part a joking love. I love taking it seriously, as if I’m as significant as the person who wrote the song. I also find it humorous that people feel it necessary to sing songs we’ve all heard a million times to a crowded bar (while also being guilty of doing exactly this).

But I completely chickened out and opted not to sing, unable to face the huge crowd.

Photo by Greg Wood/Special to Knoxville.com Stan and Laura Brown take in the Bullfeathers karaoke scene.

I’ve never had a problem having a few drinks and singing for the substantially-more-impaired college crowd at bars on the Strip or in the Fort. Maybe it’s the age difference, as the Bullfeathers crowd ranged from late 20s into their 60s, but I didn’t feel up to the task of taking the stage.

I didn’t expect it, but Bullfeathers seemed to draw in the type of crowd craving a night on the town. Countless couples sat throughout the crowd as if it was date night and they chose to spend that date at a Farragut karaoke bar in a small shopping complex. Not to say that isn’t date-worthy, but it wouldn’t be my first option.

People danced wildly to their favorite classics but didn’t intrude on others’ space. People were friendly enough to strike up conversation but backed off before too long, leaving our party to ourselves. I haven’t seen a more tactful and respectful crowd in quite some time.

On top of that, everyone respected the performers, which almost never happens on karaoke night. I went out to make an idiot of myself and instead found myself enjoying complete strangers singing Jimmy Buffett songs.

OK, so I abhor Jimmy Buffett’s music. But watching people get into their performance is enjoyable. The bottom line is that seeing people have a good time is always fun. That’s why the best rock stars let loose. But letting go too far can make for an obnoxious night out.

Fortunately, the Bullfeathers crowd got the balance just right.

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