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Allsup created a market for pre-concert karaoke, and was commissioned by party rocker Sammy Hagar to give his ticket holders "Sammyoke" before each outdoor set. Since, Allsup has offered the service to such artists as Journey, John Fogerty, Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kenny Chesney, Big and Rich and John Mellencamp with a slew of others set for this summer.
Ron Allsup, along with his wife, Karen, are the proprietors of Partytime DJ and Karaoke. Unlike other similar establishments, this Edwardsville based business has grown to reach an audience beyond the typical karaoke circuit. Sure, a branch of Partytime still has gigs that celebrate the local drunken star who does a perfect Neil Diamond.
But for the most part, this in-demand entertainment company has bigger fish to fry.
The big-time gigs started four years ago when Allsup contacted a representative at St. Louis radio station KSHE 95, the sponsor of Sammy Hagar's 2002 summer concert. He asked what they thought about offering karaoke prior to the concert. The response was a typical public relations one.
"We'll see what we can do."
To his surprise, Allsup received a phone call from the regional director of Live Nation, now Clear Channel Entertainment, the concert promoter and producer for Hagar's concerts and most every other artist throughout the country. The representative gave the OK, and became excited about the prospect of the pre-concert karaoke. He called it "Sammyoke."
As promoters, and Allsup predicted, the event was a hit.
People lined up to sing their favorite Sammy song for thousands of fans. Even Sammy Hagar himself, who watched from his green room, enjoyed it so much that he requested karaoke at all of his outdoor concerts.
Ron and Karen now provide services to five Sammy Hagar shows within the region including Indiana, Nashville, Memphis, St. Louis and Kansas City.
"It was such a success that Live Nation (Clear Channel) decided to do it with other bands too."
Allsup has offered karaoke for Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kenny Chesney, Big and Rich, John Mellencamp, John Fogerty and has such mega stars as Kelly Clarkson and Aerosmith on tap for this summer.
Allsup says concert goers really have fun with pre-concert karaoke featuring their favorite band's songs. He's never experienced any booing or ill words, no matter how bad the singing may be.
For some, singing their favorite song in front of thousands is the chance of a lifetime. It's also pretty entertaining for all who gather at the side stage for the show.
"It has taken karaoke to another level. Nothing compares to the three minutes that someone gets at a rock concert," Allsup said. "You feel like a rock star."
He recalls some of his favorite performances.
"I had an 8-year old girl sing 'The Ballad of Curtis Lowe' at Skynyrd and she rocked!"
"There was also a little boy who was at the Kid Rock show because of Make a Wish Foundation. He sang 'Picture,' and for three-and-a-half minutes, that boy got to be Kid Rock on stage. You could just see how much he enjoyed it."
"Then at Kid Rock, there was the older lady who was at least 60-something who sang the unedited version of "Cowboy." I was blown away!"
Sometimes the concert goers enjoy the karaoke aspect so much that when the concert they paid for starts, they aren't ready to leave the karaoke stage.
"There are people who say 'I want to sing' even though the band they paid to see has started."
And the artists love to hear others try to sing their songs.
"I've heard really great things from Journey, John Fogerty and John Mellencamp," Allsup said.
The artists also recognize Allsup as a talent. Mike Mesey of Head East asked Allsup to DJ his daughter's wedding.
"I've gotten to do some really neat stuff," he said. "It has done unbelievable things for my business."
The high-profile gigs at UMB Bank Pavillon have catapulted Partytime Karaoke and DJ services into bigger gigs. Although Partytime is all over the Metro East college bar scene, Allsup has also expanded into casino-based entertainment venues throughout the Midwest including Carbondale, Metropolis an Nashville.
The in-demand entertainment agency also offers karaoke every Wednesday night at Wild Country, and will offer Cardinals' fans post-game karaoke at Al Hrabosky's Ballpark Saloon.
But it's the big-name concerts that really tickle Ron Allsup's fancy.
The people are there to rock with their favorite band, and karaoke gives them the opportunity to also be a part of their glory.
This creates a boiling level energy, he says.
"It's so high energy at the bigger venues, and it's so much fun."
Allsup will offer karaoke at the following concerts this year at UMB Bank Pavilion: Rascal Flatts, June 24; Lynyrd Skynyrd, June 27; Journey and Def Leppard July 21; Sammy Hagar, July 22 and Kelly Clarkson, July 24.
For a full list of Partytimes' events, go to www.partytimedj40.com or call 789-3548.
