Last week I was catching up on Abbott Elementary while stuck on the couch with strep throat and watched the karaoke episode, which was pure gold. I didn’t know I needed Chris Perfetti singing Papa Roach in my life but I absolutely did.
Perhaps this episode just really struck a chord with me because I used to love a good karaoke night in my college and law school days at Chinoe Pub. For those who aren’t familiar, this is where infamous UK basketball Coach Billy Gillespie allegedly used to drink and sing. I didn’t turn 21 until a couple years after Billy G left, so I never got to witness this. But if you frequented Chinoe Pub from 2012-2015, chances are you heard my girls and me singing Wilson Phillips, The Chicks, Destiny’s Child, Taylor Swift, and more.
This got me thinking: perhaps we should lighten the mood after the legislative session. So I decided to ask people in Kentucky politics their go-to karaoke songs. And honestly, I thought we all had one. Mine is I Try to Think About Elvis by Patty Loveless (a Kentuckian!). It turns out, many Kentucky legislators did not have a go-to song and don’t even like karaoke. I thought everyone loved attention as much as me! But here are the responses I got:
The Hesitant Singers
Congressman Morgan McGarvey: Doesn’t have one
Not going to lie, I was a little disappointed that TikTok star and Town Hall extraordinaire Morgan McGarvey does not have a go-to karaoke song. We need to get the Congressman to NoraeBar or Miki’s in his district and remedy this!
Sen. Keturah Herron: Don’t Take the Girl - Tim McGraw
Sen. Herron is admittedly not a big karaoke fan but said this would be her choice if she HAD to. I was surprised by this pick but I LOVE IT. Sen. Herron is not trying to get the party started, she’s trying to tug on your heart strings!
Louisville Metro Councilwoman Josie Raymond: Runaround Sue - Dion
The councilwoman said IF she karaoked, this would be her choice. An oldie but a goodie! I think The Golden Nugget is at the edge of her district so I think we need to get her on stage and hear it!
Bipartisan Songbirds
I got Republicans in on this, too!
Congressman Andy Barr: Anything 80s!
While I did not get a specific song answer, I did clarify that he’d prefer more 80s pop/rock over 80s country so I am going to imagine Congressman Barr singing Def Leppard.
Rep. Jason Nemes: Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
Rep. Nemes’ reasoning for this choice was that he wants to get everyone involved and singing along. And obviously Sweet Caroline is a great one for that. I do like this strategy because if everyone else is singing along, they can’t hear how bad I am!
Rep. Kim Moser: Feel It Still - Portugal. The Man
Rep. Moser said she doesn’t really have a go-to but this was the last song she karaoked and it was a fun one. Do we think Rep. Moser is a rebel just for kicks?
We Love the 80s
Rep. Anne Donworth: Livin’ on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
Rep. Adam Moore: Don’t Stop Believin’ - Journey
Do our freshmen reps from Lexington sing for real? Because these are gutsy choices! Some of those notes are up there! I love the boldness from our new kids in Frankfort.
Former Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson: Islands in the Stream - Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers
Cherlynn Stevenson prefers this one as a duet with her husband so that’s adorable. And now I am adding this to my own duet list. Previous duets I did with my college boyfriend included Picture by Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow, Need You Now by Lady A, and Jackson by Johnny Cash and June Carter.
Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman: We Didn’t Start the Fire - Billy Joel #HistoryTeacher
That was the direct quote from her by the way. I am certain the Lieutenant Governor is a hit at teacher happy hours and political fundraisers alike! A special shoutout to our friend of the pod, guest host, and Young Dems correspondent Allison Wiseman (whose karaoke song is Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy by Big & Rich) for getting this quick response from LG Coleman for me!
Governor Andy Beshear: A source says he’s a big fan of Pat Benatar.
I suddenly need Love is a Battlefield (Andy’s Version).
Even More Classic
Rep. Joshua Watkins: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Not sure whose version he prefers but they’re all good! Another bold choice from the freshmen legislators, as this song showcases a pretty wide vocal range.
Country Kings
Rep. Chad Aull: Achy Breaky Heart - Billy Ray Cyrus
Fantastic song for karaoke, even if Billy Ray seems to be doing some questionable things these days.
Mayor of Louisville Craig Greenberg: The Gambler - Kenny Rogers
After seeing the Mayor smash a guitar at Louder Than Life last year, I was expecting some rock and roll, but this is a solid pick. As the mayor of a big city, you do gotta know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em.
Pop Girlies
Kentucky Democratic Party Executive Director Morgan Eaves: I Want It That Way - Backstreet Boys
Perfect millennial anthem sure to get everyone in the bar swaying along with you.
Political Strategist Kelsey Hayes Coots (Blue Dot Consulting): Burn - Ellie Goulding
The most modern song of the bunch and great choice for someone in politics as it’s all about standing up for what you believe in! Fun fact: This song was my hype song before law school exams.
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There you have it, the information you never asked for and didn’t know you wanted. So … My Old Kentucky Podcast meet-up at Chinoe Pub? Shirley Temples on me.
Heartache to heartache, We Stand,
Jazmin
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