https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/gb/things-to-do/entertainment/rising-star-karaoke Archives

I was set up, not for the first time, when Bev from Glasgow took the stage at the Rising Star karaoke bar in CityWalk Orlando.

I blame our hosts Visit Orlando and our party PRs Natalie and Fiona, who kept refilling our shots glasses when our backs were turned.

Bev ‘Lady’ Lyons and I had formed a bond being the only two Scots in our international party of travel writers to the Sunshine State and were poring through the music menu.

To pick what tracks we would sing up there on the stage with the professionals.

If I’d have had my wits about me I would have sussed out that Bev might have sung before.

When she said her Karaoke go-to was The Carpenters.

Rolling down the river

But there was no mistaking that Bev was well practised in performing.

When she introduced herself to the 2,000 crowd as ‘Bev from Glasgow’.

And launched into a rendition of Proud Mary, complete with motions, that would have done well Tina Turner, well proud.

With the sounds of encore ringing out the next act was called up to sing Lady Marmalade.

Only for that someone to be your tone-deaf favourite Bandanaman who proceeded to murder the song.

Of course, the fun-loving Floridians are always there to give you a gee-up.

And the Emcee called on the audience to give me a big cheer as ‘a dude doing a girl’s song.’

Mr Brightside Bandanaman

Not put off, though, I was back for more with an equally vocally challenged colleague, Eoin, later in the week to mangle Mr Brightside.

Eoin, the then-showbiz editor of our esteemed newspaper titles did put a spin on it.

When he met Brandon Flowers on tour.

Only for The Great Man to shoot his eyes up to heaven.

Make Bev a hit

My old friend Bev, who has also made a career on the other side of showbiz as the Showbiz Lion, is equally adept front of stage as evidenced in Orlando.

And the exciting news is that she is taking her first nervous step into her own musical career.

With the release of her first single, I’m Leaving You.

She tells me that the more presaves she gets the more likelihood there is of it charting): https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/bevlyons/im-leaving-you/.

And that would mean the guy who took the stage at the Rising Star Karaoke Bar after her.

Well, he might well force his way into being her support.

When we go on tour!

It’s dangerous, but timeous territory, and one directed at Travel professionals too… yes, there is no such thing as a free lunch.

It is, of course, an occupational hazard of reviewing accommodations and attractions near and far to sample their fare.

But such is human nature that it is treated by those who are not invited to give their expertise, ie us…

To be ridiculed with lazy name-calling, such as in my case Junket or Jollies Jim.

Singing for your supper

Yes, it has involved being wined and dined along the way.

And entertained by the likes of Diana Ross, The Beach Boys and One Republic, at Red Rocks, among others.

While stepping up too to be front and centre at the Rising Star Karaoke Bar at CityWalk, Universal Orlando.

Kidding about: With Levi and my racing goat Bandanaman in Tobago

While also being asked to rollercoaster, horse-ride, goat-race and whitewater raft.

But then without blowing our own trumpets, and, yes, we’ll do that too, it is our expertise to write a story which earns us our ticket.

Just as it is for sports writers who are invited to cup finals or music reviewers who are asked along to gigs.

Breakfast of champions

All of this more often than not begins with a breakfast, a lunch, a dinner.

And speeches about destinations and a thumb-through dates.

Buy my own clothes? Sir Keir Starmer sees the funny side

Before leaving with a gift bag with memory stick, pen, pad, coffee mug, selfie stick and other accessories.

Hardly Oscar or politician perk territory then.

The business of travel

Lounging about: Turkish Airlines business class lounge

Yes, we have savoured the best of airport business lounges, as in the award-winning Turkish Airlines in Istanbul.

And TA, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic business travel too.

And been pampered with wellness spas, massages and infinity and swim-up pools.

But always on the understanding that there is no such thing as a free lunch.

And that there is an article, or article, or throwback piece, at the end of it all.

And that a connection is built for future developments at the destination.

Writes and wrongs

The most persistent accusation that is levelled at travel writers is that their providers buy off their critiques.

But without going all AA Gill we have pointed out a destination’s discrepancies, as with a particular Moroccan mare.

And if that risks being asked to return then so be it because we have to be true to the readers and ourselves.

In truth you earn trust with travel providers by being honest and they are usually keen to get you back out to put things right.

Of course, there are those who abuse the system.

Like a previous boss’s daughter who took a break in Madeira.

Who didn’t write it up, took a year’s sabbatical, and when we did track her down the connection was discontinued.

Just one of many entitled staffers who needless to say were never asked again,

Pleasure to work with you

Playing it straight should come instinctively and those who don’t soon get found out.

If awards have arrived along the way such as the Irish Travel sector singling me out for a Pleasure to Work With award then I’ll take that too.

Because we know that there is no such thing as a free lunch,

And that means all of us being open and transparent with each other as to what is expected of us.

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The stage at the Rising Star Karaoke Bar