It is not ironic that the beginning point of Dallas Karaoke came from the sheer pleasure of enjoying good company in a relaxing atmosphere of music and games.  Yet, that is the simple fact.  Alex Lee VanSteeter enjoyed meeting his friends regularly at his favorite pub, Miss Que, for a game of pool over a few drinks.  When the establishment added additional entertainment in hopes to save this failing enterprise, all the regulars were very curious.  In fact, each week they planned their schedules around David Quinn's karaoke show.  Each night after a few drinks, one by one, they all tried out this new delight of singing to prerecorded music while watching the screen feed them the next line to the song.  Fascinated, they invited their friends to come see their new accomplishment, mastering song after song to their choosing.  Lee had found a new hobby that was quickly becoming more like a habit, but this playful natured young man seemed to hold many of the regulars together weekly as the enthusiastic ringleader.  Because of this, David Quinn asked Lee to cover his show for four weeks while he took a well deserved vacation.  Lee worked the next few weeks with David training for his new appointment before David left assured his show would safely continue in his absence. 

For the next four weeks, Alex Lee VanSteeter manned the microphone and entertained to outstanding results, not only in guests, but also in sales.  On David's return it was unanimously decided that Lee would continue as the official host representing David Quinn Karaoke.  This delighted everyone, including Lee.  In fact, this once somewhat nerd was the center of attention, even with the ladies.  He confessed he was not a born singer, but rather a born clown.  The weekly karaoke show was a success with a packed house of singers, but sadly this was not enough to save the location that had fallen into hard times.  Miss Que closed only a few short months after Lee took over.

Totally addicted to this new image as karaoke host and emcee, Lee pulled together all of his self-confidence and began a plan to start his own company providing karaoke.  He willingly convinced his father to underwrite this new venture and Lee purchased his very first system with a mere 697 songs.  He then began his new course of study, the entertainment market in DFW.  He had to learn what liabilities and limitations he faced in booking weekly events.  This was not an easy process.  Even with the minor sales background he had from previous employment, he found this new market a challenge.  However, his charm and dedication paid off when he opened his very first karaoke show in September of 1993 at Speed's Billiards on Forest Lane in Dallas.  Other shows soon followed and Lee was on his way.

During the next four years, Lee built Dallas Karaoke gradually adding another system and now had over 6,500 songs in his library.  He strived for bigger, better, and stronger goals for his company.  He had added disc jockey music to entertain before and after the show, and even began adding it between singers keeping the music flowing and the crowd happy.  He added staff members, not only as hosts, but also in marketing allowing Dallas Karaoke to branch out even further.  Dallas Karaoke had become one of the leading karaoke companies in DFW hosting shows weekly from Lake Ray Hubbard to Fort Worth.  Crowds followed Lee and his new host team devotedly show to show.  His glass was never empty and there was always someone biding for his attention away from the stage.  Lee and his team delighted singers nightly up to twenty-one shows a week.  He was mentioned in several articles and even on the cover of Around Town Magazine.  Dallas Karaoke began attracting many local artists and bands hoping he would air their work between singers.  With them soon came their followings, as well.  He was the first to reintroduce videos between singers, as well.  The party seemed to never end and only grow.  Ever at the head, Alex Lee held a proud smile and friendly welcome for all.

So why, after such humble beginnings and after creating such a large following would this company dwindle down to only a name?  The ending is never as romantic or exciting as the beginning.  There is not a simple answer.  Some wonder if the 10 year rein had simply worn off and Lee wanted something different, because the signs of burnout were obvious.  It became more than apparent the nightly indulgence of alcohol and other temptations caused Dallas Karaoke to loose focus.  In addition, several mishaps and thefts played a strong hand, placing a huge financial crunch on Dallas Karaoke.  Lee, now the father of three sons, found the desire and responsibility to family was the final straw, forcing the sell of the remaining Dallas Karaoke equipment 2004.  Lee simplified and downsized taking a hosting job at a now in-house location three nights a week in hopes of recovering, only to fall into further hardships in 2005.  Somewhere during the last 10+ years, the new image of entertainer crossed with the burden to be the perfect host robbed Alex Lee of his true identity.  Everyone expected certain things from Lee or thought they knew the true Lee.  Sadly, Lee did not truly know himself.  At 34 years old, now Alex Lee VanSteeter is finally discovering himself.

Markets change and fads come and go, but karaoke is still an ongoing favorite in DFW. Alex Lee VanSteeter and his company Dallas Karaoke have a place in the history of this industry.  In fact, many companies today formatted their shows and systems according to the standards Lee set in the business.  The friends of Dallas Karaoke still enjoy reunions and hope for a rebirth of this once enthusiastic group, but that may be a pipe dream...  Or maybe not...............