"Yikes!"...I believe, is the phrase that best sums up our beloved coyote.

Music has been a part of my life since the very beginning. When I was just a few months old, my Mom would take me to Choir Practice with her and as long as there was singing I was quiet but as soon as the singing stopped, my crying would begin. Luckily for Dog and Pony patrons, I've outgrown the crying when the singing stops.

My first karaoke experience was in Campbellton, New Brunswick (my hometown) when "way too many beers" led to an incoherent version of "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) that is still talked about on the streets of Campbellton. (There really isn't a lot of excitement in New Brunswick.)

Karaoke re-entered my life when about seven years ago my annual birthday tradition happened quite by accident. After "way too many beers" at the Royal Oak, my friends and I ended up at a bar that was doing Karaoke. I decided that every year would be a Royal Oak-ee birthday celebration, and the addiction began.

And then a year ago, I was told about Dog & Pony Sound and the addiction became full blown. The past year allowed me to get rid of any inhibitions that I may have still had about singing in public ( a few rounds of Dar-E-Oke will do that to you.) and to meet some of the best darn singers in Ottawa.

So here's to many more years of Dog & Pony and the rest of the barnyard. I'm happy to be a part of it.