Sample 1

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'Downtown' Jerry Brown

Eighty-year-old “Downtown” Jerry Brown is sitting at a table at Legend’s, waiting for karaoke to begin. On the table sits a book full of CDs, his CDs, the ones he has recorded at home. He takes one out and cleans it, wiping it down before giving it to the DJ to play.

After a few other fellow karaoke singers take the stage, including Jerry’s girlfriend, Pat Smith, singing “These Boots Were Made for Walking,” it’s Jerry’s turn. He’s starting the night with Elvis’ “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”

While most people singing facing the monitor, reading the words as they sing, Jerry faces the crowd. He knows the music by heart. He should. He practices them at home three to four times a week.

“He likes everything really down pat,” Pat says. “He wants it just right. He won’t do it if it’s not.”

His perfectionism pays off. The crowd applauds when he finishes his song, and he gets a “Good job, Jerry Brown,” from a fellow karaoke singer as he heads back to his table.

Bringing back memories

Sample 2

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'Downtown' Jerry Brown

When Jerry was young, he loved to sing. He loved listening to music and knew almost everything that was on the radio.

But he stopped singing in 1937, at the age of 10, when his parents divorced and he and his mother moved back to St. Joseph from Louisiana. His entire world was in shambles, Jerry says, and singing was the last thing on his mind.

It would be 58 years before Jerry would sing again.

He was in Kansas City for business and wanted to go out dancing one night. His friends recommended he go to a club called Marcie’s, because it always had a good live band.

Jerry got there early, before the band began playing. He walked in and saw something he’d never seen before.

“They were playing karaoke, and that was new to me,” he says.

The DJ asked Jerry if he was going to sing. Jerry told him he wouldn’t even know what key to sing in.

“I’ll help you,” the DJ said. And with that first song, Jerry was hooked on singing once again.

“It brought back a lot of old memories,” he says.

It brought back memories of his childhood, the songs he used to listen to and the places he’d been. Memories of his parents singing “My Blue Heaven.”

When he got back to St. Joseph, he began to find bars and clubs that offered karaoke. Eventually, he was singing every night of the week. He traveled to Leavenworth, Kan., and Blue Springs, Mo., just for karaoke.

He became known on the karaoke circuit and was eventually given the nickname “Downtown” Jerry Brown.

“It’s amazing, I go to some place in Kansas City I’ve never been before, and they know me as “Downtown” Jerry Brown,” he says.

Dirk Allsbury, owner of Star Dusk Disc Jockeys, says Jerry stands out in the crowds. When he first met him about 13 years ago, Jerry was somewhat of a novelty in the bar and pub scene.

“While everyone else was singing hip-hop and rap, he was crooning songs,” Mr. Allsbury says. “He was singing love songs while everyone else was screaming rock and roll.”

The joy of singing

Jerry and Pat are called up to sing their duet to Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s “It’s Your Love.” When they’re finished, Pat sings “Great Balls of Fire,” and then it’s Jerry’s turn again. This time it’s “Lady in Red,” which he sings to Pat, who is wearing a red shirt.

It’s 11 p.m. Karaoke ends at 1 a.m. Jerry and Pat will be there until the end.

“Wherever we go, it’s from the time they (start) to the time they close,” Pat says.

Jerry sings karaoke about four to five nights a week now. He practices during the week and also spends time recording his own CDs, which are on sale at Hastings and Record Wearhouse.

Jerry says he’s become well known because of his singing, but that’s not why he started or what’s kept him going. For him, it’s about the people he’s met, the songs he sings and the memories they bring back.

“What is most important to me now is all of the friends I’ve made,” he says. “And the joy of singing and listening to others.”

Lifestyles reporter Lacey Storer can be reached

at lstorer@npgco.com