“Some of the best performances are from people who cannot sing at all. Karaoke is about having fun.” says Pat McKee, founder of Moore Karaoke. “Karaoke in this community — it brings a lot of different people together and everybody’s supportive. I love it.” Love of music was instilled in him from a young age, but it took years for McKee to step onto the stage. He likes to encourage people to take that step, and experience the joy that he felt he missed for so long.

McKee grew up around music. His father played guitar and piano, and after he got out of the military, McKee’s parents moved the family to a suburb of Nashville. McKee spent time around some of the greats in the industry simply by living in Nashville. More specifically, his father served in the Navy with Elvis and George Klein.

As a teenager, McKee was afraid to sing in front of people, a common fear even among seasoned musicians. It can only take one person to solidify a barrier, and for McKee, that was his girlfriend at the time — who casually let him know that he “can’t sing.” It was almost 30 years before he overcame that fear.

At a turning point in his life, in the midst of a divorce, McKee found himself at a bar that was hosting Karaoke. He gave it a shot, singing Dobie Gray’s version of “Drift Away.” He was hooked. He started going out and singing more. A few years later, he and one of his daughters were watching America’s Got Talent, and almost casually, she said “Dad, you sing better than that guy.” She said he should try out. As a divorced dad of two, McKee decided to go for it and set an example for his daughters. He eventually made it to finals at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

These days you can take that step Thursdays at O’Donnell’s Pub, where you’ll find McKee hosting Moore Karaoke. McKee also hosts trivia night at Bell Tree Tavern on Tuesdays. He is a booking agent for local bands and venues, and most recently has opened Standing Room Only, a wine shop in downtown Southern Pines.

It only takes one person to break down barriers, and McKee is that person on a weekly basis through Moore Karaoke. As he says, “you can’t get to the hundredth performance unless you try the first one”