Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara McGhee.
Hi Barbara, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a long-time karaoke enthusiast, I’ve always used singing as my own go-to self-care routine to destress and recharge after a long week. Seeing firsthand how powerful that release was, I wanted to create something that blended my love for music with my commitment to emotional health and wellness.
For me, Blue Note Karaoke is about so much more than singing. It’s a unique opportunity to engage, build community, and provide a space where people can genuinely destress, feel inspired, and uplift one another. Blue Note Karaoke has become a place where families, coworkers, clients of adult day centers, schools, and corporations can bond and grow through music. That is the heart of what we do—bringing people together across the St. Louis community to empower, connect, and engage through the transformative power of music.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting Blue Note Karaoke has definitely been a bumpy ride. Getting the hang of the DJ tech was a steep learning curve, and we definitely learned the hard way that research is key when hiring professionals; our bus build-out process was a mess because we picked the wrong person for the job, which cost us a lot of time and stress. On top of that, trying to handle social media marketing has been a real struggle for me. I’m just not a social media person, so forcing myself to stay active online to grow the business has been a tough, ongoing balancing act between getting the word out and staying true to my own privacy.
As you know, we’re big fans of Blue Note Karaoke. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Blue Note Karaoke is my pride and joy—I’m so proud that I turned this from a simple idea into St. Louis’s first exclusive mobile karaoke bus and more. I was able to secure the funding and purchase and convert an old adult daycare shuttle, and to design our website and logo. The best part is that we bring the party to you, making it super easy for schools, churches, adult daycares, and nonprofits to host fun events without the stress of transporting large groups. Whether it’s a holiday party, summer camp, or a themed event, our bus is the perfect way to get everyone singing, no matter their age. It’s been amazing to watch it grow and see how much everyone loves what we do.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The karaoke industry is solid. We anticipate increasing our marketing in order to get the word out about our services and serving more people possibly even purchasing a new bus.
Pricing:
- Pull up and park 175 an hour. With a two hour minimum.
- Ride around town karaoke $200 an hour with a two hour minimum
- Pop-up karaoke $175 with a two hour minimum
- No stress children’s birthday party packages 250 for one hour.
- Corporate events in large events call for pricing information
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bluenotekaraoke.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluenotekaraoke
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EFV8BG9B4/
