<b>Kane Karaoke-</b> West Seattle's Brick Kane sings in a benefit karaoke competition for the Seattle Majestics at the Redline Sports Bar.<b> Photo and video by Patrick Robinson</b>
On February 2nd, the night before the all eyes turned to the Superbowl, the Seattle Majestics --an all-female football team -- hosted their second annual karaoke contest at the Redline Music and Sports Bar in West Seattle.
A lively, well-attended event, many Seattle residents came out to sing their support for the Majestics and participate in the contest judged by Movin' 92.5's Brooke and Monti among others. The karaoke contenders were striving for a variety of prizes -- one of them, the chance to sing the National Anthem at a Majestic's home game held at Memorial Stadium.
Some singers were naturals and some were novice, but they all one thing in common an appreciation for the Majestics. Scott McCullum, was the first up to sing. A long-time resident of West Seattle, he belted out Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline, a popular karaoke tune.
But McCullum wasn't singing just for fun or to earn prizes, he wanted to show a little team spirit. The Majestics involvement in a contact sport gave him the courage to tackle karaoke. "I'm very inspired by these women," he said.
Although the team has an impressive record, finding support is one of the Majestics' biggest challenges. According to Heather Gallemore one of the team owners and a major player, "Finding sponsors, so people can play is really difficult," she says, adding, "We've come a long way."
Not everyone is as supportive as the crowd was at Redline on Saturday. "We get a lot of different reactions," Gallemore says, "Most people think when I say I play football that it is flag football, but the Majestics play real football by NFL rules."
Some of the Majestics even got on stage and grabbed a microphone. Kasey Rivas, a linebacker for the team sang, "Proud Mary," to rousing cheers from the crowd. Despite her busy schedule with team practices and her full-time career as a research scientist, Rivas was able to sing at the fundraiser for her team.
Fans don't have to karaoke to support the Majestics. Games take place in the spring at Memorial Stadium and season tickets run $40 for four home games, $60 for V.I.P. seating. The team is also working with the Seattle Seahawks and is looking forward to showing their skills at Qwest prior to Seahawks games. For more information and to see the team's 2008 game schedule, visit www.TheSeattleMajestics.com.