Singing happiness

Growing up, Michael Jennings loved music, but never imagined he’d be singing in front of a crowd unabashedly.

“My mom and sister used to sing and dance in front of me, and I used to be so embarrassed! Now I sing in front of everyone; I guess I always had it in my blood,” he said.

Jennings, who performs at birthdays, weddings and charity events, climbed up the karaoke stage at the Pelican Isle recently to a mellow crowd of 15 or so regulars.

The audience cheered and tapped their feet to Jennings’ rendition of “What Do You Think About That,” by Montgomery Gentry.

Jennings is preparing the song for his upcoming performance at Karaoke Scene magazine’s annual competition Songburst ’09, a four-weekend series that begins Saturday at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa.

“I participated last year but I was new then,” he said. “I know a lot more people now and I’ve been getting my name out there.”

When Jennings began singing, it was his wife, Fonda, who bought him his first karaoke machine.

“Back then he didn’t want to sing in front of anyone one,” she said. “Now he loves it. He’s always singing at home; he’s just a lot happier when he sings.”

Jennings grew up in Huntington Beach in a mobile home with his mother and sister.

“We always lived very simple. I was never used to being rich and fancy,” he said. “Even now, my family and I have a simple house. Its really nice though, because I keep it very clean. I’ve always been a clean freak.”

When he is not singing karaoke, Jennings’ main business is cleaning homes and offices. His clients know him as the happy guy who sings loudly to his headphones as he cleans. Although his business is important to him, Jennings likes to fit his schedule around singing.

“I wake up at 4 a.m., work for a couple of hours, go surfing with my kids, work a few more hours, take a nap, and then go singing from 7 to 11 at night.”

Jennings has been performing at Pelican Isle for more than a year on Tuesdays and Thursdays and has made more than a few fans.

Jennings enjoys singing in front of all kinds of crowds through his business, Singing Solutions, which he started two years ago.

“The best times are when couples come up to the stage and slow-dance to my ballads,” he said.

He loves entertaining, and said he never gets tired of the compliments. He often performs for little or no charge for senior communities.

“I remember the time when I sang for a group of senior women and it went on for a long time. The organizer told me later, ‘Michael, these women haven’t skipped Bingo for years.’ Hearing something like that makes you feel so fulfilled!”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Songburst ’09

WHERE: Westside Stage, Orange County Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

WHEN: Saturday, with upcoming events Feb. 21 and 28, and March 7; Kid sign ups are from 9 to 10:30 a.m.; contest starts at 11 a.m. Adult sign ups are from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; contest starts at 1 p.m.

INFO: To learn more about the contest, call (714) 826-2212 or visit www.karaokescene.com. To contact Michael Jennings, call (714) 235-5432.

VIDEO: To watch a video of Michael Jennings, click here.