01/26/2017
🚨OFFICIAL NOTICE🚨
There comes a time when a man evaluates his path in life and I have come to the decision I will RETIRE from karaoke hosting effective Thursday March 2nd, 2017.
I have spent 5+ wonderful years at Wicked Willy's, the BEST KARAOKE BAR anywhere in the New York metropolitan area and I have fond memories of my time there.
First of all, I want to thank Andy Ragmoolie for giving me the opportunity to be creative and allow me to have the autonomy on the microphone week after week.
In the Summer of 2011, I approached this part-time employment as an opportunity to earn additional income, most importantly, for the purposes of repaying my student loan after completion of my graduate studies at Rutgers University.
Along the way, I had the chance to work with so many excellent men and women who made me laugh, made me think, but most importantly, made me have fun doing a job that not everyone is capable of performing.
Attracting a crowd, keeping a crowd and entertaining a crowd is quite the challenge, but I embraced every single time I took the stage. Through season after season, I had the chance to make karaoke fun for thousands of people I came across in my time at Wicked Willy's. I had the chance to meet so many extraordinary people in my time there.
You all made my time at Wicked Willy's enjoyable and more importantly, gave me a sense of family in an industry where it can be impossible to develop friendship and even bonds. I have missed you and for those who remain, I will miss you deeply.
In 2017, I have new projects on the horizon, which will not only command my attention, but also my schedule. This decision wasn’t easy to make, but I know, that today, it’s time.
I made so many friends over the years, especially some, who I have considered to be very close and loyal to me.
Some became generous regulars, great co-workers and some became family!
I will always love karaoke and will certainly come back to sing because it’s the most comfortable stage to be in anywhere in the 5 boroughs.
It’s time to set my microphone down and unplug forever. As I close this chapter on my life, I will begin to write new ones, but in my history, there’s a special place in my heart for Wicked Willy's.
Good bye and God bless.
Again, my last night will be Thursday March 2nd and I encourage my regulars to come as much as they can in these remaining weeks. It will be great to see you all.
Let's give Karaoke Mania At Wicked Willy's With Fernando Uribe the farewell it deserves!
Respectfully,
Fernando Uribe
