Jim Luther sings “That’s Life,” originally sung by Frank Sinatra, during Karaoke Idol last week at North Bend Lanes. Luther was one of three qualifiers last week who will compete at local finals May 2 for a chance to compete in the national final in Las Vegas. World Photos by Alex Powers

NORTH BEND — It’s spelled karaoke — to some, just a word that elicits memories of smoky bars and slurred, tone-deaf singing.

For vocalists at North Bend Lanes, karaoke is serious business.

Under way in its ninth week, the 2009 season of Karaoke Idol is drawing what organizers are calling the competition’s best-ever talent.

“I don’t know where they’re coming from, but we have some pretty good singers,” said contest organizer Bob Nelson. “(The competition) gets better every year.”

About seven or eight singers compete each week, Nelson said. Two singers are selected  every Friday — one by show of support from the audience and the other by a judge. Last week, there were three singers advancing, to make up for a cancellation. Twenty-four qualifiers will compete at local finals Saturday, May 2.

North Bend Lanes will fly the winner to Las Vegas to sing at the International Bowling Karaoke Superstar contest in June, where more than 75 singers will compete for $5,000, the chance to record a CD and open for a major act.

“They’re offering Vegas — as if I stand a chance,” said North Bend resident Jim Luther, a qualifier at last week’s contest.

Luther, who sat with his girlfriend and nursed a beer prior to the competition, explained that he has never sang professionally. He also had never participated in Karaoke Idol. But he was enticed by the opportunity to perform in Las Vegas.

“I love music. That’s why I’m here,” Luther said.

He then stood up and, following lyrics on a TV prompter, delivered a convincing rendition Kenny Rogers’ “Lady.”

Coos Bay resident Christina Sanford did not qualify last week with her selection of soulful ballads, but the Las Vegas native saw an opportunity to visit family.

“I get to go home for a visit if I win,” she said.

Las Vegas-based The Lighting Store, which hosts Karaoke Superstar, lists 77 participating bowling alleys from across the U.S. and one in Canada on its Web site, down from 150 alleys in 2008, said Lighting Store owner C.J. Fox.

North Bend Lanes is the only site in Oregon that will send a singer to the national contest.

Superstar organizers dropped regional competition this year after a large number of alleys could not afford to hold karaoke contests, Fox said.

Nelson said that karaoke hit its prime in the ’90s — featured at that time in alcohol-fueled karaoke bars — and appeared to lose national interest as a pastime in the last decade.

But North Bend lanes has seen an increase in talented singers, Nelson said, a trend that started last season when advertising drew serious competitors.

“I don’t care if I win or not, but I don’t sing to lose,” said North Bend resident Brian Mathis.

Mathis qualified last week with a selection of country and rock songs. He also plays drums and studied music in college.

Rita Thomas, a Coos Bay resident who qualified last week with a cover of Terri Clark’s “Better Things to Do,” also performs in the Colgate Country Showdown.

Even alcohol sales are affected during competition.

“A lot of them don’t drink,” said Back Alley bartender Lori Horath. “They just want to sing songs and make it to Vegas. That’s their dream, I guess,” Horath said.

To help take pressure off, Back Alley holds an open karaoke each Friday that draws younger, less competitive singers, Nelson said.

Several other area venues host karaoke nights as well.

“I think it’s coming back,” Nelson said. “The younger (singers) are getting into it.”

For everybody who takes it seriously, only four qualifying rounds remain before the finals in May. Nelson expects to see even more talented singers in the remaining weeks.

“I’m looking forward to the finals,” Nelson said. “They’re going to be awesome.”