At Top of the Hill
Veteran DJ makes fine Karaoke host
The Top of The Hill is a user-friendly tavern, located at 9252 N.E. Glisan, just west of Interstate 205. Portland has many hills, some with panoramic views of the city laid out below. Top of The Hill is a place where you feel that you are the "top."
Tim Freed
(Photo by KT)
Tim Freed says he fell into the position of Karaoke host by accident. His 27 years in broadcasting give him the voice, the presence and the "people" skills to be a really great Karaoke host/DJ. You might recognize his voice from his work on radio stations including KGAR, KXL, KISN and KGW. He did a regular Sunday radio show as his impersonation of Wolfman Jack. Freed recalls that he was the first to do live interviews on Portland radio. "I love people," he muses.
During a recent visit, Freed's quality sound system, technical expertise and public persona made for an easy-listening and fun-singing experience. Freed uses the traditional CDG system, with a monster tune collection. A marvelous DVD version of the Cab Calloway tune Minnie The Moocher is included. It's a sad tale of a young lady who is, somewhat willingly, seduced by her smokey-tokey man into a life of drug-induced degradation, abandonment, mental illness and a lonely, untimely death. It is illustrated by a darling original classic cartoon of the Betty Boop character as Minnie, with the audience response lines highlighted in blue. It is priceless.
Freed offers a very good singing experience for everyone because he is such a smooth operator. "I encourage everybody to participate," he declares. As contrasted with some KJs who run a computerized system and have no personal investment in the output, Freed does a real music show starring all who want to sing. He likens it to an "old piano" style, perhaps like a mechanical player-piano that used paper rolls and everybody sang. (Check out www.player-care.com!)
Freed also applauds the family Karaoke sessions now beginning to bloom on the Karaoke scene. He cites a four-year-old boy prodigy who sings and knows just about every tune in the book! Regardless of proficiency, family-singing outings are of value to all.
Freed continues his 10-year run at Top of The Hill. He observes, "The regulars here are like a family." If someone is in need, "they pull together to help."
The Top of The Hill offers easy access to their well-lit parking lot and clean, comfortable accommodations inside. The interior is divided between pool tables and the music area with its tiny but popular dance floor. Softball trophies are perched on a high shelf, a basketball championship progress chart is on the wall and neon lights boast a selection of beers on tap and more.
Video entertainment varies, with Silver Strike 2007 Bowler's Club, Golden Tee Live 2009, Touch Tunes digital jukebox and something called "Games Galore." Staffers are all-pro, with one lady bartender singing Love Stinks (with appropriate call-and-response from the audience), with the wireless mike in one hand, while bussing tables and serving at the bar with the other hand. Be sure to investigate the Monday evening Guitar Hero opportunities as well.
The Top of The Hill, the staff and all the people who visit proffer a warm, welcoming and relaxed experience, with quality KJ hosting by Tim Freed. It's a winner.