Retired construction worker spends weekends singing karaoke

Retired construction worker spends weekends singing karaoke

The 73-year-old reached for the door of Karen & Jim's Restaurant, swapping chirping birds in the evening sun for someone singing an off-key version of Ariana Grande's "Bang Bang."

Lights were blinking and food was frying, the windowless lounge of the Casper karaoke bar nearly empty.

"Hey Tom!" the DJ, Mandy St. John, said, wrapping Nolasco in a hug.

Weekdays can be slow for the retired construction worker living in a senior residence community.

From 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. he sits in the corner of the bar, flirting with Mandy and co-owner/bartender Karen Kanelos, impatiently waiting his turn to sing.

Nolasco gripped the bar counter and carefully hoisted himself toward a seat, ensuring his behind was aligned with the red cushion before letting go.

"How are you doing?" Karen asked, the 49-year-old blonde flashing a bubbly smile.

Someone finished singing, "Life is a Highway," and Nolasco clapped.

"Because I want them to clap for me," he said.

Tom, she said in her sultry voice.

Nolasco gripped the seat cushion and pushed himself free.

The tunes of Don Gibson's 1957 hit "Oh, Lonesome Me," filled the room.

Nolasco impatiently clinked a spoon on the table to the beat of someone singing "Sexy and I Know It."

Side conversations stopped, attention turning toward the man in the black and white fedora.

[...] when I get to dancing and singing, I don't feel nothing.

The next karaoke singer performed last year's hit single, "Uptown Funk."

At 11:37, he swayed and moaned in the slow spotlight of a laser disco ball to, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'."

Patrons drunkenly screamed their conversations, no longer paying attention to who was singing what.

Nolasco grabbed the microphone at 1:49 a.m. The words appeared on the screen.

Is your heart filled with pain, shall I come back again?

Tell me dear, are you lonesome tonight?

Nolasco walked outside, swapping someone's unenthused version of Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" for chirping crickets and a gentle Casper breeze.