KJ host combines Karaoke with live original performers at Mr. B’s

By: Kurt "Swingcat" Johnson

Mr. B's Lounge is located at the TA Travel Center truck stop at the Interstate 84, Marine Drive freeway offramp in Troutdale. One of the largest truck stop fueling and service facilities in the Portland area, TA has a strategic location for servicing long-haul truck needs. From multiple fueling bays and engine service docks to shower and laundry facilities, TA provides the full range of services and items that a long-haul company or independent owner-operator looks for when pulling in off the open road.

Along with vehicle services, there is a variety of restaurants that include a Subway sandwich, Popeye's fried chicken and Buckhorn sitdown restaurant. There is a retail store that has a wide variety of products ranging from Sirius satellite radios to snacks and sodas. Along with all this, is a large truck parking facility where trucks may stop for the night and plug into electrical services so the driver can spend a comfortable night in the truck's sleeper rig. There also are gas pumps for regular cars and trucks.

KJ Mike Heppner (Photo by Kurt "Swingcat" Johnson) In addition to the restaurants and store, the TA also has a Karaoke bar lounge. Mr, B's has Karaoke six nights a week from Tuesday through Sunday. The lounge has two pool tables, video poker machines and a big roomy dance floor and stage.

Karaoke host Thursday through Saturday is Mike Heppner, at Mr. B's for over four years. He also hosts a show at Spirit Mountain Casino on Wednesday and Sunday nights.

Heppner's show is not limited to straight Karaoke. He also combines it with an open-mike element where performers can get up and perform live with their original music and material, adding an unusual variety to his show. Mr. B's also features a $1,000 contest on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Heppner takes great pride in his sound system's performance. It produces a clean and clear sound and uses only the highest quality components such as Crown amps and a Mackie mixing board. His song assortment offers over 65,000 songs with 25,000 individual titles and his system is computer-based. The song collection ranges from Louis Armstrong to the newest hip-hop. On the mike, Heppner is smooth and polished with a strong, clear delivery. He is personable and helpful with all his customers.

Heppner specifically points out that he has recently completed an audit and certification with the Soundchoice Company (a major Karaoke music production label) that states his Soundchoice song/disc collection is certified for use on his Karaoke computer system. He also states that he has a large Soundchoice collection and over 5,000 individual discs from many different Karaoke brands. He further points out that he has legally purchased all the discs that form the base of his complete song library.