BITTEN BY BUG, LOCAL KARAOKE SINGER QUITE A `STEAMROLLER' BEHIND MIKE.

Byline: Teresa Jimenez / Daily News Staff Writer

Ginger Lynn was strictly a closet singer until that slow, fateful night at a Florida karaoke bar where she finally got the nerve to pick up the microphone and belt out a tune.

That was six years ago. Today, she has dreams of becoming a big-time blues singer - and she owes her aspirations to her success on the local karaoke circuit.

``It's like a singer rehabilitation thing,'' Lynn said. ``You can be recognized for your talent. The first time I sang, my knees were knocking. I was scared to death. Now I look where I came from. I'm admired for my ability.''

Lynn, of Canyon Country, has enjoyed watching other talented singers from the Santa Clarita Valley almost as much as she enjoys getting up in front of a crowd and performing herself. So she decided to organize a Karaoke Star Night at Winston's Pub, 26328 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus. The event will begin at 9 p.m. Friday.

So far, Lynn expects more than two dozen of the best karaoke singers in town to contribute a song, and she added that anyone in the community is welcome to participate. Lynn may even sing her signature ``Steamroller'' in a way James Taylor never has.

It shouldn't tough for many of the singers to fit it into their schedule. Performing can be addictive, Lynn said, and many regulars go to karaoke bars up to five or seven times a week just to get a singing fix.

``They go because they can't sleep until they do karaoke,'' Lynn said.

Debbie McKay, who will be the karaoke jock, or hostess, for the Star Night, knows the regulars well. They're the people who have day jobs but like to pretend they're big concert performers at night, she said.

``They're amateur singers and they're good,'' Lynn said. ``They have regular jobs and come out at night like little vampires. They love it. They get up and pretend they're in concert.''

That's how Lynn got hooked. Shortly after moving to the area five years ago, she found the Sierra Mining Company, where she was able to continue the singing habit she picked up in Florida. It didn't take long before she was a regular.

The bar has since changed ownership and is now the Rag Top Cafe. Lynn organized a reunion of the old karaoke group a while back and had so much fun she figured a Karaoke Star Night would be a great way to showcase local talent.

``I told people about my idea, and everyone got really jazzed,'' Lynn said. ``I've been hand-plucking people, going to all the karaoke bars and inviting the best singers.''

Lynn said she also has managed to have the performances aired on the local cable channel. Who knows, she said, maybe Friday will give some lucky singer that big break. And maybe it will be Lynn herself.

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PHOTO (color) Ginger Lynn, a regular blues karaoke singer, has organized a karaoke star night.