By Lindsay Peyton

Keeping up with Les and Claudia Altman can be a challenge. 

Claudia, 84, and Les, 82, are karaoke regulars at most of the nearby Eagles’ clubs. They rotate between Kent, Federal Way, White Center and Burien. They arrive early and stay late. 

“It’s the most fun,” Claudia said. “I love to just come in and watch people sing.”

The Altmans sing a number of tunes each night. While they may seem like they’ve been karaoke all-stars forever, the couple began their karaoke cavorting only three years ago, and for a specific reason.

It was basically doctor’s orders.

Les started losing his voice. “I would go hoarse or get raspy by mid-afternoon,” he said.  A visit to the doctor did not reveal any cause for the condition except a regular side effect of aging.  Instead of a prescription, Les left with a recommendation: to go to a voice teacher. 

“She gave me a few exercises I could do,” Les said. “And she said one of the things you could do is sing and do karaoke.”

Les was in the choir in high school but had not really sung in public since. “It was scary,” he said. 

His trepidation might come as a surprise to his friends and family. Les is known by many in West Seattle as a clown, who entertained in birthday parties, parades and even the opening of Westwood Village. 

Still, his wife explained that performing on stage was different. “He’s into acting as long as he’s in his clown costume,” she said. “That’s his alter ego.”

Otherwise, Les gets nervous. “I clam up,” he said. 

He was, however, up for the challenge, and before long, singing on the karaoke stage became the highlight of his week. 

On the couple’s first view visits, Claudia refused to give it a go. “I was so afraid of being in front of people, the microphone, the whole thing,” she said. “It was not my cup of tea.”

A few months later, her resolve waivered, and she took the microphone for a spin. “I’m really glad I did,” she said. “We enjoy it. We enjoy the people, the camaraderie. Not everyone is a good singer. We just enjoy singing. We like the social bit.”

Don Bowers serves as the master of ceremonies for karaoke at the Eagles’ club in Kent. He joined the fraternal order about six years ago. 

“I had never, ever experienced karaoke,” he said. “I didn’t know what it was.”

Still, he always loved music and wanted to check out the crowd on karaoke night. “I was blown away,” he said. “These people were singing and doing a great job.”The first few weeks, he just watched and applauded. “Then I sang my first song, and that started it all,” he said. 

Bowers has been hooked ever since.  “It’s something you don’t lose as you get older,” he said. “You can’t play football all your life, but you can sing. The love of music never goes away.”

He also makes the rounds, heading to White Center and Burien to perform. “I’ve got it bad,” he said. 

Bowers also had a love connection through karaoke. He met Claudia’s sister-in-law Cheryl McGhee one night when they were both singing. Now, they’re an item.  

“Romance blooms here every once in a while,” Claudia said. 

She and Les are celebrating their 50th anniversary in March. The Altmans believe that the couple that sings together, stays together. 

They even purchased a small karaoke machine, so they can practice at home, and they enjoy making the karaoke rounds every week.

“We get out with a group of people and we enjoy their company,” Claudia said. “It’s really been a very good thing for us to do.”

Les’ voice has improved, but the Altmans say they have gained so much more from karaoke that increased vocal strength. 

The couple hopes to get others to join them. Claudia said that membership in the Eagles is not required. 

“Just come in,” she said. 

 She said everyone can benefit from facing their fears, getting up on stage and belting out a tune.

“You have to get up there, get going, get in your car,” Claudia said. “It’s good for you.”