By Sara QuamWhile most people invest money in their hobbies, Mike Kinsinger’s hobby of singing karaoke has actually earned him about $6,000 in the last five years.The latest $1,000 came from the Pit Stop Warehouse in Valley Springs, S.D., after eight weeks of competing in "Warehouse Idol."Kinsinger said, "This is a karaoke bar, not a bar with karaoke. You really perform."Friday and Saturday are the big karaoke nights at the Pit Stop Warehouse, which is Kinsinger’s favorite stage these days. "It’s the only karaoke bar for 150 miles," Kinsinger, of Luverne, said. Kinsinger doesn’t drink, so karaoke has proven itself to be a cheap pastime."I’ve paid money to see people sing, and these people were much better," Kinsinger said of the latest contest at the Pit Stop. Ken Moe, Pit Stop Warehouse owner, said, "We had people in this contest who, with the right timing and right marketing, could be on any juke box in the country."The Warehouse is designed to be good for performing and viewing karaoke, with a professional sound system, stage and lighting setup.This contest drew people from a 100-mile radius to compete and watch. The bar is planning another Warehouse Idol in September.Kinsinger said, "I had a lot of fun for eight weeks and it was the best of what I’ve heard in the area." A lot of people think highly of Kinsinger’s crooning. Dave Gangestad, Luverne, often asks (and sometimes tips) Kinsinger to sing his favorite song "Old Time Rock ’n Roll." Gangestad said, "He does it better than Bob Seger."The song that clinched the contest in Valley Springs for Kinsinger was AC/DC’s "You Shook Me All Night Long."Kinsinger said, "I’m not much for country, but I can sing some old George Jones. I just don’t have the twang for most of it."The second-place finisher at the contest sang a country song and earned $500.In the past Kinsinger enjoyed time in rock bands as a drummer and backup singer. Now he can perform without having to get a band together. … And he gets the lead.He said that being good at karaoke carries as much clout as other types of performances."Music is music. That’s the way I’ve figured it."