Karaoke Forums

Well, as was discussed here a couple of months ago, I just started an indie-friendly karaoke night in San Diego with stuff like paying (for charity) to sing "badd" songs, nightly contests, voting to ban songs and other silliness.  I didn't want to start a new karaoke night during the holidays in an offbeat location (no "traffic") that's (even worse) on a Sunday but the club wanted to give it a shot.  Our debut had a whopping 8 people the night after folks went nuts for it at a huge house party.  At least everyone was singing. Luckily, last week's show had about 35 people and almost everyone was singing.  

I thought no one would bother to pay to sing the "badd" songs.  I was wrong.  I got $55 in badd songs and blatant bribes (we encourage them to scoot up in line), half of which goes to a local music education charity.  Even more surprising, no one complained or wanted to nominate songs to be promoted from the "badd" list.  Everyone can't wait to ban songs!  We did a Morrissey contest and a metal contest and let the winner pick songs/discs for me to buy plus a couple of free drinks (the girl who won the metal contest is having me buy a whole Spice Girls disc!).  Next month is "Girls Just Want To Sing Songs" & David Bowie.  Can't wait!

So what ended up on our "dreaded ten" list ($10 to sing)?  See below.  Next month, we'll do "Operation Rescue" and vote to save one song up off of the list and replace it with another.  In March, we'll ban our first song from the list.

THE CURRENT DREADED TEN
THOU SHALT NOT:
friends in low places by Chris Gaines
Achy Breaky Heart by Sir William Ray Cyrus
What's Up by Forgone Blondes
i will survive by Gloria & The Gaynors
i write the songs by Barry Alan Pincus
American Pie by Don "8 Minute" McLean
wind beneath my wings by Beaches Middler
Black Velvet by The Devil Herself
hot hot hot by the New York Doll
Y.m.c.a. by the Gay Men's Chorus of Studio 54

So, what would you save from being banned?  What would you put on there!?

That sounds like a very select crowd.  Not the normal way to build bar business. It excludes to many paying customers.

sounds like your having fun with it.  :hi5:

I love that you are incorporating a charity with it.

I think it is a great idea also to allow songs to be voted back in.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Sorry but you're wrong.  Most live music and dance nights cater to a particular crowd.  It's just like any band or club night but our night actually appeals to people who like ANY kind of music (from classic country to indie to rap to rock).  Our night has a much broader appeal than most nights at this club (they do a lot of hiphop/dance/techno). If you love Nickelback or Carrie Underwood, you might be disappointed that we don't have more (any) popular, new stuff but you'd have to be REALLY narrow minded to not find anything to sing for free in our 700+ songs on our "good" list.

Ive gotta agree with toocool. In "mayberry USA" his ways would not work, In a large city, like San Diego I can see it. I also agree that its probably MORE entertaining than MOST mom n pops crappyoke shows with exact rotation and the same group of drunk girls singing "squirrel had to die" And "redneck woman" every week. its not for masses as its kinda extreme , but I would love to have 1 a week like that. HECK even one a month would be a blast. lately we have been taking donations to send care packages to the troops overseas, results have been disapointing. I think a one dollar donation for singing country would be fun, and discourage country. sounds like a win / win

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the voices arent real, but they have some good ideas

I'm glad you are keeping us updated on how it's going. Especially after the critism you've gotten for trying something different. Most of us can't relate because we have a different type of crowd. It seems to be working for you, so I say have fun with it. I believe from your posts you are level headed and listen to what your crowd wants. I don't think you'd be doing it if people didn't like it. I respect the fact you listened to our opinions and responded maturely. Two thumbs up from me.  :hug:

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Like you guys said, MOST cities couldn't do a night like this.  So far, so good.  I love the feedback.  We kinda live to piss off purists so I'd be lying if I said I didn't think I'd get a reaction posting about it here.  I know that most karaoke enthusiasts want to sing the songs we want to hear least.  Diff'rent strokes!  If I get excited seeing that I can get karaoke of REM's Fall On Me, I'm just as nerdy as everyone else!

Got my first random hatemail through our myspace page today....
"I think you people should find something better to do with your time than to critisize other song writers and singers songs. I think you need to get a life !!!!!! If it wasn't for some of these artists there would be no new singers today and alot of these artists are good."

(giggle) i know it comes off mean-spirited but it's really harmless. we end up with the crowd we want and they love it.  One housewife loves it so much that she made her own custom mix cd of cool stuff at mycdg.com and is giving it to us for Xmas....and i'm Jewish!