Karaoke Forums

Paid2Party...I agree 100%.

I love karaoke......it would KILL me not to be able to sing, even at my own shows. But, only once each rotation. I see nothing wrong with it.

There have been times when I have backed out if the situation dictates, and there are times when I have a slow-starting crowd and I sing several songs to kick things off.

If I had to do it just for the money, and wasn't allowed to sing...I'd sell out. It's just too much work if you're only in it for the money..in my opinion anyway!

QUOTE: What is it with singers? Are they so stage hungry they can't wait an extra 3-5 minutes for the KJ to have a turn? UNQUOTE



I can't believe a KJ would say something like this about their bread and butter! Sure glad you don't do shows in Sacramento.

My husband and I started hosting for the selfish reason that we like to sing and we were having trouble finding shows where the KJ could mix. We don't do it for the money. We do it because we like to sing. There are always times when you should skip your turn and you should always have consideration for your customers. They like to sing too. That's why they're there. We've been fortunate to be able to play in smaller venues where the clientelle become more like family members. They not only don't mind if you sing in the rotaion. They insist on it and request their favorites. There really are no hard an fast rules. We all go to certain places because we like something about the show. What draws me to a show may drive you away. As long as you have people coming out to sing you must be doing something right

I mentiond before that I like it when the kJ sings for many reasons. One I didn't mention before is that it clearly marks the beginning of the rotation so I can predict when my next turn is.

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Too soon old......too late smart.

I will sing each rotation when its slow---it can help get more people to come up and try---sometimes ill be asked to sing a song--if its busy my singing will be minimal--then the only things i will sing are dance tunes like Brickhouse or Zoot Suit Riot--to get the people up and start a dance set. At the very last song of the night I like to do a big group sing along on stage with everyone up on stage that way everyone leaves feeling happy. Its VERY EFFECTIVE and the people love it! As far as the talking ---everyone gets introduced hey theyre going to do this one, lets give them a hand or first time tonight--then after they all get a positiive comment and hey lets show them some love or hey how bout that voice or some other positive comment and tell the crowd to give them a hand. I sing blues, swing some jazz and always fast dance tunes like Brickhouse, Earth Wind and Fire, Sweet Home Chicago or other boogie-woogie dancable tunes--I also will invite up a singer to duet on things like Sweet home Chicago or Brickhouse--they really get off on those---as theyre cool songs to begin with and the crowd will automatically dance and the singer feels great after by having tried and learned a new song.

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

You know what stands out about you Kurt, even in the extremely short time I've known you here, is your generous and open ATTITUDE towards your singers. Nuff said.

well, he's never been to MY gig! ! (just kiddin Kurt. From your duties with Positively Entertainment and your own stuff, I can just see how busy you are!)

hello all.

I've read all here and I would like to give my opinion.
Sorry if you have trouble to understand me, because I'm french ad english isn't my native language.

I'm a KJ from france, since May I work in a Chinese Karaoke all friday and saturdays, before that I was DJ for friends, students parties... In my past I go 8 years 3-4 times by weeks in a karaoke in guest, I think I don't sing good and I guess that I can sing bad ! I have 5 or 6 songs I can sing good because I have sing her many times during the time I was guest.

For exemple in the karaoke where I work I have seen 2 KJ
The first one, is a good KJ and a very good singer but when he telled that he want to introduce a song for him it's like "look at me how I sing good !" for the rest he was stay and don't move from his CDs.

the seconde was a girl who i think love so much karaoké and sing the first, the seconde and many other song, mic tones, bass... were always good for her but never for the other singer.

I don't like the KJ who sing the first song, do it if the guest are shy ! don't say that to test the tone or microphone because, if you are a good KJ, you have to check them at each singer, all singer don't have the same voice, all karaoke CDs don't have the same loud...
I don't believe to sing each time a song the first or at one moment because i work at the same karaoke 2 times by week, I can't do the same show all days because people may left and don't coming back after 3 times.

I don't have many good singer I my karaoke, most of people come only for a good night and laugh, so I often have to help them at start or later in the song, and I sing the duets.

some last weeks we were not many pepole (it's holliday) so I have sing to 10 songs when the people were eating, I like this karaoke were I work because I can do like i want, at start, my boss said to me I have to do karaoke after at 23h00 AM to put some dance music, I've said no of course, I can't do that. Me I talk a lot and walk though the karaoke next to the guest with HF microphone it's better, the guest can see you heard you better than singing lots of songs.

That's my opinion, excuze me if my english is bad

I sing early to get things going... However, I must agree with pulling yourself out when it's busy.. Occasionally I will jump in however if we are losing the corwd due to too much of one genre or another to break it up... Most of the time though I have an awesome varietyof singers in my part of Texas...

Have to a agree with tymzdad and paid2party. I don't mind seeing a host sing once every rotation. I run a show with two other hosts and we each take turns starting off a new rotation. If the job description stated all hosting, no singing - we'd find another hobby.

Some will say "You're getting paid to host, not to sing." I say, Not true. We're getting paid to provide entertainment. The audience can tell the difference between a host who is there to have a good time and one who is there to collect a paycheck. Having a spot in the rotation adds to the enjoyment of being a host. In general, I have found that shows with a singing host and a fair rotation tend to be more entertaining. I understand there are exceptions.

Bottom line is this. We all have our opinions. We all host our show the way we see fit. In the end, if you had fun earning your paycheck, then no one can tell you you're doing it wrong.

What a great point you brough up that sometimes we all forget... We are paid to entertain.... That's an awesome point.. I also think sometimes we forget we're there to "host" as well... Our job is to make sure the party happens.. Make sure the patrons have fun!! Wow, I can't get over how well put your post was..
Thanks!

Frankly, if I don't sing the first song, people will be much more reluctant to "break the ice", and the show would "start" an hour later than it normally would. Once the rotation gets to 4 or 5, I step aside.

As far as last song goes, sure, if there's no one else waiting to sing.

I generally don't sing at my shows - just once in while if there's only a couple of singers, and they've sung a few already. Most comments I hear are positive about this. If there are no singers to start a show, I play music and work the tables/socialize a bit.

I basically get my singing fix by attending other shows as a customer.

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Sounds Great! Entertainment
Bartlett, Illinois

Now that's the kinda KJ I likes (Marty)!!! No snotty "it's my show damn it I'll do what I like".....(not referring to anyone in this thread).

Kj is not my principal Job, I work in a internet compagny and it's ok. I do KJ for fun, I earn money but that's not important, the most important is that you like all you do it's better to sing good ! and that right for all jobs to have succes