Karaoke Forums

Went to a nearby club last nite...nice place.....and saw what NOT to do as a KJ running a show. Billed as a 8:00 to 12:00 show, he started out promptly at 8:00 with 30 minutes of just DJ music ( he is also a DJ), as he consumed 2 pitchers of beer. This was with at least 10 singers waiting. On a weeknite, of all times....when working folks might want to sing a few songs and leave rather early, to get some shut-eye. One of the singers finally had to ask when the karaoke was going to start.

There was a birthday party happening there, and the place was really busy...I was surprised. Well, after a couple more pitchers of beer, he screwed up the rotation, which irritated a few singers. Then he sang (at the end of each rotation), but he stayed behind the DJ screen as he sang, not out in front as everyone else did.

As a new KJ, it was quite an eye-opener. There is a gig ripe for the picking, for someone who runs a tight, no-nonsense show.

I agree. But that takes us back to an old discussion, with a perfect example- what would be the "correct" or "proper" way to let this bar know what you have and can do- without being accused of 'stealing' a show?

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Let's Kick the Tires and Light the Fires!

I don't like to use the word "steal" a show. IF there is a KJ hosting a BAD show the the correct word for a KJ who is running a TOP NOTCH show that replaces them is EARN ... If you are a proffesional KJ and run a Good show and are HUNGRY for the business ..... GO for it ! ..BAD KJS beware

I understand that my show is up for grabs to every one out there with a cdg player and a microphone and a $5 price tag (if you know what I mean) It's what makes me and most KJS strive to be bettter every show
New music , better equipment, better relatiosnhips with the singers and non singers alike....

In situations like this, I feel it's perfectly appropriate to show the manager or owner that another option is available. NOT to undercut or steal, but to provide a better, quality show. It's up to them if they DO it.

Also, lowering rates to get it would be underhanded. You get the show on it's merits. If the owner won't go for it, then you have the choice to either lower your rates (assuming they ARE lower), or just saying, "Take it or leave it."

you can't have a cadillac and not pay the price for it.

Tym,
that was quite a sad situation.. i have a few questions.. e-mail me you know where..

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Brian D.
(BHB)

I Dj'd for 5 years and got out of the biz until I met my current partner who convinced me I'd be a good Kj. I've been doing it for about 4 years now and one thing my partner and I agree on...No Alchohol for us during a show!

It's tough enough to manage unruly intoxicated patrons, immediately find discs when the wrong number is supplied and keep a show vibrant and energetic when everyone wants to sing "old twangy country songs".

I like to sing to but limit my singing to the start of the show or slow periods, if there is a small list of singers, unless I get a special request from the audience.

Sounds like you just picked the wrong place to go to that night.

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Listen for your name, don't put up a song for someone else,no twirling the mic's, and sing for the fun of it!

ty, I think everyone here agrees that being drunk while on the job is unprofessional. I am suprised that the owner would allow that. It is too bad you had to see one of the bad apples, there are a lot of good KJ's out there.

LLesniewski, Welcome to the forum. Margie also said to say Hi and thanks for listening to her. Also, thanks for the reply.

Cort
MC Entertainment

I agree with the bit about that being a bad KJ/show. One thing you can do as you're getting your feet wet in this business is get out to a lot of other shows. Take the good things ya like about various shows and use them. Then, take a look at the bad things that upset ya, or ya just don't like, and make sure you stay away from them. You'll see the full range of the spectrum on it. But it will give you some really good ideas of good and bad both.

Out here in beautiful sunny southern california we have the local wanna be KJ's that do gigs for 50 bucks and all they can drink. And theirs plenty of them............

Yeow I like my beer, if I say so myself. But I don't let it interfere with the show. If ya start doing that, it can only lead to one place, and if ya like doing karaoke shows, ya won't like that place.

My new motto: Do your job properly or loose your job promptly!!!

Things IMHO that look freaking tacky...
- non-racked gear....... buy a freaking rack case, your gear will thank you

- laziness... you are there to work and entertain, do not sit on a chair the whole night, if you are sitting in a chair, it better have wheels on it, the only time during a 4 hour show i sit is when i am singing, and it is stool.. stools=good chairs-TACKY!

- bad setup layout Don't setup so your back is to your audiance the whole show, couple that with the laziness and all ya get is a host that is sitting with their back to the audiance all night long

- promptness If the sign says KARAOKE 9:00 to 1:00 I expect to hear singers by 9, not you still trying to hook all your un-racked gear up with that mess of tangled wires

It is a professional show, act like it, don't get so slobber-knocked drunk that you don't know what you are doing.... BTW: I NEVER drink when working, i would not drink at my day job, what make me think i can get away with it at my night job?

Clean the wires up as best as possible, ya know it is a lot of wires, they don't just "disappear" but you can hide and bundle them at least

and last but not least, you need to have a personality and be fun

hope i have NOT hit home or offended anybody with these things

Capt. Midnight...
I owe ya one on this post....

I was all prepared to write a really long rant... and I mean
REALLY L-O-N-G. But ya hit most of my points on the head after I was asked to look at a friend of mine's Karaoke show that is really losing attendance in the past 3 months. now they have tried another KJ ..
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That's even a worse solution.

This starts by showing up 45 minutes late for setting up and starting 30 minutes later than they are supposed to start. No wonder the venue pays so little and the KJ is lazy with the show. I have personally assisted in this show when it was happening, and it used to go non stop, now you are lucky to get 12 singers.

it's real sad.

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Brian D.
(BHB)