Karaoke Scene's Karaoke Forums :: Do You Give Your Singers Nick-Names?

I know it's all supposed to be in a spirit of kindness and fun,, but sometimes nicknames can hurt as well. Growing up as a geeky kid, I was an easy target for name calling,, and most of them stuck for a while. I learned to hate those names because they were done in a condescending manner. If I do give a nickname to somebody, (which is rare), it's ALWAYS done with a level of pride and admiration for the individual. I have a friend who has been called Big Dave for longer than I have know him. I am sure you can picture why. However, I try very hard to call him something a lot more dignified for a gentleman of his "stature". I simply call him Mr. Hathaway, rather than a demeaning name such as Big Dave.

While some are fine with being poked fun of with nicknames, I tend to steer away from them. It all depends on "who" is receiving it, and if they have enough humor to go along with it. But, it's sometimes hard to tell the difference between those who can, and those who can't take it.

Author:	Earl [ Mon Mar 25, 2013 3:00 pm ]
Post subject:	Do You Give Your Singers Nick-Names?
I started doing this a few years ago, and it's gotten to the point where I often forget some of their real names. We have "Lady Joan" who is 89 years young, and a British war bride. There's "The Wicked One" who's about 6' 2" and weighs perhaps 110 lbs soaking wet. He loves to do a full pantomime to Mr. Roboto. "The Brat" is 16 and an amazing singer... He's won so many junior singing contests, he's probably lost count. "Tombstone" is just about the scruffiest man I've ever seen... scraggly grey hair & beard, all black cowboy hat & boots, and coat that touches the floor. You would never expect him to sing as well as he does... Can make himself sound like Willie Nelson, Van Morrison, even Levon Helm. Another elderly gentleman named Wilson... Whenever I call him up, it's Misssterrrrrrrr Wiiiiiiillllson... (a la Denis the Menace)... and the whole crowd repeats the call. There's "Woodstock" who's real name is Bev, but he doesn't like his name, so when I found our where he's from, that's the nickname I gave him. There's the fellow who's last name is Boutilier. Naturally he gets "Boot". We've got "The Man In Black", "The Counsellor", "Truck (cuz he's big enough to burn diesel)", "Baab", "Little Sister", "Teach", and dozens more. It's gotten to the point where some of the regulars have been complaining (good naturedly) that I haven't assigned a nickname to them.

Author:	leopard lizard [ Mon Mar 25, 2013 3:50 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Do You Give Your Singers Nick-Names?
They get nicknames and made up life stories, too.

Author:	JoeChartreuse [ Mon Mar 25, 2013 7:57 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Do You Give Your Singers Nick-Names?
I'm actually famous for it to the point where feeling are hurt if I DON'T give them one. I started doing it because I'm bad with names, and I used nicknames that originated from some sort of personal attribute. The Pocket Cutie is about 4' 9" in heels The Bearded Sage looks like one of the ZZ Top guys Silent Dave is a loud voiced blues singer. White Velvet is a guy that sings like Mel Torme Beyootyful Chris....isn't- but the opposite works for a reminder and she gets a compliment out of it. Raven-Haired Chris has long black hair Gentle-Eyes, Papa-san, Magic Mike, Ringer, Mighty Mouth (risqe' parody singer), The Ember, Burning Love, Cindy Lou Who, The Quiet Man, and on and on through the decades.

Author:	masterblaster [ Tue Mar 26, 2013 1:24 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Do You Give Your Singers Nick-Names?
I have a "Spider Monkey", "Jammy Jams", "Dr. Suess" (only sings rap songs), "Obi-Wan", "Happy Feet" (guy who was in a wheelchair and had experimental back surgery and can now walk), and many, many others. Some have their own "karaoke names", and some are the names I've given them.

Author:	Paradigm Karaoke [ Tue Mar 26, 2013 4:07 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Do You Give Your Singers Nick-Names?
i got Bubba (just as redneck as his name, hence his 3 remaining teeth), Big Mac (6'2 400lb black man), RRRRRRoberto (a 5.5 old guy who sings like Eric Cartman), Caramel Love (no explanation necessary), C-Dub (looks like Charlie Daniels, he had that name when i met him). i think it is kinda fun when that happens.

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Author:	karaoke koyote [ Tue Mar 26, 2013 5:10 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Do You Give Your Singers Nick-Names?
Yep! Marky Mark, Little Dave, Mad Man Mike on the Mic, Howling John, etc. I even make little 'video' mems with their pictures and name, and usually a favorite song to play during their introduction. It all adds to the fun.

Author:	chrisavis [ Tue Mar 26, 2013 6:05 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Do You Give Your Singers Nick-Names?
Funny you mention this because I just started with a few nicknames a couple weeks ago. It came up because I started off the show with my opening and when I got to the "My name is...." part I just stopped and went on a 1-2 minute rant about how I hated "KJ Chris, and I am not a DJ so DJ Chris doesn't work either, and so on. Wrapped up with I would plan a contest to give me a proper host name". I gave a few nicknames that night as a result. That night, the guy I have been training started calling me "Chris Carnage". Not sure how I feel about that yet. -Chris

Author:	ed g [ Wed Mar 27, 2013 12:33 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Do You Give Your Singers Nick-Names?
Couple off the top of my head , we have Iron Mike a retired steel worker, Mistress Janice famous for her outfits, The legendary Gil a gentleman in his 80's who is still active in local theater. A guy who sings a lot of Elvis the Pelvis's music we call his younger brother Eenis the *****. We will also call up regulars and instead of posting their name in the hoster , it will show: Our next singer is single, like quiet walks, loves kittens, handcuffs and is singing Heartbreaker. or Our next singer is Horny and is singing Hey There Lonely Girl. We do more of these than actual nicknames.

Author:	mrscott [ Wed Mar 27, 2013 4:02 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Do You Give Your Singers Nick-Names?
I know it's all supposed to be in a spirit of kindness and fun,, but sometimes nicknames can hurt as well. Growing up as a geeky kid, I was an easy target for name calling,, and most of them stuck for a while. I learned to hate those names because they were done in a condescending manner. If I do give a nickname to somebody, (which is rare), it's ALWAYS done with a level of pride and admiration for the individual. I have a friend who has been called Big Dave for longer than I have know him. I am sure you can picture why. However, I try very hard to call him something a lot more dignified for a gentleman of his "stature". I simply call him Mr. Hathaway, rather than a demeaning name such as Big Dave. While some are fine with being poked fun of with nicknames, I tend to steer away from them. It all depends on "who" is receiving it, and if they have enough humor to go along with it. But, it's sometimes hard to tell the difference between those who can, and those who can't take it.

Author:	ripman8 [ Wed Mar 27, 2013 5:20 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Do You Give Your Singers Nick-Names?
mrscott wrote: I know it's all supposed to be in a spirit of kindness and fun,, but sometimes nicknames can hurt as well. Growing up as a geeky kid, I was an easy target for name calling,, and most of them stuck for a while. I learned to hate those names because they were done in a condescending manner. If I do give a nickname to somebody, (which is rare), it's ALWAYS done with a level of pride and admiration for the individual. I have a friend who has been called Big Dave for longer than I have know him. I am sure you can picture why. However, I try very hard to call him something a lot more dignified for a gentleman of his "stature". I simply call him Mr. Hathaway, rather than a demeaning name such as Big Dave. While some are fine with being poked fun of with nicknames, I tend to steer away from them. It all depends on "who" is receiving it, and if they have enough humor to go along with it. But, it's sometimes hard to tell the difference between those who can, and those who can't take it. Scott, my business name came from "name calling" when I was a kid. Now I embrace it. While I agree with you that one needs to understand some may not like it, if you have a good feel for a person, it can be a fun and funny thing. One of my singer whom I named "Mike F for friendly" showed up Saturday at a different venue and I had to use songslips as my kiosk computer was down. He even filled out the songslip that way. Another singer I nicknamed Skippy got mad at me one night (mockingly) because I asked her what her real name was and she let me know it is "Skippy" and don't you forget it!.

Author:	Charmin_Gibson [ Thu Mar 28, 2013 3:56 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Do You Give Your Singers Nick-Names?
I think I would maybe be scared to hear what KJs who have known me over the years would tack on me for a nickname. "Brat" might would come to mind for some of them. I don't have a "regular" karaoke place any more, rarely ever go out, but it would be a fun thing I guess for KJs to do!

Author:	jclaydon [ Mon Apr 01, 2013 12:58 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Do You Give Your Singers Nick-Names?
i didn't have a show long enough to start giving out nicknames. But at the bar I sing at, there is a guy who is 6'3" and his last name is Shortt, we all call him 'Shortty" i think there are about a total of three people who know his real first name

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