Karaoke Forums

Most posters here know me as someone who doesnt get serious unless it involves big brother trying to regulate or somebody trying to tell everybody what they can say or do. But this is one of my few attempts at a serious thread.

  I would like start a thread that addresses the unspoken rules that doesnt deal with basic karaoke stuff... These are things I have learned thru the years in other jobs and they apply to this profession as well. I will classify them in a few basic catorgories. These are the things that make or break a karaoke business.. I will list mine and welcome additions from others that will benefit all..

Setting up in a new venue:

!. The mngr or owner should be present during the first setup to ask about prior setups You can get an idea about what they expect soundwise, dead spots, volume levels and get a general idea on previous acoustic problems, interference, and where the circuit breakers are etc... Might even doing a check on the outlets with a simple ground fault tester.

Dealing With Venue Employess

2. Until you know the employers names they are addressed as sir. (This is the only time I am truly formal) When I have established a working relationship with the bartender, security, or the mngr then the personal relationship, communication and understanding begins..

Sober Planning

3. I do not deal with or discuss businees matters or make any plans with an owner that mngr that has been drinking... If either one during a show tries to tell me what I should be doing I calmy inform them WE will discuss this in a profeessional manner when we are both sober. If you persist I will shut down we are gone and you can explain to your customers on the mic why...

4. I do not tolerate drunks (including the owner) that abuse my help, system, or badmouth my singers. I have many years of experience as shore patrol dealing with handling drunk buddys but this is not part of the contract. This is the bartenders or securities job.

Competition:

5 Establish a relationship with other kj's in the area promote their shows and give their schedules when they are present at your shows. (you know the ones that are there to talk to the owner)

Ok here are a few off the top of my head  I welcome anything that others have learned and will contribute or enrich this thread

As I recall Karyoker, Guitar techs, and Musicians used to refer to something like this as "Code of the Road". Certain mores that were either well known, or tacit.  Alot of it (with us) was a "Do unto other's type thing", yet often ethics/etiquette or anything "common sense" eludes many folks  :no:

I assume in all area's of the performing arts, (and whenever interacting with other's for that matter) there are good sets of rules or "laws" to follow.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

1.  Most managers/owners either have no idea about sound or don't care and just say there's the stage.  They normally do not get involved.  But yes learn where the outlets/breakers are.  But by all mean try to get them involved in trying to promote it.

2.  We usually go up introduce ourselves they tell us their names and it goes from there.

3.  Spot on.

4.  Bingo.

5.  A big no no.  We do not promote our own shows at other bars let alone anyone elses, unless they happen to be working in the same bar.  You only promote things happening in the bar you're in.  Yes be friendly "competitors" sub for each other when necessary and with professional courtesy.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

1.  We've never had a manager or owner tell us how to set the sound.  We do discuss, prior to our first night, the type of room and tables we need.

2. We introduce ourselves and write down the name(s) of the bartenders &/or servers.  We also introduce, by name, the bartender(s)  & servers over the mic.

3. Agreed.

4. Agreed.

5 We don't announce our own shows, unless they are at that venue.  We would never promote another venue at one of our shows and don't allow another KJ to mention their shows over our mic.  We also do not promote our shows at another KJ's gig; some have introduced us and given the name of our company, but as far as promoting another venue, no.  We do have good relationships with other KJ's.

Susie

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Karaoke with Full House Entertainment

[scroll]Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean...... [/scroll]

I agree. I don't promote other KJ's events. I also do not critize other KJ's or their establisments.  The place I currently KJ for, I have done now for over 4 years.  Even though I am there only three nights a week, I want people to frequent the place even when I'm not there.  The better the overall business, is also best for me.

Kelly

My own experience has been bars are likely one of the few places you can work at, and socialize in as well, and assuming you can handle a couple drinks, I've found most people we get to know in the bar atmosphere, are pretty much being themselves....Whether behind the bar, working on stage, or sitting at a table socializing,  seldom does one aspect impede the other in a bar environment...Very different than the corporate world, retail chains, etc...where a facade must be put on...bar's are meant to be fun places....The me at a bar, has always been the me at home....(except when I was into the pickup scene years ago, things were different when I was younger...in the past 15+ years), I go to a bar, and in almost ALL cases, the people I see at a post office days later, are the EXACT same personalities I was socializing with joking with a few night back, ONLY difference is the lighting...I guess what I'm trying to say is that unlike many environments....If you want to work at a bar, it does help if you've "had fun" at the bar, and folks like you too....Sure it's a professional service you provide, yet that need not preclude you being you....No reason it should.  It wasn't really this way back pre-DUI laws, when ALOT of people were getting quite tanked up, not for we kids, it was for the older folks........now-adays, I find this to be so....

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

I don't promote other KJ shows either, but am friendly with the local KJs.

I like to establish I'm in charge of the show. I decide who sings or doesn't. It is my equipment at stake. As far as the sound goes - The only thing the owner or manager has a say in is volume.

I also like to establish I'm in charge of the rotation. The manager or owner doesn't tell me how many times a person sings or when. If someone has a complaint the owner is to direct them to me and back me up.

Another good one is knowing who to go to if there is a problem. Who is the bouncer or inforcer.

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Number 5   Not to try to change anybodys mind this is why I do it now.. I too used to shy away from promoting other kj's Out of respect they dont promote thieir own shows on the mic nor do I allow it. I will introduce them if my people dont know them and give their schedule (if it is the same night I dont of course)

Years ago a bar in our small town started karaoke.. 1000 population at the most.. Of course I knew all the kj's in a wide area and at first I didnt tell Nelda (owner) where  was going when going to another show  Then after I did she would look at me like a traitor.. Finally one night we were talking and I said Nelda do you see these people in here? There are some from Fort Collins and even some from Loveland.. That is because I and others go to the other shows and by word of mouth promote your's.. When a good relationship is established between all concerned I see no problem with promoting other shows and 90% of the singers there knows what is going on and goes to that show too.. It is a matter of discretion just as anything else some i dont promote but it is also knowing what everybody including the owner thinks about it...

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