Karaoke Forums

Yes but we run at least 2 major contests a year as well with no devistating recourse in our crowds.  Guess i'm lucky.  They are advertised heavily through the bar & through emails that I send out, people know which nights they are, approx time they will start & if they come in on those nights, they know what to expect.  Some will get in the contest just for an assurance they will get a spot in the rotation - win or lose no biggy, they just want to sing & they do.
If people are soooo sick of contests - why do they still enter them, because they either want the money offered as the prize, or they are so shallow to think that they are the best thing to karaoke or they just want to sing regardless of the outcome & if they win - great, which is the way people should look at it.

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I've been in two contests.  They were both at private, one-time events rather than bars.  That probably makes a difference.  Neither cost the singer anything to be in the contest, but see below.

The first contest was judged by the guy hosting the event.  One judge and that was it.  I don't even remember the prize, but it wasn't anything very expensive.

The second contest was judged by the audience, but with a twist.  The audience paid for their votes, a dollar a vote, and could cast as many as they wanted (or could afford).  The event was a fund-raiser, so the money all went to the organization rather than the winner.  The winner got some gift certificate or something.  Not a bad system, and I even think they chose a worthy winner (okay, I actually thought I sang better, but he was a terribly charming 80-or-so-year-old who could sing pretty well).

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Reward: nine yen in drawer.

It's for that reason I don't think I'd enter one of those but rather become more comfortable singing in public through other venues.  Too much depends on so many variables that nearly always somebody is going to get short shrifted.  I know people who think movies that are in black and white are not nearly as good as movies in color or are unwatchable.  I won't comment on that!.

In an interview shortly before his death (at age 94!) Artie Shaw had this to say about his long career in music: "I created one for myself and one to pay the bills. Good art is not always supposed to be entertaining; it's supposed to make you think."

You named a few points to consider.  

If people only come just to have a spot in the rotation.   THEY are wasting valuable contest time for the ones that are serious.   THIS SUCKS.      It should also tell you something......    Maybe they don't like contests.      You think this is fair for the ones that are serious?     I don't...     Now it turns into a game.....not a contest.     I sang in the contest so I could sing more.... Na, na, na, na, na, na......

If you were giving away a polished turd, someone would still enter.    Can't resist FREE, no matter what it is.    Big egos will always rule or try to.

I do not believe that anyone enters a contest for the "fun of it".   Still the ego thing.   It's just their way of justifing it, if they lose.

I usually attract talented people.   They know they are good and so does everybody else.     People just love to hear them sing for the fun of listening to a professional singer and they didn't have to pay to get in for the entertainment.   The not so good ones sing and nobody acts any different about them.   One big happy karaoke family.

It's all about having fun.   Serious contests take the fun out of it.   Been told this by many a very good singer.  Ones that could easily win every time.    They don't enter becasue they know that they will win...   And so does everyone else.    It's not fun for the so so singers, that have to sit on the side lines during the contest.   They feel as if they are lesser people because they are not as talented.     The singer that just come out to sing, period, don't get to sing until it's all over.   They are supporting the bar too.     Why should they be made to wait to satisfy someone elses possibly falsely inflated ego.   In their tight pants, mini skirts and half unbuttoned blouses....

If you want to prove how good you are go to Nashville, NY, or LA.    Show me the signed contract and I'll know how good you really are.

If it works do it.     Most places aren't that lucky.   I've seen and heard and felt way too much grief and agony over karaoke contests to last me forever.

I sent a 3 page letter to the president of a fairly large brewery, that was running a big contest and I told him exactly how I felt about his contest and what other people were saying about it to me.   They thought it was fixed and unfair.    Promises that his reps made about things they would do and didn't and much more.  I told him to keep his stupid contests far away from any bars I play in.    I am trying to build business, while all you care about is selling your beer.    You have no interest in promoting good karaoke.   And your unfair contest reputation is hurting my crowd and the bar owners wallet.     If anyone would like to read it in it's entirety, let me know.

It's A Wonderful Life & Miracle On 34th Street are just NOT the same colorized!

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For the best colorization you've ever seen, watch Frank Sinatra in the colorized version of "Suddenly".  I never knew Frank had BROWN eyes until I saw this! I agree with your comment!

Yep.  "If they aren't as pretty", who care's about the message  Instead you hear, "Black and white movies were so depressing looking".  Too often it get's down to walking away feeling I tried to do something tantamount to giving a Rohrschach test to a person (within a group, with an average mean IQ of 4)..

"How can I see anything in that inkblot, it's black  :shock:  and dang if it aint an ugly squiggly thang as well...SHEEIT"

It's like explaining politic's and what's real to a voting group that can't figure out how to pull a lever.

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

No not really they are still competing whether they care or not (which is what a contest should be anyway).  If they are just getting in to get another song - big deal, if they aren't that good, they aren't going to hurt the ones that are there for the contest.  No biggy.  The way I run the rotation on large contests (the one & ONLY time I will change the rotation) is anyone that sings in the contest, that is their turn for that round as I will move everyone that didn't sing after the contest, so technically no one still sings anymore than anyone else.  So no Na, na....



Exactly, they WILL still enter.  People LIKE competing for something.



When there is serious cash involved (I say anything $100 & over), then they may take it a little more serious - moreso if the pot is larger, that's their problem if they whine about it - like you said if they are that good, they should be in Nashville or LA making cd's.



Yep I get those singers too.



Yep it should be fun, serious contests are just that - serious.  If qualifying rounds are done right, the so so singers won't be competing in the finals - which is where the main part of the contest lies anyway.  



I'm not saying i've NEVER had anyone complain, sure I have, but i've never had it like the claims of many stated about contests.  Generally speaking, we don't have any problems with them.  People do them, we get large crowds while it runs, then they go back to regular crowds with a couple newbies from it.



Yep some contests & promotions I won't even touch, we can do an in-house contest of comparible value & it will turn out better.

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That is SUCH a true statement. The girl who did win saturday night.... has layed blame and made excuses every time she has entered.

I was to blame for her losing one night (according to HER) because I was asked to be a judge (when, in actuality, when my score sheets were tabbed, she was 2nd highest of my scores)... because a niece of mine was also in the contest. (bottom line, she outsang her 10 to 1, and everyone in the bar agreed, she would never have beat her) But, she went to the KJ to try to get her eliminated. She also went to the KJ mad because two of the Denny's waitresses have entered and won a round (that she also sang in). Saturday night, she laid her excuses BEFORE the contest.... someone had hit her in the lip by accident, and she was gonna have to sing with a fat lip. (which, of course, would throw her off key and all that) ODIE... Don't care whatcha say, I talked to her in the laides room, she had no fat lip that I could see, that would impede her singing. Point is, yeah.... some people do lay all that stuff down, just so if/when they don't win it, they wont have people thinking they lost because... they weren't "the best".

It's kinda sad really. I've never watched alot of contests, but this one so far is turning everyone who enters simply green with jealousy.

True, the pot at the fair is a total of $1000.... I guess some consider that worth fighting for.

And, I really do believe that this contest business is new for most of the singers here. I honestly don't know if any of them have been in contests before. So, singing in a contest, and $1000 in prizes, and getting to sing on stage at the Clackamas County Fair.... is just bringing out their bad side.

In a small town like Canby, where there's ONE weekend karaoke joint, and everybody knows everybody..... this will cause alot of hard feelings and all that jazz for a while I bet.

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

And excuse me if my posts seem to ramble...

.... I'm trying to make up for lost time.  :wink:

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

I love free matter and I've got a big ego. That's why I eat honeycomb cereal.

I'll sing for a turd if it is bronzed.



EDIT: Hi Charmin, nice to see you.

Odie, listen carefully to the reaction of the crowd when the winner is announced..   Better stay back aways too.   Get a body guard, wouldn't hurt.    You will be enlightened at some of the comments and people that get mad.    It will surprise you.

Ummm.... does that REALLY say "Charmin"...... or am I being fooled again?  LOL

Hiya Chuck.  :wave:

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

Yes it does this time.

Oh I believe you!  Odds are I'll be making my share of comments too.  LOL   I could never be a judge in the finals because I have my idea of who should win already   assuming that person doesn't completely trip up in their performance.

Anyway, I'll have the camcorder rolling and be ready to give a blow by blow account of the big smack down event.  LOL

But even if you wanted you shouldn't be able to judge in the finals as you know people.  The judges shouldn't have anything to do with the bar.

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I have a feeling the "big smack down event" will be AFTER the contest is over.... the next saturday night or so at Denny's. All the ones who lost will be drinking heavily to moan the loss, then in will walk the winner  :shock:  ... so yeah, have that camcorder ready at your side the next few weeks after.


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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

I agree Lonnie. They do need to have people who know what they're doing, but who are also impartial. Actually, it needs to be people who don't live in or near Canby, heck... most people here really do know half the town.

They're trying to get one of the Portland radio stations to judge it, which would be cool... and, I think fair.


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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

They could also try to get vocal coaches (give free plugs to their place), local musicians (karaoke friendly of course).

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Good call.