Karaoke Forums

I have done Karaoke for about 10 years.  I can't say that I would run things the same as any of you  I am not saying that Big Dog has all the answers.  I did not say that his way is the best way.  I as well as you think what I did was the best.  But I have to say again, I followed a lot of what he says as being very good advice.  Not his advice, but a lot of the same techniques.
I have experienced a lot of what all of you have gone through.  10 years is a long time.  And having been in charge of a couple of systems also, you have to realize, you need to keep those systems working to pay for your investment.  If I had not done what it takes to keep bar owners, singers, non songers happy, that company would not have lasted.  I can appreciate his privacy as well as I can appreciate yours.  And I hope you can appreciate mine.  Once I feel welcome on this forum, I too may, as you have disclose personal information.  
I have read things on here that made me feel uncomfortable.  Being a newbie, but I kept coming back!

LOL - Funny you should mention trolls and yes, I have been laughing my a#* off!

Where is that ignore button?  Oops! Found it!

Susie

kjsrbest  - Please stick around, these kind of things only flair up once in awhile and I think this is the first time I flaired up with it!  LOL  This is really a great group of people.

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Karaoke with Full House Entertainment

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

I was working last night.  LMAO Just because I worked last night doesn't make me an expert though.

I still don't think anyone said we wanted the nonsingers to leave the bar. I think what was said was our main concern was the karaoke singers. Lonman stated he doesn't worry about the nonsingers because where he works everyone comes in for karaoke. If they aren't singing they came in to support the singers, if they are good or bad. Where I work I do have people who come in just because it is a bar and they don't care about karaoke at all. Although I would say the majority of people are karaoke people. I try to get everyone involved if I can, so even the nonkaraoke people have fun, but my main concern again are the singers.

I think where this goes astray is we need to take in consideration everyones venue is different. You can not assume your way is the only way. I don't like to hear name calling going on if it was directed at one person or everyone. If you disagree with someones opinion that's okay, but don't take it as a personal attack and lash back with comtempt. You state what works for you, without putting others down who do it differently. I have a lot of respect for the KJs on this site, but I don't always agree with them. Do I think I'm better than them - NO.

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Very very well said Babs and I will say nothing more in this topic

I just spent about 1/2 hour posting what my opinion is about running a great show and that was after reading four pages of very good opinions and arguments on different issues! Then the phone rang and I lost all of it. AHHHHHHHH!!!
Sunday am I will be back to put my 2 cents in on " The Reasons KJ's Sing at Karaoke".
Hugs_
Lynette
Bottom Line Karaoke

Whoohoo there is another KJ on here from Nevada!!  Will be looking for your post!

Oh, I am not going anywhere.  Like I said there is a lot of good info on here.  Just thought some people get too serious.  We all do what works for our own business.

What does this say?   Who?

Seems to me that is the way a  lot of us have done it.  A fair rotation is very important.  And I feel that I am not the entertainer.  Probably could'nt be a good enough one.  I know thier are a lot of singers way better than myself.  But a few of us on here do feel the same way.  If we have enough singers to have a rotation, then why would we take away from thier night of fun.  Hey, they aybe only get out once a week.  We were able to do this everynight we played.
I never wanted it to be a job, but one that was fun.  So getting to sing did make it fun.  Although there many nights you just didn't get to do that, because you had a full bar.  Throw one in to control the roudy crowd, or to help raise the tempo so no-one is falling asleep.  Other than that, I could wait until the next night.

Good afternoon everyone,
I said I would be back and here I am. I am here to share my own philosophy on running the kind of show that I run and what kind of show I would expect anyone working for me should run that show with my company name in front of it.
It acually all started about 12 years ago back east when I hosted shows for a great karaoke company. While doing these shows I met a wonderful guy (We have now been together for almost 11 years) who also hosted shows for this company. In time different bars would ask for the 2 of us to host the show together. Many of the people that came to sing or just to listen enjoyed our "spark" they would call it. We usually only sang the first song to get things going and if it was completely dead (which was pretty much never) and we did (still do) have a signature duet that the patrons would not let us close down the show without singing/performing it. When it comes down to singers vs. non-singers (at least that is what I am reading here) they are both just as important as the other. WHY? They are all there for the same reason. To kick back, take a load off and have some fun!  Singers bring in non-singers who many times, at least at our shows turned into singers. If they are there just to sit and get a little tipsy then we find a way to keep them there as well.  All of them have this green stuff that spends the same whether you sing while you spend it or not. We have many different ways that we take care of and make as many people in that particular place feel welcome and to make sure that they know that we are there for them! Cordless mics were the best thing ever invented. They play a big part in our show. If you cannot carry a tune but you have the balls to get up in front of a bunch of people and try...That's what it is all about. If I wanted to hear perfect songs all night I would go to a concert and see Billy Joel or someone. I can tell you that we have had many singers who tried it once and sounded pretty harsh....After coming to the show week after week because they are now a karaoke junkie, you would not believe the talent that was under that scared little karaoke virgin. I will say in my different venues that most of the time the bar owner could give a rat's crap about how many singers there are or how many singers there is not. He/She cares what that cash register tape says at the end of the night. We also care what it says at the end of the night. WHY? FUTURE RENEGOTIATION!  :yum:
I have so much to say that I must take a short break and I will be back later to post about the present. We do not host a show for just any company now. We own the company and hosts shows because it is the greatest job in the world when you can make other's feel good about themselves or watch them having a great time and forget about everyday stresses. Also, we have a great time as well and that's THE BOTTOM LINE!
AGAIN, THIS IS ALL JUST MY WAY OF DOING WHAT I DO! I have also found that I haven't had very many complaints from anyone that has come to one of our shows.
In fact we just started a new one 3 weeks ago and WOW! 2 hour rotation. Many non-singers staying because of our little raffle that we have. We have a little more than I think some of you might have to deal with as well, Our show is in a Casino, sports bar, restaurant type place. We have many different people to cater to!
I will shut up now!
Be back with more soon!
xxx-Lynette
BLK

I can't wait to hear it, either!

If everyone would go back to this original post and read it again, it says reasons we sing.    That doesn't say we sing all night long.   It doesn't say we never sing.  

It gets specific as  to all of the reasons we might sing, in any given night.    It was also to let karaoke singers know that just because they think it's not right for a KJ to ever sing, there are actually many good and beneficail reasons for us to add a song in the rotation.

1.  I think that my income from doing karaoke is based on how well I can keep a bar full of people.   Be they singers or not.

2. How well I treat everyone in the bar.  Singers or not.

3.  How well my singers think they are taken care of by me.

4.   My reputation for fairness.

5.  My reputation for professionalism.

6.   My reputation for quality sound.

7.  Most important to me, is my happiness in doing this, most of the time thankless and underpaid job.    If I'm not happy, then I will quit.    I do not begrudge any of you happiness at your place of work.    Remember, the bar is my place of WORK.   It's your place of PLAY.    You play at my work.  

If I were to interfer or complain about the way you do your job, because I don't understand or see, or take all aspects into account, about what your total objective is, then that makes me look like a jerk.     You would not like someone talking or complaining about the way you have to do your job.

Singers need to realize that I am not just another pretty face.  

I am there to make the bar, as much money as I can.    This is accomplished by taking care of the entire crowd.   So I may do things that in your mind, do not seem right or fair.    In the entire scheme of my goals for the bar and myself, if that happens to make one singer mad, it's a small price to pay for the larger objective.    It is not done with malice or to intentionally make you mad.    It's a sound business decision.   I will never be able to make everyone in the entire world happy.

Very seldom are there complaints about the way, I run the show.
My job is to make you happy to spend your money.     But I am also there to make money.

Hi Dog,

You know how bad my singing is, If I sing with your system, will I sound good?  :yum:

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Based on the posts I'm seeing here I get the impression that karaoke, rather than being a business like McDonalds where it's basically the same business everywhere, is more of a local business that operates according to pretty much local standards.

Some of us live in locales where there is a lot of karaoke up to and including bars that feature karaoke every night.  At the other end of the spectrum are those of us who live in areas where karaoke is not that prevalent.

In our area either there isn't that much karaoke or it doesn't get publicized enough to know when and where to look for it.

I suspect also that why people got to bars with karaoke varies a lot not only with the area but the individual bar.

I've seen karaoke in places where it did not appear that anyone except the singers cared what was going on.  The people at the bar were there to drink.  Period.

I've also been to karaoke where people at the bar listened, applauded, danced and maybe late into the night decided to get up and sing.

Regardless of what the situation is at a particular place, I believe that a KJ has to have sufficient flexibility and the ability to read what's going on to be responsive to the room.

I've seen a lot of good suggestions both in this and other threads.  But I've never thought that all of them could be implemented successfully at every single venue that exits.

I've learned a lot here.  I think everyone knows that the key to getting and keeping a karaoke gig is to do everything possible to insure that the venue makes money.  And everyone has his/her own way of doing that.  But it's an individual thing.  I 've seen suggestions here that I thought had merit but involved things I know that  I couldn't pull off.

I guess my main message is that we have some very successful KJs on this site.  They don't all do things the same way.  It doesn't make one any better or smarter than the other.  It just means that within the boundries of their skills, personality and experience, they have hit on methods that work well for them.   Those of us who don't have the experience can learn from that and can adapt the things they do to make ourselves more successful.   But there isn't, and probably never will be, one way and one way only.

Larry

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Good point. Everyone is different.  I know someone said they wouldn't work at a venue that also had someone else doing karaoke.  The palce I am at has been doing that for 3 years now.  I've been there almost 5 years.  It hasn't hurt my business.  The other night they have karaoke is a completely different crowd.  Tha gal that does it caters more to a "wilder" crowd.  Plays more hip hop and rap.  Allows a lot of vulgarity IMO.  And as such those night don't produce near the money.  Those crowds also don't tip the bartender worth a crap.  My crowd in age is from one extreme to the other and produces more cash flow.  I was doing three nights a week but after all these years working a full time job needed abreak.  So now I am doing 2 nights.  May pick another night up again this fall but right now I have found a happy medium.  Both those nights though have  now become LONG nights; but more money.

Those crowds have also learned who's there which nights.

As far the the NON-singers.  It's not that I don't care; it's just that the non- singers are there BECAUSE of my singers.  If it weren't for the karaoke and the singers; the non-singers wouldn't be there.  So I guess it comes down to that you cater to what actually brings in the money.

I'm also blessed that 7 to 8 out of every 10 singers, is a GOOD singer.  That alone has been what has really made it an enjoyable place to work at after all these years.

As far as "Bigdog", I think the problem many have with Bigdog comes down to communicating.  In MHO, lack of skills on his part.  Internet communication (written) is difficult for many.  Too many times it is hard to understand what is being said because we don't have the visual clues to go along with what is being written.

Some of what he says I agree with.  Some of it I don't.  If his intentions are to be funny; well I am sorry; it's not to me.  I personnaly don't talk to people that way, let alone write it out.  Because of his "style"  I have a hard time taking him seriously.  Reminds me much of a preacher who I once knew that always tried to say his way was the only way.  When it finally comes down to the end I think will find that God has several options. Just like karaoke and life.  the road is there.  We just have to keep it between the ditches.

100% of the people I have met in my life who come acros as he does have always proved in the long run to not be what they say they are.  So to that I really hope he is trying to be funny.  Only advice I can give to anyone who has trouble with individuals online; don't argue; don't respond back.  Communication takes 2.  And that's the last and all I have to say about that.

Kelly

[font=Comic Sans MS][/font]There is absolutely nothing wrong with a KJ singing a few songs during the night no matter how large the rotation . Just my opinion.
OF COURSE NO ONE WANTS A KJ TO SING EXCESSIVELY - 3 SONGS IN A ROW - 4 DUETS - WHATEVER.

I also think that a KJ has a responsibility to the NON SINGERS at a venue also.
It is in the best interest of the KJ to keep everyone entertained.  I would think that at "MOST" karaoke shows on the weekend (FRI SAT) that the NON SINGERS out weigh the singers ( and no thats not a FAT joke) . So KJ 's ..sing a song or two
Play some dance music.   Have some fun !!!!   - keep a FAIR AND CONSISTENT rotation and anyone who complains about the loss of 15 minutes of singing time

Well use your imagination[font=Comic Sans MS][/font]

Where I go the non-singers out number the singers as much as 4 to 1 sometimes. We don't worry about the non-singers because they enjoy nearly all of the music being played. They are an eclectic bunch.

That place has been doing karaoke 7 nights a week for at least 12 years. Before that it was weeknights only. They switched because karaoke was more diverse, cheaper and brought in more people.


The non-singers will sometimes ask me to do some of my older stuff. I do it, and sometimes they will buy me a drink.

Looking back at BigDog's original post, I agree that these are all resons why a KJ might sing a song. That doesn't mean that every KJ would or even should sing a song in every one of these situations. Every venue is unique and every KJ hast unique abilities, and talents. I've been to shows where the KJ never sings, and can't sing. But his shows are popular because he has the ability to interact with the crowd, make people laugh, have fun, and want to participate.

I've been to other shows where the KJ shouldn't sing and sings way too much!

I've done shows where the non singers didn't care for the karaoke, but they loved the bumper music I played in between singers, even if was for only 20 or 30 seconds. They'd say, "Oh, I remember this song! I haven't heard this in ages!" and as the next singer starts in, that song is still playing in their heads, bringing back long-almost-forgotten memories, of a simpler time and a better place.

I don't think you take care of the non-singers because "there are more of them." I don't think you take care of the singers because "with no singers, there's no karaoke." I think you try to take care of everybody. How you do that will differ from region to region, from bar to bar, and even from night to night in the same venue. A good DJ/KJ will have the ability to read the crowd, and know what to do to "liven' up" the party. Sometimes it's with a song, sometimes not. A good host has the ability to be the star of the show, without anyone noticing it.

If you have the choice of 3 different shows, all with similar equipment and similar song libraries, which one will you go to? Is it gonna be the one where you can sing the most (because nobody else is going there) or the one where you're gonna have the most fun? If you just wanna sing a lot in an empty bar, you might as well buy a karaoke machine at Wal-Mart, and just stay home.

JMHO

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My personal preference is always to hear music that I like sung well (but realistically, this has no place in such a bboard, it doesn't help KJ's or bars...It's just MY preference).. Perhaps about as concise as I can be, but it's what I enjoy.. Otherwise Karaoke is just a private session training device to attempt to help me learn to sing. I like hearing good performances. I used to go out sunday night and spend the most time with the veteran R&B singers who were my age or older... Alot of retired musicians getting nostalgic with the 60's and 70's Sylistics, EW&F, older Motown, Spinners type stuff,  Sometimes 4 microphones lined up, with four people doing killer harmonies over the already recorded harmonies...It was great.

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

It's really too vague of a question, i'd probably end up at the one closest to my house.  Set some parameters within each show itself.  
If they all had similar equipment (& let's just say they all knew how to run it) & selection - the deciding factor for me would be the host.  If the host are going to be singing, I will avoid that one mainly, I personally don't like a host to sing every round.  Don't mind a request here & there, but not as a regular staple in the rotation.  Also how they ran a rotation, am I going to be up in a fair way, or am I going to be watching the regs singing more than anyone else.
I won't go to a dead show either - like stated, what's the point.  I'm by no means an ego maniac that needs to have my voice heard (partly why I never sing in my own rotations), but karaoke needs some kinds of crowd - if they are responsive, it makes it more fun for the singer.

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