Karaoke Forums

Okay, I tried to search for my answer using the "forum search" but gave up.  I know that this must have been discussed before!  My wife and I both host.  We usually host together but since this whole KJ thing was my idea, I am by myself half of the time.  We both know that a show is all about our singers and not us, but we both aren't afraid to step up to the mic if we need to.  She used to sing professionally and is becoming increasingly self conscious when she does step up to sing.  She doesn't want our singers to think that she is trying to "show off" or "show them up"so she asked me to post this topic.  We will usually only sing on a slower night or when the rotation is very repetitive and we never overdo it.  We will also sing when asked (help on a duet, etc.) but I think that is probably pretty standard.  Help me out here!

Yes, this has been beaten to death regularly

My opinion (and that's all the suggestions of members are because every venue is different) and the way I used to run it when I subbed is:

KJ sings opening number to get the ball rolling.  I used a song with instrument breaks to both sing and make announcements during the instrumentals.

KJ sings to assist/accompany.

KJ sings when rotation is VERY slim or to reenergize the crowd.

OK, that's my  :2cents:

to me, a kj should start the show off, and then if it's not busy, enjoy the befefits of the good show themselves. But once you have eight singers, back out of the rotation totally, and concentrate on the job at which you're getting paid.

I agree with backing out when you get several, 10 singers for sure....I've been in the pits, and most singers biyatch, about the kj singing, when their not getting up every 30 to 45 minutes....I'd rather a kj sing, than play filler music, but if a non-singer requests an original version....I would discuss the procedure with the owner...

I open the show & only sing IF necessary ie slow starts or little to no rotation - or by request only & then ONLY once per round.  If I sing a song, that takes 1 song away from paying customers.  I am not being paid to sing, I am being paid to allow you - the customer - to sing!  If you feel you need to sing every rotation, go to a show on your night off!  Just my .02!~

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

Im not a KJ but if I were...I would do like them Pro KJ dudes who posted above me

Sorry Big Dog  LMAO

mwhaaaaaaaaaaaa jesse

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

I don't mind that much if the KJ sings normally in the rotation, although it does get annoying when the rotation gets large.  What I really object to is when the KJ sings more than once in the rotation, or if there are two (or more) KJs and they both sing.  My preference would be that the KJ doesn't sing except maybe the first song of the night.  At the same time, I know a lot of these guys got into the business because they liked to sing and if they couldn't, they wouldn't run a show so the rest of us can.  If they want to take a normal spot in the rotation, it's a price I'm willing to pay.

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Reward: nine yen in drawer.

I love to sing. The funny thing is that when I'm running the equipment I enjoy it too much to trun in a song when quite a few singers are singing.

I agree with all above. I usually sing the first song. If I have a small rotation I will put myself in, but as soon as I have about 6 to 8 singers I take myself out. Sometimes on a busy night people will tip me to sing because I'm not singing. You bet I'll sing for $20. Honestly I feel under pressure to get as many people up to sing as possible before the night is over, so taking myself out of rotation just makes sense.

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[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

In total agreement with the others:

sing first song
sing if 5 or less singers
sing  a fast song if there have been a string of slow songs, to wake the crowd (and myself up  :D )
sing a duet with another singer.

So, I have your wife feels better about singing now.  Also, I have been amazed that I'll usually get new singers wanting to sing after a really good singer sings.
Go figure....

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If both are there, every other time one sings.

I sing to entertain all of the crowd especially the non singers.   I want everyone to have a good time and stay all night.    My job is to keep all in atten=dance entertained.   I use pure non stop, continuous karaoke music, never dance or filler music.    I have at least 13 reasons the KJ should sing.    These are in the best interest of the bar designed to make them maximum money.

I have done this 14 years.    Singing is fun.   I am not into sports. (except bikini contests)   I'm in to art and music.    I sing so the KJ job stays fun for me.   When it quits being fun, I'll quit.    If the singers bytch, they can invest their $50,000 and do it themselves.      The singers are important, but the nonsingers always out number the singers.     My priority is the nonsingers staying happy too.     The singers entertain themselves.      More money in the "nons" happiness.

I knew of a guy that wanted to go into the KJ business.   His whole family are singers.   5 of them.   They sang every rotation.   Guess who is out of the karaoke business?    Yep, they couldn't get jobs because everyone bytched about the whole fam-damily singing too much.    Ruined their reputation.   It has to be done with care.    Not over done.     Most of the time I sing, it's a song I really didn't want to sing.   I sing to keep the crowd under control and happy.      Mostly upbeat rock songs.

Are there any KJ's out there that don't sing? My singing sux. I've found the song I'm most comfortable w/is "Soul Man", and even thats not so hot. If there's some non-singing KJ's out there, what do you start with? Just Karaoke tunes until a singer steps forward?

                                                                              bigjim56

Funny my crowds stick around if I don't sing.  They stick around for other singers.  Funny how that works.  I don't sing because it's not my job.  I am paid to sing, I am piad to get the singers up & dialed in.  When I want to sing, I go out on my own time.  Kj's that get into karaoke because they like to sing is the wrong reason to get into the business.  If you want to sing to entertain - call yourself a one man band & book yourself out that way.  You will never convince me otherwise!!!

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As a rule a kj SHOULD be able to at least carry a tune.  You will get asked to do duets on occasion - sometimes often, this is the exception where I will help a singer, especially if they can't find another partner.  Just find a few songs that you can do - on the other hand a kj that can't sing may encourage others that may have been a fraid to try it to come up!

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Was a little confused in your wording Lonman, so you only sing if you have to to start a show...I DON'T WANT TO SING, but I will if I have to. That's why I found a song that I feel halfway comfortable with. The KJ's that perform at my bar now sing every now and then, and do duets with the people that need another person. They're pretty good, and I want to be as good as them. I guess I got the newbie jitters, I sing great with the radio or stereo in the car...but with a mike in front of people...gong me!

                                                                   bigjim56

I feel it's very important for the KJ to be able to sing and sing well.   So they can carry the show when it's dead.     The non singers will be leaving in a big hurry, if everyone in the rotation sucks.    Learn some songs and learn them half way decent.    I know a real hack that should never sing.   He scares people away.    Don't believe me?   Go to a show and see what the "nons" do after a few sucky singers.    If they think everyone is going to suck all night, they split.     I would too.

A non singing/poor singing KJ is in for a rude awakening.    :O  :shock:    Take it to the bank (or actually you won't be taking it to the bank)  LMAO



A KJ that can't sing, is like a Doctor that doesn't want to be around sick people.

I've only skimmed thru the Supercore CDG's for songs so far (Soul Man)...yet to skim the ESS 450' s vol. 1-3/All Hits 2000/Dangerous set/DKKaraoke set/Sing it Now sets for songs of my caliber. I'll skim for songs that I believe I can do halfway decent w/o everyone running for the door. But as Lonman suggested, maybe its good that the KJ doesn't sing too well, helping to encourage the "nons" to try. I agree the singers entertain themselves, its keeping the "nons" interested and entertained is the key to $$$$ for a bar. Its good to have a few knockout singers spaced in the rotation.

The one guy that sings the soul songs to perfection says he was surprised how much his interest peaked once he tried Karaoke. He said he never sang Karaoke 1-2 years ago...you'd never know it! I hope my interest in singing picks up, maybe its stage fright...who knows. I think I'll slip the soul singer a free pitcher of beer first time he comes in w/me running the show. I'll get him to want to come back. Him and his wife just sit there drink beer and sing all night. Nice people.

bigdog - you give singing lessons too?          LMAO

                                                                                  bigjim56

Bigdog, I can think of many reasons a KJ can't sing, or can't sing very well.

They're not PAID to sing. They're paid to make others sound good when they sing. They're paid to know about music, to know about the selections they have, to make the accustics, lighting, and total experience of going out to sing the best it possibly can.

Karaoke is NOT about going to hear the KJ sing, although I've been to many shows that THINK that they have to sit and listen thru too many times the KJ thinking he or she is the next undiscovered talent on Nashville Star, or the next undiscovered comedian!

A kj I knew in Portland couldn't carry a tune if his life depended on it. He always had a big crowd. One customer told me it was kinda fun to be able to sing better than the KJ. And this guy WAS an EXCELLENT host. God love him, he always tried to sing... and he knew he sucked. Every now and then he'd find a good song that fit him, and he was passible at it. That was FUN to discover a song he could sing, and sing fairly well.

I will tank a song every now and then. JUST when I think I'm getting good enough, I'll try one, and totally blow chunks!! I just kinda look helplessly to my lady, and she loves it. I'm not this big, ego driven singer... or at least, not any more! !

This is my opinion....
The KJ should start the shoe by singing...to check the sound and mksae initial adjustments

The KJ should only sing during the rotation of the rotation is less than 8 singers

If the rotation is more than 8 singers then they should only sing duets when one of the singers request it.  This turn should also be used as the singers turn not and extra turn for the singer.

And that's all I have to say about that....

And singers should be nice to the KJ they can make you sound like crap!!!

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Will sing or fish for food!!I'm not quite right!!