Karaoke Forums

I'm going to respectfully disagree (somewhat) with some of the people who have posted regarding this subject and which I hold in high esteem....

I don't see a problem with a KJ singing...  I feel our job is to do what we can to make a night out more enjoyable for the people coming into the bar....  We don't know the equipment backward and forward like many do but we did get professional assistance when we started.  We don't tweak each individual singer and still have alot to learn about that but the people that come in and spend some time with us typically have a good time.  All our KJ's sing and in addition to Richard and I hosting together we have two other couples that host for us and one host whose boyfriend comes along but doesn't sing.  I will pull out if the rotation gets large and sometimes when I do a friend or two will ask why I'm not singing - I don't have any illusions of grandeur, I know it's a friend asking a friend why they aren't singing.  I believe that our love of karaoke and being with other people is one of the reasons our shows have lasted (knock wood).  We are fortunate in that our KJ's have the same love of what they do...... (knock wood)

Personally I don't mind at all when the KJ sings, I rather like it.  When we visited Texas the host sang, and helped on duets.  He sang one song (December '63) that I wouldn't have guessed he could even come close to and he nailed it!  He was fair with the rotation and clearly loved to sing and we enjoyed the entire show....  Same with the host we met in KC!  ;)

Susie

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

Thats what I did...seems to still Draw a good crowd after a lil over a year and a half...
when I kJ I usually dont sing too much...it's not about me then it's about the drinking customers.

People get ticked if we don't, however, if the rotaion is over an hour long, we bow out.  Even then we get requests.

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Good Topic! I'm not a kj, just a wannabe singer.
Here's another question.
But what if the kj is drop-dead gorgeous, and everyone loves her, and she sings like an angel on everything, and knows how to make the show fun for everyone, and doesn't act like the star of the show, (but she really is  LOL  ) and alot of people come to see her show, non-singers included, and they'll get up and leave when she's not there, but has a fill-in for whatever reason because it's just not the same without her?

I'm kinda thinking a successful kj gig does depend on how people like you and your show, although I wouldn't know the first thing about kjing, equipment, and all that. I like when the kj sings personally. I'm probably biased because it's a woman kj.

But just the same, if it was a dude, and he was butt-ugly and couldn't carry a tune if his life depended on it, was always blabbing about some insignificant whatever,(hey, I almost described myself) I'd probably be a whiner/singer about the whole thing too, throw a tantrum and get up and leave.
I think the kj should know how to sing....atleast a few songs, doesn't have to be a whole library.
I know exactly where bigjim56 is coming from. I really have the jitters everytime I stand up there(not as a kj) because I'm just not so sure of myself, and I want people to be entertained. It just takes some time bigjim to feel more comfortable, but the uncertainty will always be there for some of us...no biggie.

Who knows, after a while you could end up being the most entertaining guy in town?
And people would eventually bombard the place just to be at your show.

And spotted cat, you and your wife sing? That's awesome! I wouldn't worry what people thought if I was the kj and wanted to sing a couple songs in a night if they weren't paying a cover charge to be in the rotation and be guaranteed a minimum number of singing opportunities. Sure, it's a bar, and they're buying drinks, but they're there to get a buzz anyway.....right?
If they don't like your show with y'all singing a bit, they can go rent a studio and record themselves until they just can't stand it anymore.

Everyone had some good pointers here I think,(except maybe mine) and it just depends on how you wanna run your show really.
Find out what people like. If it works, carry on. If it doesn't, try a new approach. If that doesn't work??????

I think you'll do fine, especially with all the input from the kjs here. They're obviously successful, or they'd find a new off-duty hang out.....right?  LOL  :wave:

Thanks to everybody for your input, especially you PCornell.  Had a show last night and within 5 minutes of show start, my wife had a request to sing.  This alone answered her question.  It crowded up rapidly and our singing cue grew to almost an hour and a half deep.  We still managed to jump in with a couple of well placed crowd motivators and ended up with two people dancing on top of the bar (hard night to top!)  We believe that it really is dependent on the individual venue and night.  There are nights we never sing, and nights like last night.  We always seem to draw a crowd either way with a loyal following after going on year 3!  All of your input was very well taken and good luck and have fun at your next shows!

My guess would be (similar to what Matt and Lonnie mentioned earlier in this thread) that ANY asset or talent a person has if used constructively, beneficially and not as a detriment can be a good thing.  Sure a KJ that can sing well can use such a skill in proper proportion, but NOT overwhelmingly.  Knowing how to present talent, when to present talent and similarly when to stay out is more important than the talent (KJ that can sing well) the "host" has.

Should a KJ that can sing use such a skill to deter and discourage certain people in the crowd ?   I don't think so


Should a KJ that can sing pick up the microphone and "sing along" at will ?  God no !

Talent used to enhance his purpose is a good thing IMO.. Such skill among the unprofessional, immature, or both (poorly skilled) person can be misused.  I'd not be too happy  (assuming I wished to sing) being present at a "KJ ego show" where the person who's supposed to be providing entertainment for a venue used skill to try to "get lucky" that particular night.  I've seen this happen locally.

I think a KJ that interacts very well with his whole crowd, initiates crowd members to "get up and sing" whether they can or can't carry a tune in a bucket, and essentially recruits from all areas of the bar to "get involved" and gives certain wall flowers parked at the bar a kick in the butt making them realize that "they too can participate" is FAR more valuable than "A KJ that can sing".. Interacting and getting a larger percentage of your audience involved HOWEVER it takes to do-so is much more valuable IMO than the "KJ that can sing".  It's all about the audience and crowd, not the KJ's artistic skill alone.

The KJ is an activity host, not a performing artist providing his singing as entertainment.

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

Hey Steven! How ya been? Good I hope. I just want you to know that this isn't a challenge because I'm quoting your reply.

Yes, this definitely makes alot of sense. But did I really pay attention?  LMAO

My guess would be (similar to what Matt and Lonnie mentioned earlier in this thread) that ANY asset or talent a person has if used constructively, beneficially and not as a detriment can be a good thing.  Sure a KJ that can sing well can use such a skill in proper proportion, but NOT overwhelmingly.  Knowing how to present talent, when to present talent and similarly when to stay out is more important than the talent (KJ that can sing well) the "host" has.

And yes, this is well advised also. And if the kj gig ultimately doesn't work out, the former kj could always get a job as an activity director in a convalescent facility!!  LMAO

I think a KJ that interacts very well with his whole crowd, initiates crowd members to "get up and sing" whether they can or can't carry a tune in a bucket, and essentially recruits from all areas of the bar to "get involved" and gives certain wall flowers parked at the bar a kick in the butt making them realize that "they too can participate" is FAR more valuable than "A KJ that can sing".. Interacting and getting a larger percentage of your audience involved HOWEVER it takes to do-so is much more valuable IMO than the "KJ that can sing".  It's all about the audience and crowd, not the KJ's artistic skill alone.

The KJ is an activity host, not a performing artist providing his singing as entertainment.

[quote="PCornell @ Sun Nov 19, 2006 12:54 pm"]Good Topic! I'm not a kj, just a wannabe singer.
Here's another question.
But what if the kj is drop-dead gorgeous, and everyone loves her, and she sings like an angel on everything, and knows how to make the show fun for everyone, and doesn't act like the star of the show, (but she really is  LOL  ) and alot of people come to see her show, non-singers included, and they'll get up and leave when she's not there, but has a fill-in for whatever reason because it's just not the same without her?

Oh....I see you've been to one of Babs's shows....

<PERK>




Let's start a poll  "Should Bab's get a webcam for her show?"


She could get a site.  WWW.BABS.  The only competition for that link would be a Bed and Breakfast in New Zealand and Australia.  Her link would likely come up first

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

 Hey, hey....JJ's in love!!  LMAO

No, seriously Johnny, some kjs just have a way of attracting a crowd....if you know what I mean!?!

I wouldn't mind seeing one of Bab's shows myself, but it'll probably never happen.
See what you got yourself into now?!?

You're gonna end up like me buddy.....a babbling idiot, searching for new "love songs" everyday.  LMAO  LMAO  LMAO  LMAO

I'm all for it!!  :whistle:  LMAO

Perry??? You are a babbling idiot??  I am learning so much these days...Tell me more....

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

... and let's not forget who the prototype for KS "babbling idiots" is !!!!

  (not to brag but....)

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

ahh yes...some of us have babbled a  bit more that other's I'm not gonna meantion any names here...(coughisis..coughkappy...)LOL

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

Tell you more about???

I gotta be atleast a close 2nd?

Do you have a secret for rolling back your post count.....I thought you were right up there with us other babblers...You should share your secret with Kappy.....You know he been dying to get back to his womb..If he can make his post go backward he would feel like he was returning to newbie-ism (is that a word??)  Any way that is my bable for the moment..Hope you enjoyed...  Oh and Hi there Perry

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

In all fairness....there are several KJs on here that fit that discription(no not you BD....).....I hope I get to see their shows one day.....I still have plenty of to go round.....

Don't ya know that it's not the quantity of babble as much as the quality of babble?
I haven't been here very many times, but the very little I've ever said takes the cake huh?

Don't we all....don't we all....us guys I mean.  LMAO  LMAO  LMAO