Karaoke Forums

I agree, but please tell me why all of the KJs that do exactly that, still find steady work?

Good question, BigDog.  

Wish I had the answer.  

But, ya know.... here is what I've noticed.  Yes... they do seem to keep their jobs..... but they really don't have "followers" per se .... like you do ... and we do .... and many on here do.  They have "their" friends and favorites that sing with them at "that" bar on "that" night.  You and I  ..... and several others ..... have a group of "followers" that go where we go ...... regardless of which club or bar we are in  ..... and WE are getting the "new" singers at our shows, that within a week or two also become "followers".  And this is because we run fair, reputable and "clean" shows.  We treat everyone as equals .... welcome our 'newbies" graciously .... and make our followers feel like "family".  

I can't speak for where you are .... but the few KJ's around here that show favoritism have ONE gig... at ONE bar .... and are not doing multiple nights or getting asked to do new gigs.

WE are getting the calls from the new places .... cause WORD OF MOUTH has it..... that our show is the one to hire.  

Probably not the answer to the BIGGER question ... I know .... but at least there is some consolation in THAT aspect .... at least for us around here.  

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[shadow=tomato]If you want your significant other to pay attention to EVERY word you say::
  TALK IN YOUR SLEEP   [/shadow]  

They find work because they undercut, work for "below market" wages and owners could care less if "the show" is "better" between one or the other.

Another ploy is promising big followings and then of course not delivering---theres one multirigger here in Portland that does exactly that, undercuts and gets the gigs bu then "the following" doenst materialize and loses the gigs.  Plus the KJ's he hires are basically 50$ a night kids who mostly dont have a clue and therefore lose the crowds that may actually come out to try it.

Just some observations.

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

Well yes their following is a bunch of people they cater to.   They let them sing 2-3-4 times every rotation and ignore other paying customers.   This HURTS every bar they do this in.      So they have a following.     I would be a follower too.  If I had my A** taken care of in that manner.





[highlight=crimson][font=Comic Sans MS]ATTENTION STUPID BAR OWNERS:[/font] [/highlight]    


A KJ that does this in your bar is killing your business.   Wake up and watch your money go to the competition.    Keep the cheap hack KJ, that wants to cater to only his click, while ignoring your other paying customers.


Your best chance to make money is with a KJ that runs a fair rotation.   One that worries about preserving your reputation, as much as their own.

It's called PROFESSIONALISM!

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

First, let me say that I never use the term "KJ".  I am a Karaoke Host.  I believe that a good host must also entertain the crowd, especially the non-singers.  Do I sing? Yes, but only to stretch a short rotation.  Singing is not how I entertain. I trade barbs and tease my regular singers, I make sure there is no dead air between songs, I'll walk over and meet and greet new patrons as they come in, sometimes walking them to their seats, all on mic....Whatever it takes.

          Are you too old to do it?  That's entirely up to you.  If you are healthy and have a high energy level, then it's just a matter of whether you would enjoy it....

I'm not sure that teasing anyone or personally greeting newcomers is considered entertainment.  And, if you don't have the right approach and personality in such endeavors, those actions can easily backfire.

   The meet and greet is done with a regular, and an exchange of humorous banter is why it's on mic. I usually get some good laughs out of it because I choose the person I do it with for their personality and sense of humor.  This goes for the teasing as well- Only withregulars that I know well, and also will give me as good as I get. It's somewhat like sitcom humor- and NOT malicious.  I also do this withregulars who DON'T sing.

  One other thing:  When I do have to sing, I always choose a song that's not bound to be put in by a singer.  For instance, there are a lot of Elvis singers. They'll do Suspicious Minds, or Can't Help Falling In Love, etc....  If I do an Elvis song, it'll be something like Devil In Disguise, Kissin' Cousins, Girl Happy- something more obscure.....

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

  I don't know what to call them, but I may be able to answer your question.  A place nearby hired a young woman who seems to love the sound of her own voice, and proves it by singing 5 or six times in a row. Then she'll sing a duet with a friend. If shedoesn't like the way a singer is doing a song, she'll chime in. If she decides she doesn't like you, you don't sing. The Anti-Host.

  Result:  She's been there about six months, every Saturday night, except when her equipment gives her problems that she can't figure out.  She's lost all the singers, so now she sings in sets.  There is still a Saturday night crowd, for whom she supplies the background music. The venue doesn't care about anything but a drinking crowd. They still advertise karaoke, singers come in and walk out, and it's business as usual.  

  Could she get away with this on a weeknight? I'd say no- but she doesn't have to..


BTW- BD, you mention the right coast. I'm in Bergen County, NJ. We neighbors?

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

Joe, just to let you know, BD has been banned from this site....
Notice the "CURRENTLY BANNED" below is avatar....

Should a KJ sing?    We only sing to start our show or fill in if it is a slow night
Should you dress up for a gig? Not formal but we dress up quite nice
Am I too old to get into this business? NEVER

[highlight=white]I realize that there are two different opinions regarding the role of a KJ.  Some view KJ's to be entertainers and believe that is (part of) the job.  Others seem to hold the view that a KJ is the host for others (who may or may not be "entertaining"). [/highlight]
Where we are is a little bit different than many gigs. It is a casino/sports bar/restaurant. We have gamblers/drinkers/singers/hungry people and others. Our night starts at 9 pm. I sing a song and then my husband sings a song. Unless someone asks one of us to help the with a song or do a duet we usually do not sing again for the rest of the night. If it is a slow night we may sing again but only if the rotation stays small. Usually if it is that dead of a night which rarely happens then we have our singers do a "double shot". They love it.
We are there for the singers. If it wasn't for them we would not have a job. They come to sing karaoke so they can be the star and that is how we try to make them feel. Clapping is not optional..
Anyway, between my husbands ability to make everyone sound the best they could and my crowd abilities, we make a great team and if you come to our show you will have a great time and you will stay all night and you will come back again. WHY? "Because You Came To Sing and That's THE BOTTOM LINE!"



Which KJ's believe they are entertaining when they sing (Y or N)? Yes
Which KJ's believe that, generally speaking, they are entertaining at their shows beyond their vocal abilities (Y or N)? Yes
Which KJ's believe that the audience expects them to sing during each show (Y or N) Yes at least once
Which KJ's believe the owner of the venue expects the KJ to entertain (Y or N)? Yes
Who, as a KJ, believes a KJ should simply host the show and sing only if necessary (Y or N)? Yes and no

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"Because You Came to Sing and that's THE BOTTOM LINE!"

Lostinvegas

Thanks for your comprehensive response.  How long have you been KJing in Vegas and where do you work at, if you don't mind?

I have hosted shows for about 10 years on and off for other companies. October of 2005 we were able to start our own company. We are at a casino in Henderson  on Friday and Saturday nights. We have been at this gig for about 8 months. Also a small bar in Vegas on Wed. We also still do private parties as well. We have 2 systems now so we are going to start to expand if possible. Check out our website for details.
Cheers - Lynette

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"Because You Came to Sing and that's THE BOTTOM LINE!"

Thanks for the info.  Nice web site!