Karaoke Forums

I'm not a really experienced karaoker, but isn't this a major fopa? Even as the rotaion got longer. He had lots of regulars who didn't seem to mind. Not a huge deal, but that combined with 15 to 20 minutes of dance music in between rotations was enough to make me not go back. He advertises in our local karaoke publication so I felt a little mislead, not to mention irked.


I have a regular place I go to but I also like to try different places over San Diego and I always stay until the end just to soak it all in. I'm sure this has been discussed before (sorry) but is this just a little irritating or a lot irritating to the more seasoned singers here?

If you advertise karaoke, dammit DO karaoke!  If you do dance breaks, then they need to advertise karaoke/dj - dancing - talking the 15-20 minutes between rounds, not the 'occasional' slip in a line dance.  Another thing if you advertise a start time, START!  I don't care if there is 1 person in the place, if they want to sing, let 'em!  Why would you need to wait to get a minimum amount of singers, you are there to do karaoke - you said a certain start time - START already! If no one sings, then you as the host should sing, or just play some kararoke music & show the words on the screen.
As far as a host singing, it's not for the host IMO.  I won't sing - except the first song of the night - UNLESS I have a request for a song or to help in a duet when someone can't find a partner - or if there is less than 4 people I may throw one in every other round just to break up the round - oddly enough people tend to complain when they get up TOO much  :roll: go figure?.  
I don't sing just because I feel like it.  It's not for me - the host, it's for you - the customer!

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Start time, that's another pet peeve.

Okay, Lonman, we're planning on moving to the Seattle area in a couple years. I like your style so I'll definately be popping in to your shows!

Now the only time a host should sing more than once in a rotation may be at the beginning, if and only if, no slips have been put in.  IE, start time is 10pm, the host starts and even though singers are there ,they haven't put their slips in (that's when I threaten I'll sing all night).  You have to continue or have dance music playing (we don't have any).  Once you get slips, the rotation starts.  A host singing at the top of the rotation to indicate a new rotation is ok (unless there is more than 12 singers) and in fact people will be surprised when we take ourselves out of the rotation.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

Yes, definately a major no-no IMO.

I'd string him up:)

Nothing wrong with the KJ joining in, but a KJ who wants to hog the mic or be the star of the show should be in the crowd with the rest of the karaoke fools.... not running it.

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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. ♥

As a singer I don't mind a host singing on occasion, but I feel they shouldn't sing regularly once they get a certain amount of singers, usually 5-6.  
I despise shows that do the 4-5 song dance breaks between karaoke rotations & will show the manager the money he will not be making as I & my group walk out the door.  I'm there to sing, if I wanted to dance, I would've found a dance place!

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[shadow=deepskyblue]I'm impressed, I've never met such a small mind inside such a big head before.[/shadow]

That's plain bad, bad and even more bad. Never do two songs in a row (unless your in the shower by yourself).

I'm with Lonman on this, his description is exactly how I do it. If I have a small rotation, I will try and pick songs that change the tempo of what is being sung. If I have a large rotation, I won't sing at all, unless by request...and I make sure that I make it through the rotation first. People came to your show to sing...you gotta make sure they come first.

I agree, that is VERY tacky.

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I love being a mom!

A definite NO...NO!

The only time this would be acceptable is if the show starts real slow...like 1 or 2 singers and sometimes I will let them sing 2 in a row until other singers show up. But rarely will I ever sing 2 in a row myself. In fact I normally take myself out of the rotation when it reaches 10 singers, sometimes sooner if they are singing upbeat tempo stuff. I do step back in occasionally if I get a special request, or there are too many ballads and I can sing something that will get the show energy back up.

I rarely play filler music and sometimes I will play a couple of good up songs if my rotation is really small as Lonman said some folks get miffed if I make them sing too many too quick.

I hate it when I go into a bar to sing and they have like 20 singers and then play 15min of dance stuff several times a night. If they advertised KJ/DJ, Dancing then I would not go there as to avoid this.

As for starting a show on time...very important to start exactly as advertised, also equally important is to remain consistent with what time you end the show as well i.e. don't shut off early because it's slow. Whatever the show hours are...stick with it.

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

Agree with many of the above posts.

Can't imagine a host, who cares about their crowd, singing two songs in a row, whether it's a small or large rotation.

I rarely sing, unless it's a small list that might need a change of pace, like was stated above. This is probably gonna sound a little Boy Scout-ish, but for every song I sing, that's one less song I can get in at the end of the night for the people who pay my wages.

Totally understandable if you ever get upset about the "It's all about me" K.J. types.

Portland and here in KC, MO sees a lot of hosts that think that "THEY" are the show. Unfortunately, as long as you have venues that think of karaoke as a fad, where some fool comes in and promises them the "Billy Heinz Experience", and the venue thinks that -.

What keeps these venues going are the folks that attend EVEN WHEN UPSET that they know this ain't right.

The KJ singing excessively is a mistake many NEW KJ's make (and many experianced ones too) .  But 2 in a row while people are waiting to sing is just plain irresponsible and unprofessional.  The other subjects .... dance breaks  etc etc .

I think it depends on the venue and the type of show:
#1 Management wants
#2 The KJ wants
#3 The MAJORITY wants

If you have a venue that can remain profitable with 100% non stop karaaoke like Lonnie ..That's the way to go.  But as I've seen over the last few years is more and more MIXED type of shows little Dance a Little DJ and MOSTLY Karaoke. This seems to keep everyone happy.   Of course no singer will ever admit to liking dance or regular music being played but it's just economics to keep everyone entertained and happy spending money.

I here you.. That burns me too... There is a place very close to my house that I have tried twice now. And it bugs the crap out of me because there are two KJ's and one of them sings every song with every singer.  The first time I went I thought it was just some guy that was drunk and then the second time I went, more than a year later I found out who he was and I was told that was just the way it is there.  Well.. it's not for me and I tell everyone I know not to go there.. If you need help then ask.. If you don't want help it should not be thrust upon you...  I did go so far as to tell them that I did not wnat him singing with me and he did it anyway...arrrg!!!

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

I've complained about the KJ singing two songs before because there's a local guy that does it here.  I stopped going to his shows partly for that reason.  That was probably a year ago.

Last week I went back to one of his shows at a different bar and he was still doing it.  It's too bad as other than that I like the guy, but I haven't got the nerve to tell him how much it irritates me.  I'll go back to voting with my feet.

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Reward: nine yen in drawer.

I had a kj do that to me once... ONCE! I turned the mic off halfway thru the first chorus, and set it down on her kj stand... went and got my coat and left!

You should have seen the looks of the patrons, and the management. Heck, I was a REGULAR at this place!!

The sad part is she was a good friend of mine. I even hired her to work for me later... the point was, I told her to stop and stop, and finally, I had it!

I was never comfortable at that place ever again. They changed house kjs like socks anyway, but that crap just chaps my butt!

Woo Hoo!!!  Good for you Matt!!!!!

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

I agree with all above. People are there to sing and are waiting to do so.

I will sing the first song of the night then try not to sing after that. It depends on how many people are there really.

I have a hard time explaining to people who ask me to sing that I'd like to give others the chance to sing as much as possible not me. I'll have different people ask me through the night to sing there favorite song and feel bad when I can't. I'll sing in the middle of the night if people are insistant, but then feel bad for taking up singing space. It is a hard line to ride.

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

Sweetie, if MORE people did that, you'd rapidly find the bad hosts learning the rules on how to be better, or make way for the better hosts to come into it.

I also never hesitate to tell a venue WHY they lost my business! EVER!

Outspoken I don't have a problem with. Cracks me up hearing stories of karaoke horrors, and the folks KEEP going there! I mean, I'd rather not DO it at all if it's bad karaoke!

Twofers... or the kj show experience... those are just deal breakers in my honest opinion!

Hi there I just wanted to tell you I posted on Karaoke Ettiquette after reading your comments. I have been on both sides of the fence as a singer and as a KJ and tried to cover the major hot buttons for both sides...and I think I also answered your question about KJ's singing( wink) Check out my post "Karaoke Ettiquette for singers and KJs" Hope it helps! BTW- thanks for such a thought provoking post!
Paula

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Thanks for taking the time to validate my suspicions everyone.  :D