Karaoke Forums

OK, this might be a touchy topic but I have to hear some opinions on this.

So last night I was at one of my favorite Karaoke spots in town. I've been going there about 5 weeks now because I love the crowd. Anyway there is this KJ there, really nice guy and he also has a "helper" guy that sets up his equipment helps with the show etc.

So he starts the show singing a really long 7+ min song. This is cool as no one is up yet and it gets the people singing. Anyway after that he includes his self in every rotation not only him but his helper too. On top of that they are always the longest songs. I don’t think one was under 6 minutes.

After the third rotation I could see people starting to get aggravated with this, because not only would he do this but he would then play filler music between songs, and it was packed. Lots of people really wanted to sing. At one point a girl said to me before walking out "Damn if this guy wants to do a concert by himself why he is hosting?"

Lots of people were leaving throughout the night every time he got up to sing. On top of this I noticed with my song and some others he would speed up the tempo to get though the song faster. I didn't even realize you could do that, until it happened to me.

Anyway I'm just wondering if I wanted to approach this guy and kind of explain to him how people were feeling without offending him do you think there could be a way. Like I said before he really is a nice friendly guy.

~Lazer

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"Baby, Just Because I Rock, Doesn't Mean I'm Made Of Stone."

Since you've been going 5 weeks,  and many of the others are likely more established, even though you have a very valid point,  I'd sit on this and personally NOT say anything just yet UNLESS you are sure this guy is "Friendly" *AND* receptive to constructive criticism.  Reason being,  you don't want this to backfire and make it appear as tho it's YOUR personal issue (and being relatively new to that venue sometimes it's best not to appear to be a person trying to "change stuff").  Ideally let somebody more established (since others seem tinkled off) make the suggestion unless he asks you.  This is actually a VERY good question, and one I too would struggle with (but often places have a certain "pecking order") meaning sometimes when others consider you to be relatively new, criticism can appear as going against the grain and make you appear as a "know it all" in the defensive mind of another (even though you are 100% accurate in your assessment of a situation).  If others are aggravated by this,  you might wish to encourage a more established regular to bring this up to the entertainer.  It might be more respected. If you get to know this guy, and you get into a discussion with him where he seems receptive to "ideas"..  I'd bring it up tactfully.  Probably wouldn't walk up to him "Cold" unless you have a strong feeling that "Good intent wouldn't pave a road to trouble" for you -meaning worst case scenerio they just might not like you.  Some people can't take criticism.   Feel things out..  If it doesn't feel comfortable saying anything to this guy at this point,  it's likely not the right time yet.

JMHO



Rather than say that to you.  *SHE* should've stated something to the powers that be in that setting.  Bar owner, manager, or HIM..  You could've encouraged HER to say something !!!  Perhaps she has, and they don't wish to change things ???  I feel etiquette here is of utmost importance.  When and if it's appropriate for YOU to make suggestions,  you'll likely feel less reticent to do-so.

Problem being,  sometimes being absolutely correct,  and having certain answers doesn't mean you are the individual that should voice these things.  Other times it does.

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

Hi Lazer, several people commented in an earlier thread concerning KJ's singing during the rotation and putting in filler dance music.  You might find a valuable comment here too: http://karaoke-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=10188

This guy is unobservant. People would leave? You are not wrong in being aggravated. I personally don't sing if I'm busy and don't play filler music !




This guy is a real gem. On occasion I have sped up the music during a long music break in a long song ONLY WHEN THE PATRON ASKED ME TO !! It is a rare thing, but it does help under the right circumstances. We usually make a joke of it and call it karaoke on crack.

This guy sounds like he has things set up to make his life easier and more fun without any consideration for the patrons. If you plan on continuing to frequent this place I might say something. Usually people in general don't take critism well. You have every right to tell this guy you don't want your music sped up ! I think he'd understand that. As for filler music, you might get more out of having a few people talk to the management about filler music between karaoke sets. They could address him on that.

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Lotta good karaoke out there.....move on, try other places until you find one that is consistant to your likings......check back at the old place a few weeks later....probably won't be very crowded.......

I host in a bar and I've established quite the following over the past year.  It's primarily a country town, but the younger crowd likes the rock and hip hop.

Consistency is the best policy.  A host has to be receptive to the singers and have a standard that people accept or the show won't be around long.  

I always start out the show with a song.  This is more to make sure everything's working than anything else, and I never start the show unless I have 4-5 other slips to get the ball rolling.  I will play 'music' and encourage the slips until they start flowing.  Once the show gets going, I always keep myself and the bartender (who loves karaoke) in the rotation in our spots until the rotation starts getting out of hand.  Then both of us are removed from the rotation until things calm down.  It really depends on the night and the crowd.  If I need a few extra minutes for maintenance or just to clear my head (from all the whining, drunks, or whatever), I'll throw on a couple of filler songs.  

I have two people that come to my shows who ALWAYS lodge a complaint to the owner (who doesn't get the whole karaoke thing).  Every Friday, same two, same complaints (they don't get up to sing enough).  I PSA that the rotation is large and patience is a must.  And yet, they're the same ones who ALWAYS scream into the microphone, walk in front of the singers, etc.  I'm a city transplant and they're as redneck as it gets.  One even heckles me when I play a filler that's not country.  I think the complaints are more personal than professional.

I've learned that a good show starts with me, and it's my job to know the crowd, sense the vibes, and remember I'm there for the people.  Even still, I can't please 'em all.

If the show is bothersome, move on to another.  Sounds like the host is there for himself, not the singers.  Karaoke is supposed to be fun.

tell him your feelings... if he's being inappropriate as well as his "helper", let the know. You are entitled to your opinion. Course, he's got every right to get back in your face about it.

I personally stay in the rotation until it gets more than eight singers. Then I might join someone on a duet if they ask me... occasionally, I'll jump in with a song of my own if the night is dragging or something.

KJs are NOT paid to sing... despite what some of them THINK. For busier venues, most of your pro karaoke hosts would know that they're being paid for the bar, and these people (customers) didn't come there to hear THEM sing, but instead came to sing themselves!

There are only so many songs in a given night. If the hosts are taking up valuable slots WHEN IT'S BUSY, then most pro hosts would think that this is excessive.

Okay, Lazer, let me give my opinion about the nice-guy thing. My experience that I posted in the similar thread mentioned by Odie was this particular KJ was seemingly a nice guy too. I made the mistake of asking what some booming sounds were during my song and with a weird, almost forced, toothy smile he said something like he didn't hear anything, that it sounded perfect, which his sound system stunk to begin with. Then the next rotation he skipped me. I thought it must have been a mistake when the dance music set started and when I asked him about it, with that same scary smile he insistantly said that he didn't skip me. I wasn't the only one who noticed I was skipped. Unbelievable behavior for a professional KJ.

It wouldn't hurt to try making a comment to him but be careful. It sounds like he's got the same ego issues the KJ I dealt with had. I would just go somewhere else. By going to his shows, you're making the management think he's doing a good job. If you and others quit going, the revenue will suffer and hopefully he'll either be talked to about it or let go. Good luck with whichever route you decide to take!

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I agree with tinkermom.  This guy sounds like he's doing it for the money, not for the people.  

I'm sure we all have moments where we want to strangle people, skip them, be rude to them, mess up their songs, but not doing so is what sets the pro from the cheese.  If he habitually does these things the show will tank, but don't go back until it does or he'll keep doing it.

Somehow I missed this.  *This* is inexcuseable.  I think you should talk to a few at the bar who have some klaut and established respect, but also make sure these are people you find reasonable and trusthworthy.  Get a group that agrees.  I'm sure ALL singers will agree that his speeding up tempo is MADDENING !  Collectively approach this guy.  I would not participate in an activity where somebody F's with song tempo deliberately,  that's just friggin wrong, and pi$$es me off as I think about this.  Yeah,  something must be done !   That's just WRONG and blatantly disrespectful..  Regarding his singing, and singing to long that's one thing, but if hes Phucking around speeding up song tempo that's blasphemous, it's TOTALLY disrespectful.

I think demanding he does NOT change your song tempo is a certain right you have because that's just over the edge !  With that a few of you collectively can seque into his other "habits".  Yet you don't need to go this alone because you can be certain others either have mentioned this, or are annoyed as well.

Problem with his fudging around with song tempo is it shows that what he's doing is intentional.  He has some ulterior motive that's counterproductive to the bar patrons enjoying themselves.  This guy might be a wolf in sheeps clothing of course,  nice on the outside, but really a self-absorbed opinionated bastard

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

Can you explain why you do this? You would hold back start time to wait for some requisite number?

I usually start the show with a song too. I need to get the sound and volume levels appropriate.

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Lazer you are assuming that he sped up your song but it may be as simple as him having a different version of the song from a different manufacturer. There is a difference in pitch and tempo very often from one manufacturer to another...so much so that I cannot sing to some backings.
Just my thoughts on the subject

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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."

Hold the show up?  Hardly.  I wait for a few slips (which doesn't ususally take long) so that I don't run out of singers then have to play filler til I get more.  My shows are consistent and people appreciate that more than anything else.  Let's people know what to expect.  In my neck of the woods, I start my show at 9, but the place doesn't usually start hopping until 10:30.  There are some regs that come in at 9-9:30 and when I get 4-5 slips up there (and some will bring more than one at a time too, knowing that once the show starts and the rotation is weak they get to sing more up front - once the place gets hopping they're lucky if they sing two more during the night), it gives the rotation some momentum until the place starts filling up ... it works well for me and the crowd.  All 'shows' are different and considering there are eight pubs/bars in a three block radius and I'm the only one doing shows on Wed and Fri, people know where the party is.

Didn't understand that myself.  You advertise a start time - start!  I've been the only one singing for the first few songs before, eventually someone will put in a song of their own or if there are only a couple of singers at the start, let em sing when they turn their slips in, that's what they are there for!

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It's a show, there's a system to it.  People understand that.  Are you saying if you started your show at 9 and no one showed up til 10, you'd sing for an hour, alone?  If the people wanted to start at 9, they'd be there at 9.  The few that show up at 9, know that it may be 15 minutes before the karaoke starts.  It's never made anyone stop coming.  Hell, many of them use this time to request a favorite song.  One of the woofers is out on the jukebox speakers so it's a bonus to hear they're favorites on a booming system.  Like I said different shows, different standards.  It's all about being consistent so people don't come in expecting something they don't get.  I've got repeats coming in from 25 miles away because they know what to expect and appreciate my candor and brand.

Here by where I live we go to a Sunday afternoon family-style karaoke/dinner show. It starts at 5:00 and we're always there when it starts. I get a ton of songs in that first hour. There's even been times when the KJ and I go back and forth taking turns singing, just the two of us, for up to an hour until more people come. My husband loves it. We usually tip her well when this happens, but when the show's in full swing, I'm singing about once an hour. From a singer's point of view, the more songs they get to sing, the better! And the happier we are, the more we tip the KJ.

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I think that an important point that does not seem to be addressed in most of the comments on the KJ singing is the whole situation really depends on what the bar is giving the KJ.

If the KJ is being paid well, yes the bar patrons are obviously priority. Then the KJ sings once to test out the setup at the start, and to get the songs rolling in a very short rotation (<5), otherwise not.

If the KJ is being paid nothing, or only free drinks, it is up to the KJ if he wants to sing more (within reason). This also applies if the bar is paying only a token amount that will take years to equal the KJ's investment.

It is often the KJ got into the job because he likes to sing, and this is his/her hobby, not a job. Unless you know the exact deal the KJ has with the bar it is really unfair to judge.

That said I know some KJs who are insanely well paid, who disappear for 15 minute cig breaks, and are horrible hosts. Others who are not paid anything do their best to keep the singers happy.

Every KJ has his own style and it's pretty hard to talk them out of it because to one degree or another they are all successful.  "If it ain't broke don't fix it" they think.
All you can really do is find a place that you like and a KJ that you like and settle in.

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Okay, who took my pants?

personally i would lower the mic stand rap him across his knee caps until he dropped to his knees, then drag his limp body over to the mic and make him sing danny boy.  anyone have a cig? ll