Karaoke Forums

if karaoke died what would you do to fill the gap?  as a k j what work would you do now?
as a 'Now that i got my 15 min. of fame singer', what will you do to replace ur singing?  

Will u even go out anymore?  will u start karaoke at ur's r a friend's house?  will u now finally form that band u always wanted to have and go on the road touring....

My KJ moved away.

I am burning through my bank account buying equipment/songs to do the job. I have arranged with the bar to take over.

Karaoke will not die. I wont let it.

If karaoke died, i'd go back to dj'ing & running sound for bands live & in the studio - or these days hire myself out to be there tech in their home studio.  As a singer it wouldn't bother me, I can sing whenever at home if needed.  Would I go out anymore, I don't really go out now.  Will I form that band, been there/done that, can't play anymore due to hand injury.
But I don't think it will ever completely die so to speak it just may change where it is popular & clubs may not be it.

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Well, there are these 1000 unbuilt model car kits in my bedroom that need attention. My GF loves this part..."where ya gonna put'em, dear?"

For my purposes Karaoke will never die.  It's my vocal coach, it comes to the house, and it's a damn good musician !!   Karaoke IMHO will always be there for folks such as myself (home training type tool JUST for me), and those that like interactive sites such as this (in fact there'd likely be less fuss about trading backings and legalities if the manu's no longer could depend on sales of Karaoke backings for revenue.. but I might be totally wrong).. Now from the KJ's perspective... VERY different picture.. I wonder how many KJ's feel about the contrast between the more interactive nature of Karaoke,  and the DJ who plays the music..  To me becoming the DJ would be a welcome relief, cuz I'd still have the option of having backings for the singers who were really good, BUT this would be MY call..HAHA..since Karaoke wouldn't be the expectation likely, Also DJ'ing is easier on the equipment without people invading your space so closely, gives you more personal space etc.  JMHO..  I'd think a good KJ could make the transition. Problem is,  I doubt DJ'ing would pay out much because I'm not sure how squeezes on alcohol serving establishments today in most suburban areas are hurting ALL entertainment that depended on night-club jobs.

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

My guitar skills would probably improve;)





(karaoke will never die tho.... )


.

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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. ♥

Yeah, for me the Internet would have to die before that happens

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

are you saying as long as people love to hear THEMSELVES sing there will be karaoke?

i hear people say ....(oh i just love hearing others sing) is that a crock? r is it all about them?  i think it may be a little of both,

i know with a friend of mine it took 2 yrs to get him up to sing, but omg once he did....he went straight back to the table gathered up a book and went to town filling out slips.  if he could he would sing 10 songs a night, and loves every  min. of it....altho he's always asking me if he's the best singer there, of course i say sureeeee u r.....i'll  take a bud.....ll....Billy

Now you are getting it Billy. The only reason they love hearing others sing is because it get's them closer to their turn in the rotation.
Two reasons:  
1. Karaoke will live as long as people are able to get their 3 minutes of fame. Proof: Nobody likes singing in an empty bar, OR walking off stage without a roaring applause
2. Every one feels like a star for the 3 minutes and then go back counting the rotation for their next turn.

Right now, today, Karaoke shows are down 40% from just 3 years ago, with a prediciton of becoming extinct within 5 years with either jukeboxes taking over, or Karaoke just becoming an underground form of fun. We all forgot one thing, it was up to all of us to keep it going, sort of like bellbottoms, corvair cars,(remember those??) The Macarena, (or the Hustle,) I always thought Karaoke would become mainstream entertainment, I also saw as it moved forward, no one really thought about its future. If Karaoke dies, I will mourn the loss of a fun, exciting and different form of entertainment that was for everyone because we made it that way. Just because of new ways of doing shows with computers shouldnt change what karaoke was all about to begin with, Fun. I started out with lazer discs, cassettes, CD+G's, then computers. I hope Karaoke doesnt die, its on a respirator as we speak and the paddles to revive it are on the table. Its up to all of us to want it to stay alive, otherwise we have no one to blame when it dissapears. I guess all we can do is look around us and see what kind of support all of us who love Karaoke can give it to keep it afloat. Good luck to us all....
(just my 2cents)

I thought Karaoke was dead  :shock:

At least that's what the people who hate it tell me  :D

you are soo  acerbic Tony but I do agree with you

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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."

Not sure that people wishing to "hear themselves sing" necessarily means bars will wish to pay an entertainer for Karaoke because I believe Karaoke *IS* a fad as a form of bar entertainment, and requires revenue for such entertainment that around here isn't necessary any longer, It's not much of a draw.  It would require ENOUGH people to want it, and I believe more would like a decent DJ, or just TV and quiet and a drink with a few friends at the bar and pool ! Around here some view it as a background annoyance, Yes, it's true... I'm not sure if after a time most bars around here and their patrons will miss it at all.  In fact one area bar has pooled it's money, axed Karaoke, and put the money to a saturday night band instead, The one night draw (and cover) surpasses Karaoke revenue.

If you'll recall bars DID not WISH to give up having good bands, that was never high on their wish-list because people DO like to hear decent quality music throughout when out to relax, on a date, dance, etc. It was just that bars in many locations couldn't afford the high cost of bands even in the 70's as times changed and DJ's "Soul", to "Funk" eventually "Did Disco" cheaper than 7 piece funk-type horn bands which wouldn't be a practical pay-out at several K for one evening..

If my own feelings are similar to those of many others (whether willing to admit to it or not) that sit at the bar, or stand in corners and talk to a small group of friends at these very large venues that happen to have Karaoke as ONE form of entertainment, VERY FEW find Karaoke at times not annoying as background.. How many singers do you stop what your doing and say, "Wow, he's good"? (As opposed to cringe at the horrid attempts as your favorite song is getting butchered).  Seriously, these are songs that MOST of us have heard performed well, many songs WE TOO like,  do you like hearing them butchered in the background when you're trying to relax assuming the bar is not a small 'Karaoke bar" ?  Around here the bars standing must have much more than Karaoke, I don't think it caught on here as it did in the West coast, but hey, I like it because I like to sing without the microphone being hidden.. There or no longer local "Karaoke bars", nor is Karaoke actually the draw, these places just have five and dime people handing out a microphone.. Karaoke payout was cut a few years back (yet its not died yet).  The bars here would do fine without because A DJ or band one night, (with DJ the others adjusting music volume in accordance with crowd desire) would likely be a bigger draw with a 21+ drinking age.. (Juice bars, and bars that allow younger folks in their teens I believe will do best with Karaoke locally), Adults don't seem to enjoy it as much anymore.. The over 21 crowd is tired after work weekdays (for the most part), and these are "on your way home from work bars".. or happy hour joints that require little entertainment.. those that go to bars just don't really seem to want Karaoke.. DJ would be ideal again...

I love Karaoke, but not in a large bar assuming I want my space, or to talk to a few friends without abrasive hacks screeching in the background, BUT, I'm not a KJ or bar Karaoke singer, just a home hack that loves it...

Sunday nights were different however !  No BISKET, and KORN, and HOLE... I'd go every sunday night (Veteran blues singer night) when a few of the locals, and old motown crowd would show and do dynamite renditions of Stylistics, Delflonic, Spinners, Etta James, Aretha Frankin, Diana Ross, etc, and the KJ was a 60 year old big wig retired DJ and engineer who was the bars original KJ.. Didn't get paid,  did it for the love of it ! and the oppt to be with singers ! There was that one slow night when Karaoke was DYNAMITE, and the bar probably got more alcohol revenue than monday-wednesday conbined !!  Yet those that sang and went sundays were ex-pro singers (which defeats the purpose for some of you KJ's I suppose), yet the ocassional kid got up too, all was great !  Perhaps the difference being, this was one night with a REAL soundman musician !!! The bar couldn't afford to stay open however, shut down in 93. Cops, ALcohol laws, drug busts


JMHO, and blab..[/quote]

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

One of the reasons it may be decreasing in this area, I believe, is the ridiculous number of contests - every town celebration has their own "idol" going on -- and when a place feels like they need an infusion of new people, they throw a money contest.  Doesn't have to be much. Same people show up, same people win. 99% of the people who go to sing don't give a darn about contests - they just want to sing. I don't think it'll die - as someone noted above, there are TONS of people who haven't tried it yet...just have to prompt them enough to get out and try it. I've spent all these years trying to get people involved - contests are exclusionary, and I believe will eventually lead to karaoke death by boredom! Just my 0.2.

We have done several birthday parties for kids of all ages. You come to the realization there are tons of kids that have home karaoke systems. Karaoke is on the rise in this area because there are more and more that  are old enough to go into karaoke bars now.

Major differences

They dont have to get drunk to sing.
Most are very good singers.
They are not junkies some dont even care if they dont sing every rotation.
They appreciate a good system and dont abuse it.
If you dont have a song they have it at home and can bring it.
They dont go ballistic if you play a dance set They dance.

Karaoke isnt dying its changing and I actually think it will increase in the next few years
and will turn into an entirely different format.

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Not here. Of course I live in the behind-the-times part of the country, but it is increasing out in the hinterlands. We have more popping up every week, it seems.

Do you really believe that the consumer plays THAT big a part in keeping trend, and fashion "going' ?   Or is it big business using the media and changes in trend to keep the economy going.  If Bellbottoms, Suit Cuts, Lapel Size, Garment material stayed one style, A LOT of folks would not only have it easier, but save droves of money. Trend, Fad changes, TV, and different generations preferences I believe (similarly entertainment industry, and consumer electronics) aren't really controlled or held stationary by Consumers, it's the fashion businesses that need to make money to survive, great marketing strategies..  It's advertising and trend change often altered and brought on intentionally by big businesses as sponsors advertising via TV, Magazines, you name it..

I don't feel that wide-spread the bar patrons CAN keep Karaoke alive in certain suburbs.. Especially in the recent antialcohol serving establishment few decades we've been exposed to with strict laws, and now the economy... Entertainment in bars is likely going to go with the least payout given the lesser income.. How many of us middle-aged folks hang at bars anymore ?   Last time I went, out've hundreds perhaps a dozen were my age.. Most were about 21-28 years of age.  Just too few places we old farts can go besides hotel bars... NOt that theirs anything wrong with it, but few have entertainment except on fridays and saturdays now-adays around here. If I get up and sing (this is quite hypothetical of course) James Taylor, JImmy Buffet, or Harry Chapin,  it'll bum the kids out, they HATE the ballad stuff I love.. Similarly I don't like alot of the music a crowd easily a generation and a half younger likes.  I wonder if Karaoke really can work out in a bar that's about 10K sq ft, and averages 400+ on a weekend night that like Pool, darts, foosball, several rooms of TVS, arcade games, etc.  I think most KJ in considerably smaller venues. The bars standing are the big bars,  the smaller ones need to shut down around 9-10 weekdays after the last of the dinner crowd leaves... They don't get crowds weekdays of older folks..  It's the bars closest to the larger industries that have 2nd shift workers and employees passing by that get the business.  The older folks just don't have nighlife around here that's not a 45 minute drive to a hotel (well except for the Marriot, and they survive without entertainment)... Bars aren't doing well here..  Roads aren't busy, and cops stake out looking for money for the town. People are afraid to go out and drink.. and FEW want designated babysitters because it defeats the fun or any type of spontaneity.  People drink at home

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