Karaoke Forums

How does the type of crowd at the venue you visit effect your experience for  a karaoke night out? I find as I approach age 50 that I am becoming more comfortable with an "older" crowd with perhaps a more experienced ("older") KJ making for a more comfortable expereince. I find myself feeling out of place if Im the only person over 40 in a room full of under 25 people. Its not about the type of music sang or background music played---I.E hip-hop dance music as Ive come to appreciate alot of it as dance music--the grooves and beats, etc. But what Im reffereing to is a sensation of not fitting in with an exclusively really young crowd.

Any comments?? Your experiences??

DISCUSS......................

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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

I like an older crowd as well, or at least I feel more comfortable there. But quite frankly, I often have as much or more fun with a mixed crowd or a young crowd. I had a blast at this late karaoke in a college town where I was the only person over 25. Sure some got up and did rap, but they gave me some of the best applause I have ever gotten even though I sing mostly country. I did sing well that night, but it was bizaare to have a dozen young people lining the front of the stage rockin' to "Ramblin' Man", staring up at me while I was singing. They lined up and gave me high fives when I walked off the stage. That was a blast!

As I get better and more often people turn and look at me when I sing instead of continuing their conversation, I must say I now know why performers like to perform. That applause/appreciation thing is pretty nice....

My S/O and I are long-time hosts in the NW Washington area - we're both in our '50s. We are blessed with youthful attitudes, I guess, because some of our most loyal and funnest (is that a word) singers are those in their 20s - they are ALWAYS surprised to hear that we could be their PARENTS!  The different venues we work at most of the time determine the age of the crowd - for example, a late Monday night show we do attracts a very young crowd; the weekend shows attract the more "mature" crowd (not necessarily just mature age-wise). We have always worked hard at creating an atmosphere where both ends of the age spectrum feel included, and have actually created a new appreciation in both age groups for the music choice of the other. At times it is a challenge but that is what makes it so fun and exciting - with often totally unexpected results!

I like a mixed crowd myself, as far as ages.

I know I would feel uncomfortable if I was the only one there over 40.

I would be disappointed if it wasn't a lively crowd or they all sang the same type of music. I like variaty.

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I encourage all ages.  I've had majority 20-30 YO & have talked people in their 50-60 to come & sing something that may not have technically "FIT" the crowd & it's always worked with sometimes overwhelming applause!  I had a guy in last Thurs. that was easily in his 60's (hardly could walk) sang a Johnny Cash tune in the midst of a majority 20-30 YO crowd singing more rock oriented (some HARD) that night & he got a standing ovation!!!!   Don't ever feel uncomfortable singing anywhere - you may be surprised - just have fun!!!!

That's one thing about karaoke that anyone of any age can go into a place (ok many places) & they'll have SOMETHING to talk about - karaoke, it sometimes seems genre don't matter, just have fun!!!!!

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Where in WA!?!?!?

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

One Haloween night we found ourself in Pitchers a college bar near the CSU campus. It was sro and the singers literally had to fight their way up to the stage. In a college bar there is usually a cross section of genres and talents.

Finally got to sing and didnt care what they thought and sang Makin Believe by Kitty Wells.. Before the chorus they were going absolutely nuts. It took 5 minutes to get back to my bar stool high fivun and such. A gal with a texas accent hugged me and said you remind me so much of my grandpa.. Now Makin Believe isnt one of my better songs but it shows kids like all kinds of music for it does the same thing to them that it does to oldtimers It takes them back to memories from a different place and time.

Next song was Dayo This time when I got up to sing they were quiet. The first DAYO They were bouncin off the walls. I didnt make it back to my bar stool that time
Idont even remember leaving or with whom

I havnt seen a karaoke crowd yet that wasnt mixed.. We did a consult with a club owner for karaoke and he said I just want country with just a tad of 50's rock. HUH?  You are talking to the wrong people we dont cater to any special group age or ethnic group.

Can you tell Im still wired from last night?

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I think like most everyone here, I like a mixed crowd, in both age and song genres. When I first started karaoke-ing, I sang a pop song in a predominantly country bar. I'll I say from the experience was that it taught me to expand my repertoir. Although now because of it, I've developed a new appreciation for country and other genres instead of staying in that comfortable top-40 demographic.

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Like everyone else, I prefer a mixed crowd... though, as previously stated, it's rare to find a place that isn't mixed..

And I agree with Lonman 100%: you just never know, by looks, what kinds of songs a crowd will respond to. I've seen it too many times: you think you have a country crowd and they goes nuts for a hard rock song, or vice -versa.
I've learned to just sing what I'm in the mood to sing when I go to a new place... I've gotten the best responses when I thought I would get boo-ed off the stage  :D

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I've never really thought about it for karaoke...I just have fun and use my instincts as I look around the place and see the age groups and then pick songs I think will please them and myself...Something I learned many years ago when I was doing gigs with a small group..

It's not the young nor the older crowd I prefer.  It's the "mature" crowd.  The removal of the "filth songs" as I refer to them and the strictness of "rules," seems to bring that type of crowd.  It also brings out the best of singers.

And I agree, there is nothing more rewarding as a KJ than having someone who turns in a song and not only does a genre that no one expects, but nails it!

Kelly

I tend to fit in well with any age group. I pretty much act like a youngun;) Nah, not really, but I respect young people and let them have their young fun without being critical. Sometimes I join them, sometimes I just observe. But I don't condemn young kids for being young kids. Let 'em be young & happy while they can... before real life sets in.

But then I sing a lot of older songs, and that helps me form a connection with the older generation. Many times I've had people (older) come up and ask me how I came to know Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, songs like that. People tend to think I'm younger than I am sometimes.

But whatever the reasons, I've never felt I didn't fit in due to "age". I've felt uneasy at a few new places where prior to getting up, I hear nothing but rap and alternative and metal music... But music does seem to cross boundaries. I've had rocker dudes come up and compliment me on a bluegrass song, and old timers do the same when I've sang "Hollaback Girl".

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Mixed crowds are the best---then everyone gets in on everybody else's vibe no matter what the music  or age groups present.

Its when its pretty much an EXCLUSIVLY 21-25ish crowd that I find that there's an age barrier not just for the singing but just for hanging out as well. I find myself become somewhat uncomfortable and feeling out of place.

Now if I were KJ'ing in the same circumstances it wouldnt have any of that effect---as too busy running the show--talking to the cuties, welcoming newbies, helping the singers etc etc.

But its referring to just going there to hang out. Then it becomes akward and uncomfortable.

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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

Our car club had  a big weekend event, and I just wanted a chance to sing in the town I was in. We asked the concierge at the hotel about who has karaoke and she directed us to a place called the Star Bar, a karaoke place. The place was a rowdy dive with really bad sound, but...Wow, what a crowd, mostly college age. A grizzled looking trucker type got up and nailed George Strait and the alt-rocker crowd just went nutz! The KJ had an old bass guitar with no strings leaning against the wall that people could pick up and do "air guitar, right up my alley! I'm 53 and I got up and did White Wedding and the kids went crazy and my GF did Total Eclipse Of The Heart and the crowd did intense applause as well. It took a long time to get up and sing and it was standing room only. I would like to go back there on a quite day and help them tune their sound. The place has real potential. It was in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, about 80 miles away from my home.