Karaoke Forums

I'm seriously starting to wonder if I should throw in the towel.  Ever night is becoming harder and harder to go in, but I'm worried about my reputation and my clientèle.

I wish there was an easy way to just "pass on the torch" to someone willing to work the show and take over.  But I wouldn't even know how much to sell my stuff for.

The other choice would be to leave the venue where I've been for three years and find a new venue, new faces.  I'm sorta spoiled, because I've never had to go look for gigs.  They've always come to me.

Ah...  decisions....

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Karaoke:  Freedom of expression, or cruel and unusual punishment?

First of all, you are much too young to throw in the towel. IMO, KJing(DJing too) is tough both physically and emotionally. You're probably afraid to take vacations, because it will disappoint your customers, if you aren't there, or if they know before hand, they just won't come. You need to find somebody reliable and personable to take your place, or the establishment needs to bring in a different form of entertainment during your absence. But!...you need to take time off to prevent from getting burned out. Take vacations, and other times, maybe go as a singer while your replacement runs the show....you can have a few drinks for a change, if like many, you don't drink much while running your show. KJing is work that is fun, but even fun can get monotonous, and it's really hard to change the way you run your show, time after time at the same venue. Hang in there, my friend.....

I did get burned out too and  got tired of the same thing night after night. Changed the format.
Another thing to consider maybe the singers are getting burned out too. Is the energy level down?

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Some of the KJs in my area, that I consider decent, get up and sing during their gigs. Not sure what other's here do. Sometimes they have to step in to either change the mood, boost the spirit, or just "get the party started". I know they sort of "feed" off the mood, but I think they are also aware of what is going on in their area in an emotional capacity.

Sometimes, no matter how embarrassing, when I have new guests (and those virgin to karaoke) come over to my home they may be shy. I sing a really goofy or easy song to break the ice for them. Sometimes, I even screw up intentionally (or unintentionally ) to make them more comfortable. When you get a high ratio of people who are new to karaoke or shy, they can be really intimidated further by great singers.

Sounds like you need some new blood.

When I start to get burn out I usually change things up. New toys are always fun. Buy some new equipment to play with. You could start having theme nights, play games (karaoke suicide etc...),  add some props to play with ( costumes, blow up instruments, maraccas), encourage your regulars to sing different songs or duets with you.

Burn out is tough. I find that it comes and goes with me. If I can just wait it out it usually passes. Good luck with what ever you decide.

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

Hiring an assistant is another option you have. Hire the new talent, stick around to make sure he or she does a show to your standards, then let him or her go for it. When you are ready to jump back in, you can acquire a second system, take your old gig back and send him or her down to the next gig. Or, you can help the newb acquire his own equipment and let him start his own karaoke show somewhere else if that is what he or she wants to do. I've filled in for my best friends show when he got burnt out awhile ago, and was glad to turn it back over to him when he was ready to come back.

Hiring someone else is a good idea I think.  If you're burned out it shows.  You're not doing your reputation and favors.  Fresh blood might be the answer.

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Okay, who took my pants?

Burn out ... man, how depressing.  It's a feel of being stuck and bored.  I've found that mixing things up does the trick.  

I worked a gig for about six months (Fri and Sat) and many nights there were only four people (the same four), singing the same songs.  Every now and then a crowd would accumulate, but most people went across the street.  I got burned out at that place quickly.  Then again, I didn't have many options short of heavy advertising and 'stealing' customers from the place across the street.  Very rural location.

I now do two gigs Wed and Fri.  At first it was all new, just like love, it was exciting and often times challenging.  It got to be the same o - same o after a while but I always try to find new ways to mix it up.  First of all, I engage the crowd between singers with banter, funny thoughts and useless talk of a seemingly funny nature.  

Recently, I added a small, inexpensive device that allows me to record singers.  I've handed out a few discs and people are really liking it.  I like to hear myself too.  It allows me the ability to review my shows, cut it into MP3s, etc.  I'm thinking after I've got a bunch of shows done, putting together a disc of 'greatest hits' and doing some sort of American Idol voting thing so people can vote for their favorite singers/songs.  

I have two main factions that come to my shows ... country and rock/hop.  If I catered to one crowd or the other.  Making my show 'country' or 'rock/hop' I'd lose a lot of the crowd.  I guage the crowd, mix it up, play something for everybody.  They don't all always get what they want, but they get enough of it that they come back and co-exist.  I keep 'em guessing and who doesn't like a good mystery.  The show flows at 55 songs a show, and I play a few cuts before and after, and maybe one or two in the middle somewhere.  

When I feel the energy getting low, I'll play a song or two that has a lot of energy to it.  I was noticing at my last gig that when a singer is singing, it can get blah, stale, mono blahno ... and just the slightest tweak of the volume can add some more engery to the song.  Odd.  

Karaoke is about getting people's attention, in my opinion.  Sometimes with a properly placed joke, or a vibrant song, or a new twist to the show.  

Look, I love M&M cookies.  But if that's all I ate, I'd probably hate them after a while.  So, I try White Chocolate and Macadamian Nuts, or Oatmeal and Raisin to mix it up.  That way I don't get bored.  How many of you are married?  Sex with the same partner?  Does the same old routine with your partner keep your sex life interesting?  Short of swinging, you gotta do what Babs suggests and get some toys.  Lingerie, videos, try something new, something different.  Extend beyond convention and see what the reaction is.  You can always go back to the same old, if it doesn't work, but at least you're keeping yourself engaged and challenging yourself.  After a while you look back and have all kinds of neat things to do to shake it up.  

Stay the course, shake it up!

I went through burn out phases, been at the same gig since 92 working 7 nights a week (I usually work 4-5 nights of those).  I swap the schedule around to take different nights and move my hosts to other nights just to stir things up a bit.  Usually helps.

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Babs!!!! He's talking about KJing....come on, girl.....kids might see this.....

 LMAO  LMAO  LMAO

There's limewire too!!!

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Recently I left a place because of burnout - I worked every weekend for two years (I know, doesn't seem like a long time compared to Lonman) and the reason I finally left is because they would NOT allow me to bring in a sub - they said, "We're paying for your talent."  Mmmhhh... I do sound for hubby's band and occasionally that would require me to miss a Sat. night. Long story short, I gave up a great gig, 6 miles from home, Fri & Sat night - great room, could leave my equipment there all week, etc. I built up their business from 2-3 singers to a full room both nights, but in the end my peace of mind became more important to me. Then 2 places we worked at actually closed down this summer (clubs are closing weekly here, north of Seattle) so we're down to one show a week. I'm actually contemplating advertising to do JUST sub work for people who are burned out - I'd bring my own stuff, own music, own books, etc., and sign a no-competey agreement saying I would NOT take the gig if it was offered. I understand the burnout thing all too well. I think if we are pro's in our approach, and give 110% every show we do, we're all prone to it. I guess after 12 years I needed a break...

Try working 2 to 5 nights at one club for 11 years. Burnout can happen in any line of work, I like the idea of an assistant to help you, thats what I had. If you feel you need time off, "Take It!!!" Dont get so stressed out you cant host or run the show.
When it starts to feel just like a "Job", then maybe its time to kick back and take a break. Whatever you decide, weigh all the pro's and cons of what you need to do to make it fun again. Different crowds every night, keeping the energy level going every night, making the sound of the singer and the music great for everyone, Karaoke is hard work, but if you love what you do, then if you feel you cant do y our best, then take a break. Dont ever just "Do the Job" Do it because you love it.
MV