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The owner usually never says much to me I've been doing karaoke for him for a long time. Friday night he tells me Carol was complaining I skipped her in rotation and it takes for ever to get a song in. Bull poopy ! This gal comes in once in a blue moon expecting favortism. She remembers the days when the old KJ was there when the rotation was very small. Everytime she comes in now she complains to everyone else, but me.

I did not sing all night because the rotation was so large, but had about 2 minutes to close. So I put a quick song in for me to close the night out. She yells from the audience "that's my song". So I called her up to sing with me. I handed her the mic and just quit singing all together. When she was done she put her arm around me and said "don't you miss the old days". Puke ! The best part of it is the regulars gave her a hard time after she sang saying they wanted to hear me sing. She actually was up next in the rotation and didn't know it, so I stayed fair.

I wanted to say something to her about her complaining everytime she comes in, but I could't think of a way to do it without sounding like a total be-otch. I'd be calling her out on the fact she always complains about me to everyone else. Any ideas on what to say in a diplomatic way? I realize this isn't a major problem, but this woman has really gotten under my skin.

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I'm on the other side as a customer hearing a guy who complained a lot about our KJ and even did so right in front of his wife. He'd go on about how this venue or that venue doesn't play so much filler music, or bad filler music, starts on time, sings a song (which is maybe once every couple of weeks) etc. etc. One day he went a little too far and scornfully said that usually the KJ doesn't get started until 9:45 pm (it's advertised to start at 9 pm) and it was a huge exaggeration. He may be ten minutes late at most. His wife was sitting right at our table and heard it all and she got so disgusted she finally spoke up and said that what he said was ridiculous and that he's never started that late! She was so mad she got up to leave. I spoke to this guy and chastised him but good for constantly criticizing the KJ and then right in front of his wife. Then I went up to his wife and asked her to please stay, which she did. He still comes to this venue, but I've noticed he rarely says anything negative anymore.

My point being...maybe it's time one of your customers spoke up for you.

Thanks Red ! I think most people are just tolerating it because she doesn't come in that much, but knows a few of the regulars. I did kind of do a sneaky thing though. I'm such a girl. I went to a couple regulars I know very very well that actually know her too. I told them what she did and how mad I was knowing full well they'd say something to her. I normally would never do such a thing. I try to keep it my own personal policy never to talk about a patron to another patron no matter how well I know them. But I thought it would be better than me getting into with her one on one. Maybe a taste of her own medicine wouldn't hurt.

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Honestly, as long as her complains are not true and you know that for sure, I wouldn't give a flying fart about it/her. I would keep my cool and smile.

It will bite her in the a$$ on day, trust me.

It happens to the best of us Bab's

The owner should have said something like this to her...We are very happy with our KJ and she is good for our business. We support her way of running rotations so If you have a problem with it you should discuss it with her. If you have a problem with drinks or the service then I will be happy to help you.

Once she realizes that her complaints are falling of deaf ears she will probably stop.

You mentioned that she is not a regular there and comes in once in a blue moon so you don't have to deal with this all that often anyway. I do understand how this can get under your skin quickly. Some folks have a knack for it..

I always give extra special attention to my regulars but when I get one like this and I have had enough of their behavior I just turn off the special treatment and continue to give it to others. Without saying a word, they get the picture right away. At that point they either change their behavior or they get offended and don't come back. Either way it's a win-win for everyone.

Give it a try and she may just go POOF...

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

Flipper you always say the right things.

Usually this type of person wouldn't bother me so much. I think it is more because the owner told me about it. She is so sweet to my face than turns around and bad mouths me to the owner. Gggrrrr !


I've always been very nice to her, trying to make her happy. Maybe a cold shoulder might work best.

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That's pretty much how I've been handling her.
I wish she would complain out loud more because I know the regulars would put her in her place. But no she whispers to the bartenders and owner.

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In that case, what do you think, the owner is thinking?

- Fact is, obviously you have a good show going there. So you must be doing something right.

- Fact is, she only comes in every once in a while and she's the only one complaining. No one else is complaining, right?

If the owner is not a total retard, he knows better than doubting you. So I wouldn't be concerned at all. Don't let it get to you.

Thank you for saying that !
I talked to the manager about it yesterday because she called me about an extra day. She laughed and said not to worry about her. I don't think it bothers me because I'm worried about people believing her. I think it is more the going behind my back thinking I'll never know.

It makes me feel better just venting about it. Thank you all for listening. I know it isn't that big of a deal, but for some reason this chick has really gotten to me. I think I'd rather be punched.

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See?

But I understand, where you coming from. It would make me nervous too, to know people are talking behind my back.

I personally would have walked up to her (the whiner) directly and thrown it in her face. But that's just me.

Oooh I so wanted to !! It haunted me that night trying to think of what to say. I should have went to her and said the owner told me you had a problem with the rotation and then asked her if there was a problem. So this way she'd know I knew and maybe next time she'd think twice about doing it again. In hind sight it is always easier to think of what to say. i'm ready for her now.

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hehe... let me know, when she comes back! I'm curious

Hi Babs. I hear you. Whiners are pukes!

I believe it's a mistake the so many KJs limit themselves to just singers. I get more people at my shows that don't sing, then do. I believe in providing elements. Things that everyone can find entertaining (singing, dancing, lights, humor). I don't bill my show as a karaoke show, but a karaoke and dance party. I usually play rock, country or dance until I feel I've got enough singers to keep the rotation active (4-5 minimum). Then when I start the karaoke portion of the program, I generally will not break from it unless the slips become limited, then I might entertain a song request or two (commonly referred to as filler). I always throw in some dance/high energy songs to close the show. I want everyone leaving on a good note. I will cut off the rotation, and when people say "Hey". I let them know I cut about 10 other singers too. They feel better.

Here's my take on music at my shows ... I'd say, conservatively, that 1 in 7 people at my shows are singers and other than a core of about 10-15 singers (more sometimes), most will put up one song, sing it and be done (which makes for a tough rotation). Those other patrons have just as much right as the singers to be entertained, so I throw a party not a karaoke show with so much for the whiners to pick apart. If a singer doesn't like it, too bad - go find a karaoke only show - . I don't suffer from a lack of business which affords me the luxury of being able to do my own thing (owners agree). Occasionally I'll get a complaint when the rotation is huge, but that's to be expected. I have a defunct KJ that comes to my shows and his girlfriend will complain to the owner, but taking the motive into account, her voice is muted. I always try to be fair, so people don't get entitlement issues. Funny thing is most people who have complained ... come back. Some people are just whiners by nature.

I do not cater to prima donnas, purists, or any other type of whiner. It's not their show, dammit. It's mine, and I'm there for EVERYONE!!!!!! I'll call people out on the mic for being an idiot, or complaining, and I find they usually become quite contrite. Gotta keep control, or the masses will destroy you little by little!!!!! Remember, you're the one everyone wants to be. You're the MC, the purveyor, the one that makes it all happen!!!!


At the same time, deliver a consistent product, stay out of the drama (don't listen to drama queens and rumor mongers) and treat everyone equally and most people will appreciate that even when things don't go their way. If someone has a legitimate complaint, I will always hook 'em up next time.

I'm confident your show rocks Babs, you're too cool.

Some people are whiners by nature and they probaly whine all day long in their JOBS to their FAMILY etc etc. You just have to ignore these people or point out to them the reasons they only sang once ...like

*Hey you just got here and it's 12:00 already - people have been waiting all night long

* No! it's not your song ...it's the closing song and I always do the closing song ..and nobody puts baby in the corner

It does -- I have been there. And Babs *is* too cool.

I am not sure I would go to your show, though. I don't like cooling my heels until someone deigns to let me exercise what I came there to exercise. And I am not condemning it, either -- you probably don't need or want me there. If your regulars don't mind, more power to them. And you.

I met one KJ who catered to non-singers specifically. No playing your disk, and no key changes. Very successfully, too.

Thanks guys your support means a lot !

Croak we have 2 different types of shows, but it sounds like whiners are the same everywhere.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

I would say...

Just go with "be-otch". It would most likely work just fine;)

(seriously, you just can't win w/some people if you try to mind your manners)


Be-otch never fails me when I'm in a pinch.

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C, you are so good at being bad!

The one thing I don't get and maybe you KJ's can educate this fool.... Karaoke Night is supposed to be just that Karaoke. Why do filler? To get the tempo up? to get people up? Couldn't you see what music styles are coming up to sing and put them in a category mix that might produce the energy you are trying to get. Along with that, if a singer is kickin it with a good song let's say for dancing, Do your DJ magic on your mic and get the gang hyped that way like come people get on out there etc. in the background of the singer? I see that as more productive vs one that I had the other night was cranking the echo and stuff on musical parts of the song which was way over dramatic.

Not sure, just rambling I guess. I just hate sitting around for 4/ 5 filler dance songs.. Would rather see someone singing a dance song and getting people up.

Ohio, I agree, once a show starts, it's karaoke, no fillers, unless it is billed as karaoke/DJ.

Babs, the whiners actually believe the adage "The customer is always right". That adage is a crock. Obviously the person who said this never ran a karaoke.

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