Karaoke Forums

I'm a disc host and discs area a pain in the butt. I spend a lot of time finding them and putting them back which I don't mind but I do mind when I have to have my back to the audience while I do it. I feel it is a bit isolating and sometimes I have to take my attention away from the singer. (Sometimes the venue set up just doesn't allow any other arrangement.) Not only am I not appreciating their song but sometimes I miss a signal that they want something changed. Also, no matter how efficient I am at pulling them or putting them back, it just takes one high maintenance question asker to cause a pile up. It is also extremely embarrassing when they skip or scramble which they are going to do eventually.

I keep singer's slips in envelopes that I give to them each time so they do have a sort of history--until it gets soaked in beer or they take it home and never bring it back. And no--it doesn't cause them to sing the same song every time. Many have extremely thick envelopes and growing. But I would like to have it on computer just for when they forget or for those who come every now and then and come up and say, "Remember me?" Also they will often tell me to pick songs for them.

Even though I am disc I have a computer at the show and it is invaluable. It plays the transition music. If it is the type of crowd that wants a full dance song then I can do that (usually just the Cupid Shuffle once a night). I have the master song list so if I get a slip with a wrong number I can look it up rather than have to go find a book. If I get people who can't grasp the concept that there is a "new additions" and "main" sections of the book then I can show them every song by a certain artist in one place rather than they have to look in two sections.

When I was at a small dive I had most of it in my head and could even instantly come up with new songs for people to try based on their voice and preferences. Unlike Chris, I actually like those kinds of places. But things are totally different 30 miles down the road. At that place I have a core of regulars with a lot of intermittent types. They also sing more current type songs and are constantly changing what they sing. I'm also not there every week as they like to mix it up with bands and DJs so I might only appear 2 -3 times a month. In that case it is impossible for me to remember it all. Singer history is a great way to refresh my memory as to who the less frequent ones are. There is no way I could keep it all in my head. AND, at the higher energy, younger crowd place, the books get soaked, the song slips get soaked. It is amazing what they can get in between the page protectors. It would be nice to have a back up history on the computer.

Truly--when a song ends I have to get in some quick clapping to get it started then I'm changing the disc with the left hand while fading in the bumper music with the right and talking in the mic at the same time. How could a computer not make that easier?

for those who come every now and then and come up and say, "Remember me?" Also they will often tell me to pick songs for them.

I take it you only use 1 player? Two players would make you way more efficient and less hassled. I'm sure Joe does it that way and Lon too (when he was disc based).

There IS actually one advantage and that is I don't give much thought to being sued and I didn't have to pay extra to feel that way. There is a certain freedom to it, especially when you don't have to wonder about every new person who asks for a rare SC song.

This is really cool to be able to make a quick suggestion to someone that hasn't came in for a awhile. I have a guy that comes in one week every year while he's here for his job, comes from one of the Carolinas. But every year he gives me his name & is surprised when I make some suggestions (that I remembered his songs) from the previous years.
I only turned on the song history in late 2009 - the first year I ran on computer, I didn't think it was necessary. Stupid thinking on my part Wouldn't want to run a show without it again.

I could see a use for it in that situation, but how often does that happen?
IMHO...If a regular comes in and ask for a suggestion, I am going to recomend something new, not one of the same 5 songs he/she has been singing for the last 5 years.

Again....all things being equal, I would not pay any extra for hosting software that has singer history.

I could see a use for it in that situation, but how often does that happen?

IMHO...If a regular comes in and ask for a suggestion, I am going to recomend something new...

...not one of the same 5 songs he/she has been singing for the last 5 years.

Again....all things being equal, I would not pay any extra for hosting software that has singer history.