Karaoke Forums

I've been avidly reading your discussions and suggestions about what core disks to buy... I've looked into the Foundation Series and the Bricks, etc...

The problem I see is that Miami's tastes are SO DIFFERENT! Most of my potential market is Cuban American, with some Central and South Americans. This means that Country doesn't fly, even though I have a few disks, because I enjoy some of it... Classic Country? Forget it? In checking for example, the Foundation Series... there are so many songs that won't get used, I can't justify spending the money.

So basically (and since my songbooks are still so small), I'm hand-picking different disks that seem to fit. For example, Party Pak 1 from SC was pretty good for my needs. Chartbusters 50 songs sets, have been good to decent for the most part, although I played Kenny Loggins' "I'm Alright" this New Year's Eve and it was sad... a little twangy guitar... oh well!

People down here like 80's music, both the New Wave stuff and the Disco stuff. Some people have expressed interest in standards (Sinatra and such) and obviously the younger crowd wants current POP. And I also have to have Spanish music.

The problem with Spanish music is that since the Mexican market is so big, there are always a lot of Mexican songs in the Spanish compilations, but my Caribbean crowd doesn't listen to Mexican music. So, it's proving to be an interesting proposition finding the right music, but I'm enjoying the challenge.

Also, for Pop music... what do you guys do? Pop Hits Monthly? I hate to admit it, but I'm awful with keeping up with the current stuff... though I try and ask my 10 year old daughter...

Anyway... thanks in advance for your comments!

_________________
Frank
Pelican in Flight KJ/DJ
Miami, Florida

Pop Hits Monthly for current releases.

But after reading your statements here, I would stand by what I said in the other thread - go to other karaoke clubs & write down what IS being sung. Don't just stay in one club all night or go to a different show nightly, but you can get a broader idea of what is popular. This still don't mean this is what will work in the club you eventually get. Who knows, you may get all the tourists that DO want the classic country & nothing else.........

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

Here is a great way to stay, "hip" to what is current. XM Radio has a channel called 20 on 20. The channel plays the top twenty songs based on user votes by text page, web votes and phone calls. The list is updated every cycle now, which is really cool.

If you go here:

http://www.xmradio.com/programming/20on20_vote.jsp

You can see what is on the ballot for voting, a lot more than 20 songs but this is a good list of what is, or what could be hot and is current, or relatively current, big hits linger on the list for a long time (Finger 11 One Thing STILL pops up at the bottom of the twenty from time to time). This of course doesn't give you a "local" snapshot but a lower 48 snapshot of what people are listening to. Another good thing, this is a broad mix of pop, urban, R&B, rap, and and rock. It isn't just one genre. This was a big help for me.

You can check out the American Top 50 list here, updated weekly:

http://www.at40.com/rest_chart.html

Something I do in my books. I put three pages of heavy gauge paper (think 80# to 100# card stock) at the front of my book for people to write in what they can't find. I'm always amazed at the number of, "hey get this song," on the list that is already in the book, but that's another story. This is GREAT feedback, and I try very hard at my regular club gig to jump on those requests - good way to have people come back when you can say, "hey three of you asked for XYZ last week and it's been added to the new music index."

Suddenly you're a hero. So if you're struggling to gauge the audience and you're building your collection - I say ask 'em what they want, within reason of course.

I hope these updating lists of pop music help you out.

_________________
Despite the internet rumor, Karaoke is not Japanese for "drunk buffoon with microphone."  However, "rotation," is Japanese for wait your damn turn!

Done that as well!

Good sites for reference there. I saved them myself. On the downside, even though he may need to buy the newer stuff right now just to stay on a competitive level, once he gets a good solid base, the new discs are not necessarily must have's anymore.
I used to buy everything as soon as it came out just to be the first, well many got used for a couple weeks, but when the next "flavor of the week" came into play, those discs never saw the light of day again. Now I buy strictly on a request basis. I don't just buy to be first anymore - and no I don't suffer because of it, our crowds are pretty understanding & knows I will get something for them if they are regular & if they aren't then I get regulars input & 99% will pick up that song too.

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

No problemo - I am the Jedi Master of the Google search, and I have been a XM Radio user since October of 2002 - spend A LOT of time listening to 20 on 20 - keeps me hip wtih the kidlets.

_________________
Despite the internet rumor, Karaoke is not Japanese for "drunk buffoon with microphone."  However, "rotation," is Japanese for wait your damn turn!

I recommend the foundations because it has all the stuff that's 'standard' karaoke but I understand they don't fit everyone's needs. I used to live in Orlando and I've spent some time in Miama so the 'scene' is VEEY different there because of the eclectic mix of cultures.

Sound Choice and Chartbuster both offer 'Latin' packages that would likely appease the Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban patrons.

When I first started I printed slips that had a 'Don't have your song? Artist: Song Title:' on the back. They'd turn in the slip and I'd hold onto it for the next time I go disc shopping. I'd order discs every couple weeks and look specifically for those songs. I'd point out the slips a couple times a night and almost always got a half dozen slips or so. After 3 months I got far fewer slips - usually none or only a single slip a night.

OK, if you want good solid 80's music, check out Sunfly... they have it just right

Oh, and the latest EK discs have really got the current stuff down

_________________

For the latin challenge, you might find it useful to check out billboard.com 's Top 20 Latin Chart. I understand Reggaeton is currently very popular in So. Florida. There are so many categories and it can be very confusing (at least to a gringo like me). You can cross-reference the bb chart with a DJ subscription service like ergmusic.com to find out type of music is shown on the chart - from there, then do a look-see at what the various karaoke manufacturers are offering along the tropical line. BTW, for the Salsa crowd, Marc Anthony is usually a sure bet, as well as the "Queen", Celia Cruz.

_________________
Sounds Great! Entertainment
Bartlett, Illinois

Pelican,

For latin karaoke music you might want to look at Tropical Zone karaoke discs. They have all sorts of latin music that comes in different categories and packs.

_________________
Lito
"It's all about having FUN"