Karaoke Forums

[font=Verdana]I am a KJ.

I am a roadie.  I am among the first to arrive and I am among the last to leave.  I set it up and I break it down.  I run out onto the stage while the stars are performing and adjust the mike, change out the battery or wiggle the loose cable.  While you’re in bed I’m driving my equipment to the next show or back to it’s storage for the next weekend somewhere else.

I am a sound engineer.  I figure out the acoustics at new venues.  I position my speakers to offer the best sound possible.  I adjust the audio properties on a variety of sources and have to deal with different singers who perform for less than five minutes at a time.  I have to deal with different source materials that are in a number of formats and play at a variety of volume levels.  This is typically done on the fly and with little prior exposure to the tracks.  I have to compensate for differing acoustics based on the number of people in the room and the level of background noise.  I am ever vigilant for feedback, even when my singers aren’t.  My job is much harder than my counterpart at a concert, because my equipment is not perched in the middle of the audience, but behind the speakers where it is much harder to hear what the audience is hearing.  I have to learn to dial things in to sound great, even when they may not sound right to me.

I am a lighting technician.  I use state of the art equipment to control light shows and a variety of technology.  I aim and angle my lights based on the venue so they do not blind my audience or my singers.  I have to make sure my equipment is in order and must be prepared to replace and repair damaged equipment on the fly.

I am a librarian.  I work with hundreds of discs in a variety of formats.  They are expensive and they are the tools of my trade.  I protect my library as if it were a child.  I have to constantly update my library, adding new songs to keep my customers happy, and replacing damaged materials.  I keep track of my library with computer software and create books so that my customers can easily figure out what I have to offer.

I am a hand writing analyst.  I have to read and translate a variety of scrawls written with dull pencils in dimly lit rooms.  I use my librarian skills to help translate poor hand writing.  I cannot make mistakes in my analysis, as it can slow my show down.

I am a voice coach.  I try and help my singers learn proper microphone control.  I try to encourage singers who don’t project to sing with more power.  I remind those that cup the microphone and scream into it that it’s not necessary.  I try and guide singers into new material and directions, and try to challenge the good singers to perform harder pieces.

I am a social worker.  Occasionally I have to deal with difficult people as a KJ.  I must work with people who have too much to drink or who have done drugs.  They mean well and they can be tremendous performers, but I have to handle them with a light touch.  I need to make everyone feel good about themselves when ever possible.

I am an events coordinator.  I need to prepare a list for all the acts that will be performing and on the fly, as I don’t know if they are singing until they show up.  I need to keep track of this list, which can grow to 30 or more acts in an evening by small slips of paper and memory.  My customers can get very upset if I get the order wrong.  I have to announce the next singers and keep the ones waiting entertained and informed.  I have to act as emcee for the event and it is my job to promote my employer.

I am a singer.  When things slow down it is up to me to fill the time.  When being creative as an event coordinator no longer is satisfactory, I may be called upon to take the stage myself.  I need to motivate my customers who are shy to try and sing new material.  I need to be good and find songs that make my customers react so they come back and want to hear more and perform on stage.

I am what you want me to be.  I am a roadie.  I am a sound engineer.  I am a lighting technician.  I am a librarian.  I am a hand writing analyst.  I am a voice coach.  I am a social worker.  I am an events coordinator.  I am a singer.  I am a KJ.  There is nothing I would rather do.
[/font]

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

Makes Me Want to Weep.

_________________
"There is a Law of the Universe:   CHEAP...   FAST...   GOOD...   pick any two."

I should ask for more money! never thought of it that we. I just do it, and have fun.

_________________

A hell lot of job; never see things that way before

_________________
I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

sounds like we're a bunch of complainers, too!

Matt, where's the whining.  All he's doing is giving a pretty good accurate job description.  Kudos Outdoor Places.  Most people have no idea of what's involved.  He did forget Purchasing Agent for getting the music for all to enjoy.

_________________
You can be strange but not a stranger

What about salesman.  You have to sell your show to the clubs.

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

Great Poem......

KJ Greg

Nice Job, Well stated !

Can I get an AMEN!!!

Reminds me a little of the Hacker's Manifesto, er, not that I have ever read the Hacker's Manifesto, or been to a meeting of hackers, or talked to them online or anything remotely like that....

Love the write up though.... I went into computer security work because I love the variety of jobs you have to do to do it well.  I went into KJ work for the same reasons... lots of variety in the job...

Tim... I was being sarcastic! !

TRUST me, nobody has to tell ME how hard I work as a KJ... or the sheer amount of hours I spend doing the job, and all the background work it takes to make my itty bitty 4 hour show a success!

I wish I was really all that, yet people call me KJ  LOL

CAn I print that and put in front of my Books? Very well thought out and written.
K J ing beats the stress out of my old job  Banking for 27 years.

I have used something similar (albeit not nearly as well written) to let my new KJs know what is involved before they commit to working with me. Well written and received. I may start showing this to club owners also so that they know what their measly fee is getting them.

_________________
OUTLOUD Karaoke, where everyone is a star.

Thanks for the kudos everyone.  Feel free to use as you see fit - unless seeing fit is using it as toliet paper.  

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