Karaoke Forums

I was just curious about if other KJs out there supply any non-karaoke songs at events such as weddings or reunions?  For example, a few very popular songs requested at weddings are "Chicken Dance" or "Electric Slide" or even "Macarana".  Do you carry regular versions of these songs for these situations?

I had someone request "Electric Slide" at a party, and knowing I had it on my songlist, said I'd be happy to try it.......BIG mistake!  I don't know if anyone else has ever tried to sing that, but it was not pretty.

How do the copyright laws apply to these kinds of situations?

Just curious......thx.

I do "Strokin", but the electric slide, chicken dance ect. if someone requests it for dancing, I just que it up and play it. My system is all computer, and I have 32,000 tracks in case someone wants to dance at a wedding, which is pretty much a given.

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I would suggest that as a KJ if you plan to do private parties like weddings and reunions you develop a library of NON karaoke songs.  There are many discs out there for PARTY music and top hit compilations.  It's almost a given that if you're hired to do a karaoke party --SOMEONE will ask for dance music or some other non karaoke song to be played.  When accepting KAROKE gigs make sure whomever is hiring you understands your capabilities and services you are offering.

Thanks for the quick response!  We are just getting to where we are ready to start expanding a bit, and want to start doing private parties and such in the future.

I run a CAVS 1099, which can hold 20,000 songs as is.  We currently only have about 10,300 karaoke tracks.  Our plan was to compile a list of just a few hundred top dance selections and add them to the tail end numbers of the CAVS.  I don't know if it will work as we plan, but I guess it's worth a shot!

Thanks for the great tips.  Can I ask how long it took you to compile over 32,000 songs?  We've had our system a year and are just beginning to be able to expand.  I can't imagine having that many selections!  If you don't mind me asking, what type of set up do you use?  Speakers, monitors, mics, amps, mixers, etc.  Just curious to see what others use and if we might be able to improve from what we have now!

since I'm computerized, I have a full library of my regular mp3s I can play... and a whole library of videos!!

Have all the regular music on computer including all the line dances.

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I started DJ'ing back in 1984 so I have a massive collection of vinyl and started on CD's early on (1986) as I was sick of getting my records scratched, cleaning, cool/dry/dark storage, size, cueing, etc. etc. etc.  It's kind of a lost art.

When I switched over to a laptop for my transitional music I went through my entire vinyl collection and downloaded digital versions.  Maybe I'm off base here but my logic being I have paid the royalties, I have proof that I paid the royalties, my vinyl still sits in cool/dry/dark storage so if the ASCAP monkies ever showed up I could prove ownership.  As others have noted there are a lot of el cheapo compilation CD's out there that cover party, dance, and wedding/special event music.  You can just load them up on an inexpensive laptop, and with a couple of other goodies have them at demand.  I would strongly recommend building up a collection of DJ tracks, LEGALLY, if you have these kinds of demands.

As a KJ there may be some songs you might be able to work on - don't know your voice or ability.  I could never do the Electric Slide or Macarena, but I can call out a mean Cotton Eyed Joe.  It gives a "live" quality to the performance.

The good news is for older music, 50's, 60's, 70's and now the 80's there are a TON of good quality really cheap "greatest hits of the [decade]" packages out there that have 100 or 150 songs for like $30.  It's not heavy lifting or big bucks to build up a pretty descent music library legally.

I do not advocate downloading off of free sites and using unlicensed tracks.  For your own listening pleasure to consider buying music or checking out other tracks from a favorite artist - I see no harm - but not for DJ gigs.  Potential for big trouble and big fees if ever caught (not saying YOU would do this but something posted is here forever so for future generation of readers).

If you rip the tracks to a laptop I recommend at LEAST 160 kbps for transitional talk over music, and consider higher bitrate for music used in performance.

I keep a library of about 6,500 songs on my laptop for shows.  I could go into DJ mode for country, pop, rock, or dance at the push of a button - and have several automatic playlists built.

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

There are lots of ways to get transition music.  I've belonged to emusic for nearly 5 years now and pick up about 300 tracks a month from them.  It's mostly indie labels but occasionally you'll find some mainstream artists like Creedence Clearwater Revival or The Cult.

I purchased an instructional CD on starting a DJ business (also starting a KJ business, and how to MC weddings) which had a list of 'most requested' songs for weddings.  I've also purchased a couple books on DJ'ing which have a list of most requested dance songs.  I've worked to purchase quite a few of these songs over the last couple year or so and now have nearly 40,000 tracks including a number of comedy tracks that I can play intermittently to break things up.

If you want a good list of requested music check out 'How to be a DJ' by Chuck Fresh.  Chapter 5 in this book has a good list of the 'dance classics' you'll find on most dance floors.  The best thing about weddings is that they don't usually expect the 'latest and greatest' that you find in the clubs.  Same goes for most private parties.  I tend to ask what music they want and for some idea of what the demographic will be for the gathering.  I still buy some newer releases but they're few and far compared to what I buy in 'classics'.

BTW, I'm buying MP3's which are legal to play electronically and I don't have to sweat any of the potential hassles about format-shifting.  I find it's often cheaper than buying the CD's since I can pick and choose the tracks instead of buying a truckload of cd's to get the tracks I'm wanting.

BTW, there are plenty of sites online to purchase music besides itunes, wal-mart, rhapsody, and napster.  As I already mentioned I use emusic for indie music and a couple other sites for the more recent stuff.  There are a couple sites that have great prices but the legalities of the site might be in question since they're based outside of the US.  They meet the laws of the country in which they're located but they might not meet the requirements of US law.

I carry my complete DJ library with me when I have any KJ gig.

I am still spinning the disks so I carry them with me. Have thought of going computerized maybe in future. But would still keep disk with me just in case.

Here's where the argument my husband and I always have comes in:  Is it cool to play some dance stuff at karaoke night, or is it not cool?  I do it...But my husband says it's not fair to the people who want to sing all night.  What about the other half of the crowd who don't like to get up there and sing, but love to dance?  So I pretty much cater to both crowds, yet am very fair.  If I don't play the dance music, I can guarantee that by 12:30, someone will come up and say, "When are we gonna dance?"...It's a given...So I will play a four-hour gig, and at about midnight I'll hit the Cha-Cha Slide (which they LOVE), and two other dance songs...Everyone's pretty much satisfied.  If both singers and dancers are happy in about an hour, and I see that some singers have left for the night, I'll throw in a couple more dance songs before the night is over.  It works for me, and everyone is happy.  My husband disagrees and says that karaoke night is karaoke night, and will NOT play ANY DJ music.  We both have a gig at the same place during the week, mine on Wednesdays, and his on Saturdays...People will ask him on his night to play the slide, and he says, "Nope!"...We are two totally different people...But they say opposites attract!! [schild=1 fontcolor=C0C0C0 shadowcolor=C0C0C0 shieldshadow=1]rolls eyes[/schild]

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Hard core singers will say it's not cool.  Some clubs it may go over better than others.  I play an occasional line dance song & everyone that is dancing are also singers & they request these dances.

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why not tell the person who requested the dance song that this is their turn in the rotation

Depends on the crowd and the mood for the night..  In a week after week situation you know what the crowd wants...I can switch to Spanish Tejano disco or any other format with a mouse click... It depends upon the scenery on the dance floor if it is good I tell the hard core singers to shut up but havnt had very many complaints...  In fact i  cant remember the last one..  Dont know where these gals buy their jeans...

The singers and the crowd are the show not the KJ  and they determine the format...
They determine the volume level, genre, and general format.. And most bar owners and Kj's dont realize this.. If I had the same thing every night it would be boring... Be dynamic....

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We do karaoke only.  If we do a wedding and they want dance music, they provide the discs, which we will play and are informed of this at the first meeting.

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Our shows are karaoke only as well.

When we go out we personally don't like it if they play dance music but those are few and far between around here and just our personal opinion.....  I guess we're considered die-hard singers!  :)

Susie

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Couple of points...

1. Karaoke at weddings.  It's a day about the bride and groom and bride.  (yes, I said bride TWICE!).  Karaoke could take away from them putting others in the spotlight.  If the bride and groom enjoy singing then it's different but they need to know that it can take away from the spotlight being on them on 'their' day.

2. Dance music should be kept to a minimum if you're doing a 'karaoke' show
IMHO.  If you do a short set once a night to break it up (like the cha cha slide and 2 other songs at midnight) then I don't see a problem with it.  But if you break into a dance set every hour then advertise a mixed show of karaoke/dance.  If I go to a 'karaoke' show and someone does a long dance set every hour then I vote to go elsewhere.  Advertise what you're really doing and don't try to bring me in by advertising what you're NOT really doing.

3. Admittedly, the crowd dictates the show, but I'd limit the show to what's being advertised.  If the crowd wants something different then change what you're advertising.

Karyoker wrote:  Depends on the crowd and the mood for the night.. The singers and the crowd are the show not the KJ  and they determine the format...
They determine the volume level, genre, and general format.. And most bar owners and Kj's dont realize this.. If I had the same thing every night it would be boring... Be dynamic....

I agree...When I start out at a new place, I tell the owners that I do karaoke AND DJ, on request..But when starting out, I will do ONLY karaoke...After I'm there for awhile, I will go around and ask people if they would like to do the Cha Cha Slide, or whatever...Sometimes I don't even have too..they just come up and ask...But I make sure first...

I want people to know that I am there for THEM, not me.  My shows are mostly karaoke; only dancing at midnight or on request or depending on the mood of the night.

There are people who love doing both; singing and dancing.  People in the Ohio Valley know me well enough by now, that there WILL be variety there that night.  If there are people who don't like the dancing, they just won't come out.  Plain and simple.  I have people who don't sing at all and only come out, because they know that I will play the electric slide for them if they want to hear it...And the other KJ won't.

Everyone has their own little niche that sets them apart from the others...That is mine~!

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