Karaoke Forums

Well I started this thread...I might as well give an update.

During the month of May due to scheduling issues and work commitments at the real job I did not do this Friday night gig, but was covered by one of the other KJ's.

In a word, Friday nights - DIED.

The two best Friday's from a bar revenue stand point have been upon my return for the last two weeks.  I can now do basically what I want with the blessing of management who now "gets it," and gets that computerized rotation, first come first served and no interweaved newbies works.

It has also meant some adjustment on my part.  There have been a couple of occassions where I've made a special excpetion - been flexible.  Also I've accomodated requests to play some dance music ONLY if I get multiple requests (say from a birthday party group) and my rotation is short.  This has not been met with lashback from the regulars and I keep it to ONE song.  This ended up being a tad irritating with a group on Friday who asked for dance music, requested a specific song which I played for them at the top of the rotation (had 6 singers at the time) and -- NONE OF THEM DANCED!    :O  :O  :O  :O

Anyway - it's gotten better at this gig --

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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!

Glad to hear they now "get it" and things are looking up!

Congratulations,
Susie

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Karaoke with Full House Entertainment

[scroll]Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean...... [/scroll]

so someone who get to sing 5 songs because they were there at 9:00 on the dot gets upset because someone who comes in at the end of the night  only get to sing one song because the KJ mixed them into the rotation and the other person doen't get to sing 6.

Why did the person come in so late?
I don't mind anyone doing what they want but I am there for 4 hours, if they come in too late I cannot do anything for them. On rare occasion I MAY be able to let them sing the last song for the evening when I am finished with people who were there in time to sing. It is rare but it has happened. I can't promise I will have the chance and I tell people this up front. There are times I cannot even consider it.

Was it that they don't get of work until the.
I do have some sympathy for those who work, and they sing when I am done or if I know they are coming in I include them ONLY at the end of the last round.


Did they have a personal commitment they had to attend?
Again they have the right to do as they please but I am not responsible for the fact they may be too late to sing with me. I tell them to be sure to come in early next time.

If they came in so they may sing a song or two before closing the why not?
If a KJ has the time that is their prerogative, I have long rotations, so I cannot do this, especially when I often can get only 2 rounds a night out of the 30 plus singers who come in to sing.

Are they a regular custome who usually come in at the start and stays all night?
People do not have to be a regular, nor stay all night just be in in time to sing. They may have a long wait, leave and have the round closed you can't get back in later to sing at my shows.

Maybe it is a new singer?
I find that people who do come in too late do come in early enough to sing the next time. People want to come in or wait because they know I run a fair show. This is why people will come in and wait for their turn as long as they get in in time to sing. I have shows all over around me, they come because of the reputation and treatment of each singer. Most do understand when and why I say I can't take any more singers. They might not be happy but they do understand and like it when they have been in and I have had to turn people away for the evening.

Maybe the new singer will become a regular singer who come in earlier in the night in the future?
For some shows this might be a real consideration which is why each KJ's needs are different. Consider your crowd and shows. If you don't have the logistical crowd problems consistently as I have which force me to make these decisions then do what YOU as a KJ need to do.

I mix my rotation and try to get every one a chance to sing. The ones who come early or the one they show up late.
I give every person who gets in making my rotations a chance to sing. If I do not have time for a full round with time for 30 minutes worth of singing I will draw names from those I have on the rotation board.  If people come in and wait to sing 2 maybe three times they are the ones I will reward for their patience and patronage. If I draw names it will be from those who were patient and came in to patronize my venue(s).

Maybe the were at a different bar and didn't like it so they started looke for a new place.
IF they went someplace else and decided for whatever reason to come to may show late they made their decision but another show who may not have a consistently large draw may need to do as you. Every need is different. Many may need to operate as you do if the draw is not over 15 singers a night worth of people normally.

There are many reasons why someone shows up late.
If someone is singing 6 songs or even 5 before the night is through means you may need to take the latecomers unless you are trying to encourage them to come in earlier. That is 20 to 25 minutes worth of singing for just ONE person in the show. There should be no problem working in someone unless they are a chronic problem. If you have a super busy show then you may want to operate as I have had to. Both ways are good, you have to decide what you need to do to best facilitate your business. Making money is the bottom line and taking care of the customer who pays for it and encouraging them to come back and stay are top on that list.

You got it ...in a word you might need to be FLEXIBLE or you might need to be INFLEXIBLE another show's needs can be very different from mine, in my case I little room to do that as it would bring chaos, people know what to expect. Whatever you decide to do be consistent in how you choose to operate and people will go along with it - every show is different.

I love to read the discussions that are so your team vs my team....

Okay.... I am from Southern California. We have KJ awards for Sound, Library and ROTATION.  KARAOKEFEST! This year I was nominated for "Best Rotation". (and other awards)  The other nominees and the Winner all use insertion method. I truly believe it is because we are singers that go to several venues during the week to support our local hosts.  We know that if we show up at 10:30 and have to go to the end of the rotation it will be a good hour or two before we sing. That is CRAZY! We want treat other singers as we would like to be treated as a singer.

My rotation goes like this... We normally get a solid 15 singers when I start at 4pm on Sunday.  We get a steady stream of singers up until close. So what I do "VERY CONSISTENTLY" is add a new singer every two.... so in essence one new singer two from rotation one new two old.....We normally have 30 or more singers from 9pm to almost 1am.  This seems to work for me, but I believe the key factor on what works for each host is CONSISTENCY! CONSISTENCY! CONSISTENCY!  

I have a great regular crowd.  One of my solutions when people do start to nag at me..."when am I up?? when am I up??" ewwww I hate that question... I always tell them the same thing.... I use the mic and say "Hey people Bob wants to know when he is up" they all repeat in unison "WHEN SHE CALLS YOUR NAME!!" it is awesome!

Regulars know my rules. #1 the KJ is never wrong #2 Always enjoy yourself #3 Never forget rule #1.

  Great discussion people!!!

Lena Maria

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hey lena, ya hit the nail on the head- consistency!  if those are the rules, whether I agree or not, and the house knows the rules, then I need to play by those rules too... is it what I would do? maybe, maybe not, rotations are as unique to a venue as fingerprints... the old saying "when in Rome..." really applies to ANY house rules... if the rules are clear and enforced then I have no problem with a rotation... -tig

Hey tig.......wonder how they do karaoke in Rome....prolly like the Romans Huh?

I heard they do it like they do it on the discovery channel...

And he is funny too....  I am soooo crushing on Mr. October...!!

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