Karaoke Forums

I wanted to post a quetion for you kj's--- how do you deal with a rude and unruly crowd while during a karaoke show (or, heaven forbid, a karaoke contest)? I've had this happen one time and I swore I would never go back. Further, I recomended that people not go to that venue, even though as a general rule I do not like to bad mouth shows or specific kjs. Also, how would you deal, or suggest how to deal with, a kj who is unsympathcetic to controlling a crowd- or does the kj have a right to allow the crowd to do whatever it wants if a song is so out of mainstream that it is, shall we say, a definite crowd non-pleaser (and I must add that the song would be a definite G-rating, so there should not be any issues with profanity or adult material). Lastly, does a kj or management have a right to ban music just because it doesn't necessarilly fit the "image" of the show or establishment?

Tease the singer so he/she laughs it off.

_________________
I only date Karaoke singers.

As a KJ my first concern is for my singers.  After all, if the singers stop coming you have no show.  

I do not allow heckling from the audience under any circumstances.  The first time it happens, I'll gently say something about how hard it is to get up in front of people to sing and how all the singers should be treated politely and with respect.  If it continues, the gloves come off and I do my best to humiliate the offending jerk into silence.  

One way I've done that in the past is by making a bet with the loudmouth.  Since they think it is so easy to get up there and sing I challenge them to come up and READ, not sing the lyrics to a song.  If they can do that perfectly their next three drinks are on me.  If they can't, they owe the singer they were heckling a drink.  I've only had a few people take me up on it, and apparently One week by Barenaked Ladies was a little too much!

As a singer if I were being heckled I'd say something over the mic and hope the KJ would do their job.  If not, I'll be at the show down the road.

_________________
Spreading the karaoke gospel

I agree with Big Mike on this. When we are running Karaoke that is what we do and everyone no matter how bad they are deserve to be treated that way. At least they have the guts to get up and sing. So its put up or shut up.

I do like you idea of having the rude person just read the lyrics and if able buy them a drink if not they must buy.

I have been abused while singing; booed and I couldn't care less. Now that I am a much better singer I dont get those treatment anymore. A kind KJ help a lot in those nasty situation.

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

Being condescending only makes things worse.  Just help the singer not take it so seriously.

_________________
I only date Karaoke singers.

I've shut the music off when I had some hecklers that wouldn't stop after being asked and then warned by me, and then the bartender.

I think they should be kicked out, drunk or not. Being drunk doesn't excuse belittling other people.

I actually witnessed this once. And it was very embarassing, cause it was someone who went to karaoke with ME. He's an "almost-relative"....... and a big jerk that says whatever runs through his mind.

He kept it up all night until a girl got done singing (who was, btw, a very good singer) and then she walked up, ordered an iced drink, and dumped it on him. I laughed, shook her hand, and congratulated her- then told him he was lucky he didn't get worse.  The bar tends & KJ said nothing, so he walked away pretty embarrased.

Needless to say, I've never went back out with that couple.

_________________
♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

Yes if there is a group that heckles all night then someone should throw them out.  They're just like anybody else who is causing trouble in a bar.

_________________
I only date Karaoke singers.

No One ever heckles they just f with me. Most of the time is someone that wants to hear a song that does not sing..

I've only had to ask people to leave the show once; they were rude to some singers and yelling for certain songs to be sung.   I went to their table and tried to get it across to them that it takes guts to get up and sing and gently suggested if they wanted to hear a particular song they could try it themselves; I was sure someone would help them sing it if they were uncomfortable.  This group (2 particularly drunk ones) continued making rude comments so I suggested that if karaoke wasn't their cup of tea they may want to come back on one of the 6 non-karaoke nights if they couldn't be respectful of the people singing sooo... they left.  No big loss and the rest of the evening improved tremendously for the rest of us!  

Susie

_________________
You do it in the shower,
you do it in the car,
Ccome do it with us,
and be a star!!!!

Karaoke with Full House Entertainment

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

Suzie, you were a brave soul and confronted the culprits.  Good for you.

I would think sitting down at their table and calmly stating the reason why they need to stop doing what they are doing couldn't hurt anything.  It might take a few tries, but it could end up working.

_________________
I only date Karaoke singers.

Talking sense to a drunk, yeah that's the ticket.

_________________
You can be strange but not a stranger

So you suggest just taking the abuse or yelling at a drunk.  Let me know how that works for you :)

_________________
I only date Karaoke singers.

It's simple, have him removed by security.

_________________
You can be strange but not a stranger

That would be my second approach.  But then, I'm not a KJ so what the f do I know anyway.

_________________
I only date Karaoke singers.

In bars, bartenders tend, servers serve, KJs host, security takes care of drunks and obnoxious people.

_________________
You can be strange but not a stranger

some of us aren't so lucky to have separate duties like that.

The bartender is also security, as am I...

Matt

I'd have to agree, In the bar I played at on Saturdays there were 2 bartenders BOTH girls and myself.  Generally I would handle any problems diplomaticaly myself but if things got out of hand ...There was no security.  And for $$$ as long as my equipment and myself were out of harms way ....I just minded my own business

The owner told me that with the Bartenders assistance I could FLAG anyone I thought had too much to drink and  ask them to leave.  If all else fails there were always a pool cue or two nearby

cue ball in a bar towel works WONDERS dude!