Karaoke Forums

Let me just throw out a question to everyone.  Are there propper rules for a KJ host to follow - after 2 years I think I've pretty much made up my own which is to almost that that there are none - Personally I limit my own singing to about twice a night (unless someone asks for a quick backing vocal) I try to keep the rotation as fresh as possible (of course I've recently switched to using computer based and it takes care of the rotation for me) and I try not to ask for much except be nice to my mics and be respectful of everyone else.  I do limit how people can submit songs, I used to get 5 or 6 slips from the same person at one time, just to keep the rotation practical (multiply that by 15 people doing the same thing and let the headache begin)  Anyway, just wondering if anyone else out there has their own little rules they follow?

[font=Comic Sans MS]I don't think there is a KJ etiquette book of rules anywhere. I know that when I started I watched other KJ's to pick up tips. I demand respect for my equipment, that's my livelyhood. I let the singers bring up as many slips as they want, I have a notebook in which I write the rotation. I can't keep it in my head and I'm not computerized yet. This also gives me a record of each night for the discussions with the owners etc. I try to be as polite as I can but I don't take any abuse from a disgruntled singer etc. Basically, Play it by ear and see what works for you. The rules also seem to change a little from bar to bar. Everyone is there to have a good time so let them. I control the karaoke show and try to stay out of the operations of the bar, It's up the the venue to police what happens with the customers. Catch the "Spirit" [/font]

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Live Fast, Run Hard and Enjoy Life, you're only here for a short time. Respect you're neighbor and Hope they respect you, if they don't, they're not worth your time. Keep a song in your heart and a smile on your face. Peace and Love to you all!

I found a page I printed into my bools on a friends web page It works out pretty good check it out. http://groups.msn.com/karaokesingersalu ... otoID=1366
karaoke singers alumni

my most important rule:

"If you break it, you PAY for it!"

All others are really individual show requirements. Some have tighter reign on their singers and venues... others are much more lax...

Right On Knightshow, Same here, I got the same policy,but I also tell the bar owner that some security has to be present in the bar band I hold the bar responsible for equipment damages that occur in their bar. so if a patron decides to become roger daltry and swing the mike around and it get broken , I call over security and tell them to get $150. from the customer or the bar has to reimburse me at the end of the night.
 This is understood before i step foot into a new bar with any piece of equipment in my hand. You gotta stand up for yourself on these matters or you have to soak up all these cost and thats not fair to us.

I think every venue is different. What may work in a bar situation may not work for a wedding occasion.
There was a post not to long ago about
karaoke rules. A lot of people posted what they put in their books.
(Some people don't post rules at all.)
I found it interesting to read other peoples rules. Some would work for me others wouldn't. There is no way to standardize it. You just do what works for you.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Forgive me if I'm being thick here, but why is getting 5 or 6 slips at a time a problem?  The only way I've ever seen it done is that the KJ lines up a pile of slips across the front of his table, when you've sung, your pile goes to the left hand end of the row of slips, and the person whose slip is at the right is up next.

Also means that the KJ knows if a person just wants to do one song or if they're going to be singing all night, and he can adjust how he "works the crowd" to encourage people to sing accordingly.

many kjs do the "sing one, bring one" type of slip rotation management...

keeps it simple.

I personally don't have a problem with multiple slips... but know many that utilize that method!

I agree with Steve.  One or ten slips, there's no difference and as Steve says it will give you some foresight into the show.  Are they there to stay or do one song and go to another show.  Since we have a local store sponsoring our slips there's no cost to us and more coverage for them.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

I take all slips i stand them in between the buttons on my board , some shows it gets pretty full but I can keep track . I feel it keeps the people busy looking through the books and it gives me a choice of the type of song to play when it's their turn.

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ROBDOG *WOOF WOOF*

I don't understand rule #10.   If I go into a venue and don't sing, yet play dart's, or pool, or sit on the other side of the bar watching TV, I'm expected to "Buy the host a drink, Important?".  Or is this one of those "Strange humor abounds clauses" you often find in the Guitarist rooms often directed towards the drummer's wives ?

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

I prefer they give me multiple slips. Then they aren't trying to hand me slips when others are singing. I also can look through them and sometimes suggest what song to do first depending on the crowd. I am lucky I have a great set up to lay the slips out. I have enough room to accomidate 35+ singers slips to be laid out.

The only time I've found it to be a problem is when I'm doing a show outside and it is windy. That's the worst all around.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

My request slips have 5 spaces on back for song titles (dont need numbers) . It wont be long now that the hosters will have multiple singer entry so you can enter the singers selections for the night and it will automatically put each one in the rotation... My singers can change selection on a dime or with a mouse click on the way up to the stage or even do a new one.. They can turn in their songs and then enjoy the evening it is alot easier on everybody...

Or number 13.  You pay for tea and coffee which has a higher percentage profit in most cases than alcohol and the same goes for water if the sell bottled water.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

How about some requests for additions to my rules page and please be as foolish as you want  :shock:

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ROBDOG *WOOF WOOF*

Our KJ's have a sign posted that says "Only beautiful women allowed in the booth...also includes hot, sexy, pretty, and SMOKIN'!"

There's a disclaimer at the bottom of the sign that says the determination of what is beautiful is at their sole discretion  :D

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[glow=white][scroll]Live, laugh, and love today--just in case tomorrow doesn't make it[/scroll][/glow]

IF YOU PUKE ON STAGE - YOUR DONE SINGING FOR THE NIGHT!
 ( I'm still not over that night)

Friends don't let friends drive drunk or sing I'm a little tea pot at karaoke.

No shirt, no shoes, no teeth, no sing

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

, No kidding Tim.  Maybe I should tell people at the bar that "I'm the designated driver", and follow it with three possibilities as compensatory options for my despicable behaviour.

1)    Would you mind horribly if I just payed triple the cover-charge, and
       rather than $2.75 per coffee, just give you a nominal lump sum payment
       of $200.00 ?  I won't be in the way, I'll sit here with my dunce cap under
       your "never trust a man that doesn't drink" sign.

2)     Would you mind horribly if I leave my drunk buddies here for happy hour
        while both me and my "AA" sponser (my wife) go next door and play at
       "Chucky Cheese" ?  If they spend too much, please feel free to "86" them.

3)     Can you pick us up again tomorrow night so we can all get hammered again ?
        Thank's for the ride home..(and tip the bar owner $50 for shuttling both you
        and your friends to and from his bar 2 hours away), While thanking him
        copiously for not only sparing you a DWI summon's, but also affording both
        you, and your friends the opportunity to spend a few hundred bucks at his
        establishment

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Forgive me if I'm being thick here, but why is getting 5 or 6 slips at a time a problem?  The only way I've ever seen it done is that the KJ lines up a pile of slips across the front of his table, when you've sung, your pile goes to the left hand end of the row of slips, and the person whose slip is at the right is up next.

-

What I should have meantioned was the - oh, I want to do this one first - oh wait, let me do this before so and so leaves oh, and can I switch this to before that one and well, if no one wants to help me I don't want to do this one alone.. oh yeah, and if bob shows up I have to do this one next.. hey, ya try to be nice but there's a limit

It's not really a problem, but more of an irritant.  Someone hands you a pile of slips - someone else hands in a song that happens to be in the other persons pile, then the other person gets upset because now "their" song is being done even though they had it up first.  Well technically they may have had it up, but just because it's in your "pile" doesn't mean it's going to be sung by you, you have other songs that were up ahead of that song.  Now imagine SEVERAL people with piles & this happens more frequently.  
Eliminate the piles, eliminate the possibility.

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