Karaoke Forums

This might sound off the wall, but listen.  I knew of a bar that wanted Karaoke.  I myself couldn't do it.  I had heard that someone, a KJ also heard about it, through one of their followers.  In talking, this person said that they wanted to get there before the competition got there.  Little do they know, as I do, this other person that also heard through the grapevine and from one of their followers, I am sure, was already planning and quite prepared to see the owner.  Well I, and I am not ashamed to say this, new the first person I talked about was getting a bad reputation because of what they were allowing to go on at their Karoake.  Knowing the other KJ and the great reputation they had, I wanted to tell them to get there as fast as they could.  I personally would of done whatever it took to keep the bad un-experienced KJ out.  My point is this -  I have nothing personally against the KJ that wanted to do whatever it took to keep that great KJ out.   But business is business.  I would rather see a happy bar owner, a great following, and a long term relationship with the establishment, than to see someone come in, bring in a bad following and an unhappy bar owner that is afraid to try it again with someone who really knows what they are doing.   Does that make sense?  
WELL-  it all worked out anyway!  The better man got the job.  Why?  He knew how to present himself, and was prepared!!!!!  Hats off to that KJ!!!!!    :hi5:

Swing cat.....When I brought that very same subject up, everyone wanted to cut my throat.    Keep your collar up.    

Agreed Flipper.  This is what I find (over duration) to be the hardest to do, too !
Seems that there often comes a point where interest in growing in a particular area wears thin, and a negative cycle begins. Over the long-haul, (given frustrations when dealing with people, even dealing with our own situations), for the sake of this topic pertaining to the business we have to focus on, or job/career we are involved with, depending on "which side of the fence we are on at any given time", it's very very easy at times to lose site of what's most important, or our own conduct. It's very hard (at least for me) when situations become stressful, to take into consideration other's, as well as overall objective. It's amazing how some can stay in customer service type fields, always smiling, feigning compassion and caring and never wear their own "downers" on their lapel... Some have one hell of a time doing that consistently. It doesn't take long to lose site of what's most important which is our own behavior, when we must become actors, and try to hold ourselves together.  Bab's thread regarding "In a KJ funk" was actually an excellent eye-opener, because those funks CAN potentially be screw up periods for us.  These are the times at least *I* find it's toughest to maintain my composure, act maturely, and not "throw a childlike" tantrum such as "I don't want to be here....Leave me alone world"  Those lackadaisical, wrestless times can really get messy.

Wouldn't it be nice, if like typing in here.. A job was something we could do "when we feel up to it".  Dealing with people day after day, especially in a bar environment is NEVER easy.  Those of you that are discipline, and have the maturity to stand there, and roll with the punches, and babysit for some..Kudo's..  I flunked in that area.  Just was never good at staying light on the outside.

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

Did someone forget that Karaoke was meant to be for FUN!?

A singers/patrons pet peeves....

- KJ showing up or starting late.  If singing is supposed to start at 9, then show up on time an start at 9.   I can understand if its during week with 2 singers. But if its Friday or Sat and there are 20 singers, get'r going.

- Bad sound - I spend money in the and wait for maybe 1 hour to sing 1 song.  Pls make sure you gear works.  That is add-on to point #1.  KJ's that show up late THEN can't make their sytem work right. (Ok, stuff happens but that's why one shows up early to setup and make sure things are right).

Ditto....

Susie

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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]

True, however a kj can make or break the 'fun' factor.  Same goes for the 'serious' singer as well.

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

Yes it is suppose to be fun and it usually is.  But like Steve said, sometimes it's hard to keep your cool.  Last night for example:

When you walk in the stage is immediately on your right.  The book table on your left.  I'm up on stage, and I have a high seated chair and table for the singer to sing from if he/she wishes and a place to put their drink and or smoke.  Well, some guy walks in front outside has 2 phones up to his ears and walks on the stage and sits down in the chair.  At the same time I am having the next singer come up to sing.  I ask the guy politely to leave the stage. He just sits there.  The singer tells him I'm going to sit down.  I finaly make the guy get up and tell him to leave the stage.  He gets up but proceeds to stand right next to the chair.  My wife walks over to him and tells him to leave and he completely ignors her.  

I walk over grab him by the arm and again say "please stay of the stage."  I walk him off the stage and he stands right next to it.  All of a sudden about half way through the singers song I look out of the corner of my eye and the guy with the phones has now put one foot up on the stage. KABOOOOOM! (That's something you would expect out of a 3 year old)   I am told I have the paitience of "Jobe"  but that was enought to bring out the "Wrath of GOD" with me  I jumped up and grabbed him and escorted him out the door to a round of applause behind me.  I couldn't help it.  Once outside, I see three other people followed me out.  (Yea I'm a little nervous. I'm 6' 2" but don't like the odds) The guy wanted to know what my problem was and I told him I had repeatedly asked him to stay off the stage.  He proceeded to tell me he hadn't been on the stage.  I quickly realized not only was I dealing with an @$$hole, but a spaced out one at that.  I told him to leave and he said I didin't have the authority to make him.  I told him that that was part of my contract that I DID have the authority to have someone leave and he had over stayed his welcome.

The other three gentlemen just stood there watching.  At least they were staying nuetral.

I came back in and noticed the three other gentlemen followed me back in but the trouble maker was no where in sight.?????  Found out at the end of the evening the "three gentleman" were actually off duty police officers who were asked to stop by at the bartenders request.  There has been some trouble makers going around to all the clubs in town and he wanted to be on th safe side.  One of the police officers complimented me on how I handle the siutation and said , "And I thought we were the only ones who had to handle idiots."

Sorry for getting off topic but had to share.  Back on topic..... I usually get there an hour before time.  Setup in about 30 min, and spend the rest of the time up to show time visiting and welcoming old and new patrons.

Kelly

wow, Kelly, there IS a God after-all.. After the belicose individual made a statement such as "I was never on the stage", not having known the three weren't HIS companions at the time, I'd have been thinking "Damn, I'm about to become a kickball for a group of four assembled to kick the crap out've me".. His statement "I was never on the stage" sounds as if he's winding up for something ugly... I'd have been shaken up assuming I felt cornered by perhaps 3 or more irrate irrational folks getting into fighting stance in a parking lot.. VERY glad to hear those three were on your side.. Situations that end up like that are often the exception, and not the norm.. Could've been an ugly night.



Actually whether you realize it or not, in making this statement you are commiserating with those that are stressed out.  Reason being YOU (as the KJ) are paid money to create the :FUN: environment for OTHERS to enjoy. YES, it's supposed to be fun. The KJ reaps the onus of the consequences if it isn't fun for the audience.  You are "recreation director", you aren't on the :fun: side of the amusement booth.. You are also furnishing entertainment in an environment that's often-times as much fun as being a recreation director in a convalescent home. Similarly,  We love to eat at a good restaurant, we love to be waited on. We like to indulge and relax.. But is THAT environment :fun: for the waiter ??  Hell No.. For the KJ, it's work, it's a paid job... Some will say, "You aren't paid to have fun", you have the responsibility of making sure OTHERS are having fun, If somehow the KJ can integrate fun into the equation for himself concomitently, that's ideal.. Yet you aren't singing songs YOU like,  You are running the equipment for others to enjoy Karaoke, After 4 or 5 times, how enjoyable is seeing the same movie, and having to stay stuck in often an uncomfortable environment for the projectionist ?  For me, playing music when I wanted to was fun,  Having to work bars night after night even when I didn't feel up to it wasn't fun.. It's a job.




It *IS* extremely necessary to have an outlet such as this for you folks to share stories in, learn that not only do others share similar problems, but someone somewhere has a solution that can at least enable you to perhaps see situations in a different light,  not take certain situations as a personal affront, and most important exchange ideas with others that are in the same field of work as small business people working within comparable atmospheres.  This is the beauty of the internet, it offer's us a wealth of support, and knowledge that couldn't be found easily elsewhere.

You KJ's have it harder than most retailers IMO...  Even worse than I did playing piano bar (because usually the crowd in even that environment although still drinking, is abit more mature in general, usually seated, and I had MUCH more personal space and that IMHO is what I think can be brutal for you folks (and it might pay to be aware of this if you aren't already). I need to have "space", likely more than many people, yet it's very normal to feel agitated when certain types of people are "in your face".. Especially during those "off periods" when you aren't 100%.  While I could handle younger drinking audiences when I was younger and drinking, Today, I could not do what many of you are doing, It IS hard, I couldn't even DJ.... You folks that KJ constantly have people invading your "personal space"  while you work, it's like being in a crowded room with alot of 3rd graders IMHO, although I assume people don't drink quite as much as they did years back at bars (I don't know), many drink too much to comfortably deal with and are more prone to becoming boisterous, and more aggressive than usual, these "altered" individuals also are sharing your your space alot of the time (depending on bar layout), getting closer than usual when they talk (or yell at you with beer and pretzels in their mouth.. blech), you just don't really have much of a barrier alot of the time,  or do you ?  When performing live, there's usually more distance or better defined boundaries between you and "them", Karaoke you MUST interact with MANY drunk people behaving often at their worst. In a sense you aren't entertaining adults.  You are supplying entertainment for people who are emotionally stunted much of the time because they are "under the influence", that's VERY VERY tough especially when you are trying to maintain some element of control, and order in such a setting. you must share constant space with these people,  at least bar tenders, and bar backs have the bar to block them from the obnoxious folks, and since they are seated, they are usually less charged than those singing, or hyped about being "next".. or wanting to get bumped.... Etiquette is toughest to maintain when you are surrounded by a group that's consuming a hypnotic/depressant substance, you can't get away from these folks when you are working and need space either... you are stuck with them for a couple long hours.. Karaoke is VERY interactive so as I said, while it's understood at the onset if a job you take, working directly with certain types of people is hard !

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

Good points Steve.  But it's not the drunks that bother me all that much.  In fact for me it's easier to put up with the drunk because I know even though he did it to him/herself they at least have a reason for being stupid!  It's the (probably because of my age) inmature ahole who thinks the world revolves around them that I have the most problem tolerating.  Ill manners; disrespect for themselves or anyone around them; those are the ones that make my nights tuff.

Other gripes???
The ones (mostly women) who bring up their song request folded a million times.  What the H#!! do they think it is? A love note?  I have to unfold it and get the crease out so it will lay straight.  Or the guy who comes up and sees 30 slips of paper and asks, when am I up?  DUH!  And the sexes have the use of a mic all mixed up if ya ask me.  The gals want to hold the mic like it's been somewhere you wouldn't want it and they hold so far from their mouths that you have trouble getting a good vocal; while the guys (mostly) grab it and treat it like a food snack from "Brokeback Mountain."

Gheez! I think I need to go lay down for awhile!

Kelly

i guess i am a low maintenance singer. sound monitor, no sound monitor, bad equipment, i am gonna have fun. if i am somewhat of a regular, i might ask for a bit more monitor, but i never tell a kj how to adjust the sound out on the floor. i do not know their set-up or how i sound to the audience--i leave that to the professional.

i have not yet read a post by a kj on this site that makes me worry about their egos. venting is venting--everyone meets someone irritating or selfish sometimes, and when you kj, the odds are great that it will be a patron. not ALL of them, but that one memorable singer. copious amounts of alcohol are frequently involved.

to me the only bad kj is one that makes you feel unwelcome if you are not one of the regular crowd. i don't mind being a newbie and missing out on the inside track, but, hey, maybe i want to join the regular crowd! by the way, i have not read a post by a kj on this site yet that didn't make me want to visit their show. i just cannot afford all the airfare. keep up the good work, and vent to your heart's content.  :worship:

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[glow=darkorchid]Musica delenit bestiam feram[/glow]

After reading this thread I am glad to see that we can all vent. I just want to be able to hear myself when I sing because there are things I do with my voice that don't work if I can't hear them. I have only had trouble hearing myself once but I don't plan on ever going back to Detroit again so it is of no consequence.

This thread also made me a little more interested in buying the club where GG and I met. We had looked into buying it a few years back along with another friend but we had been left out of the bidding by the then owner of the club. Her name is Mary. GG and I used to KJ there. We also did the website and I remanufactured the graphics for the website and the karaoke slips I made for them.

Their show is going downhill fast. The owner is tying the hands of the KJs and not allowing them to promote any kind of atmosphere at all. The drink prices have gone way too high and he won’t even maintain the club. The Lady’s room toilet had no door for a couple of years. Women had to bring a friend to guard the restroom door so guys won’t accidentally walk in and see them in an awkward situation.

My main concern is keeping BMI and ASCAP happy. I have no idea how much that costs while I am trying to work out costs in my head to decide if we can afford to buy the place and restore it to its former glory. I have been a unit manager at a restaurant that sold beer. This is very different but in some ways the same.

It irks me to see the place fall apart like this. If anyone wants to know the name of the club, I'm sorry but I will not put it in this post.

EDIT: The jocks are not going to stay much longer under this type of arrangement.

Karaoke is supposed to be fun.   Absolutely.    When some drunken jerk is dropping or banging on a microphone, how much fun am I supposed to have.   That mike costs as much as the hood of your car.   Would you mind if I bang on it for a while?   It might not hurt it.    Can I drop something on it?     Might not hurt it and just think of how much fun... we'll have.     Fun does not include me putting up with stupid people, whether it's drug or alcohol induced.    People that constantly nag and whine about when they are coming up.     How I have to let so & so sing in a hurry because they are soooo good and can really get the crowd going.   Meanwhile, they can't see the TV, because of their stupor.   Fun is cleaning up the sticky song books that were used as coasters all night.    Fun is having people use my speakers as drink tables.    Fun is loosing pencils every night.   Fun is when we have to look up your songs all night, because you can't read anymore.   Fun is when drunk people want to sing in everybody's ear all night, off key.    Fun is Elvis jerks that can't do Elvis after 20 years, telling you you're an A88hole, because they suck.    Fun does not include abusing the KJ or his equipment.     Let's have some more fun.   Keep it coming, it's getting a little dull in here.    Sing two songs and call me in the morning.

ouch, bigdog! i hope that was not all in one night!

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[glow=darkorchid]Musica delenit bestiam feram[/glow]

The point is.... When everyone is acting NORMAL, then yes, it is a lot of fun.    It doesn't take tooo many to ruin the fun for everyone either.

So True.

yup. and everything you mentioned is miserable for the rest of the singers, too, and we have not invested heart, soul and money like the KJ has.

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[glow=darkorchid]Musica delenit bestiam feram[/glow]

However many kj's haven't invested anything, they just work for the company that did & may not have the same values or respect that the company owner has!  Granted there are several company owners that run their own shows though.

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Well if you are going to get all bent out of shape about someone tapping a $600 microphone, maybe you should rethink the stance that it MAY not be worth it & possibly buy a cheaper mic.  There are good mics that sound good at lower cost!!

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[shadow=deepskyblue]I'm impressed, I've never met such a small mind inside such a big head before.[/shadow]

What is so hard about respecting other people's stuff?????????    

Can I tap the hood of your car or the windshield?????    Just tapping, it won't hurt.     How about if I just tap your eye with my fist?    It's just a tap.  

Usually tapping, isn't just tapping.   It's when I have two idiots that high-five the mikes together or drop them on the floor or bang them on the tables, that I start to get a little ruffled.

I choose not to play with crap.    What you choose to do, is you.