Karaoke Forums

I am hoping I can get some tips on how to run a KJ show these days. I haven't run one in years and it seems that things are a lot different than they used to be, and a lot better.

I think it would be easier to assume (hate that word) that I know absolutely nothing. If this is the basis for training, I will cover some of what I already know but more importantly, nothing will be left to chance.

We will be using a PC based system with at least two good quality CD players to play CD+Gs. the players have been tested out already and used to rip my current library.

I have been trying to avoid starting a new thread but this was a burning question. I have done a search in the threads and found some links that help with equipment and software but things do change and the links I found are older.

So my burning question is how do you train a new KJ?

Let's see, start with a good horse whip and spurs.  LMAO

First thing is make sure you know how to run the equipment.  :whistle:

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

Yeah and second, make sure you have some decent music choices, one of the bars I go to has all country....ugh

_________________
Te audire no possum. Musa sapientum fixa est in aure. (I can't hear you. I have a banana in my ear.)

Train them exactly how you want the show to be ran.  Train them on the equipment - although you cannot train an ear to hear what you want or hear if they don't have it in them to hear it in the first place.  Train them on rotation - the way you want the rotation run.  Train them in customer PR.  Train them in ethics/morals - no bribes/bumps or favortism - well that is if you have them to begin with.

That's where I would start.

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

I just realized that I have one of the best KJs in the area as a good friend. I will talk to him about training me.

I still need all of the tips I can get from here. All the information is very appreciated.

We appreciate a lot of different kinds of music in my area. I don't think any kind is completely off limits.

Doing a show here with only one kind of music would be suicide for sure.

Training a new kj is a tough job as everything that you show them will for the most part go out the door 3 weeks down the road after they are on their own.

I can take someone who knows nothing about being a KJ or mixing and teach them if they have a good ear. I can teach them all the tricks and have them doing a great job, then I leave and come back in 3-4 weeks and 3/4 of what they learned is out the door and they are doing it "Their Way"

My suggestion is to work with your system and mixer before you begin to KJ again. Get to know your mixer and effects intimately, play a wide variety of songs and different Mfg's discs and play with the music and vocal mix on them. Invite some friends over and have a karaoke party. Get use to mixing different singers etc.

You mentioned that you have a friend in the business. See if you can work with him for free to learn what he is doing. Offer to fill in for him when he needs a night off. This is a great way to learn and he will be eager to teach you if it's not costing him anything.

Before you purchase your equipment give it some careful consideration by researching and using this forum to assist you with all the angles. There is some very good technical support here and you can use us as a sounding board before you purchase.

As far as you business practices I would suggest that you make up a mission statement that contains what you want your business to be like and what you will provide to your customers, and how you will operate once in business. Then filter everything you do in your business through that statement...i.e. "Stick To It"

More on this subject later but this is a good start

_________________
FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

I agree 110% with everything said so far. Know your music, know your equipment, know your audience.
I even go out on my days off in the afternoon when the Marina is slow to work on new songs, tweak the equipment, etc. When I'm at home, I go through each new set of disc that I get to become more familiar with the material. I do this, so if I have someone, that may need a key change or something a little extra, I'm prepared. I have a small setup at my house, where I have worked out what type of effects if any I want to use, so that when I'm on the job, I'm not fumbling around, I'm getting down to business.

What I thought was going to be just a part-time gig, ends up being full days of practicing, searching for new stuff, upgrading what I have. I spend hours searching through our sponsored sites, looking for certain songs, the best price, new equipment that's come out, in other words, doing my homework.

I'm new at this as well, so for me, I'm always open to new ideas and suggestions.
Even before I hit the stage the first time, I went out to the Marina on several nights to get a feel for what my audience would be. I knew that I would have a dinner crowd, so I worked up a lounge/dinner set just for that purpose. I keep my show clean, which is a task for me, since I generally cuss like a truckdriver. But I know my crowd now, and it makes for a better show, because you're comfortable with them.

For me, it takes a sincere dedication to your show, for some it may just be a job, and granted that may be true to an extent. But if you've ever gone out to many shows, you know the 'real' KJ's from the ones just going through the motions. You treat each person with respect and fairness. Even if they're a jerk and a drunk, you still have to be diplomatic about how you handle them. It isn't rocket science, but it does take personality and dedication.  

There's not a day or a show that goes by that I don't learn something new.
If you're not sure about something ask questions and be willing to listen. Sometimes you learn more by sitting back and watching others than you do by always being in the middle.

I use techniques that I've use to train others by when I worked in the corporate world.
1. Respect for the company, or business that hired you. That means showing up on time, prepared to do the job, and then do the job to the best of your ability.
2. Respect for your co-workers or peers. The bartenders, waitstaff, folks here at the forums, vendors that you deal with.
3. Respect for the audience. Never talk down to them, they are the reason you are there, so in respect, they're paying the bills. Be diplomatic and patient, but when necessary be firm, but fair.  
4. Be flexible, never be so fixed in your own ideas of success that you can't be open to new ideas. Go the extra mile, but never compromise your personal integrity. Be professional at all times, but remember to be a human being as well.
5. Have fun. If you're not having fun at your job, then you're in the wrong business.
Sure each of us will have our good and bad days, but never take your personal problems to the stage. Most folks wouldn't understand, nor do they really care, they're there to have fun.

I realize at this point, I may be rambling to some, preaching to the choir with others, so I'll stop now.
I hope that I've been able to contribute something worthwhile to your questions. And while I may have been repetitive in some of my comments, some things are worth mentioning again, so thanks for bearing with me.

James
Maninblack

_________________
I serve no man and am loyal to only one God.

Being critical of a person's success in any respect speaks volumes about the lack of your own.

Love as though you've never been hurt, Dance as though no one's watching, Sing as though God Himself were listening.

Wow, a lot of great things to follow. That's why I'm here. I'm cool with things being said more than once too if that's what it takes. I get it.

I think being human might be my weakest point so far. If I keep that in mins I will do a lot better.

I spoje to my friend tonight. He said he would train me. I also got to have a karaoke party last weekend. With the cheap mics I was using they still preferred that way I did the mixing.

For some technical reading you may want to refer to those links in Bigdog's thread:
http://www.karaoke-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=7197

You will be supprise that you will learn some new thing.

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

All of this info is going to keep me busy for quite some time. Thanks for all the tips folks.

Chuck

good stuff Black

One other to add to the bottom of your list about having a bad day. Do not discuss your personal problems with the customers or the bar staff. Entertainers should never bring their problems into the place where they work.

Maybe this is what you meant by your last item.

anyway I copied and pasted that stuff into my training guidelines. I like the way you worded it.

_________________
FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

Why thank you, it's my pleasure to help in any way that I can. And yes you are correct, about personal stuff being discussed at the bar or with customers. Especially since some  bars tend to be breeding grounds for gossip and hear say. In my opinion, you should always rise above gossip, never fall victim or feed into it. I think folks will respect you more in the long run.

James
Maninblack

_________________
I serve no man and am loyal to only one God.

Being critical of a person's success in any respect speaks volumes about the lack of your own.

Love as though you've never been hurt, Dance as though no one's watching, Sing as though God Himself were listening.

more than one of the places I am looking at buying suffers from the gossip bug. That will be one of the first things I address if I buy one of those. I'm sure they will get over it. There is always the chance that someone will quit because of it. No matter how sensitively you approach a subject someone is bound to take it personally. I'l burn that bridge when I get to it.

I can see from what I've been reading so far that that everything can fit into a mission statement somehow as far as the professionality part goes.

Talking about loading & unloading and mixing and general setup stuff.     I have procedures I developed over the last 14 years.  She understands this.  He's a bull head.    Point is no matter how or what you teach anybody, somethings they aren't ready to suck it up yet.     Like a full sponge you have to wait for it to dry a little, before it can absorb more.   You have to spoon feed the info so they aren't overwhelmed.  Now she keeps telling me he won't listen to her but he will listen to me.    I,YI,YI.... cut me a break.      LMAO

Ok Babs, you started with the good one here and then went to the other.

Let's get back to the good one, please.

Just another couple little tidbits to add. Something I have found that my singers really appreciate is my willingness to sing duets with them. I have had a fair number of singers want to do a duet, but have no-one to sing with. By my doing the song with them, I have gained a number of regulars that now get up instead of just listening. I do a lot of community events and school events. The KIDS love doing Karaoke, and I have had parents come up to me and say their kids told them about me and how well they were treated, that they decided to come see me at the bar. You never know where you listeners will come from......