Karaoke Forums

So, when you go and talk to a potential venue, the questions they often ask indicate that there are some huge misconceptions about what karaoke can and can't do for a venue. What are some of the misconceptions you may have run into?

I know for me, it has to do with the fact that many owners/managers believe that karaoke is karaoke - that it's like a machine, has a start and stop, and it's all the same. I guess similar to a bartender, for example - the person orders a drink, the drink contains certain items, the bartender makes the drink and hands it to them, end of encounter. In reality we all know that bartenders are all very different, put their own spin on it, have different personalities, some are offensive, some not.

Anyway, what are the biggest misconceptions you may have encountered about karaoke?

The biggest misconception I've noticed is that they assume that you are some kind of magician that can IMMEDIATELY fill their otherwise EMPTY bar from day 1. I always get asked, "So how many people can we expect to be coming in if we book karaoke?" We all have some regulars we can count on to come, but to EXPECT that you are going to fill the place EVERY show is to me their Biggest Misconception.

Srnitynow

While I haven't really had to contend with any misconceptions, I have run across my share of ignorance with regard to "all KJs are alike ". To that I suggest that they do some research on their own. They need to visit other venues that have successfully employed Karaoke Hosts, and talk to the owner, manager, staff, and of course the singers in an effort to learn what their KJ does to draw and maintain the business night after night.

Then they have a better idea what they're looking for, and better knowledge of a KJ's worth.

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EveningStar Entertainment & Events
JR & Michele LaPorte
Peoria, AZ

Having been there myself I regard it not so much as a misconception but a desperation.
I paid a lot to a KJ with a big following.
He was not fantastic or anything.
The till thought he was.
As long as the till was happy, I was.

Was it THAT important to me ?

For over a year I did not know if I could afford to trade the following week.
The corporates who owned the pub were so greedy.

I think possibly the way we regard ourselves and our services...

Well put it this way...
As a landlord (we call it in the UK) I felt pretty much the same as you guys do now.

I think all bar owners and karaoke singers, think the following:

1) Every PA system cost about $100-500, every KJ CDG collection cost about $100, and it all has a combined weight of about 50 pounds.

2) Anyone can be a karaoke host. It is just pushing a few buttons, after all. The only "skill" the KJ has is that their system has really technical magical powers that a home stereo does not. There is no such thing as EQ and effects. At all karaoke bars, once the KJ pushes the PLAY button, their work is done until the next singer. It is just like playing CDs at home in your boom box, except the words magically appear.

4) All KJs are a special breed of human that doesn't want or deserve things like vacations, bonuses, tips, raises or the other things that the bar's "real" employees deserve. If the KJ has been working for you for 6 years, and Sally Mae has been tending bar for 3 weeks, Sally Mae will get a $1.00/hr raise, while the KJ is not allowed to pour his own diet cokes and will not be invited to the Christmas party.

5) Your local KJ would LOVEEEEE to do your private party for $10.00 an hour. Being a regular at the bar entitles you to such perks.

6) Knowing the owner automatically gets you bumped up in the rotation, even though everyone knows the owner. He's sitting at the front door staring at your girlfriend's chest. In fact, the owner knows that once he forces the KJ to let you sing, he can go talk to your girlfriend.

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C Mc
KJ, FL

I love it!!! If you don't mind, I'd like to post this on my facebook page, my regulars would get a real kick out of this.

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No venue to big or too small. From your den to the local club or event, we have the music most requested. Great sounding system!

I love this one too!! It's kind of similar to another one posted before that made my . Humor is great

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It's called Karaoke Therapy...

Topher 2 thumbs up ! Excellent post

The biggest one that bothers me is the misconception that we are just button pushers. Bar owners and patrons think we just push a button and the song comes up. So easy a caveman could do it.

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

What !!!
You really think I could do it.

I'm really offended Thank god for opposable thumbs

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No venue to big or too small. From your den to the local club or event, we have the music most requested. Great sounding system!

As sad as it is, but a few KJ think the above, too.

Good post Topher =)

I usually explain as good as I can that it takes somewhere between 4-8 weeks to build a good Karaoke night. Also specials are important, as much as consistency and advertising on BOTH sides.

That's probably the most common thing I see too. They don't see all the work behind the scenes. Actually, they are seeing the easier part of my job, in my opinion.

I had a singer come up one night, and he wanted me to fill out his slips for him, look up his songs. I told him to get a book. He asked me what I was doing. I told him I was working, and he said I didn't look that busy to him and commented on how hard it looked to him. Needless to say, we didn't get along that well.

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It's called Karaoke Therapy...

The easiest part of the job.....is "certainly" when the system is up and running and all you have to do is push buttons. You know, the only part that 99% of the people see. The sad part is, there is people that can't even do that part....right!

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
Visit MrD on facebook - mrdsentertainment
& on myspace - larrynance[/highlight]

The biggest misconception is one that is still held here by some here who claim they know what they are doing. It is the the thought that karaoke is dying because it is a few hard core drunks trying to be stars. It is the notion that during karaoke the only customers will be drunk singers. This is the hardest opinion to deal with when trying to get a gig.

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Join The Karaokle Singers Social Network. Upload Your Music!!

Alright, I heard that.....

Now that's funny

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

At my show this past Tuesday, I had an errand to tend to so I only made it to the bar about 10 minutes before showtime. I powered up the system, set the background music and passed out the songbooks.
One singer said it all looked very easy to him.
I explained that I'd been in the bar 'til 6:30 am the previous morning setting up everything and stuffing slips and pencils in the books.

A lot of work goes into making something look easy.

What!!!
You don't use Telekinetics.