Karaoke Forums

Glad to see you're keeping your posts on topic, tuffguy.

What are we, in 3rd grade? I made it on your 'foe' list? What does that mean, exactly? Are you making a threat?

Holy Hell, I had no idea when i posted this thread this would happen.
My 2 cents to add....as a "singer" going to countless shows over the years I have to say I have watched "favorites" constantly pushed to the front of the rotation while the new guy or occasional singer gets his or her slips pushed to the side. Always pissed me off. I have always tried to be fair in my rotation and as money came I have upgraded to what I think is a fair and "efficient" way to get as many singers in during one show.

My program keeps track of the singers and the order in which they were submitted for me, lazy? I think not, its smart and i can keep them happy knowing I am not pushing someone else in front of them. I do this by an automated "scrolling" at the end of each song that shows the next 3-5 singers and the songs they are going to perform. I also have a separate monitor in which I display messages to the crowd, drink specials, tip waitress, applause, and can also show rotation there. Tons of interaction and I am always on the mic keeping the energy up and getting people involved.

I now use laptops for my patrons to log in with, they can at that point scroll through or simply "search" for title or artist and hit "sing tonight". These laptops are at the same table I use but at the other end, so any questions I can help to answer and be involved. I use Velcro to keep them in place and not get dropped off the table.

I also urge people to bring their iPhones, ipads, ipod or smart phones with them. These units also can access the same log in screen and from their seats put in a song. They love it!

IMO if you do not have the personality of a door mat, you will find ways to be interactive with your singers. No matter if you are paperless or still use song books.

Lets face it, songbooks and slips have been around forever, its how it was and still is done for tons of KJ's. BUT, like the floppy disc, they are on their way out. Fast or slow, they are. How long it will take is up to the technology, demographic area and simply "choice".

I don't see anyone trying to upgrade, being more productive and at the same time keeping your show alive as lazy. Again, just my 2 cents.....ok, maybe 5 cents at this point

I'm all about the kiosk for looking up songs.. I just think the kiosk should print a slip that you turn into the KJ, since handing the slip to the KJ prevents a lot of problems, like:

1. Singers using different names in an attempt to get more songs in
2. Multiple singers with the same name
3. People submitting their friends without their friends knowing (or wanting) to sing

I, like you, have been ticked off by 'favorites' getting bumped to the top, while new singers or occasional singers get shoved to the bottom (or skipped all together).. that's why I do a general rotation.

If i've got 10 singers, I in general follow a straight rotation.. but if i'm at the top of the rotation, everyone has sung at least once, and a new person walks in.. especially if it's later in the night, i'll put them in somewhere close to where i'm at, as opposed to putting them at the bottom.

I also tend to sometimes bump singers up or down a spot or two to put similar style songs together.. plus, I also slip in the occasional shot of 'regular' music if there is a lot of requests.. particularly dance stuff.. which means my rotation isn't static.

I suppose when they come up with an algorithm that can replace my eyes, ears, and years of experience being a jock, well.. then they won't need a human to do the job anymore anyway.

Mine either sends the request to the host OR prints a slip - the host sets that up in the beginning of the night and as far as the "singers with the same name" you can also set it (1 click) to require that the singers send at least 2 words - and they are told to include their last initial.

So you might have 3 guys named "Mike" in the room, but chances are they don't have the same last initial. Has solved a lot of problems.

Ok, I'm not paperless yet. But I do use the last inital idea. Just so my history in compuhost is a little better of a tool when someone wants to see their history.

Toqer and Cheese, please make up. Just agree to disagree and leave it at that.

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]