Karaoke Forums

Karaoke onto others, as you would have them karaoke onto you......(just thought of this one thanks to Lonni)........

Nobody's saying list everything, but at least give an indication of what you are listing.  You feel DK is the best, I can't stand many of their renditions - Pioneer lasers are the best - again, many will disagree.  I prefer shows that don't list dups, but if you are going to pick & choose ;your' favorite version, at least put the manu down IMO.  Like stated, 90% may not care, but those 10% that take it seriously do.

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Well that can go both ways, it should be a 'fun' experience, if someone gets a version they don't like or not used to or just plain sucks, it isn't fun for them - good or not.  I love all singers as well & agree sometimes the not so good ones can make a show more fun, but in my 15 years of hosting, I have also learned that even the bad ones like versions they are used to.

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Lonni,

Don't make the assumption that I'm putting bad versions up. I have over 10,000 songs, with 20-25% DK 60% Sound Choice and 10-15% Chartbusters. That leaves about 5% that is other. These are for songs you can't get any other place. Sure there is the odd song that is not a good rendition in each of the top three, but come on, I'm going to lose customers because of that? You guys are really cutting hairs on this. Again, if you can only do DK version and not Sound Choice and visa versa, then you aren't really very good to start with. Most people can't tell the difference. We are talking about the "top" brands. BTW, I have some Pioneers, and I took them out. I tried some songs I do on the lazers, and I didn't like them...

Any of you that came to my show, would come back...even though your PO'd at me right now. I run a top notch show. You will sound the best you ever have, and you will have fun.

I'm not under that assumption, you do as I & put up the renditions YOU feel are best, I may not agree & would avoid certain version IF I know what they are.  It's not a matter of being very good to start with, it's a matter of singing what you are comfortable with - making the 'fun' experience.  You like DK & think they are the best, I know several that can't stand them & think they are the absolute worst because of the pan flute melody guide line, & their habit of recording MANY of their songs in the wrong keys because they originally thought a song may have been too high for an average karaoke singer (yes this was stated by them years ago on another forum).
Example, I had/have a version of I Hate Myself For Loving You - Joan Jett, when I got it it was only available on BMB/Nikkodo, it wasn't a great version musically & lyrically wrond as well, the singers that did it got used to it - 'comfortable', I then bought the SC version when it came out, damn near dead on accurate both musically & lyrically - the singers wanted the old crap version because that's what they were used to & would demand I put that version up if I had picked the SC version for them.  Versions may not matter to some, but yes they do really matter to others & they can tell the difference - good or bad, will they tell you they didn't like a version, probably not, will they come back - if other factors they enjoy are there, i'm sure they will, will they sing that song again, probably not or bring in their own disc.
Kj's often times figure it's just karaoke & versions don't matter or think the customers won't notice, you'd probably be surprised how many actually do notice.

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Ummm..as far as I am aware, no show I have ever been to "caters" to "professional" singers.  Yes, it is obvious when some of us get up that we are not just "casual" karoke singers, but, I have never continued GOING somewhere where singers are not all treated equally.  In fact, on the rare occasion when someone has been treated less than fairly, it is usually because the KJ feels threatened by them - I had a KJ give me snarky back-handed compliments after the first time I sang and then before and after on subsiquent turns because I got a better audience response than he did.  I stopped going there.  

When I go to karaoke, it is (mostly) for the same reason as everyone else - to have FUN.  Part of having fun is being able to sing material *I* want to sing, and it's very rare that a KJ has that.  Also, I enjoy a less than good singer who is clearly enjoying themselves FAR more than a singer who has an amazing voice and ability but is only there for themselves.



Precisely.  I really am not questioning your right to refuse to play someones personal CD, I am merely pointing out that for some of us, being able to use our own CD is a big part of it being a fun experience.

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Nice point Operakitty, thats all I wanted to bring up in this post, because I have some tracks that arent made anymore of songs I really enjoy singing when I go out. The other thing about selection is that everyones may be different wherever you may go to sing. Its just a little dissapointing not knowing the track or make of the song, before you sing it when you turn in your song slip. I enjoy every singer at the shows I go to because its "FUN!!" Keep on singin" everyone...MV

Personally I would encourage him give him or her advice and support I would sing a song or two (I can sing any genre) I would accept them as a friend


When you people want to turn this industry into a dog eat dog and want to regulate it with petty rules and bylaws I will quit as a KJ or singer. When are you liberal assholes and political correctness radicals going to quit trying to force your petty rules on everybody else?

Do you realize how radical and out of touch with reality you are? Get a life...

I didnt buy lemonnade from the kids on the corner because they only had one color...

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'K...guessing this is directed at snarky-backhanded-complimenting-KJ comment I made....if I'm wrong, disregard this, but...I DID sing more than once.  Even gave the benefit of the doubt that he was just having a bad night....went back one more time with the same result...being "complimented" this way makes me feel unwelcome, uncomfortable and certainly makes my evening less than fun.  I am always nice, friendly, and supportive of EVERYONE at a show.   As far as giving advice to him, not my place.  I don't give advice unless it's asked for - especially in a new venue.




Uuuuhhhh...what?  How does expressing an opinion on what we like when we go to a show become trying to "regulate it with petty rules and bylaws,"  being politically correct radicals,  "trying to force [y]our petty rules and by laws on everybody else," or make us "radical" and "out of touch with reality?"  As I see it, the ONLY person who can "force" any rules and by laws on anyone one at a karaoke show is the KJ, since it is their show, their job, their equipment, etc.  If I don't like it, I can go somewhere else.

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"I hold the key to an open door....will I ever be free...?"

Everyone can have an opinion until it conflicts with his own beliefs it seems at times.

Put me down for another that don't care for shows that don't list manufacturer code of some sort or that won't play my own discs...yes I make compilations of discs that I have bought (over 13K songs in my personal collection) and have yet to find a place that wouldn't play them.  I will always check the books first to see what version they list & use yours if it's one i'm familiar with, if I can't tell, I will hand you my disc, if you refuse it, I & the money I would've spent in your club supporting your show move onto another place that does.

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

yup, I tend to agree, ttown...

I've got over 17,000 songs, from nearly twelve years in the business. Now I'm gonna sit here and compare my crap to anther's crap, what I'm gonna say is I find it hysterical that another thinks that their system is the endall-beall of IT all...

I have currently 22 custom discs... customs are FAR more fragile than even pressed discs... some of THOSE songs have since been eliminated or changed... to where I can't get some of them replaced.


Sorry... this may be snobbish and elitist, but if someone won't play my discs... I won't frequent their shows. I have had that happen here in KC and guess what... I DON'T GO! !

Dennis, I have a lot of respect for you for your stance, and applaud your business principles. I just don't happen to agree with ya, that's all.

I'm up to four disks now..  :hi5:

Lonni,

I think, from the short time I have been posting here, you and others can understand that I know what I'm doing. I do it a little differently, not because it's easier, or that I don't give a rap. I do it because in the venues I play, it works for my audiences. Rarely when I do private parties or weddings, do I run into people who really want the things that you guys see as important. Who's going to bring their own CD to a wedding?

At my club shows, particularly the one in northern MN, the people like the way I run my shows.

Now, the point that I need to make, is that I performed professionally for many years. I know that you did also. I think that having a professional background helps us to know which is a good version and which is a bad version. I spent a lot of time listening to the different versions of the songs before I chose the ones that I have.

The fact that I like DK, in spite of the obvious drawback, has been discussed before. I don't find the pan flute as much of a problem as most. Maybe it's because I try to mix so that it is not as loud, but also because for the most part the music is, in most cases, is the closest rendition, and of the highest quality of any karaoke I am aware of.

Sure there are clunkers on every brand, but for the most part few will disagree, from pure music quality, taking away the drawbacks on DK, that DK and Sound Choice in the breath of Karaoke are the best there is. Since my library is primarily these two brands, then for the most part, if you choose a song from my songbook you are going to get the best there is available. You are not going to be "surprised" by a crappy version of the song.

Now, if we want to talk purests, those that absolutely have to have this brand or that brand (which is a very large minority of the singers out there), then you all are absolutely correct.

The problem I have with this, is that I have not run across anyone that did not feel that the show I do, and more importantly the attention I give my customers is the best in my area. I have constant positive feedback, and the packed houses stubstantiates this as well. I have had hundreds of singers that are excellent, understand karaoke, brands, equipment, etc., come to me and comment on the top quality of my shows.

I really think, the problem here on Karaoke Scene, we have a lot of American Idol wanabees, sorry, but that's the way it comes across to me. Sure many of us that can sing, wish in the back of our minds that we could have had a professional career. I did for a while, but had to quit when I started a family. Sure I look back at what could have been, that might be what got me into this whole Karaoke thing in the first place. As a KJ, I try hard not to upstage my customers while providing a quality show at the same time. The few times I sing, I do novelty songs or something different from the norm, so as to not upstage or step on my customer's feet.

The point I'm trying to make is that a good singer should understand this, and the great singers should be a little more humble. People want to have fun. That includes those that aren't as good as you. Many want to learn how to be better. You have to be careful that what you are presenting is Karaoke and not a different version of live music.

So, everyone disagrees with me. That's okay tho. As I look through my full bookings for the next 6 months I'll keep it in the back of my mind that I am doing this wrong.

No sh!t.......can you still walk in an upright position?.....  LMAO

I have one last comment to this and I am going to give up.

If you feel you have to use your own CD, came to my show, and found your song(s) in my book, and took the chance to put it up, and the Sound Choice version came up, and that was a "different" version of the song from your CD, could you sing it?

If you couldn't then you aren't much of a singer in my opinion.

Based on what your saying, I would either have to have every karaoke song and version available in the world, or play your burned disk, which I might add is illegal, or you won't come to my show, or stay if I wouldn't play your disk?

This is absolutely absurd.

I have been to shows where the only songs the guy had were the set he got when he bought his player, and a SGB set. I din't get up and leave, and I never bring my own disks to a show. I didn't think it was the great, but I enjoyed myself anyway.

One of the other reasons I won't play peoples disks, is that it turns off the other customers, and the "edgers", they see someone hand me a disk, and they get up and walk out, because they are up against pros.

This is friggin Karaoke people!

It is not fun for the other people when you upstage them. Sing from the book like everyone else.

End.

you are wrong...your format shifted song is no more legal than my burnt disk is to use....just visit the Kapa sight..... .edited...didn't come out right the first time... .....I'd really like to stay and argue with you....but I gotta wedding to go to....I thought you were letting this go several posts ago..... we all have a right to our opinion, and at this point in time....Kapa's view may only be an opinion....

Only if you bring the original with you.

The following is from:

http://www.karaokeantipiracyagency.com/

The use of an unlicensed copied product is illegal. The copyright laws are very clear about the fundamental legalities of copying copyrighted materials which includes many other products than music. Basically, the law permits you to make an unlicensed copy of a copyrighted disc for your OWN PERSONAL USE only. If you want to listen to the copied disc in your home or your car, that is legal. You may not make an unlicensed copy of a disc for ANY COMMERCIAL USE. That means that you cannot make an unlicensed copy as a gift, as a promotional item, for sale, for use in promoting another product, for use in a show or publication, and a myriad of other commercial applications. If you are using the songs on a disc for any reason other than your own personal listening, you must use the original disc.

Huh?

If I play your disk at a show, it is a commercial use. Sorry, if you don't have the original in your possesion, I'm breaking the law.

That's a pretty f'd up comment for a 'professional'.  Like my Born on the Bayou example, if I had the Sound Choice version, took the chance on yours & all you may happen to have was a Music Maestro - which isn't singable or even resemble any kind of hint of the song, then NO I wouldn't be able to sing it.



NEVER ONCE did I say that you would need every disc - if you can find that quote, then show it please & I will apologize.  I said you do exactly as I & list what YOU may feel is the best version which may be an absolute crap version to someone else - again I know SEVERAL people, even on this board that HATE DK versions, on the same token I know people that absolutely HATE SC & Pioneer versions as well, so what makes OUR decision the right one, at least I give them the option to use a version they are comfortable with, you basically say it's my version or nothing.  What I said was if you list a version, give an indication to what manu it is - this at least gives people an idea of what they are singing.  People, despite what you believe, even the bad singers, DO have preference on which brand they sing off of.  I see it EVERY night.  People bring in their crap versions (to my ears) & prefer them to what I feel is far superior which THEY can't stand - why, it's what they are used to & comfortable with & the 'not so good singers' are the ones that prefer certain versions the most, although I get alot of better singers that ask for a certain version as well.  Just last night a gal asked about a version of Zombie - Cranberries if it was a Sound Choice or not, I told her the only version I had was the Music Maestro, she passed & sang something else.
Maybe it's completely different where you are at, but here, I have customer discs all night & people asking about certain versions.  And as far as private parties & wedding, then no it's not that big of a deal.



I've been to those shows too, didn't sing, but listened to others & also heard them complaining at there tables - man that sucked.



Disagree!  People can go to WalMart for G sake & buy a $5 karaoke disc.  The home market is growing by leaps & bounds, you seriously think the average people aren't buying their own discs now days.  Why would bringing a disc of something that the kj may not have upstaging everyone else, I don't understand that logic, if a kj doesn't have a song/disc/version whatever & the customer does, it almost sounds like the kj has a problem with the customer 'upstaging' themselves because they don't have something their singer does & doesn't want people asking well I heard it last night - just a thought!

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Lonni,

Sorry, that second post was not directed at you personally.

I think you missed my point tho.