Karaoke Forums

I think your idea just got stolen a few thousand times.....and I do like the name "No Shame Karaoke."

You should see my awesome No Shame Karaoke jerseys.

Also, free offer: I will totally put this type of thing together for people who don't want to write the texts themselves. As payment, if I ever show up at one of your shows, buy me a beer.

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Co-host of The Greatest Song Ever Sung (Poorly), a karaoke-themed podcast

idea, totally stolen, i love it!!!

i had an idea earlier that i think this would work perfectly with.
those pie menus at every denny's, villiage in, etc. why not one at the bar with .....
first time songs
level 2 songs
more challenging
hot this month
top country
top rock
top pop
forgotten favorites

all on the laminate pages like the pie menus with only 8-10 suggestions for those that may not be singers or looking throught the books, but you can't help but look at those even if you don't like pie.

add your ideas into it and it may just be the thing to get more singers without trying.

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Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens

As a singer, I prefer books, hands-down, no question. If you have a specific song or artist in mind, then yes, it makes no difference whether you're perusing the pages of a book or searching on your phone. But often times, I like to simply flip through it to see if anything happens to jump out catch my fancy, and that's much more convenient with a book.

While connecting your smartphone to the KJ's system is pretty efficient and high-tech, it also means more potential for problems: the more technology there is, the more chances something could go wrong. A few weeks ago I went to a bar that had exactly this setup, and it was rife with errors. Start of the show was delayed for over half an hour because of technical difficulties, and then once the KJ got the system back up, I found that my phone would lose its connection to his wireless network (and thus access to the songbook) every time I sat down at my seat... which was only 15 feet away! Let's not even get into the fact that this particular app was buggy and unreliable by itself.

Another of our local KJs posts his songbook, in PDF format, online. It's pretty nifty to be able to access the songbook from his website, anytime, just to see if he has a song that I might want to put on my to-sing list for later. Doesn't help much once I'm IN the bar, I know, but it's a nice little thing that helps with planning beforehand, at least And yes-- he has physical books in the bar, as well.

Book all the way. I did enjoy one show where the KJ had his book available online. Make my own sheets and hand it to him when I got there.

It also gave me the option to check out everything he had during lunch time. Like previously mentioned, you come across new songs when reading thru. And it still hasn't gotten old.

Who said you have to do it? To each his/her own.

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

We went to a new place for us last night. The guy had his book in PDF format on a laptop sitting next to where he was standing. If you wanted to look for a song you used the find feature and then wrote down your name and song on a clipboard next to it. Just the one laptop for everyone to look at. Of course with "over 94k songs" I guess a book was too hard? And no it was not available to look at any other way.


The only other laptop he had he ran the show with it. He was also bouncing around and not smiling, almost like he did not want to be there and wanted to leave as soon as possible.

At the turn of the century, there were those who claimed that "horseless carriages" were only a novelty and perhaps a passing fad. Why would anyone give up a perfectly good horse?

In the 40's and 50's railroads thought that travel by airplane (especially jet) wouldn't last very long because passengers wouldn't be able to "enjoy the traveling" or "enjoy the countryside" because they'd arrive at their destination too fast.

There are still railroads today..... and most of it hauls freight and not people "traveling."

There may always be books however, they're slowing being replaced with kiosks.

I still haven't been to a place with a kiosk set up. Are any of you kiosk users near Pennsylvania?

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Co-host of The Greatest Song Ever Sung (Poorly), a karaoke-themed podcast

Me neither.

BTW @ NoShameKaraoke - I live in NY, but work in PA, and I've been to several shows in PA as well (Bucks County area and Philadelphia County area), and, although at least 75% of them have been a PC based show, I haven't seen a Kiosk at those shows either.

If I ever get some free time in the Bucks county or philly area, I'll hit you up for karaoke recommendations, Cue.

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Co-host of The Greatest Song Ever Sung (Poorly), a karaoke-themed podcast

Actually, and old laptop isn't worth much more than the price of making two or three books......these days..

we are testing out 2 e-readers on one of our systems...they work well and people seem to like them (they cost about the same as printing a book each) we will decide based upon longevity, battery usage and how quickly they disappear if we will add more. (the ones I purchased cheap use 2 AA batteries and are very basic) . I cant see us ever getting rid of books even with the savings involved.

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"Integrity is choosing your thoughts, words and actions based on your principles and values rather than for your personal gain."
Unknown
"if a man has integrity, nothing else matters, If a man has no integrity, nothing else matters."
Lee McGuffey

My apology to Lonman - a slight hijack on his thread: With all due respect to ripman8 - I don’t think I would like the idea of someone sending me a song request by phone while on the way to the club so I can get him/her in the rotation list. Scenario: John sent a song by email. Dan, already in the club and 5 others submitted one each. John walked in & was called to sing. Dan & the rest waiting for a good hour are now tinkled that John got to sing before them & they’re not happy. Other kj's might even use that as an excuse to bump someone ("well, I got his email when he was enroute")

Sorry but I think it should be first come first serve. Physical presence is necessary.

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To be fortunate enough to derive an income from a source as fulfilling as karaoke music has got to be as close to heaven as we can get here on earth!

Brian, that's exactly what I meant. Then you'd have people putting in requests hours before showtime. Sorry, if you want to sing, bring me your slip so I know you are here and what you look like (some people like using multiple names).

In a lot of ways technology is making things more difficult. I remember when we got computers at work and were told the office would be paperless, now there's more paper than ever. Remember the old story about NASA sending out tenders to obtain a writing instrument that would work in the heat or cold, no smearing, immune to the elements, write upside down, etc? A lot of expensive sci-fi type devices were submitted. The winner? The humble pencil.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

Couldn't disagree more Brian

Scenario:

I have a Saturday night show. I have a regular that comes every single Saturday night. Very nice person, spends lots of money, people like him. Only problem, the hours he works on Saturday. By the time he gets off work and gets to the bar, it is 2 hours into a show with a decent size rotation. I can see him walk in and I can set my watch by it. In other words, he is reliable on all ways. If he wants to send me his request on my smart phone app and I know he will be here, I will allow it. I really can't see any of the other patrons complaining about it. I'd be a turd to tell him "sorry, you need to get a different job if you want to sing more songs at my show.

If it is my standard practice no one should complain. It is still a "first request, first serve", just not that the physical presence is not necessary.

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

I guarantee you there is less paper in my office. We keep records of every improvement team we ever ran. Use to be all paper files, drawer after drawer after drawer. Now all the records and packets are electronic. Very few actual paper records. I don't see how that has made things more difficult. Only paper I have is the piece I keep on a clipboard when I am walking around so I can take notes of conversations and or requests members have for me.

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

Ripman8: The scenario you describe above will be ok to my regulars who knew him & understand where he’s coming from (pun) but will not sit very well with new customers not knowing his situation. Even allowing him to sing upon arrival granting it was fair & the right thing to do - they will assume I gave him preferential treatment because he’s a regular. I just can’t allow perceptions of favoritism to exist. That’s when credibility comes into question. But – to each his own, as long as everybody’s happy. Just saying…. peace, bro

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To be fortunate enough to derive an income from a source as fulfilling as karaoke music has got to be as close to heaven as we can get here on earth!

I'm in between having a kiosk and going back to it. When I had it, I had a note above lit up that explained simply how to use and also simple instructions on how to send a request by phone. I did this to make visual on how to use it, regulars wouldn't need the sign more than once or twice, and all newbies could see how requests are made. I'd rather use the available technology and make it easy for my regulars and at the same time if anyone has questions, the signs explain.

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

Why not have both! I have 10 books to check out, one book permanently placed on top, & a laptop - complete listing of my book by artist and songs alphabetically. Request slips & pencils next to it.

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To be fortunate enough to derive an income from a source as fulfilling as karaoke music has got to be as close to heaven as we can get here on earth!