Karaoke Forums

Becky from my home town of Wellington (pop 1500) called up and wanted to know how much to do her annual outdoor party. This was a rare and prob last open sat for the year as my reular bar will be opening 10 July. How many? Maybe 75 from 7-11 pm. Back in my home town and the farm 2 miles away $300 OK. Greg my host was getting overtime on a highway paving machine so I was on my own.

One thing to remember is an outdoor party this time of year is hot and dusty. I hesitantly used the flat screen tv, I brought a 13" with vid in but tables were scarce. After setup a beer sounds real tempting, too tempting in fact. So after setup I headed for the bar, they actually had what looked like an old garage with the end walls knocked out and a bar with 2 bartenders. A can of Bud lite in the cooler was a sight for sore eyes. So I visted with 2 or 3 of my old karaoke buddies I hadnt seen in a year. About 6:30 started doing sound checks and the insanity started. I had kids and drunks milling around the ststion which I setup about 50 feet from the stage which was nothing more than shade on the East side of a big tree. Iuse rechargable batts for the wireless keybrd and mouse The keybrd batts were dead go get some.

I sang the first song Letters Have No Arms by Ernest Tubb and had about 10 slips on the table along with a drink and 2 plastics cups full of beer and people filling out slips. I tried for 4 hours to eliminate this with no avail. The first hour was sort of normal except for a few kids that thought they could sing every song. I was using hip hop playlists which turn any crowd into a frenzy and as usual not a second of silence. The second hour each singer had 3 or 4 with and was actually putting all names on the slips. I forgot that this time of year the sun sets far in the North and for 3- 45 min I had the sun in my eyes. One time a gust blew all the slips around. At this time There were hardly any singers except virgins which had no concept of rotation. I think for an hour I was getting the cherry on 3 people every song. I was nursing draft beer in a plastic cup and trying to maintain a certain amount of control. For about the last hour and a half there were 10-20 singers milling around the mics and singing and having a good time At one point I turned the filler music down and said Could we clear the stage please.. We have singers waiting to sing They laughed and left Thanks Guys>>>There were 200-3300 people there. From then on All I did was call a name and play the song with that name and had about 20 singers, everybody just goin nuts and having a good time. I had to use the port-a-potty and on the way a guy said you are good. It crossed my mind a couple of times about the recent threads here about slips and drinks on your table.

Halfway thru the batts in the mouse died so I got the ones out of the laptop wireless. At 11:30 they died. Just before 11 I sent somebody to find Beckey or Mark and ask them if they wanted to stop or go over. Please say stop.... Stop it was si I shut down the filler and thanked everybody and announced my upcomomg schedule and promoted the web site. Lets see how do you do it? Ohn yea click start then shutdown 2 times. Dead silence. For those of you that have done a summertime outdoor party. Setup is in the heat of the sun and takes 2-3 times as long. After shutdown you have mic chords and any cable covered with summer dust.I was trrying to get everything back in van with help and you know how that goes esp when in half darkness. Beckey showed up with a fist full of dollars and a big grin and said it was perfect. My music was attracting people and they woul walk in a nad say is that Ollie? How did you get him?. She assured me my van would be alright so I got a ride out to the farm, after drinking I dont drive.

I didnt get a good nights sleep but was awake at 8:30 starvung to death caught a ride down and there were a few people sitting around and others getting their campers ready to go. First words were how come you cant stay after 11 pm? giggle giggle All my batteries died giggle giggle. I went down to the local bar/cafe and gat chicken fried steak and eggs. A couple of the waitresses was at the party so the word was out about what happened. Brenda the owner was pouring coffee and we greeted each other. I have never officially done karaoke there just birthday parties but everybody realizes that I am the pro. Another one for the books and another summertime memory. It;s mon now and I'm going out on the front lawn and clean and rewind cables. Whew!!!

EDIT: sat survey already link

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

Oh My, sounds like a good time was had by all. Since I don't drink except for an occasional Single Malt Scotch about twice a year, I can't fathom having to leave the van behind, but it's good you did. It would be a bummer to read of an accident or ticket. I understand the dust part too, as I DJ car shows during the summer and these are outdoor events. Ya did good and it sounds like you will get more party gigs because of this one event.

This could have been my most challenging gig yet. My description does not describe the heat dust or pressure dealing with 10-20 partyers every song that has no clue about karaoke etiquette. My job was to supply entertainment for the folks that hired me. I did it with professionalism and received several compliments and the looks on kids and adults faces made me realize just how far I had come. My reputation was solidified in many peoples minds. I am 68 years old and still have goals. Another was reached last weekend..

With this thread I hope all here now understand my comments in all the threads about rotation, duets, slips, and any of the rules which much be applied. There are very few here that could have survived this gig without coming apart at the seams and doing it professionally. All the rules were gone It was survival. This was not super talent. It is experience. I have done biker clubs outdoors about as wild. but I do get tired of some here jumping on me like I am way out in left field about rules.

I would love pics. I had a camcorder and digital camera in the van. No time for pics. Damn!!

If you indeed did read the entire post and the feedback which was quickly given then you know the old pro did it again. No Brag Just Facts. Ollie

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

I did read the whole post and I do out of respect. I enjoy these experience stories.

Sounds like a very nice event that went smoothly, that's great. You really don't need another person, you sound like you do just fine on your own. Why dilute the pay with another person all the time? Do your own show and do things the way you want to do them without having to answer to someone else. Whatever you're asking moneywise with the two of you, you should be able to ask the same thing with just you if you do such a good show. Now you have the experience and confidence, go grab the tiger by the tail. Make people happy, have some fun and make some money too. That's my 2 cents.

having done a similar show by myself recently, only mine was in a large barn. I can relate to all rules out the window. It is much more fun to be able to flex a bit

Being that I do shows every week with and without help, I can completely see why Olie has a cohost. to me it is worth the money I pay mine to have an extra person who can answer questions and trade off hosting duty.

_________________
the voices arent real, but they have some good ideas

Good when partner is spouse - no pay involved. That's the only reason I keep him...

k

The reason I said what I did is because Ollie has mentioned many times that he isn't the host. Of all the places I've been to I've never seen more than one person hosting. I got the feeling he was not sure of his abilities and now that he has proven to himself that he can handle even a more difficult event by himself I encourage him to host rather than letting someone else do what he can do himself. If he needs a young whippersnapper to help with the load in and tear down I can understand. If he doesn't want to do it because of the stress or other factors I can understand that.

Private parties can get that way sometimes. I've had some pretty wild ones myself.

I just slap on the cheaper mics and impose no basic rules as long as my equipment is not in danger. That is the only place I draw the line.

Bars and Organized Karaoke venues need basic do's and dont's etc.

Private parties are just that....If it's ok for the person putting on the party and my equipment is safe....I don't care about rules.

_________________
FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

We run a high energy show and at my age I get tired and cranky!! I even admit this to customers and staff..

When one starts a new vocation they emulate those who they think are best. At a certain point you are one and cant even spell it. From then on due to stress or emergencies or whatever another piece of the puzzle falls into place and you improve another notch. Then one day it happens and you realize you are one of the best and a PRO. I was only doing this to add to soc security. I just wish I was 20 years younger....

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

After awhile these habits creep into a bar gig and with the right experience you can still maintain control. Everybody loves it. We run a pretty loose show but we dont have knotheads either. Sometimes we make rules as we go along but it only applies to that night or certain situations. Other than gear protection rules the last to go is rotation fairness. I have never done this at a bar gig.

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