Karaoke Forums

Whenever I tell a stranger of my KJ gig, the typical response is an uncomfortable "I don't do karaoke" ... but one time I got a comment that has stuck with me:

"oh, I was at a karaoke place once. THE BAD SINGER RUINED MY FAVORITE SONG. I'LL NEVER GO AGAIN."

I heard a rumor there's a place in Seattle that does Karaoke by audition only. People must be on the "approved" list to sing. I imagine it must be in a place that WAS packed to capacity all the time (2 hour rotation?) for them to make such a drastic change -- and lose lots of money for a while. (mass exodus of offended customers)

On the other hand, it sounds like the kind of place singers would like to hang out with talented performers, and as a general customer, a place to get cheap semi-pro entertainment.

I'd like to find the rumored Audition Karaoke place in Seattle just to go out for a night, no hosting or singing, and just listen to real talent for the price of a bar tab.

Meanwhile, at my gig, I continually tell singers "it's not a contest, it's just fun."
And to the complaining non-singer: "It's not like you paid $100 for a ticket to see these singers. Try to lower your expectations."

I'm with you, Randy. Auditions, like contests, take the fun out of it, and pretty much negate the reason behind karaoke in the first place- which is that EVERYBODY can be a star for a little while, and have a great time.

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

Never heard that rumor - auditioning for karaoke...... You sure someone didn't confuse something for the audition of American Idol when they were up here?

As far as contests, if there is something that is fun to do, it will be molded into a contest of some sort, no getting around it. PLENTY of people that do like them - that's obvious because they usually pack a house, if you aren't one that likes them, then just don't enter or avoid those nights. Sports should be for fun as well, battle of the bands, cutest baby contest, the list is endless - hell there are cow patty tossing contests, why should karaoke be any different than anything else someone might WANT to compete in?

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Randy sounds like you might be referring to one of those places on Capitol Hill which attracts an "alternative" crowd.

It's not unusual for me to have a 2 hour rotation, but I think what attracts people to karaoke shows is its accessibility. That if you get there early enough to get in the rotation before the books are pulled that YOU can be on stage! I also believe that people enjoy (in a snarky way) bad singers as much as great ones.

In my karaoke blog, I recently ranted about this. That all those who come up to me during the show with running commentary on how "awful" the other singers are and that they are "so much better" so they should be moved up in the rotation should STFU. Karaoke is not about how well or poorly you sing. As host, it doesn't matter to me whether you can carry a tune at all just so long as YOU have FUN!

I can understand those who want to come to a bar to be entertained by great singers, but to me, that's not karaoke.

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[font=Lucida Console]DangerousKaraoke.com[/font]
[font=Lucida Console]"Sing for the day, sing for the moment, sing for the time of your life!"[/font]

I happen to agree with DangerousDan. Karaoke is popular to the general masses because it is a chance for the general public to live out the fantasy of being the lead vocalist for their favorite band or artist. It has no bearing on how good they actually are but how much fun they have. I'd rather have a room full of average to poor sounding singers that are having the time of their lives than the stress filled atmosphere of a room full of primadonnas that gets one to ask "If you really are that good why aren't you singing in your own band?".

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Look at William Hung from American Idol. You don't have to be a good singer to be entertaining. Sometimes it's more fun to watch an average to bad singer with a lot of personality than a good singer who sings a boring song and doesn't move an inch.

She Bangs She Bangs

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

Even if you had a select group with great voices, people would still get tired of it I think. If someone gave you a ticket to your favorite popstar's concert, you'd probably go. But what if the person was in town for two solid weeks, and you got 14 free tickets. My guess is that after the 4th concert you'd sell your remainging tickets and then go back to singing at your favorite karaoke place!

She bangs she bangs..

Yeah that's pretty messed up. It's definitely all about having fun. One of my favorite KJ's likes to say, "It's not a contest, everyone can try...and remember, the more you drink, the better you sound!!"

No Dan, I'm not interested in anything relating to Capitol Hill alternative lifestyle.

and yes, I constantly tell my singers "it's not a contest"
Variation on other comment:
over PA to non-singers, "the more you drink, the better we sound"

I would hate to hear the same prima donna over and over... but 10 or 20 of them could be relaxing entertainment... think jazz club but with high energy

When I lived in Southern California I used to visit some of the open mic nights at the coffeehouses, and with so much talent in that area, you basically *were* hearning real musicians, and the quality was high. I suppose they were the ones still hunting for that elusive recording contract... But, it wasn't really karaoke. (The "bad" performers tended to be the stand-up comics trying out new material in between the musicians! )

I like it! May use it tonight. Thanks

I couldn't agree more. I'd rather sit through a karaoke evening of all William Hungs than a karaoke evening of all Celine Dion wannabes.

Yes, simply because of material. It is really depressing to have singers who select all ballads, and it doesn't matter how they sing technically.

But all really bad singers is pretty depressing too. It is much better to have a mix.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

I couldn't agree more. Karaoke is all about having fun and bringing the party. The perfect night to me is a mix of good singers, great singers, bad (but very entertaining) singers, and a sprinkle of ear bleeders just to be fair. Just as an example, last night I had a guy sing Total Eclipse of The Heart, and while he was not a good singer by definition, He was very entertaining, and even with the choice of song he got a standing ovation, He had a blast and did not take it seriously, He was having fun, and in turn making it fun for the rest of the crowd. He is one the several guys I have at my shows that will try any song his group turns in for him, and play it up to the max for entertainment quality, and the whole place gets a kick out of him. To me that's what it's all about.

Exactly.

If karaoke ever became a place for "only the great singers".... I'd find a different place to go to.

I love the mix of the good, the so-so, and the downright hillarious, it's what makes it what it is. Sometimes the really good singers are quite boring to hear repeatedly (and they seem to be the ones with only a certain set of songs- no variety), and sometimes the worst singers put on a great show and have the most fun. (and try new songs more often)

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Hell I wouldn't have to worry about it...I'd be banned!!

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[glow=violet] **Sing like nobody's listening...live like there's no tomorrow**[/glow]

Ain't that the truth. If I only did the same 3 songs every time I went to karaoke I'd be really really good too. I'd also be so bored with myself I'd want to stick an icepick in my own ear.

I know quite a few people who overdo the same songs so much I can mimic their exact phrasing and every inflection because I've heard them do the exact same song the exact same way 100 times.

I would rather have a MIX of singers ...80% of those who can actually stay in KEY and 20% drunks who are entertaining just watching them attempt to sing ...They are a BLAST and have the most FUN ...even the good singers can take it TOO serious sometimes!!!!

Grab a BEER GRAB a MIC and sing !!!!!!!!! but most of all HAVE FUN !

she does, she does

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."