Karaoke Scene's Karaoke Forums :: What not to do as a KJ

Looks like you already know some of the major things not to do. Man, I went into the karaoke area of a big multi-room bar near here once, and the $10/hr girl they had running the thing, she sang, then the bartender in that room sang, then they both sang together, then the host sang again, before my friend got to sing his song. There were no other customers in the room, by the way. I was aggravated, told her that's why she is making $10/hr, ordered a round of drinks from the bartender and didn't tip, and then went back to the live music part of the bar. Man, how are they so stupid? It wasn't just me and my friend, either; there were 8 or 10 of us there as we drove 3 cars. That bartender could have collected our tips all night!

Since you mentioned having a limited song selection right now, well, that will disappoint some singers; but a good way to help with that is get yourself a clip-board and put a paper on it and tell your singers to write down the songs they would like to sing but you do not have, and you will try to buy them for next week. Now, some of the songs you can probably get that quickly, some not, and some just won't exist in a karaoke format. So next week print a list off the computer of what you got for them, what you are expecting soon in the mail, and the ones you will agree to look for again in the future, but that you could not find yet. This will make them happy because they know you care enough about them getting to do their song, that you will spend time and money getting the ones they want.

Oh and clip-board, whatever, you could also use a box with a slot in the top, or some other thing, just so long as they know you will not lose the "songs to buy" papers.

Author:	kjkev [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 6:19 pm ]
Post subject:	What not to do as a KJ
Hello everyone. I'm a newbie. A friend of mine has been a KJ for years and a couple months ago he started training me so I could cover for him at his regular gig why he went on vacation. Well, he got me a gig one night a week starting this friday at his old gig (Another club offered him 3 nights a week). I have to say I am a little nervous. This bar has fired three KJ's since he left. I get a 2 week trial period and if they like me then it will become permanent and may go to 2 nights a week. My friend is going to let me use his old "starter" system, but he has to buy about $800.00 worth of stuff he doesn't have and said to just pay him back $100.00 a week from KJing. (I don't know all the equipment he needs except for 2 wireless microphones.) I asked about what we would do if they don't keep me on and he just said "They will"! I will be running a small system with a limited number of songs (at least compared to what he is doing) and I don't want to screw up. Any advice on what NOT TO DO would be greatly appreciated. The club owner is looking for someone who is reliable, professional, and who will interact with the crowd and has a good personality. This is why they have fired the other KJ's. 1) KJ sang to much. She would sing when it was busy making customers wait. 2) KJ dressed and smelled like he was homeless. 3) KJ was so drunk toward the end of the night he was slurring his words so badly that he was hard to understand.

Author:	MorganLeFey [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 7:41 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What not to do as a KJ
hi Kev, good luck with the gig, the 3 reasons they were fired are all what not to do. Except, if the first kj was bringing in the crowd and it was busy, I think if I had been the owner of the bar I would have communicated my concerns to her and given her the chance to opt not to sing, before sacking her...are the crowds still coming? Have you done any research on that? You are always gonna feel a tad out of your comfort zone the very first time...stay friendly, listen to what the punters are saying...and hey its not a crime to ask them questions...like what they would like added to the playlist, etc. Maybe if you are going to use slips you could have a bit on the back that they can fill in with suggestions. If you can win the punters over then you are set I'll shut up now cos its many years since I was a kj

Author:	exweedfarmer [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 8:56 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What not to do as a KJ
If you read past posts from this board the one thing you will find consistently is that there is no consisitency in any approach to KJing (hosting) we can't even agree on what to call it. Some work from a booth and twiddle the knobs on the mixer and some work two feet from the singer only within leaping distance fo the mixer. Some think that the background music is everything and some think that it couldn't matter less. There is only one thing you shouldn't do and that is lose money for the bar you are working in. Keep the rotation absolutely fair and do what you do best, be yourself. I offend everyone by nature so that is the theme of my show. I know that sounds strange but it works.

Author:	MorganLeFey [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 8:58 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What not to do as a KJ
psssst weedy come here n snog meeeeeee

Author:	exweedfarmer [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 9:21 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What not to do as a KJ
MorganLeFey @ Sat Apr 18, 2009 8:58 pm wrote: psssst weedy come here n snog meeeeeee I would you know. You make my heart pound and my palms sweat... but you're eight thousand miles away and married to a man with an incredably photogenic butt (sigh) besides which it's off topic.

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Author:	JoeChartreuse [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 9:50 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What not to do as a KJ
MorganLeFey @ Sat Apr 18, 2009 11:58 pm wrote: psssst weedy come here n snog meeeeeee Yer tearin' my heart out.....

Author:	ripman8 [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 9:52 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What not to do as a KJ
exweedfarmer @ Sat Apr 18, 2009 11:21 pm wrote: MorganLeFey @ Sat Apr 18, 2009 8:58 pm wrote: psssst weedy come here n snog meeeeeee I would you know. You make my heart pound and my palms sweat... but you're eight thousand miles away and married to a man with an incredably photogenic butt (sigh) besides which it's off topic. lol! Are you kidding me? That just brought tears to my eyes! On top of that, I've only ever heard the term "snog" one other time, and that was in my $1200 speaker thread. What the heck is that? I've hung with Brits one time, on a cruise in the Mediterranean 5 years ago. They were very snotty as a group so now I ask, what the h@ll does snog mean?

Author:	kjkev [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 10:56 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What not to do as a KJ
A smoking an just took effect in my state so customers have to go outside to smoke. They stay outside and BS way longer then they should. When I was Sub ing they asked me if they had time to smoke before they were up. If they didn't get back in time I would adjust the rotation so they got their turn.

Author:	kjkev [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 10:58 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What not to do as a KJ
Smoking Ban, i don't see an edit or a search feature on this forum.

Author:	Cueball [ Sun Apr 19, 2009 1:37 am ]
Post subject:	Re: What not to do as a KJ
kjkev - I think those that responded said most of the important things. I can't really think of anything to add at the moment. kjkev @ Sun Apr 19, 2009 1:58 am wrote: i don't see an edit or a search feature on this forum. The edit button should be right there (next to Reply and Quote icons)... unless you are on AO-HELL, and you have to keep logging back in to this site everytime you hit the back or refresh keys (to be able to post again). That's OK, I understood what you meant. I'd also like to know what snog means... I never heard that before..... No... Wait!!!! Don't tell me.... Don't mess with my fantasy.... My imagination is running real wild just about now.

Author:	jeffsw6 [ Sun Apr 19, 2009 6:18 am ]
Post subject:	Re: What not to do as a KJ
Looks like you already know some of the major things not to do. Man, I went into the karaoke area of a big multi-room bar near here once, and the $10/hr girl they had running the thing, she sang, then the bartender in that room sang, then they both sang together, then the host sang again, before my friend got to sing his song. There were no other customers in the room, by the way. I was aggravated, told her that's why she is making $10/hr, ordered a round of drinks from the bartender and didn't tip, and then went back to the live music part of the bar. Man, how are they so stupid? It wasn't just me and my friend, either; there were 8 or 10 of us there as we drove 3 cars. That bartender could have collected our tips all night! Since you mentioned having a limited song selection right now, well, that will disappoint some singers; but a good way to help with that is get yourself a clip-board and put a paper on it and tell your singers to write down the songs they would like to sing but you do not have, and you will try to buy them for next week. Now, some of the songs you can probably get that quickly, some not, and some just won't exist in a karaoke format. So next week print a list off the computer of what you got for them, what you are expecting soon in the mail, and the ones you will agree to look for again in the future, but that you could not find yet. This will make them happy because they know you care enough about them getting to do their song, that you will spend time and money getting the ones they want. Oh and clip-board, whatever, you could also use a box with a slot in the top, or some other thing, just so long as they know you will not lose the "songs to buy" papers.

Author:	karyoker [ Sun Apr 19, 2009 8:55 am ]
Post subject:	Re: What not to do as a KJ
Try not to get in a rut and do the same things all the time. The format depends upon the crowds singer or listener. The older crowds do not like loud music nor is the fill music that important but make sure it from their era (they do like the new stuff too) We can run the old type karaoke shows when the rotation is high but we can shift to a format that the crowd doesnt care if it is a live singer or not and even the singers dont care whether they sing every rotation. They are having fun and not caring about petty crap. For younger crowds I do not like silence but a constant barrage of high energy beats.When you are doing your job you can feel the energy and there are people sitting there bobbing their head or letting you know they are enjoying it. It is a matter of experience and knowing how to read crowds (I have this knack from years of singing) and let them run the show so to speak. People argue here but there is no set pattern for hosting any event. Keep the energy up with enthusiasm and provide what the crowd reacts to and not what you think they want.

Author:	ScottyMo1 [ Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:46 am ]
Post subject:	Re: What not to do as a KJ
The only advice that I can add is to get feedback from your crowd. They will tell you what they like and don't like, and as time goes on, and you gain experience you will learn to read them. Also like was posted earlier let them help you with request to expand you library. If you keep your regulars happy they will bring in more people as time goes on, and the venue ring will increase which is what will keep you in a job.

Author:	Gryf [ Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:44 am ]
Post subject:	Re: What not to do as a KJ
The list of what not to do is far too variable. While I wouldn't cuss on the Mic, it turns out another local venue appreciates, and I quote, 'a genuine guy running things. He needs to swear more if anything.' What you should focus on are the things to do: - Be attentive to the crowd, learn what they need and provide it. - Focus on making the singers sound great to themselves. If you do that then other folks (think non-singer) will think they sound better and be more appreciative of your efforts. - Entertain the entire bar, not just the singers. Understand the regulars are the venue's bread and butter. If they don't like you, you're history. - Cultivate a friendly relationship with the staff and crowd, play filler music they like (if you use it) and remember to mention them regularly. If you're accepted as one of the staff you'll have long legs in the place. Most venues tend to be a small family, learn to fit in. Of course it's a two way street, if you don't like them you'll want out before they get rid of you. I suggest you attend a few successful shows that cater to the demographic and actually catalog the things that make that show successful. Don't do things that alter your style, or make you feel awkward, but see if the principal of the behavior applies and fits into your offering. My biggest secret to having a loyal crowd that likes me - Remember names. Nothing is a better ice breaker for anyone than remembering who they are. What I do may not work for everyone but when I see a regular walk in I put their name in the rotation without a song and it buys them a sense of ownership. Nothing I do promotes greater loyalty than someone coming up t me with a song and me telling them they're singing in a few because I saw them walk in. Or seeing their name as singing next and me asking if they want me to move them down so they can think of a song. I waste about 3 minutes a night overall but the loyalty payback is so incredible I can't think of a better way of doing it. If anyone has better suggestions lemme know

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Author:	Karen K [ Sun Apr 19, 2009 1:32 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What not to do as a KJ
100% agree with Gryf on this issue of making your singers feel important by remembering their names and what they sing. Slip them in as soon as you see them walk in. It is a priceless look on their face when you call their name - they look at their friends and at you and say they haven't even put a song up next! If they really aren't ready (some will say I haven't had my first drink yet! - you'll figure out who these people are quickly) just keep moving them down until they are ready. So if you're unfamiliar with these singers, keep a list for a while of their names and songs (if your system doesn't do that for you). It's a simple thing to do - make people feel important. It comes back in spades. Make them sound as good as possible...the other thing singers love. Be humble about the selection, explain the situation with as much info as you'd like them to know, and tell them you'll be sure to pass on their song requests. Befriend the staff - make sure they understand that you are OPEN to any suggestions they have, etc. If they have specials during the week, take a few minutes out of the night to holler those out...make it personal. Don't just read it off a sheet. My new venue is just LOVING the fact that I do this for them. It helps them a lot, especially in these times. I never underestimate the value of creating loyalty in your singers by treating them better than anyone else treats them on the day they come in. A smile goes a long way as does a touch on the shoulder as you pass by, complimenting them on their last song, and maybe suggesting another song they might try if they're just beginning...or even if they are established singers. This indicates an interest in them on your part, which also plays into that 'feeling good' thing that happens.

Author:	ripman8 [ Sun Apr 19, 2009 7:45 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What not to do as a KJ
jeffsw6 @ Sun Apr 19, 2009 8:18 am wrote: Looks like you already know some of the major things not to do. Man, I went into the karaoke area of a big multi-room bar near here once, and the $10/hr girl they had running the thing, she sang, then the bartender in that room sang, then they both sang together, then the host sang again, before my friend got to sing his song. There were no other customers in the room, by the way. I was aggravated, told her that's why she is making $10/hr, ordered a round of drinks from the bartender and didn't tip, and then went back to the live music part of the bar. Man, how are they so stupid? It wasn't just me and my friend, either; there were 8 or 10 of us there as we drove 3 cars. That bartender could have collected our tips all night! Since you mentioned having a limited song selection right now, well, that will disappoint some singers; but a good way to help with that is get yourself a clip-board and put a paper on it and tell your singers to write down the songs they would like to sing but you do not have, and you will try to buy them for next week. Now, some of the songs you can probably get that quickly, some not, and some just won't exist in a karaoke format. So next week print a list off the computer of what you got for them, what you are expecting soon in the mail, and the ones you will agree to look for again in the future, but that you could not find yet. This will make them happy because they know you care enough about them getting to do their song, that you will spend time and money getting the ones they want. Oh and clip-board, whatever, you could also use a box with a slot in the top, or some other thing, just so long as they know you will not lose the "songs to buy" papers. I have excel open and I just leave notes for myself including songs to buy and who requested it.

Author:	Karen K [ Sun Apr 19, 2009 8:50 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: What not to do as a KJ
Don't be a drunk host.

Author:	Bill H. [ Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:09 am ]
Post subject:	Re: What not to do as a KJ
kjkev @ Sat Apr 18, 2009 10:58 pm wrote: Smoking Ban, i don't see an edit or a search feature on this forum. The smoking ban, in place around here since January, has definitely affected the way I host. Now that the weather is getting nicer half the bar may be outside. I have two choices: 1. Go outside while the current singer is singing and tell the next singer up it's their turn. 2. Only call singers up who are in the bar and constantly adjust rotation, calling singers next who should have been up before as soon as they come back inside. I use a combination of both. The key is face recognition. If the slip says "Michelle" I know who Michelle is and look for her, either inside or out. That's the best tip I've got for hosting. If I'm in a new room, or there are unfamiliar people in my normal rooms, the first time they're singing I'm looking at their slip, their face, slip, face, back and forth until I form a mental bond that tells me that name is that face. As for my own situation, I'm in discussion with my home room about putting a video monitor outside in the back smoking area with the next singer up scrawling on the bottom if things get out of hand this summer. But I don't know if it will work all that well. First of all, there are two smoking areas - one in front and one in back. Secondly, they're scattered all over out there and I can't imagine my group watching a monitor for rotation all that closely. I think I'll still be running around a lot. Who said this job is easy?

Author:	letitrip [ Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:29 am ]
Post subject:	Re: What not to do as a KJ
Here's a few rules I've set for myself for running my shows: 1. Don't drink - Now you could change this to don't drink a lot. Drunk hosts are bad hosts, they may make mistakes, be jerks or whatever. Except in rare circumstances I have a not a drop rule for myself when I'm working. Occasionally if someone buys me one or if there's a special event I might have a drink but that's it. 2. Don't show Bias in your Rotation - I say No Bias rather than Favoritism because I've seen rotations go both ways. I've seen singers given preference, however I've also seen KJ's who wanted to limit certain customers from singing. Treat EVERYONE the same no matter who they are. 3. Don't take tips - I know this is a controversial one, but personally I don't accept tips. It just makes it too easy for folks to get the impression that I can be influenced or bought. Occasionally, I'll get the person who insists I take their money (a bizarre situation to begin with) and in those cases I give the money to the bar tenders as a tip for them. 4. Don't lose your cool - Remember going in that you're likely going to be dealing with drunk people and get your mind ready for that. The only difference between drunks and children is that children understand logic and reason Seriously though, if you start yelling at people or getting upset, it makes you look unprofessional. 5. Don't forget who the show is about - Remember the show is about your guests, no you. People do not come to see you sing, they come to sing. Now sure some will likely request that you sing certain songs and you should be accomodating whenever possible. But if you're busy with a long rotation, you shouldn't be singing. Even if it was requested, it just looks bad to the others who are waiting patiently for their turn to come around again.