Karaoke Forums

I hijacked this from another thread to start this one. It brings up a good question on how we see our selves and our service compared to our perception of how others (i.e owners, managers, and customers) see us. In other words, who is the show?

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EveningStar Entertainment & Events
JR & Michele LaPorte
Peoria, AZ

I have played many types of shows and parties. Usually it is somewhere in between but a good host can read the crowd and constantly change. I do not run a karaoke only type show unless I have at least 20 singers. In this area that is uncommon anymore for people want to dance and party. They are the ones that hire us for parties and weddings and they want a combo. If need be I can recruit 10 fairly decent singers and entertain any crowd. This happens at our shows more often than not. We entertain and host a high energy fast paced show. If the energy is dying I will sing and pick it up I am an entertainer but I am also a host.

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The ideal that I would like to acheive for our show would be the KJ facilitates the singers being the star. We used to hang back not wanting to upstage anyone and things were getting a bit "assembly line." But lately we have been bringing in props and doing funny things. So the KJ is the show in that the KJ has to be creative in thinking up ideas, how to introduce the singers, read the room, and know who you can stick a hat on or play fake harmonica behind. But that part of the show is sort of invisible as far as what people are perceiving. It is the singers who then take it and run with it and provide the part of the show that people see. So I think I'm trying to say that the KJ who is running a good show is the KJ who is able to make the singers put on the best show?

I feel that the reason that many come out to Karaoke shows as apposed to going to watch a band play is that they want to be part of the entertainment. You do get people that are there just to watch but those that sing are looking for the pat on the back that we all love so much. I think that the host is there to keep order to the caos and also enhance the show with their personality and mixing skills.

I am not a fan of the over-the-top host that has to fill every second that a singer is not on stage with their voice by constantly reminding me to tip or telling corny jokes.

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"Don't worry. It will feel better when it quits hurtin."

I think there is a way for the KJ to create the "background" -- an upbeat atmosphere with compliments to all (even though they're just starting out and not the best singer), and just in general make your crowd feel good and like they're part of it all. Of course the singer takes the spotlight when they're singing but for the rest of the time, between singers, etc., you have to continue to create that positive feeling that people respond so well to. Nothing wrong with a little comedic comment now and then (but you'd better know you're comedic before you try it, and you'd better know who can take the ribbing, etc.)

So in my mind it's probably 50/50. My trademark trait, I guess, would be that everyone feels good when they attend one of my shows. This includes brand new singers I've never met before, the veterans whom I've worked with for years, and the crowd.

As with everything, though, this is crowd/venue dependent, but this has worked for me for years - StevieD stopped by - maybe he can describe how I do my show from a non-biased POV?

A girl singer just came back from a Florida honeymoon. She told me they went to karaoke and they didn't have fun like they do at my show.

I would assume that every karaoke show has about the same music library. And that would also include a sound system. There would also be other singers and listeners. Are karaoke shows, themselves that different? Or was it me?

She didn't get spacific about why my show was so much more fun. I'll ask her next week if i remember. Could be useful information.

I treat everyone fairly and always tell them they sounded good. I am always hugging and getting hugs. So my friendliness has to play a part. The host plays a major part in the fun. But the way the music sounds can add or subtract from the fun. It's more fun to sound good. Again each of us has a "style" of show. That includes how you host the show. The sound system and how you operate it. My show would be like any other without me.

My boyfriend went to another karaoke show last night and i just asked if it was fun. He said no and the reason was it didn't sound good.

Alright I have read a lot of your posts and I must admit you do have the best show in the world and you are the best entertainer in the world and you are worth thousands of dollars for a 4 hour gig, for Pete's sake put your self-righteous horn down and give it a rest now!

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Music speaks to the heart in ways words cannot express.

I don't think its egotistical for hosts to assert that their talent contributes greatly to the unique quality of their show.

Otherwise if everyone has about the same library and sound, why pick one place over another?

Actually since I frequent a number of karaoke spots as a singer, that's not really accurate. I find there are all kinds of levels of sound gear at local shows from the sublime to the ridiculous.

But I'm thinking at least part of it is Angel's friend might have felt more comfortable at a show she already knows in her own hometown.

I don't think it's "attitude" for me to assert that one of the reasons people come to my show is to see ME. I get lots of kudos, high-5s, fist bumps, bootie slaps (mostly from the girls...!) and people who hang around after the show to say how much fun they had. Might any host get that same reaction? After some of the horrible hosts I've seen, I think not.

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I have been to Karoake venues all over the nation. And I have had good times and not so good times. The sound system is key because if you don't sound you good you don't want to sing. The KJ is key also. Many times you go to a place and the singers are like background music. No one claps or encourages anything. I personally think (right or wrong) that this is a direct reflection on the KJ. If the KJ is not intuitive (ha ha, I used a big word) to the crowd then the show is going to be boring. The KJ should read the crowd and do what they need to to get and keep the energy up for the the patrons.

I have also KJ'd and get asked to do it often. I don't do it anymore. I feel as a KJ when I was hosting that I had to make it fun for the crowd. There were many a times that I would get on stage and make a fool of myself (singing Mickey with my hair in pig tails and using pom poms and other assorted things) to get the crowds attention. It is also important to mingle with your crowd. Get them excited, encourage them to get up and sing and dance and be a part of what is going on.

And if you use filler between your songs that is equally important to keep the mood of the crowd up. If everyone in the room is singing tear in your beer songs this is a way to help bring things up by puttin in fun filler while the next person makes their way to the stage.

Being a KJ is a big responsibility and a lot of hard work. I appreciate all the work that they do to keep me entertained when I go out these days.

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Will sing or fish for food!!I'm not quite right!!

Has anybody ever told you not to assume? You go to a hundred different shows and you'll see a hundred different libraries and sound systems. Now some will have bits and pieces the same (afterall there are only so many manufacturers). The way a host mixes is also very important, along with his or her style. I could go on and on but Ihope you get the point.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

I have to agree. It is as much about making everyone feel welcome and comfortable as everything else.

A good KJ can get the best sound possible from mediocre equipment, whereas a bad KJ may end up with bad sound, even from top-notch equipment. Is there a better boost of confidence for a karaoke singer than for them to sound the best that they can?

For a truly good show, there has to be a good combination of personality and enough technical savvy to yield the best sound possible from each singer.

My forte is as a sound tech, but I also love making people feel good about themselves, and that carries over on the microphone. Since I get to do both, as a KJ, that makes ME feel good, and that is why I continue it as a hobby.

Who is the show?

I'd be nothing without the great people that come to my shows. It's all about them which in turn just happens to make me look good.

Johny Carson put it best. I can't remember his exact words, but it was something like this: As a host you are there to facilitate the guests best. Let them shine and people will be entertained. I've seen other TV hosts try to upstage a guest and in my opinion it's in bad taste.

Sure people will come to your show because they like you, your equipment, sound and collection of music. But if you run an egotistical show where you think the show revolves around you and not the customer you're business will suffer for it.

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The SHOW is the SHOW .....DUH !!!!
The "SHOW" is a living and breathiing entity---ever evolving and changing

One night its the girl with the double d's and killer voice , another night its the 75 yr old man/woman belting out tunes. Then there is the BRIDAL party or BIRTHDAY Party...it's the regulars who keep singing the same old songs or maybe the bartender who dances on the bar when they sing. One night it could be the special challenged person who gets the courage to sing or the guy who THINKS he can sing to impress the girls ...maybe its all of the above and more.

And on every night its the KJ who quietly makes it all happen

The show is .........

Nor do I. I’m not implying that my use of the word “attitude” is in any way negative. I merely intended it as a way to describe (in a word) how we perceive our contribution with respect to the show.

I once encountered a quote from “Successories” that I refer to almost every day; “ATTITUDE, A Little Thing That Make A Big Difference”.



And while others may or may not disagree, this rather sums it up for me.

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EveningStar Entertainment & Events
JR & Michele LaPorte
Peoria, AZ

Great post Jam, I TOTALLY AGREE with your opinion of what makes the show. It's all in what the audience takes home as a memory of what THEY liked. Each and everyone might have liked the show for a different reason, one for the double d's, one for the senior singer, one for the kj, one for the sound, a million variables. As long as the people LIKED your show for some reason, that's what counts.

Rosario
Serenity Now Karaoke

Is your "show" the same "show" if you are not the KJ there and someone else does it?

You said this as your opinion. I didn't.

Are all KJs created equal?

Well, I'm still pretty new but I can tell you, much of whatever it is I bring to my show, I stole from this forum. Sorry!

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