Karaoke Forums

Cliff notes for the reading impaired:

"What was missing? In a word, heart."

"I realized the problem. The DJ just didn’t really care."

"...karaoke is a passion that its followers want to experience over and over again."

"...just like radio stations avoid Dead Air like a plague, nothing kills the karaoke vibe like long runs of filler between singers."

"He called people to the stage, queued up the track, and waited for it to end. No commentary, no enthusiasm ... nothing."


Maybe it's my former life on the radio, but the dead air & boring host drives me nuts. I am on the mike after EVERY singer, complimenting, joking, interacting. It's personality that sets you apart from the boring "name slip announcers".

(dupe)

Or perhaps, it has nothing to do with the KJ. Maybe there has been Karaoke at that bar for several years with the same singers sing the same songs week after week, and now karaoke has just turned into background noise and no one, besides the singer and a few others, is actually listening.

Yeah, a "upbeat" KJ might be able to bring the crowd into it, but it sounds like the bar referred too is a sports bar, and people might actually be there to watch the game on the big tvs, and probably not interested in Karaoke.

If the place is crowded, then they are doing it right. Not everyone likes 'high energy' karaoke. The writer just happen to prefer upbeat high energy karaoke.

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I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

The longest running KJ in my area is just a name caller for the most part, albeit friendly. For the most part, he doesn't sing or comment or rouse the crowd. Works for him. He's been at it at least 15 years and has a lot of followers.

I think such a review after a single visit is a bit harsh.

In my experience many karaoke shows are for the regulars and outsiders can feel out of place. Not to mention timing, some shows dont really get going until later or end earlier. A show can be dead at 11 and wild at 1 am (or earlier).

It could have even been an off night for the kj and or crowd as well.


Not to say that low energy karaoke does not happen and some shows are definitely not going to work with some people, but I would not look to such a review to form my opinion on the matter.

I agree.... There are places that I have been to (outside of my area), where I raved about how good the Karaoke show was (from the Host to the crowd), and when some of my friends went there, they said it was lousy.

It's Texas.. what can you expect?

If it's Texas, they probably need a fiddle in their karaoke.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBBaYbjEGG0

Yikes! I saw a local host not long ago who had all the personality of someone announcing train departures! She definitely sucked all the energy out of the room for me.

I too have had a former life in radio so I'm never at a loss for something to say that's (hopefully) entertaining. Or hyping drink specials. Or bringing on the next singer.

The author also expressed another of my pet peeves...KJs who let whole songs play when they have a wad of singer slips waiting. I run a "next singer" ticker to try to expedite that person to the stage when it's their turn. I try to have as many different singers as possible.

My other impression is about those who work for venues with "house" systems. All the hosts I know who have their own libraries and gear seem to have more of an emotional investment. They labored over what discs to buy. They picked out the gear and know where every patch cord goes. It's only natural that they CARE more about serving their customer.

The bar employee who gets to be the KJ for the night is probably p!$sed he's not barbacking...at least he'd get a cut of the tips.

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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]

What you can learn from this is this......

You can't please everyone
If you are a HIGH ENERGY type of host ....someone won't like you
If you are a "name caller" low keyed type of host ...... someone won't like you

The Karaoke Host alone can not CREATE the atmosphere of the show. Many factors go into that certain DISTINCT FEEL every show has. The host plays an important part, so does the type of venue, the regular NON SINGING patrons the bartenders and management all MIX together to create... The SHOW.
And don't forget the singers and their song selections who can STEER the mood of the show on any given night.....