Karaoke Forums

I understand the old saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it"... but I'm getting to the stage when I'm twiddling my thumbs at work. Recently I've switched to computer, and I think the intensity of spending several months copying discs has left a void, which needs filling... Previously when I found myself needing something to do I used to buy discs and/or upgrade equipment, which used to give me new things to do and learn. But now everything is upgraded, and the bank balance "says hold off on buying anymore discs"...

I'm limited to a hardcore karaoke crowd who will pffftt and tut if I deviate from straight karaoke, and i would be stupid if I set out to upset them in the search for fresh faces.... the grass is certainly greener with my regular crew, they are absolutely great in all aspects .

In the past, I've done theme nights (sing a song with a girls name in the title, songs about the weather), kamakazi, new song sunday which work really well... but I think I've exhausted the list. (I may not have... open to suggestions).

So I'm looking for a cost free (or low cost) karaoke related hobby / interest / game that can help improve the show, and keep things fresh for me and the customers.

Thanks guys...

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'A genius is one who can do anything except make a living'. Joey Adams.

How about the person ahead of you in the rotation gets to pick your kamakaze song? It might be an evil pick, or it just might be something they want to hear you do.

[schild=11 fontcolor=C0C0C0 shadowcolor=C0C0C0 shieldshadow=1]I pick Swingcat does Stray Cat Strut[/schild]

If your customers are hardcore karaoke (i've used karaoke is hardcore for years) then perhaps if you want to try something new, try making things as efficient and painless for your customers as possible. Focus on speed, efficiency, etc.

Try projecting your playlist on the wall. Cut out the "So and so, please come to the stage" Do everything in your power to conserve every minute, every second, so that people can sing as many songs as possible in a night.

That's what I did.

Toqer's method kinds puts us out of a job but it seems to work. By putting the songs on a timer he forces the singers to pay attention. By making them pay to sing (even if it's oinly a buck) it makes them feel like they have to give it their all or they've wasted their money. It's pointless to argue with success.

Marble, it sounds to me as if you have maxed-out your karaoke potential. Maybe a hosted trivia game before karaoke. I had a lot of success and fun with that.

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Okay, who took my pants?

Buy an inexpensive Digital Camera. Find one that has a digital output jack.

Take pictures of your singers and their friends. Attach the camera to a video switcher and project the pictures on the TV's in between the songs. (just remember to switch it back for karaoke)

Hand out photocopied slips to your photographic subjects and point out where your website (myspace, facebook, etc) can be found and where the pictures will be posted.

People love to see themselves on TV AND you are promoting your business.

Customers respond to personalized service. Make each one feel special and they will keep coming back.

These are great ideas!

My idea is lame in comparison, but fun.

One of my regulars gave me the idea of " Special Word Night". It works on nights that are slower. You pick a word and the singers incorporate the word into their songs. Everyone gets a kick out of it and it makes a boring night fun. It sounds a bit immature, but potty words work the best. Booger, poop, toilet, hemorrhoids

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

The place next door to us would have theme nights like pajamas night and look trashy night. They were a bit too low class for me to even mention what the true themes were but their clientele seemed to get into it.

After Halloween blows over, maybe closer to Mardi Gras, I would like to have a "Come as Your Singer" night and have people dress up as someone who's song they will do that night. For the most part it seems there is a holiday of some sort every month that lends itself to a theme/party and then those months without could be the theme nights like 50s, 60s, Disco whatever.

Mate. If you need to ask you have a problem.
Actually think you are just trying to keep forum momentum.
Way to go.

We just had a blow-up over filming. Some people in bars don't want anyone knowing they are in bars. Be careful.

It's too bad we lost our conversation about this subject before the forum was compromised.