Karaoke Forums

This is sort of an offshoot from my "Yeah, I'm Bragging" thread.

There are literally dozens... perhaps hundreds... of things, big and small, that contribute to the success and/or failure of a karaoke show.

Some things we have control over. Others we don't.

What I'd love to see here, is a list of tips, ideas, and suggestions that we are willing to share. Some things will be pretty basic, while others might be innovative. Some ideas might be sensitive to individual markets, while others would be universal.

What I would NOT want to see is any nay-saying. If you don't think an idea is a good one, simply leave it alone. Let's make it like a smorgasbord... You don't have to like everything on the menu.

I'll start:

I make sure my p.a. equipment not only sounds clean, but looks clean as well. No messy rat's nest of cables in sight. Table facade and skirt to hide equipment. Other cables are either taped down or covered with non-slip carpet runner.

I do my very best to remember singers' names, and always use their names before and after they sing.

Usually a polo shirt or T-shirt in summer with my company logo. These also make great prizes.

We use three remote-controlled "micro" laser lights shining on the ceiling and wall(s) to help the atmosphere. And, we keep the house lights dimmed or off.

We provide up-to-date, professionally printed books and request slips (with lots of pens).

We use a highly-visible white-board to list the rotation in addition to the names scrolling on screen. I've had many, many singers tell me how much they appreciate knowing exactly where they stand in the rotation.

Speaking of the rotation, we make it well known that it will be respected, and we do not allow que-jumping.

We have at least one wide-screen TV for the audience to view lyrics.

We use good quality wireless microphones and one stand-mounted "Elvis" mic for the singers. Some singers appreciate the mobility.

Contests.... with "fabulous" prizes.... (usually from the Dollar Store)... About once a month or so, I'll find an excuse to have a casual (and optional) contest.... such as the recent "Most Unique End Of The World Song" contest... Singers don't have to participate, but most choose to do so.

Smile.

We keep a supply of giant birthday cards in our tickle box, along with "It's My Birthday" ribbons. Available from the Dollar Store. We encourage everybody to sign the birthday-person's card, and yes... we all sing "Happy Birthday".

At one venue, we hold a 50/50 draw with half going to charity of the winner's choice and half to the winner... Usual pot totals $100 to $150.

Whenever possible, greet people when they come in, and bid them good-night when they leave... Oftentimes, I'll even do this over the p.a. I might say something like "Hey everybody, it looks like Mary is leaving"... and sixty voices will all shout out "Goodnight Mary".

That's enough for now.

Next??

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Earl
(BS, PHD & Certified CurmuDJeon)

[font=Times New Roman]"Growing Old may be mandatory... but growing UP is still optional."[/font]

You can add to your list Earl a good working relationship with the venue owner, and whatever staff is working at the venue. A good bartender for example can be a great asset to any show, they are working hard, and it never hurts to mention their name and a don't forget to tip the bartender plug. You are all part of a team and I try to treat everyone involved with the show as an extended family. Also it helps if the venue owner has food and drink specials. Since St.Patrick's Day falls on a Sunday this year I already have a venue with a huge dance floor booked. They will be having free Corn Beef and Cabbage and running drink specials on Irish car bombs etc. etc.etc.

All sounds good. I've been known on occasion to change into costume once the show gets rolling. Just pop out from behind the screen and blast into a song that matches the outfit. The cart I use to wheel in my rack gets covered with a black skirting and all cables/cords coming into the mixer or conditioner are kept out of sight. I keep a small carpet taped down covering the cables so no tripping hazards. Majority of the forum probably thinks my mics are overkill but it's what I wanted and I now have 4 Shures, 1 wired SM58, 3 wireless (1 SM58 and 2 Beta 58s) and I do sound check using all 4 to get them ready. I have 2 lyrics monitors, one facing the audience, I have the bars business logo on the screen as well as mine. I too welcome regulars into the room over the PA. They seem to like the attention and I have a good relationship with them.


I have a nice tambourine that sometimes gets a lot of use, everyone knows they are welcome to use it when they sing and I will usually play a harmonica song or two each night to shake things up a bit.

I keep a neon karaoke sign in the window so everyone knows when I'm in the bar. Sometimes I will give away trinkets to those singing, sometimes it's wooden beer coins. I've also had them draw prizes out of a hat or baseball cards and if the card # adds up to a certain number, I buy them a drink.

I think most of us have the ability to eq the vocals and I believe that is huge. I've gotten kudos for my sound (I know I can still improve). I want to create that "live" atmosphere that Lonnie has often talked about.

I always kept my books up to date, kept song slips in them and have extra pencils on hand and months ago began bringing in little click n stick lights for customers to use for browsing the book. I now use my kiosk however, Friday night the two books I brought in only got used a couple times. People seem to like the kiosk and I've had comments regarding the kiosk in the positive regarding the care I show for my business. I have a laminated professional looking sheet vecroed to the top of my kiosk laptop with simple instructions on how to use it. Also have small LED lights lighting the instructions and the keyboard so people don't have to squint or strain their eyes using the kiosk.

Lots of other stuff, much of it I picked up from this forum and I am grateful to the forum and to those who have helped me evolve my business. When I move to Canada, I will have a lot of confidence in my ability to put together a top notch show! Earl you are my hero!

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

Kinda mentioned already, but........cheap drinks..

At my shows...

In addition to song books and a kiosk, every table is provided with an iPad 3 so they can search for and submit their songs without leaving their table.

Everyone who sings gets a free tee shirt. Sweatshirt in the winter.

Everyone who sings gets a drink and appetizer of their choice for free.

Regulars can take song books home if they'd like.

The best singer of the night gets $100

If you sing a randomly selected song, you get $50

Guitars are provided for those customers that want to strum along while singing.

And finally, each night a random drawing is held and the winner gets a Xbox 360

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Electro-Voice Evolve 50... Taking Sound To The Next Level.

And that's all....you don't do anything else?

I can't afford to do anything else!!

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Electro-Voice Evolve 50... Taking Sound To The Next Level.

Yeah. Well, Oprah gives out cars!

Well I give out Oprahs....

-Chris

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-Chris

It's the Topless girls, for sure.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

I don't get it?..

Irish car bombs? Is that supposed to be a funny? If you have had to suffer them like we had to then you wouldn't make light of it.
Disgraceful !

holy cr@p!!!! Where do you do your shows? Hollywood? !!!!!!!

http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink7774.html

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Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens

Thanks Paradigm, I didn't make up nor name the drink, it is what it is, and they do run specials on St.Patrick's Day not only on this drink, but also Irish Ale and Beer, as well as Irish Whiskey. Have a great day.