Karaoke Forums

I'm gettin the idea that maybe I need to sing for a spark sometimes. I know i don't wanna sing, but if I was, and do a GREAT job, it just might be the spark that sets off a good night.

The idea that I'm thinkin of is gettin the suit/tie/hat/sunglasses and doing "soul man" and trying to do it so real that it mesmerizes the crowd. I think I can do it, I just need to grow bigger balls.

I've been thinkin that this could be the spark that generates enthusiasm at my show. I've seen the KS polls on the best KJ nights and it shadows my nights, so  I know slow nights are not abnormal. Maybe do it for practice on the real slow nights and WOW them on a busy night! The more I think about it the more sure I am that I could do it. I'd keep the dress up suit there and use it for a filler gig for sparks.

What does everyone think...anybody dress for a song?  If you do, what song, what dress etc.

                                                                bigjim56

dude if you were going to do blues brothers you are best to practise in front of a big mirror at home. Choreography doesnt come off the cuff you need to know where to put your feet so its 2nd nature before you open your mouth to sing or you will end up with egg on your face.

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

My wife and I will soon be working out and she would like to find the "right" hat.  While I think that's a great idea and feel that "gimmicks" can be invaluable, I have found it is the "right" song, more than anything else, that gets the crowd going.

I'm sure that for those who agee with me, there are plenty opinions regarding the "right song".  

My list of the right songs, would include:
        Shout
        Soul Man
        Sweet Home Chicago
        Sweet Home Alabama
        Sweet Caroline
        Family Tradition
        Gimme Three Steps
        Think
        We Gotta Get Out Of This Place
        Jump
        The Brady Bunch
        (I Wanna) Rock And Roll All Night
        Summer Nights
        Boom, Boom

yep the right songs (dont just stop at one once you have em on the floor ya gotta keep em there) will make or break the night

And sometimes what works for one crowd will go down like a cup of cold sick for another

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

If getting the crowd going is your goal - I'd say the choice of song is the most valuable asset. There is nothing wrong with trying to entertain the crowd, but I find my job as a karaoke host is to make them the star. Dressing up may show the crowd they can loosen up and have fun with karaoke too. Have dress up items for them too. Like: hats, air guitars, maracas etc... You'll get more out of the crowd when they see their friends getting a little crazy. You dressing up sets the tone that it's okay and a lot of fun.

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

Babs hope you had a nice Christmas

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

Back at ya sis  :hug:

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

I do upbeat rock songs.    I do not dress up.     I sing well.

and you treat the applause and adulation with such modesty and humility, tis a treat to see

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

I open the show with LADIES NIGHT, CELEBRATION, SING-A_SONG or DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC. Cant go wrong with Earth Wind and Fire or Kool and The Gang. All will get the party started and catch the attention of the custies and get them tapping thier feet. Setting the tone for the eveing. I always dress niceley for a gig-nice slacks, leather shoes, loud hawaiian shirt, blues hat and shades(prescription--not CHEAP SUNGLASSES). I will never ever present a sloppy appearance at my show). I wont waste my time trying to do some kind of choreogrpahed dance thing. Its all in the song and more importantly ALL IN THE GROOVE!!

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

John the Revelator

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

I suppose dressing in some style appropriate for the type of music you sing or the crowd you are singing to is your best shot.   I usually just wear a sheet when I sing in front of people, to great approbation.

I started out doing my show in Different outfits For each set But now I find myself just Changing once in the middle of my show. Dressed as Ian Anderson Of Jethro Tull I would only be able to sing Tull Songs to have the best effect. and my somewhat Exagerated David Bowie outfit only allowed me to do his songs. Ect.

Now I just look for a concert or something on TV and see how the pro's are dressing I saw a good Rod Stewart concert on HDTV recently and had all the makings of what Rod was wearing and It worked well for me during my last show, a simple get up. Black Levi 501's White Long sleeve Stafford Shirt With a Black Leather vest. and a tie hung loose. (or was that me).  anyway it was comfortable and I sang from Sinatra to KC and the sunshine band and it seemed to go well for the whole night. it is a long cry from when I started doing my Act 2 years ago. Heres some pic's of my earlier show's.
or you can see videos of my show by clicking on my WWW button. there is 5 or 6 video's on my myspace acct.

BigJim56 : do it !! get the outfit and Just do it ...it is so much fun. I tended to Even be more outgoing up on stage hiding behind the costumes and wig's. great feeling but alot of work. I still try to do atleast some kind of character




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Thanks for the replies!  :D

I will start acquiring the set up and will look at other songs as possible spark songs too.

Babs: thats a good idea on having clothing/guitar/etc props for customer usage. What's a maracas,...like a tamborine?  I'm stumped on that one.

ericlater: love that Sweet Home Alabama, it hits the right cord at my place!

Thanks again everyone,

                                                            bigjim56

Well if there was some ICP karaoke I would definately dress the part.  None exists that I know of...  Seriously, I'd love to dress the part as you say....but I can't think of anything to do that is worthy of doing so!  MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
Visit MrD on facebook - mrdsentertainment
& on myspace - larrynance[/highlight]

Maracas are south American percussion instrument that is a hollow wooden cavity with a handle and beads inside. You shake them. Here is a picture of them. You can get them from many places.

As for my dress code. My "nickname" is music doctor or doc. So I wear a smock when I do my gigs. It's a schick that works well. Once in a while a drunk will ask me if I am a real doctor.  LOL

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Seize the day and SING!!!

......you should tell them..."Why yes, I was running late after surgery and got here just in the nick of time"

MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
Visit MrD on facebook - mrdsentertainment
& on myspace - larrynance[/highlight]

Let me give you some advice from experience (check my avatar pic)- The jacket and hat get REAL hot after an hour or so. I have done the whole routine, and it is exhausting!

I have had much better response by getting the audience involved in something like a Mony Mony, or Dirty Deeds, where I drop the music and have the crowd respond...

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Let's Kick the Tires and Light the Fires!

Eben - great explanation ! Just a heads up on maracas though. You have to be careful not to buy cheap ones. I've gone through a few. The heads break off from use.

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

Bigjim - I sent you a pm.

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