Karaoke Forums

How do you deal with Karaoke Klingons....the individual (or group for that matter) who upon hearing the intro to your song rush up and grab the spare mic to sing along with you cause they "love" that song. Most times the spare mic is not even switched on but it can be offputting when they're singing off key in close proximity to your ear. Is it the KJ's job to intervene or is it up to the singer. And how do you let them know they're not welcome onstage with you without them taking offense (cause most times they're usually really drunk).

As the KJ, you are the one who determines who is on the stage and singing. I personally will escort people off the stage, trying to make light of it, telling them that I've seen this singer totally melt down and come after interlopers - they don't know if I'm really serious. At times it helps to make an announcement several times during the night - like unless your name is called, don't even think about coming up here! There are those who have 'rules' in their books or running on the singer screen occasionally - I suppose that helps, but my experience is people who don't want to acknowledge that kind of thing don't remember how to read anyway.

At times, when the interloper is drunk, I kind of whisper to them that the bouncer is watching them and that they'd better quietly sit down or they won't get a chance to get up and sing. Sometimes that's enough, too.

It's a matter of the KJ controlling the stage. You really have to interpret the severity of the situation on an individual basis - regulars know better generally speaking. Outsiders will get the cold shoulder by the regulars really quickly.  

BTW I love your description - "Karaoke Klingon" - if I may have your permission to use it??

K

Yes your right Karen, regulars do tend to know better and it's usually the crowd that come in later after drinking somewhere else. Regulars tend to have more karaoke etiquette. P.S. feel free to use the description  :yes:

I also escort the Klingon's off the stage saying that the bartender said something about them having a extra drink that they left at the bar ( and that if it was left unclaimed that they were gonna dump it. (this usually does the trick as they are normally s/faced)

I normally will restart the song for the singer and then once they are properly mixed I go find our Klingon and have a brief discussion about karaoke manners. Normally it is difficult to reason with a drunk so if I encounter any problems with them I have a talk with the bartender and if it continues....POOF they are gone!

The bouncer idea is a good one (if you have one) as it takes the focus away from you and your show and onto the bouncer.

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Scott

I like your approach Flipper.  LMAO

The worst part I hate is the ones that run up stand on the mic chord and try to jerk the mic out of the stand. If the singers are friends we will turn the second mic up.

If I see someone esp drunk running to the stage I shut the music off NOW! If they persist I do use security.

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How about the other side of that coin, I was doing a number a week or so ago, and the next thing I knew I was dancing.. Now I'm not one to stand still when I sing, (depending on the no.) But, the next thing I knew, this lady had slipped her arm around me, and we were dancing, WHILE, I was still doing the no.  Now I will say I was kind of flattered, But when I looked over at the KJ, she gave me a sign as if Did I want her to cut it off. Since, there was no real damage, and we made it throught the song, I let it go, gave her a hug, and set down. BUT You can bet the guards have been up since then on. It could of turned out much worse.. But I do like the approches you all ahve stated,   Well done to great KJ's..Your Friend....Tom

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glow=yellow][scroll][shadow=red] Correction..."LIZ" says..  :whistle: You just can't go wrong with TomTom onboard !![/shadow] [/scroll][shadow=gold][/shadow][shadow=cyan][/shadow][/shadow]

Escort them off as well.

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I usually don't have to say a thing. I am sitting at the mixer, and Have all of the mics muted except the one being used.

If the other mic isnt muted I simply do that. Most of the time they will sit down. if Not, I sit them down.

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

whisper in the klingon's ear that you are about to deliver a mic enema!

As a singer, I find this particularly annoying, especially if there is a big rotation, I have waited a long time to get up to sing and  the KJ does nothing about it, or does nothing but leave the mic muted, which leaves the Klingon to raise their voice even more, creating a worse off-key distraction.

Nice to know you guys have a plan of action!  My plan of action for future infractions whereby the KJ does nothing is to leave the stage to the Klingon, walk back to the bar, advise the bartender that the KJ is picking up my tab and then leave.  There are plenty of good KJs like you out there who run far better shows!

I always ask if they got it OKed by the singer.  If not you can sing, dance or do whatever you want, but it won't be on the PA system.    

I was doing a song a week ago and this guy comes running up and says he wants to sing it because it's his favorite song.  I just gave him the microphone and let him finish the song.  But what i'm thinking is, if it's you favorite song why don't you put it on a slip like everyone else.  :grumble:

Or how about those who hang right up by the stage ... groupies?  In my small space I try to have as little accumulation at the stage area as possible.  I've got two regulars (one guy and one gal).  The guy sits right next to where the singers are and it's weird that he doesn't get that he's in the way.  I told him last night finally that I'm claustrophobic and need as much space as possible.  Then there's this girl, she's ALWAYS staring at me.  Seriously, she stares at me all night long.  Everytime I look over at her she's dead locked in a gaze.  I smile, wave, and say a prayer that she's sane.

This is another advantage in using a snake. We are on the other side of the bar and have a few singers/friends at tables in our area.  The singers are not bothered in any way including singers turning in slips or checking other things. I absolutely hate it when we have to be on the stage too.

The only things in the singer area is mics/stands, both monitors and big screen.

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Doing that kind of act is suicided; if you are not a friend of that singer. The guy would be luckily to end  up with a few missing teeth.

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

I have the bouncers take the klingons out back and work em over. Works every time.

Mojo

I normally leave the klingons mic off and then talk to them afterwards off to the side Or sometimes the singer takes care of it before I have the chance!

KARYOKER

I like and even thought of using a snake in the past -- I'm just a little worried about being away from the singer/mics/monitor and speakers.

No problems ?

It is a consideration but actually you have a better view of whats going on.   My main worry is the 15" flat screen TV.  All of our regulars respect and take care of the gear and never abuse it. We rarely get a drunk singer anymore.  Layout of the stage or singing area is very important so tripping over a chord will not snag something else.

With my old ears it is the best way I have to adjust overall sound.

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The only problem you could have is the monitor speaker, that I can see. The lyrics on the monitor are trouble-free in my experience, and the you'll be able to tell if the mics are having trouble.

If you are doing your job from the stage, you are taking frequent trips out to the venue environs to check the sound as the room fills up, right? I would think the very occasional trip to the stage would do the same thing -- you can turn the monitor up or down a bit based on
what the singer is doing.

While if you are out FOH with the mixer, you can adjust the mix perfectly without using headphones or the possibly-off-target mains monitor speaker.