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Because when I grow up, I want to be just like you Ollie




No,  Thank God, I retired from THOSE headaches years ago. Entertainment and successful business isn't something I was able to put in the same sentence, I did go relatively far in the entertainment field though, but got quite sick in it.  I don't need to be bothered with hellacious stuff like that any longer. I'm semiretired, white collar, locked in a pension years ago, have full corp benefits, winding down and was set up with an office here at home where I can chatter about this stuff with you while working, but I don't talk about what I do, what I have, or personal social stuff in here because NOBODY cares.  A few know what I do, I won't discuss anything that could in anyway jeapardize any aspect of my well-being because few on the internet can and should be trusted. I use my real name, my location and phone number are also known by some, just as yours is however divulging certain things can backfire depending on circumstances. Everything aside, What I have in the bank, or what I do that doesn't benefit others IS what I walk off to when I leave this computer, or sometimes swing the chair around BUT It's NOT IMPORTANT in a Karaoke room.. . I'm not competing in here. Why would I wish to ?  Few get impressed by titles, few are impressed with degrees, few care about anything with the exception of how you conduct yourself in here.

 

Obviously that isn't enough for you.   I don't try to prove anything in here,  I'm trying to learn how to sing, and have some fun.. Nothing more in here.  OK, I'm bored Ollie, I need to dust and go out back and babble with the stones on the walkway,  they might not have IQ's of 170, but at least they absorb more, and seem to learn faster, they also aren't constantly trying to compete in a venue where there's no competition, just folks chatting about stuff...


Once again,  Sorry Jam.. This will be my last post in here..

Just curious if you really wish to work in a very young venue though.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

I Am A Man I am An Elder... This is an attitude is of a teen sitting across the table and rolling their eyeballs and revolting against old principles. If you have a father problem do not present it here.I am not your father or your mother. If you have problems with elders then heal self... Take thy gibberish and shove it..

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, those I call mom and dad don't struggle for approval in internet chatrooms Ollie.  They are older than you, wiser than you, and I don't have to send them to their room like I must do with you !

I don't like seeing elders make total imbeciles out've themselves in chatrooms Ollie. I have enough respect to try to call it when it's happening. I've mentioned in PM that you are going to regret saying certain things assuming you don't remove them, and others have told you somethings wrong.  "Elders" aren't always healthy or correct Ollie.  I won't attempt to be honest anymore though, instead I'll nod and smile, but at least I know I said something and tried to address an illness several times when I could've smiled and ignored the slovenly behaviour instead  (which wouldn't be respectful at all)..  The type is ugly, yeah, yet it's more honest than MOST have been.  You aren't earning respect acting as you have been.  You're reverting to childhood.  These posts won't be around long Ollie, but unfortunately the way you act is ongoing and escalating..

Your call !   Telling you this because it's TRUE !  There's a problem.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Now this is the kappy that I like. In yahoo chat rooms I constantly struggle for approval and struggle to keep the lighting adequate on the web cam. I try to to keep chatter with funny quips but it isnt easy all the time.. Esp with mic and web cam too.

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Jam is gonna be pissed off Ollie,  now go back to your room !  Let's take a break for the night,  I'll kick your butt in the future, I promise !!!   Getting tired now tho.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

OH BULLSH*^!!!! "Not too many people look very hip, gray"???!!! Only if your system looks as old as you do! If you know music, and can do the job and stay on top of what's popular, THAT's what makes you hip.

F*&^in' PLEASE!!!!

 :giveup:  ROFL  :rotflmao:  :rofl4:

 Just to be the devils advocate on this subject, there actually are venues that don't want the "younger" crowd due to the generalization of "they're all trouble". We know that isn't true, however, we all have a capacity for generalization when bridging  almost all/any subjects. Personally, my show specifically caters to the "older" crowd.
Due to that  fact, naturally I'm limiting myself to which venues  I can approach. BUT,
being gray does NOT impede my ability to be "hip" amongst the age of the patrons, as well as the owners of the venues who choose to employ me. Basically, that's one of the reasons they do hire me....because of my age, and the age brackett of those who come to my shows.....repeatedly.  IF .....I decided to "cross"  the imaginary line, specifically age, I'd hire a younger KJ to do that crowd. I see no problem with an "aged" KJ working ANY venue he has the knowledge, experience, and the DESIRE to work.  Granted, the age thing IS a factor, but usually it works in "grandpa's" favor.
 From what I know about Steve, he, like I, "cut his teeth" doing "the band thing" back in a day. That's old time experience and knowledge. He still plays and is learning to sing. That my friends is desire for the entire pie...not just a peice.
 All this "back and forth" just because an "older" KJ wants to know how to go about getting a gig in the newer bars with younger patrons. If you look back through this entire thread, you'll see A LOT of stuff that, again, missed the mark due to "over-zealous" responders. Something EVERONE here has been guilty of as of late. So....after all this typing, my suggestion comes down to: listen to what Karen K, knightshow, and (sorry kappy ) some of what Steve said. Disregard his "sparring" with karyoker. I'll give you all a little food for thought when it comes to us "elders"!!
  "Old age and treachery, will overcome youth and skill anyday".  Bank on it.


                                                Donny "B"    8)

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It's a wonderful life!!

You are right.

The first thing they look for is gray hair, bald heads, hearing aids, false teeth, walkers, wheel chairs, your Depends lines, handicapped plates, alzhimers ID bracklet, AARP discount card.  Those are the qualifications for entertaining a hip young crowd.   KJ/DJ/band members must be over 65 years of age to apply.

No you need tattos up the wazzo.  Earrings, tongue rings, spiked hair.  Baggie pants, backwards ball cap, a car thats muffler sounds like a bumble bee on steriods, and bass speakers your can hear thumping 6 blocks away.    Every other word has to be the "F" bomb.   Your song selection must only contain hip hop & rap music.  Your sound system has to sound like the speakers are blown.

I always try to look as old as i can.  That can guarantee i'll get hired, instantly.

If that was the case why are billions of dollars spent each year to look younger?   Nobody is trying to look older.   Except underage kids.

TV and movie personalities, models, entertainers, lawyers, realtors..on and on don't get hired if they look too old.    You can look how you want.  I'm going to try to look as young as i can.   Without looking like a wierdo.   Respectable business man that i am.

I have older KJ friends that just went through this.  New bar opening up.  The manager is the owners son 24-25 years old.   Tattoos, baggie pants, cocky attitude wants to know how much young music they have.   Jukebox blasting hip hop  music.   Half full of tiny bopper looking kids.   Wouldn't tell the old man they were there.  And they had talked to the old man in person at another bar.    He told them to stop in.     Kid said i'm the manager.    They suspect he didn't want his DJ buddy to lose a night to karaoke.   To a couple of gezzers.    His hair is on the gray side.

They have no desire to work there.

Everyone want to be young and hip, not slipped a disc.

sidewinder,

        After all that.....did you just say.....something ?




                        Donny "B"    

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It's a wonderful life!!

TURN ON YOUR HEARING AID

There aren't too many young KJs that have my experience, my selection, my sound and on and on.

I know how to build and keep a crowd.  I don't want a tiny bopper crowd.   That is not my goal.   I want 30 and up.    But the geritol crowd can hurt you too.    To many slow old songs.    A perfect crowd has the perfect mix of ages and musical tastes.    Not slanted one way or another.  And a KJ that can entertain all of them and keep them happy.

Does he EVER say anything worthwhile?

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[shadow=deepskyblue]I'm impressed, I've never met such a small mind inside such a big head before.[/shadow]

TTowntenor,

        NOPE

sidewinder,

           :worship: ..     ...     ...    :ggof:...

                                Donny "B"    8)

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It's a wonderful life!!

All good points ...I think The question isn't HOW TO KEEP a younger crowd..that I can do ....I don't look or dress old (not dying my hair thats just dumb)
I like and play all top 40 and recent filler music etc.    The real question is How to get past the Young Manager who sees an OLDMAN in front of him and not willing to allow an audition etc. for the job available?

Is it best to just confront them and take the offensive? spin the AGE thing to your benefit....experiance knowledge reliability ????

How about you 20something singers.....What are you thinking when you see a slighy older KJ running the show????  Does it matter as long as he is profesional  / hip / personable  / etc

stop all the arguing...you just showing you ages  

Donny B.  Would you mind explaining what "overcome" means in this sense ?  I've overcome youth and skill, in fact I've also started transcending areas of logic, ability to absorb and retain, and have overcome and accepted knowing that I don't know as much as I knew I knew in the days there was little I didn't know but aside from having overcome my teens, 20's, 30's, and 40's, as well as having re-earned my virginity, overcome my clothing, some bladder control, started to excel in the intricacies of flatulance, and the accrual of personal property (ie- squatters rights to more sq footage around my gut that's tax-free) what are some of the other positive aspects of overcoming youth ?  I'm not so confident my 3rd childhood will afford me some of the luxuries I'm enjoying during the 2nd childhood. Additionally is the long nap coming up sooner a good thing ?   Dunno.  Is to overcome necessarily positive ? If-so in what ways ?  We folks making the transition wish to know. It looks somewhat scary IMHO.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Look...to appeal to any age group, young or old, all you have to do is be yourself and know the music. No one likes a phony.

I haven't changed who I am at all. I listen to new things all the time and I find new music no different than the music of my generation... some bad and some real gems. And like you guys (and gals) I'm a singer.  But the room responds to raps so I learned a few. The raps I've chosen kind of make fun of the fact that a middle aged guy is up there doing them.

To respond to the OP's question a bit better, I'm new to karaoke, but in my music jobs I deal with younger managers at times. I just do it the same way that I always have... one on one. I don't have a Myspace page (actually the singers set one up on their own, but that's another story), I don't know if that works, but I know what does. I go in in the afternoon between lunch and happy hour, introduce myself and give a pitch including an offer for an audition. I've landed more jobs with an in-person audition than I've ever had with a promo package. And I'd do the same with karaoke. There are several singers who would help me out, and  if I needed an audition I'd bring them along. That's how I got  my current room started actually.

I'll add my Junk-Opinion like some of them here, although not with bitterness that i'm getting old and feel insecure about it .

Jam, I think you're right-on target thinking that most owners and managers want to hire a KJ that conducts themselves in a professional manner, acts like they are positive, unjudgmental, and can speak 20-something slang, but whose appearance fits right in with the younger hip crowd.

That requires fashionable jeans with a dress shirt untucked.. (in my area)
Oh yeah, and a cool pair of snakeskin shoes from Nordstroms.

or if it's a totally relaxed bar then a pair of old tight wornout looking jeans and tight t-shirts makes you look much younger- like a poor college kid. The other kids will able to relate with you better, when you DRESS like they do.

I agree with Sidewinder that GREY HAIR is a major turn-off towards younger business owners AND young girls...DON'T you watch those JUST FOR MEN commercials? Many men FOOL THEMSELVES into thinking GREY or GRAYING hair makes them look more "mature" (HA!), but young girls think you're just OLD...and will call you SIR!!!!  LOL  LMAO  Get rid of the gray and stop fooling yourself if you are!!

And everyone should know, but noone has acknowledged, that being OR appearing thinner (bodywise) makes you appear younger to everyone else. If you have a BEER GUT, then cover it with a loose untucked dresshirt that hangs down to your thighs. Being overweight and tucking in a polo shirt will have the young kids laughing at you!

Just my .002, but i am younger than a lot of people here, dress young, and get asked out by girls 15-20 years younger than me. Not bragging...(and i'm married btw and 40 but look 25)... i just owe A LOT to JUST FOR MEN products, buy trendy clothes, and the fact that i don't drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes, so i'm on the thin side but muscular side of life. My crowd is mostly 20-30s with a few moldy-oldies thrown in. If i'm not dressed up club-like, then i wear tight catch-phrase t-shirts, ripped jeans, and a baseball hat. Works well for me and most guys my age.

And i agree that you need to learn current music to relate to todays youth. If you can rap or reggae-rap at least one song they'll think your "down with 'em".

Too many people here seem to live in denial. Your personality is MORE important, certainly, but kids won't relate to you LIKE ONE OF THEIR OWN if you appear much older. They''l treat you with indifference, and like you're their dad!

It's not easy dealing with self centered youths of today. Yes they are polite when they have-to-be to get what they want, but selfish to no end and inconsiderate when they've been drinking. I know this because i was just one....a couple of years ago..or was it longer??

Anyways  GOOD LUCK JAM!!!

Jam one of my biggest kicks is going in someplace like Ckt City. I'm usually in a hurray looking for one thing, but when a youngun approaches I can see that OH NO look in their eyes. In 30 seconds they realize I know more than they do. In two minutes I have them in stitches and when I leave I have a friend.  When I return they grin.


Before I approach anybody  I have scouted out the venue and have an idea how to setup. I know who has worked there and why it didnt work. The first approach is idle chitchat. I am interviewing them to see if I want to work there. If I am greeted with an attitude such as that I wouldnt want to work there anyway.

This is a situation in which you have 5 seconds to sell yourself. If you approach with inner walls up then you will be greeted with mistrust. Formality does not start until serious discussions about price and other pertinent things. Get them relaxed and at ease before you even tell them why you are there.

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Well all right! Congratulations!!

I'm still using discs until at least Saturday. The GeForce graphics card we bought specifically for this custom computer won't send simultaneously on the TV out so my son is bringing an ATI card over on the weekend. We'll give that one a try. This is one suggested by the Powerkaraoke website (the software I'm running) so I'm hopeful.

Please give us a full report Karen! Best of luck-

BH

Jam,  would you be happy repeatedly playing the music, and listening to some of the stuff the really young kids like assuming it includes ongoing Kelly Clarkson type stuff, Rap, Eminem, and a lot of the non-melodic stuff kids like ?

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".