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ericlater
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 Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:05 am |
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Ollie,
Til I retire (soon) I don't intend to have too many karaoke shows. I have my Sunday show, and that's all I need. Furthermore, I am still trying to learn, hone and fine-tune my skills. I don't need to take on more than I can handle in that regard at this time. One more show a week may be in the cards in the next few months?
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karyoker
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:21 am |
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Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2004 3:43 pm
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Location: Fort Collins Colorado USA
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More shows on my part would be letting Greg lose on his own. I have known him and sang with him for oh god maybe 15 years I can trust him implicitly.
He works on a asphalt paver during most of the year and puts in many hours so is limited. He is the only one I can work with or trust so I am limited there. A year ago it was hard to to get 1 show a week around here but with newer ways and methods we are making a comeback. It seems we have always been ahead of everybody here trend wise for I talk about things and some want to scoff and argue then 6 months or a year later it's the norm.  When I say I keep ahead of everybody else I'm not shooting craps.
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karyoker
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:27 am |
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Location: Fort Collins Colorado USA
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More shows on my part would be letting Greg lose on his own. I have known him and sang with him for oh god maybe 15 years I can trust him implicitly.
He works on a asphalt paver during most of the year and puts in many hours so is limited. He is the only one I can work with or trust so I am limited there. A year ago it was hard to to get 1 show a week around here but with newer ways and methods we are making a comeback. It seems we have always been ahead of everybody here trend wise for I talk about things and some want to scoff and argue then 6 months or a year later it's the norm. When I say I keep ahead of everybody else I'm not shooting craps.
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Bill H.
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:56 am |
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Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 9:23 pm
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Location: PNW USA
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Karen K @ Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:14 pm wrote:
If I had to say which was the most important attribute, I'd have to say "make it personal." Everyone loves to hear their name on someone else's lips.
K
Yeah. Exactly. We are all doing such different things and have different approaches. My idea of a good karaoke event would be some KJs idea of a bad one because I like singers who tackle blast-out-the-walls current material.
But what I think all of us who are doing this have in common is the personal part. If we are good at our craft we are hosts to the room. The thing I hear the most from the regulars is that unlike the DJ rooms we actually know who they are. They appreciate that as much as getting onstage.
I've actually done the best I can to know the names of the regulars who don't sing. They come in to support these guys and I want them to know that they are just as important to me.
I feel it's a successful night, and it is fun to do this from my KJ standpoint ,when I finally find something the singers have been asking for. I'll hand them the new sheet and say "Check this out'"and they reply "You've got it!", give you a big hug, and bring it right up to the board. "Nurse Who Loved Me" (A Perfect Circle) was the big one last week. I let it be sung twice (different singers) last Saturday. For tonight... well we've got "Feel Good Inc" (Gorillaz), "Ain't No Other Man" (Christina Aguilera) and yeah I got "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" which I was embarrased not to have last week. The only one I couldn't get was "Push" (Enrique Iglesias), a request from probably the best of the male singers. But it's too new to have a karaoke version yet.
I love the ability to buy downloads! This changes everything!
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mrdelicious2
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:05 am |
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Joined: Tue Oct 03, 2006 8:28 am
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Location: Michigan, USA
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SW, I *almost* take offense to you posts! Notice, I say almost.....
"KJs that have maintained the steady jobs for years. Kjs that work 4-5-6-7 nights a week steady. KJs that have mastered their craft. KJs that walk the walk.
Not singers that go out once a week. Not KJs that have one steady gig a week. "
Did you ever think that maybe some of us 1-2 night a week DJ/KJ's do this for a 2nd or even a 3rd job, there is NO time to do it anymore than that!!! Does this make us LESS of a Host, I think not! Actually, I think it makes some of us BETTER. I say this because, if I Hosted 5-7 nights a week...the fun would be gone, seriously. I look forward from the switch of my main job, to hosting on the weekends, if it was ANY more than that...I would start to dread it!.......MrD
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mrdelicious2
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:08 am |
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Joined: Tue Oct 03, 2006 8:28 am
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I got off on my tangent with SW, which is probably his whole intent from the get go, I forgot to say anything about the original post!!!
****I just wanted to add that I totally agree with Ollie and his statement here****
Purpose:
The first purpose is packing out and keeping a venue crowded to put enough in the till to make everybody's pay hopefully enough to turn a profit. Before our temp close we had it up to about 2k.
Attraction:
Good system,selection, high energy and fast beat. No silence and disco type atmosphere. Good looking waitresses that dance on the bar. Ladies night some drinks half off. Good food. Singers that can turn on the crowd and dont get sloppy drunk. A drunk will kill the tempo in a heartbeat. I prefer about 10-15 good singers which is about what we have now. Oh sometimes a bunch of singers come in and we revert back to the old ways. Either way works The old way is harder and burned me out after years of doing it.
Format:
The ability to read crowds and shift from full KJ to DJ or provide the proper ratio. Know what genre is working at all times. Keep a dynamic tempo going and know how to taper either up or down either DJ or fill. We can do any method that prople argue about here that its the only way. The crowd determines the format. I can do this but anymore I get tired and and keep the energy all night. I did hire the best host I have ever known.
Greg or I either one can increase the energy by singing one of our better songs. A few weeks ago we were cranked and we sang back to back in minutes there was a fight. I looked at him well new rule we cant sing back to back anymore. We laughed our arsde off..
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Bill H.
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:13 am |
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Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 9:23 pm
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Location: PNW USA
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I only host twice a week. I don't think I could do it any more than that the way I want to and keep my sanity. Plus I want Fridays open for my music jobs. If that makes me less of a KJ to some, so be it.
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ericlater
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:29 am |
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Yeah, I'm intriqued about the future of downloading and have already downloaded several dozen tracks. I'm most interested in the prospect of being able to download songs during my show. There are some obstacles for me in that regard, but I haven't given up on gettting around them!
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jamkaraoke
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:31 am |
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Joined: Thu Dec 26, 2002 10:54 am
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Location: New Jersey , USA
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Sidewinder - I would have to disagree with you - Only an idiot would think there is a correlation with how many shows you host and how good a show you have?
I think there are many kj's here and elsewhere that are working part-time and host 1 gig a week out of CHOICE not lack of exerpiance or quality of show. 
and vice -versa - Just because you work more than gig a week it doesn't prove to anyone you #1 - Know MORE #2 Are any Better Hosting #3 Have a better show.
There is no definative answer on what makes a good show as each venue is differant and each venue may cater to various ages groups etc. There are many variables which go into making a GOOD karaoke night. The basics of GOOD SOUND - GOOD SELECTION - GOOD SERVICE is a good place to start.
You would be better served giving your opinion on the questions and not putting down any other KJ or Singer. 
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jreynolds
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:37 am |
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Bill H, it actually makes you a much smarter businessman since you can make music and make money at it.
I save my weekends to DJ private parties and make 4 times as much as karaoke pays.
But someone like SW has only karaoke...and will swear that anything beyond that is stupid, because it doesn't agree with his sheltered mind-mentality. Not only will he NOT become wealthy, but he's limited to hearing bad singers the rest of his life.
** But HE WILL TRY to educate you on knowing the bar business better than actual owners themselves!  LMAO....HOGWASH.....
Jam, you're right. Number of shows has nothing to do with how good you are. Look at SW, he has at least 2 right? And i noticed 3 warnings- strike 3 i hope???
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Alex
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:01 am |
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Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:40 am
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I have to agree with jreynolds. In my opinion it's kind of (KIND OF! Don't intend to offend anyone) stupid to book a regular gig especially on a Saturday. That's where most of the private Party business comes into the picture, which pays a lot more than a Karaoke Gig in a Bar/Restaurant on a weekly base.
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Bill H.
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:40 am |
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Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 9:23 pm
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Location: PNW USA
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ericlater @ Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:29 am wrote: I'm most interested in the prospect of being able to download songs during my show. There are some obstacles for me in that regard, but I haven't given up on gettting around them!
Ericlater that's something I'm thinking about doing in the future too. The room has offered me their internet access, which I'll need out here. There are sites, I believe, that will give you instant downloads off a pre-paid account which I think is the way I'd want to do it. But I haven't looked into it seriously yet.
I"m still getting used to the new system so it's a ways off. But since I have such a small book and there is at least one illegal in my area it would let me compete better.
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Bill H.
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:46 am |
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Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 9:23 pm
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jreynolds @ Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:37 am wrote: Bill H, it actually makes you a much smarter businessman since you can make music and make money at it.
I save my weekends to DJ private parties and make 4 times as much as karaoke pays.
Wow that's flattering but I would never put "smart businessman" and my name in the same sentence! 
I just do it because I still like to. I do make a little more. But not much.
The idea of doing private parties makes a lot more business sense than what I'm doing.
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Karen K
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 11:03 am |
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Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:56 am
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Location: Canuck, eh.
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Bill H. @ Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:46 am wrote: jreynolds @ Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:37 am wrote: Bill H, it actually makes you a much smarter businessman since you can make music and make money at it.
I save my weekends to DJ private parties and make 4 times as much as karaoke pays. Wow that's flattering but I would never put "smart businessman" and my name in the same sentence! I just do it because I still like to. I do make a little more. But not much. The idea of doing private parties makes a lot more business sense than what I'm doing. Totally agree on this - I worked weekends for so many years in a row and it began to get more and more difficult to take on the high-paying private stuff. I decided that Friday nights were enough for right now and every month I have stuff booked on Saturdays, especially as wedding season is upon us.
K
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ericlater
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 12:44 pm |
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Karen You posted this on another thread. Hope you don't mind that I copied here?
More good "stuff"!!!
Quote: People love to hear their names over the mic - you see someone come in and you recognize them, greet them..."Hey, Jim, welcome back! Waiting for a song from you!"
Several times during the night, give kudos to the staff... don't know if it's appropriate where you are to suggest that people 'take care of their servers' (tips) but we do that and the servers appreciate it.
Mention special events coming up.
I always give the name of the original artist on a song - there are certain songs people ALWAYS ask about. Takes a second. I don't do the "Give it up for ..." But I will always compliment a singer - maybe not the best singer, but it's easy to say something like "what a great song! thanks for that!" "Hey, I do believe that's the best I've heard that song done yet!"
Always find out if there are birthdays - I usually get a friend of the celebrant (or more than one) come up and sing Beatles "Birthday" or the tradiational birthday song. If there's an anniversary, always make a fuss about them, too.
I don't think there's a need for there constantly to be chatter, but I have found the more personal I make the show, the more faithful the followers become. That personal touch creates a loyalty and a healthy following. And once things are flowing, there is nothing worse than dead air - do you have bumper music? Sometimes people would rather hear the 'latest and greatest' song and if I see that people are really listening, or singing along, I'll let it play to the end (depending on rotation).
Stay away from 'personal' chitchat - I went to a show and the host actually shared that he had had gastric bypass surgery!....and then he showed us his scar!....then went on to explain that he had gotten a divorce last year!....from a Filipino Lesbian!.... Let's just insult everyone we can in one fell swoop, shall we? Inappropirate content is worse than nothing at all.
Best of luck, btw. I have a feeling you're too far away for us to ever drop in on!
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jamkaraoke
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 12:59 pm |
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Joined: Thu Dec 26, 2002 10:54 am
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Whether you book a steady Saturday gig for Karaoke is a personal choice.
I know a DJ friend of mine ( who dabbles in karaoke) would never work a steady Saturday Bar gig for DJ or Karaoke for $150 night when he can make 4 or 5 times that doing private gigs and weddings etc. BUT --he may not work every Saturday
But that is ALL HE DOES is DJ/KJ he has no other form of income so I complete understand his circumstance.
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sidewinder
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 1:01 pm |
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Downloading true story just happened 2 weeks ago.
A female KJ working a bar (could be a private type club deal) has the ability to download on the spot.
Young (21ers) i think were requesting vile or vulgar songs. She was playing them. The person in charge told her to stop. She continued and lost her job.
If people request songs and you haven't heard them before or had a chance to preview them for content, could be a bad idea.
Just something to consider.
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sidewinder
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 1:03 pm |
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Clearify your definition of 'HIGH" Energy karaoke.
Do you mean every song is a dance type beat with nothing slow or ballards or love songs?
Or are you talking about the pace of the show, like in non stop music?
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knightshow
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:29 am |
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Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2002 2:40 am
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Sevarin @ Thu Apr 03, 2008 11:01 am wrote: I have to agree with jreynolds. In my opinion it's kind of (KIND OF! Don't intend to offend anyone) stupid to book a regular gig especially on a Saturday. That's where most of the private Party business comes into the picture, which pays a lot more than a Karaoke Gig in a Bar/Restaurant on a weekly base. and how can you get customers to book you for gigs if you don't have a regular gig that you're doing for them to check you out?
Constant exposure can sure help the spreading of word of mouth!
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Alex
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 6:58 am |
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Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:40 am
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Location: West Palm Beach, FL
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I work every other night, that helps.
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