Karaoke Forums

This is a spinoff to another thread and a rsponse to a post.




Yes I understand addiction. Typical addicts are why at one time I was totally burned out with hosting and did not return unless the format didn't cater to them and actually repels them. I don't even sing with them anymore for I don't like putting up with their maniacal behavior or actually insist that I adhere to the "rules" and patricipate in it.


Their eyes glaze over when more than 10 sec of filler is played.
They protest when dance sets are played. (They get up and stomp out.. Bye....)  
They constantly bug the host about when am I up next or can I sing a song I have to leave in 10 minutes.
They have no regard for anybody else, all they are interested in is their fix and display typical signs of addict behavior.
They require very strict rules and if I had to go back to a format with 20 or 30 of them I would quit in 2 weeks.
They have a very radical worry about laws and assume certain things are illegal before even being tested in a court of law.
They are the ones that put together a mediocre system and play in a bar for a beer tab or peanuts. (Those I don't help)
But most of all their reaction to some of my comments and total disbelief of my format is further proof of their addiction. All they respond with is very radical responses as if I were tying to reform them or take way or reduce their fix.

When some on here claim to be professional hosts and constantly bombard us with these radical  remarks then it is a very strong indication they are one of those doing shows for beer tabs. They have no business sense, regard everybody as enemies or stupid and exhibit paranoia about trends or formats that threaten their addiction or ways in which they get their fixes. They actually sound more like a singer than a host.

These types all but destroy our industry, keep us from promoting it in a positive fashion and is one of the reasons Simon compares mediocrity with karaoke. They disrupt and ruin successful shows and run off crowds.

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Can I hear an AAAAAA-men!?  :yes:

k

***Amen, Brother***


MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
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And your point is....?????

There is nobody i know that is more dedicated and more committed to promoting quality "karaoke" than i am.      That's Karaoke, not dance music and magic tricks.

That includes the quality of my sound, the selection, the way i treat my singers, build my crowds and many other things.

You are not in the business of promoting "karaoke" if you are too busy doing other forms of entertainment during your "karaoke" show.   The lack of dedicated singers proves it.    They have found real places to "karaoke."

You are not a KJ, but more like a one man band.    Doer of all and master of none.

I stand by my convictions toward being a real KJ.   Not imitation.    My goal is to attract as many actual "singers" to my show as possible.    It's not my main focus to attract listeners.   I can and do entertain them and want them to be there, but i book karaoke nights, not listener nights.   The sign out front says KARAOKE in big black letters, not LISTENERS and not any other type of entertainment.

Explain again how other forms of entertainment at a KARAOKE show promotes the growth of karaoke and the karaoke industry?    Read this again until you understand what i just asked.    

If your show is half karaoke and half something else, what is your agenda and how is that promoting karaoke?     I'm not talking about how you think it adds to the bars income, keep money out of this conversation for now.   HOW does it promote KARAOKE.    It promotes other forms of entertainment equally.     Karaoke is being pushed to the back burner.     Sooner or later karaoke will be pushed off the table.    Your show doesn't stress the karaoke.  It's just a "PART" of the rest of the nights proceedings.    So now tell me, how is what you do contributing to the ACTUAL promotion and growth of my main business, KARAOKE.

You started out as a KJ.  You are transforming into something else.    So for you the karaoke is losing it's importance to promote your agenda of being a total entertainer.    Or you would still be doing karaoke.    Evidentally karaoke by itself can't do the job.     Promoting other forms of entertainment is taking away the importance of the karaoke.

Animals all over the world are becoming extinct because the importance isn't the animals, it's the trees (dance music), the land (magic tricks), the water (listeners), that greedy speculators and uncaring corporations take without regard for the total  outcome.    Too busy seeing profit in their motive.   Substitute the word "karaoke" for animals.   It's going to suffer the same fate.   Sign along...."Oohhh Don't you know we're on the eve of destruction..."

Karaoke all but died in this area because the hosts could not adapt and wanted to stay with the old ways. There were too many new hosts that just concentrated on karaoke did not know how to deal with or talk to mngrs or owners. Some owners took advantage of their inexperience and had them working for nothing. When the price went down my rig started to sit idle more and more.

We are currently on course to bring karaoke back up to the level that it used to be. Currently I get $50-$75/night  more than the rest in the area. I have done all nighters and had 12 year olds running the karaoke. So dont tell me I dont know how to promote karaoke. It is already in the works to do freebies like out in the park on the 4th with top bands.



I have explained in several posts although I will reiterate. One of our last nights we had the Yaeger Meister gals in with their promo. It was a co-ordinated effort between an owner, the mngr, staff and us. WE have also had Budweiser promos but they like to do them when we are doing karaoke because that is when the bar is packed.

The owner that bought out the rest is an avid karaoke singer. He is also very good. The chance of anybody elsr doing karaoke there or getting pushed on a back burner is about slim to none. Yet he gives us full rein and lets us make the karaoke decisions because we know what we are doing and are making it work.



If you had been reading and studying my posts then you would know one of our main problems is we dont have enough room. I have also stated several times if we have 30 singers we can go strictly to that format in seconds because my host and I have done that for years and can do it in our sleep. The fact whether we have 10 or 30 singers is not a measure of success. That is an old antiquated concept.

My job is not bringing in a crowd with karaoke alone it is co-ordinating with all staff including the owner. BTW I will not work a bar with a drinking  owner and will pack up and leave in a second.



I started out as a green nosed kid. But through various professional vocations I know the bar business in and out. I didnt start out as a KJ either. I have MC'D crowds of 4 or 5 thousand at county fairs and have hosted belly dance shows. I have  given ship tours to prime ministers and dignitaries for the Admiral of the 6th Fleet as a crew member of the flag ship. Hosting karaoke is boring as hell to me unless the magic and energy is there.  We present the entire package and if you werent so busy trying to poke holes in it you might learn something.

In real life folks do not question my experience and wisdom and they do not hurl immature insults like some do here. I have been in many business and board meetings and can discuss solutions in many ways or capacities. I have also been in direct sales.

If you still dont comprehend my address is on my web site If you wish when we open again in a few weeks you can call the bar and talk to Dave the owner or any of my singers. I can give you references till the cows come home.

Questions? As long as you stay on a positive plane I will discuss many methods with you or anybody else. Also I am still in a learning mode for I am way short of knowing it all. Thanks for your attention and patience. Perhaps one day we can meet  at a karaoke show.

Thank You,

Ollie Smith
Cabaret Karaoke

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I have explained in several posts although I will reiterate. One of our last nights we had the Yaeger Meister gals in with their promo. It was a co-ordinated effort between an owner, the mngr, staff and us. WE have also had Budweiser promos but they like to do them when we are doing karaoke because that is when the bar is packed.

You are not comprehending my question yet.

The above describes what you do to promote your entire show/bar.   It doesn't tell me what you actually do to promote KARAOKE.  People singing.    

I don't care if you have hookers giving out freebies.  It doesn't promote people singing.   Forget about the bar and the income aspect for now.    Do not confuse promoting your "show" with promoting "karaoke."

Karaoke all but died in this area because the hosts could not adapt and wanted to stay with the old ways. There were too many new hosts that just concentrated on karaoke did not know how to deal with or talk to mngrs or owners. Some owners took advantage of their inexperience and had them working for nothing. When the price went down my rig started to sit idle more and more.

I'll agree that inexperienced KJs or people that think they are KJs are killing karaoke.      Karaoke is dying because KJs want to make karaoke a "portion" of the show and not the entire show.   As long as this continues the importance of karaoke will be pushed farther off coarse.

You can not promote staying off drugs with a needle stuck in your arm.    Promoting karaoke with add ons is a half promotion.

I have the most popular "karaoke" show in town.   The singers know exactly what they will get everytime guaranteed.   There may be other popular mixed entertainment shows.    My only goal/agenda is the promotion and longevity of KARAOKE.     It's like preserving a vintage car or anything collectable.    You  have to keep it all original or it loses it's value.     I will continue to "promote" karaoke as karaoke and karaoke for karaoke singers.

Staples use to be my most favorite store.    When they first opened it was a big variety of all the major brands office supply stuff (top quality items).  Gradually over the years corporate greed took over and they introduced more of their own brand of products.    So they are no longer on my list of favorite stores.    If i wanted to buy "generic" stuff, i would.  I like using the brand names.     Karaoke is a brand name and all of the other stuff is generic.   We all saw what happened to the generic products.     Can you find them around today?    Why not?  They were very popular for a while until everyone figured out that they were not as good as the original brands.      The "hype" outlived the products.

MY Prediction for the future of karaoke is (barring the lose of karaoke music outlets and suppliers through legalities).....KARAOKE shows will remain strong and popular and the GENERIC KARAOKE shows will fade out of existance and everyone will be wondering what happened.     They will transform into something else, unrelated to karaoke.

I think I mentioned that we will be in the city park doing a freebie the 4th of July. I do benefits such as labor day for Jerry's kids.

I am the type when I am in a store and waiting line with any stranger I am talking to them like old friends in 2 minutes. By the time its done they are invited to one of my gigs. I once was running up and down ailes in a store waving a plummers helper singing How High's The Water Mama!!!!  2 security showed up and got to laughing so hard they just watched I put the plunger back and we had a good conversation. I am the karaoke man and known by many.



Here it is the exact opposite' It died here because after 10-15 years of the same crap they got tired of it. I establish the coarse and trends of karaoke. As long as people sing there will be a market.

In reference to the rest... We have about $1000 in wedding receptions in May.. Summer coming on and I want outside parties All nighters go from 500-$1500.... When wouldbe customers see our show they want us. A karaoke only format would not work for us. ALTHOUGH I WILL SAY IT AGAIN IF NEED BE WE CAN REVERT BACK TO A TYPICAL KARAOKE FORMAT WHICH WE HAVE DONE FOR 20 YEARS.. It is not that big of a deal and I guarantee you I am not demoting it I am breathing it back to life and there are karaoke only shows that are working again. I am 68 years old with more than a half a century in engineering and PR. I dont follow trends I set them. You would think at my age I would be lagging behind. I have always been ahead of the pack and people emulated my style. I am not guessing or trying new things my instincts and old experiences are guiding as always. All things go in cycles. I dont how to explain it just come and see it.

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