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Invaribly at a private party you have at least one kid about 4 with stage lights in his eyes and wants to sing. I work with a parent and get them started. A kid today wanted to do the chipmunk song and we were on a high stage. So I started the song and he froze. I talked to him later and said some things. He came up later and said hw would try again This time he sang. His Dad the birthday boy was proud.

3 or 4 years ago I started the tradition of putting their name on a request slip, with the date and location and presenting to the parent. For the first public song this is good scrap book material. I gave one to his mom today and she was surprised and really appreciated it. Hang the drunks give me a 4 year old any day.

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Ollie what a lovely thought...way to go!!!

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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."

Ollie - loved the story.

I on the other hand have had bad experiences doing private parties with small children. I just did a show for a grad/ bday event. I had a 9 yr old girl follow me around like my shadow for 6 hours. Aaaarg! She would stand on stage with me and ask 20,000 questions. I was very nice to her, even sang 2 songs with her. Of course when she sang she wouldn't sing into the mic, so no one could hear her.

I also did a private party where a 6 yr old kept sneaking up on the stage pushing buttons. The parents were who hired me ! Not a fun time.

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Aaaaaaggggghhhhhh KIDS!

They can be a hit or miss variable.

HIT:
Sometimes kids will hav no inhibitions and will get up and sing, which then allows the "Hey - how old are you? Well if a 9 year old can do it, what are the rest of you all shy about?" sorta thing. Plus they chose the most random of songs!

MISS:
They are scared of microphones. Lord only knows why, but sometimes they just mutter away from the mic. push it up a bit and weeeee feedback.

Also

I do a pub quiz on Wednesday evenings. There is this one kid, who's parents NEVER disciplin him. He insists on trying to touch my gear, mess with things. I keep him away, but really don't need the hassle. His parents don't seem to care. Pain in the (@$%&#!) little brat!

grrrr that upsets that terminal illness I have...itchy palm syndrome

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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."

When I did kids karaoke, we used to bring in a digital camera & digital printer (that took the camera memory stick) & was able to print the pics on the spot. Usually for a couple bucks - mainly for ink & paper costk so the parents could have a copy of their 'pride & joy' if they didn't happen to bring a camera. I wish I would have had recording capability then, sure I could have sold some of those as well.
I went to WalMart a few weeks ago, they had pony rides in about a 10 foot circle, they were taking pictures that cost $15 PER & people were LINED up to do it with their kids.
Biggest experience never really doing a kids show is they will come up in groups - so real rotations go out the window. Also they want to do songs that were already done - ALOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What are you going to say - well no, that has already been done, I can tell that to somebody who's been drinking all night, but it's not as easy to tell a 10 year old...........

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Yea they can be a pain I have to discipline them now and then I had a bunch playing tag on the stage around my flat screen about to knock it down I asked them to please stop which they did. Kids are more behaved in rural areas.

Bottom line though during the phone contact and song request from site I had to have the chipmunk song (reg music not karaoke) hula hoop so her kid could sing it. A four year old got me that gig. Rotation? I had 3 singers They sang anytime they wanted. Which was only a few times.

I have had a kid drop a mic one time. That was on a steel flat bed trailer. Dented the grille a tad. But it is a joy watching a kid tightly gripping the mic and staring at the monitor when they cant even read and giving it all they got. I am training a prospective customer for a KJ 20 years down the road.. SURE!!!

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This is usually my experience with kids at shows, but Ollie's story was inspiring. Great idea giving the slip to the parents. Even if it ends up in the trash by the end of the night, it's still that extra touch that sticks in people's minds and creates repeat business. Kudos!

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hi-voxentertainment

I have to admit just coming from a private party where I was tortured by having kids there I have a bitter taste in my mouth. I'm sure there are good experiences with kids. I just haven't been fortunate enough to have one yet. It could be me too. I know how to handle drunks, but give me a pesky 5 yr old and I'm a mess.

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My last "Kid's Only" karaoke show was back in 2003 we had 75 youngsters ranging in age from 4 to 12 and it was a huge success. The parents kept them pretty much in line and there was plenty of fun. The bar that promoted this did an excellent job of providing food and fun drinks that catered to the kids liking.

It got a little wild but I'm amazed at the ability of some of those kids! Wow some of them should have been on star search..

I would do it all over again as it was a big hit with the children and it did plenty to further karaoke, the relationship of the parents with their local bar and restaurant etc.
So the event was a win win deal.

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Scott

I did kids' shows for years - in fact, I believe back in 1997 we were the ONLY kids' show in our area. It was great for the first year or so ... and in fact, it could have been more aptly called a 'family show' rather than a kids' show. Many of the participants traveled for 15 or 20 miles, showed up on time every Wednesday night like clockwork. It was their "family dinner out" night.

As time progressed, as usual with a kids' show, parents began thinking it was okay for them to drop their kids off, just like at a movie. I had a handout that I would give these parents suggesting that leaving their children unaccompanied anywhere at any time was not a wise thing to do; that they were NOT being supervised by the staff at the establishment, nor by me, and that should something happen to their little angel, they would have that on their conscience forever. I found it particularly disturbing when moms or dads would drop off their 14-16 year old girls who were dressed like they were street walkers - these girls would come in and out of the place all night. I was very concerned for their safety.

Early in the life of the show, we put on shows for family members and guests - always sold out. Kids just LOVED doing that. The kids always treated me with great respect, realizing it was a privilege to be part of an event like that as opposed to their RIGHT to be part of it. Too bad the adults didn't always understand that.

k

You know I could see that happening and it leaves you in a precarious position of being the so called "Gate Keeper" and I could see where some folks might point the finger in your direction of course it wouldn't be your fault, but I could see some parents who would try.

My folks would have allow this but that was years ago and kids were a bit more naive then. But in todays world I would never even think of leaving my kid unattended for 5 minutes let alone hours....Sheesh!

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

Along the lines of what Ollie said, I work at a school and this year I did free karaoke shows twice during lunch periods at our middle school. Talk about grooming possible customers! The teachers love it, the administrators love it, and the kids talk about it for weeks leading up to and afterward!

Also did a show for 4-H last year at the county fair. Not only did I get paid, but the kids were totally into it. And I got to hang out at the fair as a bonus. Some of these kids I come across are really talented, and they pick some surprising songs: 5th graders doing Beatles & Alice Cooper?

I do have to say then once or twice I have had the odd curious kid come and shadow me - and if they are cool then fair play. They ask questions, I let them do a little cross fading, press the fog buttons, etc. I would never ever tell a truly curious kid to go away - I'm a BIG fan of letting kids learn anything they want. Once had an hour long conversation with a 9 year old about the finer points of Motown!