Karaoke Forums

After hosting for so many years, I still get just a great, great feeling when I've finally succeeded in getting a person who has never sung before to get up and sing...Happened twice last night, one young girl visiting from Chicago who was in with I think maybe her sister; another, an older woman who apparently sings ALL the time (her phone messages are always done with a tune, even) - came in with some friends and they thanked me profusely for being so supportive and encouraging with her. We sang one song together and she actually got up and sang one by herself.

It's almost like we open up a whole new world to people by being encouraging and supportive, and helping them through that initial fright of being in front of people with a microphone in their hand. I really think after so many years of fronting things that it is easy to forget that there are those who are PETRIFIED to do it.

Anyway, two more ex-virgin karaoke singers roaming the earth now....My job is done for the day. I wonder, do other hosts get this same feeling?

k

I get a charge out of breaking in new karaoke virgins! I like the challenge of luring them into singing. Sometimes I will even buy them a "Shot" to get them to tumble over the edge..

I also like the look on their face once they have completed the song and they get a really good round of applause. If their eye's glaze over and they crack a big smile then I know they are hooked We always make a big deal out of their first song and the bartender delivers their "Virgin Karaoke Cherry" from the bar. We make a whole ceremony out of it... They love the attention and the crowd enjoys it too.

Your comment about changing peoples lives is "Very Accurate" for some it is a profound lifestyle change. I think most of the folks that frequent this site can attest to that. I know my life changed dramatically. While I still have all my "Non Karaoke Friends" I have made some really incredible friends in this business as well as close personal friends due to my involvement with karaoke. I met my wife 5-1/2 years ago at my Wichita Pub Gig she was not into karaoke but came to my show with a couple who were one of my regulars, we have been married now for 4 years.

Karaoke can be very therapeutic and at the same time can build confidence and self esteem. I have seen dramatic improvements in customers who when I first met them were very shy, or lacking self confidence. In some cases it is very dramatic. Some folks just don't get enough attention at home, work, or in public and karaoke gives them what they need. At the same time they can give back to the people that give them praise by entertaining them, it's a win - win deal.

_________________
FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

When I mentioned Therapeutic I just thought of a lady who had a Stroke and had been recovering for quite some time. She started singing along with the singers from her table and over time improved to the point where she summoned the courage to put a mic in her hand and sing in front of a crowd. Initially she was afraid of what others thought but the crowd was ultra supportive and could readily see that she was putting forth a big effort to perform. Over about 6-8 months she was a die hard regular and the improvement in her speech was amazing. Now you could hardly tell unless you were listening for it. Karaoke definitely changed her life for the better.

_________________
FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

Oh my gosh Flipper that is an amazing story !

Karen - I understand how you feel. I have an older couple that came in one night to eat. They didn't even know there was going to be karaoke. They were very quiet and kept to themselves, but I noticed they were looking through a book. I went over and talked with them and asked if they were going to sing. I got a maybe. I went by the table a little later and they had filled out a slip. I don't think they really had the courage to turn it in. I grabbed it and put them up next.

They are regulars now - 3 days a week. I created karaoke junkies out of them. They still talk about the fact they never intended to ever sing.

_________________
[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

There's a local independent professional baseball team around here called the Florence Freedom, and I've been doing karaoke during, yes DURING each Thursday home game (9 total throughout the summer, I've done 3 so far). This past Thursday, I noticed two very young girls looking at a book very intently, so I chatted them up a bit to see if they were going to sing. They were both 15, and the mere mention of singing sent them both into fits. Long story short, it took some convincing, but I finally got them up there (together) for a song and they knocked 'em dead. The one girl was absolutely phenomenal. The other, not as much, but it didn't matter. They both loved it and ended up singing two more tunes. Whether or not I've created karaoke monsters I can't be sure, but I know for a fact they've both gotten over that public fear. I praised each girl and encouraged them to stick with singing. They seemed genuinely floored by the attention and accolades, so hopefully they keep at it, karaoke or not.

_________________
hi-voxentertainment

My son-in-law lost his cherry last night -- he got up and did "Rawhide" (with some help from Jeannie and me).

That is a great feeling! I had a young girl (probably wasn't old enough to be in the bar) in with her uncle get up for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I thought she was going to pass out. You could tell that she wasn't used to singing without the original artist behind her, but she did okay - just a little rhythmically challenged and a tad pitchy in spots - of course I did the KJ thing and showered here with praise. This is a tough venue, too. Really redneck. I was pleased that the regulars were kind that night.

_________________
Eat, Sleep, Host Karaoke, DJ
Love It! (Periodic Bath is Good!)

That is a great feeling! I had a young girl (probably wasn't old enough to be in the bar) in with her uncle get up for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I thought she was going to pass out. You could tell that she wasn't used to singing without the original artist behind her, but she did okay - just a little rhythmically challenged and a tad pitchy in spots - of course I did the KJ thing and showered here with praise. This is a tough venue, too. Really redneck. I was pleased that the regulars were kind that night.

_________________
Eat, Sleep, Host Karaoke, DJ
Love It! (Periodic Bath is Good!)

Everyone,

I've got to tell you, the reply from Flipper to this post, really hit home. I know a person very well who had an outstanding job as Director of Security for a 41 story Hi-Rise in downtown Boston. He woke up one morning, couldn't walk or
talk....evidently he had suffered a very serious stroke. Ultimately, after a operation
to clear his carotid artery, and going through re-hab, for both physical and speech impairments, it was decided by his doctors that he would be unable to return to his profession in security due to his short term memory loss, as well as his speech "deficiancies", plus there were some "minor" issues regarding his balance and his strength on his right side. He was devastated and very depressed, however, he turned to the one thing he truly enjoyed....singing karaoke. This initialy transpired back in February of 2000.
He found it "theraputic" as well, actually being able to sing more fluently than he could speak. In 2003, he decided to attempt to host a karaoke show of his own. He put on a two hour "exhibition" for free at the venue he was trying to "sell" the idea to, not informing them of his "medical status". Well, to say the least, the show was successful to the extent that it allowed him the ability to entertain again, and to realize a new "comfort zone". He's still hosting, and he, like the rest of us, is very pleased, and complimented actually, when one decides to "lose their virginity" at his show due to his ability to make them feel that comfortable in what we all realize can be a "frightening" experience. So far, he's gotten "seven cherries" at his present gig,
and always looking for more!!

Donny "B"


BTW: The person I'm talking about is..........ME!!!

_________________
It's a wonderful life!!

Wow Donny, Thanks for sharing that with us! Kudo's to you!

My wife is a nurse and she works daily with stroke victims and is in the process of trying to get her facility to accept karaoke as not only a good activity but also a terrific therapy tool for folks who have speech and coordination problems.

They are beginning to see that some folks who do not respond well to normal speech therapy techniques, are responsive to music therapy and singing along with music. Karaoke is a natural for this and is a fun way to approach therapy.

_________________
FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

Wow Donny...Really...Thanks for sharing that very touching story. I have worked with stroke victims, as well, and singing is excellent post-stroke therapy. Seems like it is good for a little of what ails people, from just plain nervousness to actual medical conditions.

Again, thanks so much for sharing that. And congrats on making lemonade out of lemons!

k

Flipper & Karen,

It was certainly my pleasure to be able to share that. ( literally ) Well, I think that episode of my "experience" deserves an update. So..here goes.
Last September, it was discovered that I had another blockage in my right side carotid artery. ( fiirst time was the left ) I had just a week earlier "interviewed" for a "End of the Summer Party" to be followed by a 3 week "trial" karaoke gig. The operation took place on September 13...I was released on the 14th!! On September 26th, I loaded up my equipment, by myself..drove myself to the venue...unloaded the equipment by myself...set up, sound check, off and running from 7 PM - 1:15 AM
to a crowd of over 200 dancing and singing enthusiasts!!! The party was initially scheduled to end at midnight, but the crowd ( me also) was having such a good time, (plus they have a 2 AM lisence) I opted to "give a little extra". It was interesting because a lot of people had heard I had been operated on, and they came to see if I could "pull it off" ...I've been there ever since...and they don't have any inclination to replace me as they just extended my "contract" through the entire summer, which is a first, because they have NEVER had entertainment for the summer months. It's been said that my show is responsible for the "demise" of karaoke at two other clubs on the same night as my show. What really intrigues me concerning that "rumor", is that I cater to an older crowd....sort of my own little "niche" within the world of karaoke, and the "younger" crowd that watch/participate in my show, have told me personally that they "just love the OLD songs"!! ( My format is Doo-Wop, standards, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, R&R, old and some "new" country) All stuff I was weaned on or dj'd to in the mid 70's to the 80's.
It's been said that "The Club" is now Donny's Church, or as I like to call it.......
My House. I'm 58 years "young"....and can still "kick it" with anyone. No brag...
just fact. I don't undercut to get my gigs....charge $175 for 4 hrs..price never waivers...and I've also found out others are only averaging $125. So, yes, I've been VERY fortunate, I realize that, and thank God for allowing me a shot at this
"belated vocation". As far as the theraputic values....well....I'm a living example of that ideology...and would testify to that in ANY forum. "Music soothes the savage beast". To me...truer words were never spoken. Sickness is the beast,,,a stroke can be so savage....and music soothed and outright eliminated my depression and frustration, plus gave me another "theraputic tool" to deal with any physical or mental "deficiancies". It works for me. It will work for many others as well. Ok....
rambled enough.....just figured I'd share a little more. For those of you who want to incorporate this type of therapy for stroke victims...print this out...share it with the
"powers". Maybe this can help sway the decision to a positive.

Donny "B"

_________________
It's a wonderful life!!

[font=verdana] I have had problems with bouts of depression all my life. Whenever I feel it coming on, I just turn on the music and sing along, or get my guitar out and play and sing for awhile. It’s amazing how therapeutic it can be. I love the idea of using karaoke as an aid to help stroke victims. When my husband was ill back in ’92, the ward we stayed in was next to the one where the stroke victims stayed at the VA Hospital in Vancouver, WA. I got to know many of them and witnessed what a struggle it was for them to rehabilitate after their stroke. A terrific idea to use singing as a tool for therapy.
[/font]

_________________
[align=center]
Dusty Rose
Blue Rose Classic Karaoke
More Sound! More Selections! More Fun!
[/align]

This is such a great thread. I love hearing about how karaoke has helped so many. Hearing people's stories of how karaoke has helped them in their lives is very inspirational.

_________________
[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Nice feeling, isn't it.... Hey, if anyone has another story like Donny B's I'd love to hear from you. I am writing an article for a local entertainment publication related to this topic, and the more personal testimonials I can include, the better.

k