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Well, did a karaoke gig this weekend, and all went really well, same as usual. The place I played, the landlord usually sings the last song, and no change there - he ended with "Minnie The Moocher".

While he was singing, this guy came up to me and barked "Suspicious Minds".
"Sorry?"
"Put suspicious minds on"
"Sorry, the karaoke has finished now, and it's closing time."
"Put it on now"
"Not gonna hapen mate, sorry, it's the end!"
"I wanna sing it"
"Sorry, I announced about half an hour ago that we weren't taking any more requests, it's been a busy night. See me earlier next time and you'll be guaranteed to sing it."
"Why not now"
"Because we've finished, it's 12, that's when the party ends, that's when my gig ends, and thats when he (landlord) chucks us all out!"
"Come on, we're all here to have fun"
"Yeah, and everyone else seems to be really enjoying themselves."
"So why are you finishing bang on the dot? What's your problem!"
"I'm here to work, it's a job, and I don't get paid overtime."
"What so it's just a job to you"
"One that's just finished, sorry! Most of the time I love it, but it's going downhill fast..."
"You're not really getting this are you - karaoke is about having fun, not working"
"If you're the singers, yup!"
"So you think it's ok to just finish at 12, let the landlord tell you what to sing and play, and be done with it"
"Yup, and so does he (landlord)"
"Reckon you'll make it out to your car with all your gear intact"
"OK, if you want to go that way, yes I do, I reckon I will make it out just fine" (as I am pulling a big metal bar from the stand).
"Pfft, well you're crap, your music is crap and you suck"
"Adios mate, time to leave" (as the landlord finishes singing and is ready to literally throw this guy out).

What a loser! Really enraged me and I nearly lost it!

Can you please get rid of the red font colour so this can become readable?

I used it to distinguish the speaker within the conversation - it makes it easier to follow.

Changed to gold seeing as you find the red hard to read.

About the third sentence out of mouth I would have the announce mic in his face. i do not argue with them.

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Is that a better way to handle it?

I have no desire to argue with people, I was packing away and he just kept talking and questioning, even when it was 100% clear that the system was not going to be playing anything anymore.

I mean, I'd already announced this was the last song, bar is closing, etc...

The last song is often going to be a problem. If it is going to go far past closing time I usually have the person "ask the bartender if it is ok". As a result usually only people who are regulars actually do ask. The bartenders at one of my places usually is in favor but the other larger bar usually want to start cleaning up and get people out the door soon after closing time.

As fun as it is I usually want to go home come 2am. It just is not fair to let someone sign up at 1:57 and anyone that thinks it is ususally is just drunk.

Gawd, don't you love these kind of people. I get a few, that even after the music has been off for 5min, mics are put away and back in their case, all wires unplugged......"Can't I just sing one more song?!?!" Like I'm going to unpack it and plug it back in, just for them. Some people, I swear! Sounds like you did a ok job of handling it, but I know how you feel with the people that just will not shut up and keep asking, keep asking, keep asking......uggggggh! It would be nice if you could go bother them at their job, see how they like it! MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
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Yup, I closed sign-ups about 30 min before the end, as I hate letting people think they will sing, when they won't, and I knew my rotation would take me to midnight.

As much as I don't clock-watch, if I am paid til midnight, then that is the rough time I aim to end at. Sure, if there's a "One more song" chant like we often have, then I'll put the mics out and play "Hey Jude" so they can all sing along. I'm not cold, but if I am booked til midnight, it means that is when I am meant to finish.

I don't mind people asking, and pestering. Heck, I've written (for a drunk who I knew would lose it) a "1 song free" card before - he walked away happy like I'd given him £30.

But this guy was aggressive, threatened me and then cussed me off. I am not intimidated at all, never been one to respond to intimidation. But where do these people get off?

Acting like YOUR gear is theirs to use, you will do as they tell you, etc.

Thing is, this guy just won't ever be touching one of my mics. I do not allow people to tak to me like that, and then still serve them.

You handled it very well - I probably would have lost my cool and let him have it after about the third sentence. I also have a gig that ends at midnight - owner's choice. He doesn't want all the drunks rolling in after things have stopped at other locations, then have to deny them service.

I had a couple whom I did not know come in on Sat at 2 AM. "Put us up! We are so ready to sing karaoke!" they said.

I explained to them that we were almost done, and the singers who were left had been supporting the show all night, not rolling in from another bar like they were.

It did not go over well, although at least I wasn't threatened. But I did explain to them nicely afterwards that I would be happy to put them in rotation if they come in earlier next time. That seemed to smooth things somewhat.

Sounds like some folks could use a support group.

We could call it "KA" for Karaoke Anonymous. Potential clients could be identified
by exhibiting the same tendencies as the fellow in the first thread or by handing the
KJ a song request form at quitting time with a shaking hand and saying, "C'mon
man just one more, please?" or "This will be the last one, honest." or "I can quit
anytime I want to."

One venue I used to frequent would allow everyone to merge onto the stage for
the last song of the night which was either "New York, New York" or "Goodnight,
Sweetheart." That seemed to solve the problem of who got to sing the final song
of the evening.

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"Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid."

It's tough dealing with that type of person. I try not to let it draw out like that because it turns into an arguement. You have to treat them like little kids. If they think they can change your mind they'll keep asking. I usually say, "It doesn't work that way here. Quitting time is solid unless the owner says different." Then I walk away. If they are yelling from the crowd I say something over the mic like you must be new. While they are trying to figure that out I've already made my closing announcement and started tearing down.

If it continues I don't answer and just start tearing down. They can't argue with you if you are ignoring them. I may say one more thing like sorry everything is already turned off, but I'll be back tomorrow night and you can sing your song then.

I've never found continuing to respond to these people ever helps. When they are drunk and having a good time they aren't going to take any reason as plausable. I respond once turn my back or walk away. Why continue the conversation, the night is over - period !

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I always announce the last singer as singing the last song of the night,
thank everyone for coming out and announce the date of our next gig.

I'm still hauling discs in CaseLogic cases; so when the last singer is up,
I start zipping up the cases and stacking them on the floor next to my
cart. That usually gives the audience a visual that the music is over after
the song ends.

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"Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid."

When I announce last song that is it. No arguing. No bartender telling me to play one more. They run their bar the way they want to. I run my show the way I see fit.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Niouch, i think you did a good job handling it, but i totally agree with Babs on limiting how much facetime you give them. It just seems to escalate the situation and can get you out of your "professional" service and into a personal dispute.

I get so sick of the young selfish drunks who feel entitled to sing. I guess i have learned over the years to just smile, say i'm sorry, and tell them what time my next show starts and ends. then just walk away and pack up equipment.

It sounds like this guy was 'baiting' you into a sarcastic dialogue to see how'd you react. He probably felt some satisfaction that he may have gotten to you. I vote for ignoring the jerkz from now on!

Just tell them they are welcome to get up on stage and sing it ACAPELLA if they like. That usually settles them right down. No need to argue--get up there by yourself and sing it with no music----just your voice. Call thier bluff!! That shuts them right up. Either that or they come off as a complete fool when theres no music to hide how crappy thier voice really sounds by itself! Or they could start up a group sing--along. But thats not your problem. Either way eveything's turned off and put away for the night and your out the door!! Challenge them to get up there and put up or shut-up!! Theyll slink away muttering to themselves. No need to ARGUE and get caught in that trap with a DRUNK KNUCKLEHEAD!! Just turn it around and say WELL GET UP THERE AND SING IT!!! THATS WHAT U WANTED. NOW GET UP THERE AND SING!!!! CMON THE CROWD WANT TO HEAR YOU!!!!!

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

I've found it easier to just keep accepting songs, but annouce with it that they'll be put at the bottom of the rotation, and if there is time at the end it MIGHT be played, but cant be guaranteed. At least this way they don't feel completely shut down by being denied all together.

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Chuck
Powerhouse Productions
Live Karaoke Broadcasts Daily

I'd rather let people know rather than have them stay on a false hope.

And yeah, others are right, he wanted an argument and I nearly gave him one. Policy now:

No sorry, show's over.

That thing right there? That's a full stop! That's where the conversation ends.

Agree & disagree. I will tell people if they turn them in late to not expect anything but if I can I will, but will not promise or guarantee anything. I have had nights where all the people that had slips up left & I was down to no one. It's really rare, but these are the night I can sometimes work these late comers in if the people that have been there all night haven't put in another songs or even asked to put in another song. Majority of the nights though is what I have is it after I call last call.

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