Karaoke Forums

CDGs may go away - but as memory and hard drive space becomes cheaper, KJs can just play Windows Media or RealAudio versions of songs. There's a lot more versatility in that, anyway. The resolution and colors of the CDG format is beginning to look very archaic - even "cheezy" - now.

Check into YouTube once in a while - the karaoke library on there has been growing quite a bit the last year.

Im not saying that a KJ should not try to please the "customer", that is the mark of a professional. But when a singer comes in and doesn't see in the book the "exact" version of a song, and then becomes put off because they dont have the exact song, we call these people "divas". And in my book divas do not rate very high. The proper thing to do is choose a different song, and if you don't or can't sing something else, sure go ahead and bring your own disc, just to make yourself feel a little better about yourself. I have absolutely no problem in playing someone elses disc, that's cool by me anytime. All i'm saying is there are those who will leave a venue or throw a big fit just because they can't sing one particular version of a song. Cant they at least show a little bit of graditude that the KJ is doing his/her best with whatever selection they have? If the host is so behind the times anyways with their selection, they probably won't be in business much longer anyways.

When we as hosts do have the opportunity to visit other shows, I think it's our duty to show at least a little bit of respect for what the other host can offer, not what they don't have. Try to view it from there perspective. If they showed up at your show, wanting to sing , let's say, "Ring of Fire", on Sound Choice, and what you have is Chartbusters version, wouldn't you want them to at least give it a try? Who knows? maybe they might like it. I'm not saying go out and buy only the lower quality brands, heaven knows we all want the best version possible, but we have our limitations because of budgets or whatever reasons.

And here's another thought to mull over. Someone might like the Chartbusters version of "Ring of Fire" better than the Sound Choice. We can never please everyone, all the time. We only do what we can do with what we have been given.

Singing should be fun, and not a drama waiting to happen. If you need to bring your own discs, fine, bring them and we will try to please. But if you act like a spoiled brat, expect to be treated like a spoiled brat.

Again, just me ranting. Peace out everyone !!!! And Happy New Year!

I don't take my discs with me anymore, but I used to. Most if the time now I don't really know what I want to sing until I get there, and I don't feel like carrying a bunch of CDs with me.

Although I run a computerized show, I also have a CDG player for those who want to use their own disc. If I happen to have the EXACT same version, I let them know, but if they still want to use their disc, it's cool with me.

I'm used to singing SEMI CHARMED LIFE from an old Pop Hits Monthly disc. The Sound Choice version is missing an entire part of the song. If a singer wasn't aware of the missing part of the song and the KJ played the SC version because he assumed the SC version would be better, the singer would get completely thrown off when it got to that part of the song. If the person only wants to sing the PHM version because that is what he is used to, why should the KJ consider him to be a spoiled brat? The singer just has a preference. That shouldn't make him a diva either.

Some of the funnest times at karaoke happen when someone flubs up on a song. It's all in how they handle it. If a diva flubs up or becomes flustered, they blame the version. When someone else makes a mistake, and can laugh about it, then it becomes "karaoke", and usually is more memorable than the average singer there. Not to say that we all should try and boof it all the time, I too, like to take a song and make it "mine", thats how most of us work i'm sure. Just saying to those true divas out there, relax, breath in, smell the roses, and have some fun. Don't worry, be happy!

once in a blue moon i bring a disc or two of something i want to sing for sure that night (original) but overall i tend to challenge myself with whatever the selection is and make good of it. a game i like to play and make myself strive for the gold ring .... sounds crazy i know... but do what works for you... CHEERS!

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:angel:

I always carry about 10-12 discs in a nice zip-up disc pac(orange and black). The only time I dont is with a place where I know they have all my favorites already in their library.

Has stuff usually not found at most Karoakes(even the ones claiming 100,000 songs--mostly duplicates--but thats for anther post).

They are ALL store-bought orginals so theres never a question about burns.

I keep a cd jewel-case with me to take the disc up to the KJ.--so theres little chance of them getting scratched. They are always kept clean so they dont skip in various machines.

Ive only encounterd 1 or 2 KJ's that cant play them--as they are computerized and have no CDG machine for such situations(poor customer service to my mind!!).

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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

Mr. Scott spoke of DIVAS

Well heres the deal---when I go to a place and they dont have a particular version, mfr, song that i was wanting to sing and am familiar with I CALL IT DISAPPOINTMENT. I WAS HOPING to sing that particular version as Im familair with it and have the MOST FUN AND ENJOYMENT with it. Its even MORE DISAPPOINTING when they dont have the song and WONT/CANT use my disc I bring!

Has nothing to do with being a DIVA, PRIMADONNA or anything else like that.

Has EVERYTHING TO DO WITH BEING LET DOWN AND DISAPPOINTED BY NOT FINDING WHAT I WAS HOPING FOR AND LOOKING FORWARD TO!

The result is having to settle for something LESS than I was HOPING AND LOOKING FORWARD TO!

And if the KJ cant grasp THAT then he's really missing the point about what HOSTING Karaoke and providing superior CUSTOMER SERVICE is all about. Its ALL ABOUT CATERING TO THE CUSTOMERS DESIRES AND NEEDS. NOT the KJ's CONVIENENCE.

Bringing your own discs has NOTHING TO DO WITH ARROGANCE or BELITTLING the KJ. It has everthing to do with being able to FULLY ENJOY your Karaoke evening out.

If the KJ looks down on that and belitles that then THAT IS ARROGANCE and in most cases a simple POWER TRIP.

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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

Thank you, Kurt for making this post. I agree with you 100% I was going to post something very similar to what you have expressed but it seems that every time I have an issue with something that someone else does at their shows, I get threatened with a ban for expressing my feelings.

I have seen it in disc based shows as well. Just a matter of how they enter it.

As for the last: I hand my disc to the KJ ( Not a karaoke Host in my opinion), he says fine, he'll play it- then sticks it on the side and plays whatever MP3 version he has. He doesn't do what he said he'd do, and I come up and try to get through a version that I don't know. One reason is noted above: I might ask for a keychange, and he can't do it for the disc and doesn't want to admit it.

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

In my case, it's not "offended" or "diva" ( I HATE Divas). It's knowing my limitations. Also, like many of my own singers, I'm just more comfortable with versions that I know.

However, if the host is unable to play my discs, AND his versions ARE listed my manufacturer, then I'm fine, because I have the info needed to make a choice.

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

I rarely make it to other gigs anymore but when I do I have a laptop with. I like Kj'S that let me hook into a spare channel on their mixer and that way i and everybody has full access to my library. I also prefer a bar with WIFI access for downloading and internet access. I flat dont deal with CD'S anymore and there is hardly anybody in this area that does. They dont take CD'S to shows anymore. A pool table and dart board would be nice too. Lack of any these things is not a biggie with me but if the bar doesnt have BUD then excuse me I'm gone. I am a singer and entertainer not a fanatic.

Just put me up a song and I'll sing it. I had a gal that played stump Ollie for 4 years and threw everything at me and I sang it. If you have 10000 songs in your book I can sing 5000 of them. Hang all your petty rules and ideas let's party ..

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Join The Karaokle Singers Social Network. Upload Your Music!!

im the same way karyoker , put up the song i can sing it ... lets party!!!! great attitude!

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:angel:

I always take my original CDG's. I've been to shows when a computer was used and the version of the song that I wanted to sing was waaaayy too fast. If that's the only version they have, then I'll sit back down, so the KJ can allow other people to sing. I'll pick another song and do it when my turn comes back around. If a song artist comes to one of my shows and wants to sing their original music on a cd, then I will be more than happy to play it. If a person has their own cdg, I'll play it regardless of whether I have it in my library or not.

to me, and many others that have voiced their opinion, it's about my singing comfort.

I've been to shows that try to say they have the most available, but when I want to sing say a Nickelback song, all they have is the dreaded Stardisc version of my favorite song from them.

Many of us practice at home. We know the timing of our favorite version, the way the background vocalists sound, and whether or not there are any surprises.

When you sing off another manufacturer, you are seriously taking chances.

I've always felt my company offered the vast majority of the available songs, but in no way did I ever say I had it all. Despite my computerized setup (with no cdrom so I couldn't be accused of stealing), I ALWAYS had a cdg player to accomodate customer cdgs, as well as play my mix music. At the time of my last gig in Portland, I hadn't yet purchased a dual player karaoke software, so I couldn't do computerized mixing/fading. I have yet to have gotten an offer I would unpack my system for here in Missouri.

I am NOT offended by someone who doesn't like my tunes. It's THEIR experience, not mine, although I share in the wonder when they bring in one I've not heard of before. I introduced Portland's audiences to STTW not long after that manu started... and I would constantly try to find good music for my needs.

Some people liked it. A few didn't. I had a few people wonder why I was such a Diva because I wanted to play MY version over THEIRS.

"Because you dumb XXXX, you have that dreaded Music Maestro version, and in my opinion, THIS one is better. Since I'm the PAYING customer here, that's what I want! If you won't play it, I'll go somewhere that WILL."

That's why I moved heaven and earth for MY singers! In today's world of arrogant KJS that think that a computer system that only plays THEIR stuff and not a customer request ("if you can't find a song to sing out of our 50,000 songs, they you should hit the streets"... yes I was literally told that one night. Talk about ARROGANCE!), in today's shrinking karaoke environment, no, we don't need to be thinking along the lines of how best to seriously streamline our systems... "so we only offend one person every now and then, big deal"

Yeah, I heard THAT one too.

It's also the reason Gemini banned me from EVER showing up at his show.

Seriously, in all the years I have been going to karaoke, only TWO shows have had the discs that I bring with me - and most of those songs are NOT available on other labels.

But, for example, one of the tracks I have that IS available on other labels - and even more than one version from the label I use - is All That Jazz. The version I use is practically a completely different song from most other versions out there. Different arrangement, different key, NO back up vocals, all verses and the bridge.

Cabaret is another example - try finding a karaoke bar that has the full version. Most KJ's have a version that leaves out the Elsie verse.

While singing karaoke should be fun, fun means different things to different people. For me, I want to ENTERTAIN when I'm up there. Can I sing a version other than the version I am used to? Of course. I've even done "kamakazie karaoke" and sung a song I had never even HEARD of before. Is it fun for me? Not if the version is so different that I have to spend more of my time watching the screen because I don't know what to expect.

By saying "Karaoke should be fun and it shouldn't matter what version you do or if you make a goof up," you are imposing YOUR idea of what fun is on your customer.

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"I hold the key to an open door....will I ever be free...?"

I like to bring my own discs, but only ever do it at disc based shows that I can trust won't copy them. I've given up on the computer shows in my area... I get embaressed when the host assumes he'll have what i want to sing on his system, i never know what to request, most of my favourites are quite obscure for a uk audience, and i will bet good money they don't have what I want to sing (the computer system I host on with 24,000 songs has only two of my favourites), I could spend all night with a host searching his system to come up with nothing. All I want is a detailed accurate book with either the Manu codes or a description of the song (eg Paradise with comentary)... I'll happlily find something to sing.

>mild off topic rant on poorly labeled systems...
Last night the sound went squiffy on the aforemention system, and i thought a two minute soundcheck/adjustment on "breaking up is hard to do" will sort it quickly... pah! I spent two minutes trying the 14 different versions to only ever come up with the slow version...eight valuable minutes of customer singing time wasted because i couldn't find the fast shorter version due to poor listing <mild off topic rant finished.

As a host i prefer the versions i'm used to when visiting other shows, and I always offer to purchase any different version of a song provided the customer can tell me why it is different. I've said no once... and that was because out of my 7 versions of Black Velvet the customer wants the legends version... the only difference is legends has the lyric "jimmy rodgers on an ELECTRODE up high". Jimmy Rodgers was not electrocuted and the backing is the same as any other version, so to that one customer seriously change that one word to the incorrect one that you are comfortable with... grrrrr.

Any one providing they have an original disc, or who can prove that their laptop songs are legal can plug into my system... if i don't have you songs, tell me and i'll endevour to attain them before the next time you see me.

I sometimes take my own (depending on the situation (I always take my Canadian music when travelling outside Canada).

We have over 24,000 selections, over 16,000 non-repeats, and never get upset if someone brings their own discs. You bring it, we'll play it. It's not a big deal. And no we don't play the "original disc" game.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

I have never and will never take my disks with me. As a singer (eg when not working) I am not out to impress, just have a good time. I will sing an alternate version, or moreover, another song if a song or version is not available.

It's different in yhe UK, but the whole idea of handing a disk over because you don't like a specific version would be considered "Diva" (in the wrong sense).

Not say that applies in the UK, just justifying my reasons.

Mr. Scott seems to be talking about people who throw a big fit over not having the correct song, not just people who are disappointed. I am betting those are rare?

As former patrons, we loved collecting our own versions so we revived our ancient Pioneer just so we can accomodate people with their own CDGs. We try to be very service oriented. If a person brings in their own, it is handled it like it is sacred gold and we even give it back to them in a jewel case which they can keep for further submissions if they like (10 for $1.00, big deal). With the economy, places are trying to get by with having the waitress or whoever run karaoke so to get a start we try to behave as if we are glad people came to OUR show, not make them feel like they should be lucky we let them in. Hmm, that just gave me an idea to print mini-flyers for inside the jewel cases........