Karaoke Forums

Well, I entered my first contest last night by default actually. It is the main place I sing for fun, but they decided to start a contest. It will run the entire month of April, but will have winners each week to go on to the finals. Amazing....I won last night. Well, one of the winners as there is a king and a gueen each week.

I really didn't expect I would win, but that is cool. Either way would have been good for me. I just love singing and I have a small group of people that come to hear me and I like performing for them.

People are right on here, it isn't really about contests, but just having fun. When you are musically inclined (I play guitar as well), you just have to play or sing to express yourself, you know?

I appreciate all the tips from the masters on here. Your insight has been most welcome on this newbie and it served me well last night to keep a realistic head on my shoulders. Thanks.

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Simply Celtic

Congrats CC1961 - As long as its still fun, keep it up. Quit when it quits being fun. That's the name of the game.

Well, it happened! The club where we landed a permanent gig just last Thursday wants to start a karaoke contest starting this Thursday. Six weeks, top two contestants each week advance to week seven, winner gets $500 cash or a Las Vegas package for two.

This has forced me to ponder contests once again. Is there not a difference between a karaoke contest and a talent contest?

A talent contest should be advertised as such, and the judges should consider stage presence, appearance, having visual audience appeal (the moves, the clothes, et.), as well as vocal range and the ability to deliver the song flawlessly without looking at the monitor screen. Aw heck, just disable the monitor....it isn't a karaoke contest anyway....is it?

On the other hand, IMHO, a karaoke contest should be able to be judged by blind persons.

Delivery of the song....he or she who has the best voice, vocal range, etc., should win the contest. Why be penalized for looking at the monitor??? Perhaps the contestant cannot afford to buy his or her own CDG's, and has to pick their song out of the song book. The version there is not the one they are used to singing. Karaoke, by true definition, includes a monitor upon which the words to the song are displayed. If it is a true karaoke contest, then allow the contestant to use it! I have seen contests where singers are judged on how well they follow the on-screen graphics, but be penalized for looking at the monitor! Not fair to the singer with the great voice singing to an unfamiliar song version.

Stage presence, appearance, etc. ...... if these are to be considered, a singer who may have a fabulous voice, but also has a severe physical handicap or deformity, or cannot afford a fancy outfit to wear, will most likely never win over a marginally less talented singer who is handsome or beautiful, and dressed to kill.

Karaoke is all about the singing. That's why it is so appealing to so many people. When it turns into a talent show, it's not for everyone any longer. It becomes something else.

Just my $.02 worth.

Hi Tymzdad--- I wholeheartedly agree with you about contests and how they are judged. It is because of this that I don't believe contest can ever be fair. And it is a shame that a contest and the judges will usually dictate what type of music is going to be preformed resulting in the neglect of many songs. This would deprive the audience of the opportunity of hearing something that they may not normally listen to, simply because it may not be the most popular and thus not do well in the "judging".

Just as a side note, I haven't let that stop me from entering a few contests singing some music which would be considered extremely out of place in a karaoke contest. I believe that karaoke should also be an opportunity to share a variety of music with others to let them know the wide range of music that is really out there.

A karaoke contest to me is that every time a person sings their name goes into a hat and draws are made at the end. The earlier/more you sing the better your chances. Draw from top prize down, and a person can win only once a night. Anything else to me is a talent contest.

The problem with'traditional' judging is that many hosts choose the bartender, the owner, and a regular as their 3 judges. The bartender votes for the biggest tipper, and the oher 2 for their friends. This is why I stopped going to contests- I wasn't a regular anywhere they had one- therefore I couldn't win.

Picture the same scenario you just said, except without the contestants judging. The owner would have just had his way, and that would have been the end of it- at least it had a shot with the contestant judging.

However, this brings me full circle- what is the best way to run a conteset? Or is it like one of our great presidents said, "Democracy is not perfect, but it is the best I've seen so far."

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Let's Kick the Tires and Light the Fires!

I'm going to change the subject for a sec..

I just had a chat with Mr. Parker about Karaoke Fest..

Naah it wasn't that bad...

But i was informed there was going to be 7 open stages to sing on for non competitors!!!
and spectators!! if i can get away with it I may be there..
(I'm looking to reschedule employees now and checking flights... )
IF my my mojo works...

I Could use a weekend of fun.
And at one time we were discussing a KS "KJ's" convention???

Great Idea to come Admin!!!

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Brian D.
(BHB)

While I was at one of my favorite watering holes on Friday, there were flyers posted for a karaoke contest....but not your typical contest. It's a DUET contest. I thought that was pretty cool. I'm not sure of the contest rules or anything, but I think it's an awesome twist on the same old, same old. I might enter with a friend of mine...should be cool!

I just hope that we don't have to hear Love Shack and Summer Nights every other song! If I were the KJ running the contest, I'd probably ban those songs from the contest...along with a few others, too!

Smiles,
Somehow I agree or the amatuer's will be fighting.. I think the Ideal songs on that one should be songs like "Almost Paradise" and a few others. Smiles Rehearse those slow songs to the hilt.. get the intonations as good as possible!! and really make the crowd feel the mood!!! If they feel the Song, You'll feel it too! Pour it on them like molasses!!

I'm there for ya, Let me know how ya do!

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Brian D.
(BHB)

Know what ya mean on some of those. One that my wife and I started doing (actually we use it to close shows with), is the old Roy Rogers and Dale Evans "Happy Trails". Its a great, and fun, show closer.

Me & Mine use goodnight sweetheart by the skyliners

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

Thanks all! But I'm entering the contest with another female, so song selection has been quite tricky so far. We're definitely staying away from the Indigo Girls (overdone). We could just take a female song and harmonize, but I think that defeats the purpose of the contest.

2 females- definately "Does he love you" if you can pull it off.

And Dr. D, Isn't Goodnight Sweetheart by the Spaniels? I love closing with my wife to that song.

Or Closing time.....

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Let's Kick the Tires and Light the Fires!

Who sings 'Does He Love You?'

Reba McEntire and *shudder* Kelly Clarkson.

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~Cindy
Karaoke. Because it's a lot cheaper than therapy.

Aaah, country. I can pull it off, but my partner doesn't have that type of a voice. Probably wouldn't go over well at this venue. Knowing your target audience is half the battle, right?

We're thinking Lady Marmalade so far. General crowd pleaser, distintive female parts and has a degree of difficulty. Naturally, we want to rehearse more than one song.

And just a general comment about contests...I learned a valuable lesson in the last one I entered...I don't necessarily have to take first place to win. I enjoyed a synergy with the crowd I've never experienced before, and I was at my vocal peak. It was amazing!

NOT Kelly Clarkson; Linda Davis sings with Reba McEntire on "Does He Love You"

Thank Heavens for that. When I looked up who sang it, the web was infested with "Kelly Clarkson (with Reba McEntire) Duet: Does He Love You."

Perhaps it was only done once with that duo.

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~Cindy
Karaoke. Because it's a lot cheaper than therapy.

That song "Does He Love You" can be a real show stoper if done well. Seen it done buy to ladies up here and brought the crowd to their feet!

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[glow=blue]Tequila & A Song
KKid[/glow]

Well, I know I started this thread last month and won the first round. Tonight is the finals and I will be leaving in about two hours. I am pulling out my 4 or 5 best songs and just go for it. It doesn't really matter if I win or not as I am just having so much fun singing. But, God I would really like to win tonight because the grand prize is a DVD player and I need one real bad. I am on permanent disability and can't afford to go and buy one myself.

Wish me luck or tell me to break a leg, whatever. We shall see how I do. Will let you all know.

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Simply Celtic