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And that is why I would have no problem with his show. I don't mind a bit of music to cover the dead air in between the time it takes singers to get to and from the stage area.

According to my hosting program, it is filler music. It plays until I click the "Go" button. Whatever you want to call it, it keeps things hopping. Did I mention my new subwoofer gives me goosebumps?

Not yet but that's a different thread

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It's all about how long you wait until you hit the GO button. Some KJ's wait 10 or 15 minutes before they hit it. I guess it's all technically filler. It's about how big the hole is that you're trying to fill. Some holes are 10 seconds long and some holes are much longer.

I was at a VFW last Friday. There was a good sized crowd that night and I went out to mingle with my rotation pad asking everyone personally if they wanted to sing. It's a way for people to meet me and see that I'm a real person and that I'm friendly.

When I was done I only had 3 singers. I'm happy to have people come up and sing two songs in a row. How often do people get the chance to do that? Not very often IMO.

After a couple of rounds I sang a song. Then more singers. Once people sing 4-5-6 songs, I figure I can inject myself into the mix. If they've sang that many, I'm not depriving them of anything.

I launched into some Burning Love, Hound Dog, Who Put The Bomp, Runaround Sue and Rolloever Beethoven. The dancefloor was packed for 5 songs when before that for the whole night people sing slow songs, ballads and some old depressing, slow country songs.

Near the end of the night after one singer left and the other two sang 7 or 8 songs each, I started singing again. They asked me to come back and sing mostly and if I have some folks, let them sing Karaoke too. I got $21 in tips that night. Some nights I've gotten no tips at all, especially when I'm hosting and not singing at all. I guess the point is, each place is different and each host is different. Some hosts don't sing at all.

With only 3 singers, if the KJ can sing IMO it's a blessing. If I have 3 good singers I'll gladly shut up and let them sing all night and entertain the crowd.

I've read through SIX pages of posts. Lots of points seem to be made over and over again, but one I haven't seen.

If I have a rotation of 15 singers, figuring an average of 4 minutes a song, I'll get up to sing in rotation once an hour. Now let's say there are 5 singers. If I let them sing over and over again, they'd get up once every 20 minutes. Chances are these singers would also stick around if they got up once an hour.

So why not play DJ music the other 40 minutes of the hour? Or even it up with 20 minutes of singing (one full rotation) then 20 minutes of music? Especially if you have 20 people in the bar and only 6 are singing. That's 14 OTHER people who are drinking patrons. If they want to hear (or dance to) some music, shouldn't they also get what they want? Or should we just say, "Sc**w you! It's karaoke night, da**it and we're going to keep this same small monotonous rotation no matter what!"

We are there to entertain! If there are 2-3 times the number of people not singing than singing, I'm going to consider how they might like to be entertained as well. So the few singers there might get up every 40 minutes instead of every 20. I would not sacrifice the entertainment value of the entire bar for the minority of patrons.

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ah, bruce

You're starting to show an inkling of understanding. You see, as I already said, I am the ONLY host who does not want to sing at my show, everyone else has their reasons/excuses for doing so.

So, now if someone were to layer over that fact with the knowledge that I will resort to filler, not transitional, music when deemed necessary, what logical conclusion SHOULD anyone come to --- I made a decision that using filler music was a necessary ingredient for getting me through a show that lacked "enough" singers.

Lastly, bruce, I can't speak for other KJ's but I never said that filler, DJ, dance or any other non-karaoke offering is something that I do regularly and consider to be part of my regular format --- it will always reflect a reaction to having too few singers. And, again, I decide what is "too few" and when there are "too few".

There's a gal I've known for years that has 6 shows a week. I went to her show last night, after not having done so in over a year. It's a show that she has been doing for about 3 years now. The show is schedule from 10pm-2am, but the karaoke never starts till 10:30. It's all DJ music up till then! So, karaoke is actually from 10:30-2:00am.

She averages 8-12 singers in total for the night, with some coming and going. The later hours have more singers. Between each singer there is bumper music that is longer than "transitional" music, typically a full song or more. Would bruce or anyone go to that show they way I described it? Probably not.

Now, here is the most interesting and important fact. Most of the people I saw there, singers and non-singers, were at that show the last time I went. Many have been going to her show since it started!!!!!

Also consider, there were but two other Karaoke shows in the area that offer a late Sunday show. Those other shows were stopped in the last two months

So, in short, nobody at that bar is going to care what you OR I think about that format. And personally, while that format is not for me on a regular basis, I will happily go once in awhile.

One last aside for everyone's benefit concerning assumptions. Don't assume because there are 3, 5, or even 8 singers that they are all like Bruce; "chomping at the bit" to sing! As I noted there are singers who don't want to be the "first" singer. There are singers that "hold back" while gaining their courage. There are singers who are just as interested in playing pool and might be doing so when you call their name.

So... having 5 singers doesn't mean you have 5 people ready to come up to the stage and sing. I have had circumstances at the start of the show where I have no singers at all, a handful of singers who are not ready to sing, new singers looking through the book for selection. I can go on and on, why the start of a show could easily have the KJ singing one song after the other for the first half hour. Of course, their are KJ's among us who may enjoy that. To me, it just starts my day off wrong if I'm the only one ready to sing. You can be sure that it is never going to happen, if I can help it.

I am more than willing to admit that there are plenty of karaoke shows like the one you describe that have been successful for long periods of time and I'm not saying that they HAVE to change to please me. All I'm saying is if that were the only show going on and I was dying to go out to sing, I'd go there. BUT..... if there was another show going on, even if it were on another night of the week, I would rather go there instead. I would not create a voodoo doll of your friend the KJ to try to keep her from running a show that I wouldn't like. There are plenty of shows and plenty of ways that KJ's run them. I, as a customer, get to choose where I would go and spend my money. That seems to bother you for some reason.

This is your first posting in this thread I agree with. You like it, you stay... you don't like it, it is your right to not go there.

But... your statement a couple of postings before, that there is no Karaoke Singer that likes Filler Music is definitely wrong. Like I stated in my last posting, I actually have singers that appreciate some filler music if it is only that few singers (3), to get a break in between and don't have to walk up there every 10 minutes.

And once again, that would be the only situation (3 singers) I would actually play songs in between in full length.

Can we agree on that now?

If there are no dancers the filler turns into transition in a heartbeat. I'd be willing to bet most here arguing against are the ones that take their sweet time getting up to the stage when called. A good host will "train" singers not to dally when called. If you are that concerned with a few seconds then be ready when it is your turn. At my shows there is no silence between singers it is high paced and high energy but even our singers request and expect occasional dance sets.

Different hosts with their personalities attract different types of singers. This is called free enterprise. If you dont like a show then go elsewhere. But why do you argue on a forum that there is only one way to do it? In a successful venue these arguments are mute at best and seldom considered or thought about.

My company name is Cabaret Karaoke.. Cabaret in itself suggests dancing, humor, partying and good times. This is my theme and format. It is successful and very welcome in some venues. In others it would not work however I or my hosts can shift to an original karaoke type format to fit the bill. Most prefer the cabaret type and when paying for a private party request it specifically. My regs have hired me for private parties and at bar gigs it is common for them to request line dance or others. This is our karaoke style and it tends to repel hard core or drunk singers. My rotations are not large and dont need to be and suggesting that 3 singers are signs of a failing show is indicative of a lack of knowledge of the entertainment industry. I will state it again My ratio of non singers to singers is about 10/1 and if you want to sing and party and have a good time you are welcome. If the only thing you are concerned with is singing then I will recommend other venues. Thank You

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You know, You're probably right. I should NOT make an ABSOLUTE statement about EVERY singer either liking something or disliking something. There will always be an exception. I'm sure that there are some singers, usually female, who also like to do the Electric Slide, for example, and they will ask the KJ to play it for them. I personally would prefer that one of the singers in the crowd sing it on their karaoke turn but that isn't always a possibility. In the three singer situation, I can also understand that one or two or on a rare night all three of them might get tired of singing and then filler music would be an appropriate thing to play until they were ready to sing again. However, if only two of the three didn't feel like singing, the third should get to do a showcase until they get tired of singing or one of the other two singers hands in a slip. If there is a slip handed in, someone should be singing. If there are no slips handed in, the KJ can do whatever he or she pleases. PLease let me make it very clear that these are just my OPINIONs and NOT DEMANDS. No one has to change just to please me or any other singer if they don't want to. All I'm saying is what I would prefer if I were one of those three singers. If I had handed the KJ a pile of song slips and I was prepared to sing 20 in a row, and he has no other slips, the KJ should just let me sing until I'm exhausted or until the owner tells him to cut me off.....and then they would never have to worry about hearing me sing at that particular venue. I would go to other shows being done by the KJ because it was the owner who cut me off and not the KJ. When the KJ plays filler music, I feel that the KJ has cut me off.

My bar has a limit set as to how many rotations in a row a small rotation can sing before I break it up and play filler music. This was set ahead of time as bar policy. If the rotation goes over 8 singers the limit is taken off and it is straight karaoke.

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

Bruce you are welcome at my show anytime. If the old fogies at the bar are not requesting dance music you bring in your friends and we will sing to our hearts content. Karaoke singers always have priority. But I do have to respect the owners friends and people that reserve tables for parties. I do run a business and have to cover all bases. I do not charge for my singing talents or make any demands but as a host I try to provide a format for the occasion and try to meet the demands of all patrons. I just ask that you show respect to them and entertain them. If an old couple wants to dance to an old big band oldie you will show the courtesy to give them 3 minutes. Enuff said..

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Is the horse dead yet?

Well its so lonesome in the saddle since my horse died!!!

I Left My Heart in Guadaloupie!!!


You Stole My Wife... You Hog Thief!!

I am an entertainer and do not base my format on the internet for it wasnt around when I started but it does give me some ideas for things not to do... If you want a good show then come to Greeley Colorado.. I admit I am an arse here every now and then but it is a response to trolls and radical agitators. I do have a degree in electronic engineering but karaoke is my life... At 69 years old I am still ahead of the competition yet youngins' here still want to argue. I have predicted every trend regarding legal or formats for 4 years on this forum. I am not smart but listen to the karaoke Gods.

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Thanks Diafel - You know, I'm partial to horses, have owned a few in my lifetime, still love the thrill of the ride, but when one dies, I bury it. Let's bury this expired equine already.

Um, lost your Thesaurus?

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" Disc based and loving it..."

Let this serve to remind KJs that if they want a KJ only thread, start one in the KJ area on the site !

karen i am probably the only one here that has showed horses in 4H or ridden a bronc out of the shute. I grew up riding and have very few miles on a bycycle My entire philosophies are formed with old Western traditions. At 4 years old I knew that you didnt whip horses kick dogs or abuse women If a man was down you did not kick him but helped him up then hit him again.

Horses and mules are very special part of my life and this is Petunia

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Stop horsin' around, Olllie.