Karaoke Forums

I can't believe that a thread that started out about what is the MOST important thing about choosing a show has come down to a debate about having your own discs played. Nothing about SOCIALIZING, HAVING A FEW DRINKS, MAYBE A COUPLE OF SNACKS, MAYBE MEET SOME NEW AND INTERESTING PEOPLE, AND MAYBE EVEN HAVING SOME FUN. With ALL of that to look forward to, the best you guys can come up with is I CAN'T SING MY SONG. Why don't you get a box of kleenex on your WAY HOME, so you can feel sorry for yourself, while EVERYONE ELSE is still at the bar HAVING FUN. Hope that clears up WHAT I LOOK FOR when I go to a show.

Rosario

first of all, you brought up the tanning situation. I won't get sidelined on this. But it's the same situation. A customer LIKES certain things. Create another thread if you want!

Secondly, yes you DO take control of the situation with a vulgarity. That's how I started out, KJin' in a Chinese restaurant (the bar side), but they allowed minors in the Restaurant, and didn't want the F bomb or other profanities screamed into the mic. Some didn't like it. So what? It was the venue's call, they owned the equipment, and paid the house KJs to do it their way. 'Nuff Said.

When someone did do the bomb thing, the mic was immediately shut off. Announcements were made during the start of the show, and usually mentioned to newbies who didn't know the venue. Rules were plastered in the books. If a song that had profanity was purchased by the venue, they didn't know it, and when they found out about it, they'd censor it out. OR ask the singer to not utter the curse words. Do a "Radio Edit".

If people did it AGAIN, they'd be '86'd! flat out send their azz packin'!

Trust me, they didn't do it again.

As for not giving the catalog a chance, you ASSUME I'm not looking into book. I said before I will sing out of the book IF I like the versions.

But so what if I don't? The fact is, I'm there to sing, and to pay to support the show. So WHAT if I bring in my own disc, especially since it may have songs you don't have.

Again, check your ego at the door. This is NOT about you! This isn't even about how good a KJ you are. It's about the CUSTOMER and what THEY want.

Diva OUT!

Most of my home made songs are Bruce Springsteen songs. It has nothing to do with MY EGO. It has EVERYTHING to do with the fact that I'm a BRUCE FAN. I don't just want to sing songs that I've heard. I want to sing the songs that I REALLY LIKE to hear.

When it comes to music, everyone has different likes and dislikes. If I wanted to go to a concert, I would want to see a performer that I REALLY LIKED. I wouldn't pay $100 for a ticket to see Blink 182, even though I like their music and I sing a few of their songs on karaoke. On the other hand, I have bought many Springsteen concert tickets over the years. Karaoke manufacturers make songs that they think people will enjoy singing. I make songs for myself that I KNOW I will enjoy singing.

I'm not asking anyone to break the law by playing my songs......BUT.... I have noticed that MOST of these 100% digital KJ's around here are already breaking the law in more ways than one. Most of them don't own any discs at all and have purchased their hard drives from other KJ's or from online sources or are running multiple digital shows from one set of discs being copied multiple times onto multiple systems. This being the case, I don't think legality is the reason why these KJ's won't play a customer's disc. I think the reason is that they just don't feel like they want to or have to. What's funny about that is that they still want you to patronize their show while they won't accommodate your wishes to play a disc. I think another reason is that some of these KJ's just don't know how to use the equipment they have and they don't know how to add another component to their set up. They've been shown how to use their system AS IS, from the person they bought it from. Some of them are completely oblivious to karaoke software that would allow them to play a customer's disc on their laptop and some of them have no clue as to how to hook up a karaoke machine to an A/B switch along with their computer.....probably because they never owned one before they bought their computer karaoke system from someone. I just think that it's poor customer service to not provide a player or software to play a customer's discs. I give my business to the business owner who caters to me. I go to bars to sing karaoke and have a few beers and hang out with other karaoke singers. If the bar decided that they didn't want to spend money to refrigerate the beer, I'd find another bar to spend my money. To me, COLD BEER is a requirement to get my business, as is being able to sing the songs that I want to sing.

As I stated in my previous post I ALWAYS PREFER TO USE THE KJ's puter or disc selections to save wear and tear on my own discs.

You guys need to read my longer posts more closely.

I bring my own only in case they dont have my fav tunes(which in most cases they don't)

Also the KJ BENEFITS by my bringing my own stuff as Im the only person who sings it and then THEY DONT HAVE TO GO OUT AND WASTE THEIR MONEY BUYING THAT DISC JUST FOR ME TO SING IT!! Also the regulars and the KJ get to hear some fun cool tunes that they dont otherwise get exposed to from the KJ's regular selections adds a little freshness and variety from the same-o same-o.

If they have them then I dont need to bring my stuff. But either way I will sing those songs that I want to sing----not be FORCED to try SOMETHING NEW that I have NO INTEREST IN because the KJ doenst have anything I enjoy---and I really have no interest in trying to learn new versions of a song on the spot.

I have certain versions I enjoy, certain songs I enjoy and that's that. Whats the point in having to go sing things I dont enjoy????

I have NO DESIRE to have to go to a show and BUMBLE and STUMBLE through something I'm not familiar with or haven't tried before. The ONLY time I will do that is when I've gone out and bought a new disc and want to try it out in public for the first time OR have got excited about trying a new song that a KJ has in thier librafy that I havent thought about before for the first time and want to try it out and see how it works. Then and only then am I willing to get up and stumble and bumble through it. Ive done that PLENTY OF TIMES!! But if I'm FORCED to sing to some other version or choose some song I dont know, well then Ill do it that one time, but I wont repeat the expereince and certainly wont come back to that show. LIKE THE EXPERIENCE AT GRAMMA's mentioned in my prior post.

CAPISCE????

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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

Looks like atmosphere/crowd is the hands down winner, with sound quality and rotation skills also being important.

I'll bet some shows are designed to keep people like BruceFan, Knightshow, etc. out. I know I don't want a Downer family reunion at my shows because, with an inability to flex, the shows take on negative vibe that works fully against the #1 thing that's important to people - FUN!!!!!!

Loosen up. There is no one formula for a successful karaoke show. I use a lot of lights and smoke. There are people that don't care for it as much. I play my music relatively loud and there are people that don't care for that as much. I use good judgment in my sound, rotation, and mic presence. Point is, over time, I've refined my show to service the type of crowd that makes for the best shows on a consistent basis. My numbers speak as a testament. There are plenty enough karaoke shows to accomodate everyone's tastes ... thank gawd. It's my show, I get paid to bring people in and entertain them. With time I've learned how to do that to maximize everything that's important to me, the crowd(s), and the owner. Don't like it, move on. I don't have time for the whining ...

'Waaaaa ... you can't play my disc, you suck!!!!! I'm telling my friends and they're not coming to your shows either cause they think you suck too. We're going to find a place that no one's at because they KJ will listen to our every demand, and we'll be the only one's in there, cause it's Debbie Downer Tuesday and we're going to have fun - all by ourselves.'



It takes all kinds, that's all I've got to say.

cracks me up... the more I talk about my specific reasons, WHEN ASKED, the more names and fun I'm made of for it.

"Waaa" and such.

Whatever. The question was asked, and then I was asked to explain it.

It DOES take all kinds. You were right in that, Croak.

People usually have their own discs because they love karaoke, they love a particular artist or song and it makes them happy to hear their favorite version playing behind them. They have practiced at home, they are enthusiastic about singing something they loved enough to buy their own version and they add novelty to the status quo. Some have invested hundreds of dollars in their collections. I couldn't imagine telling a karaoke addict that they couldn't be accomodated at a show or that their beloved collection was on the way out, as far as being playable. I would want a karaoke addict at my show.

Apologies, Eric. I misunderstood an earlier post and was under the incorrect impression that you couldn't play discs. My bad...

Um.....never mind?

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

Let me take another shot in the dark here....Croakdog runs a 100% digital show???

If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with B.S. aka lights and smoke.

There's that great quote AGAIN: "IT'S MY SHOW" WHICH = MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY.

I'VE BEEN TO MANY SHOWS THAT PLAY CUSTOMER'S DISCS AND THEY ARE JAM PACKED. I'VE ALSO BEEN TO MANY SHOWS THAT ARE 100% DIGITAL AND THEY HAVE BEEN PRETTY EMPTY. I'VE BEEN TO SHOWS THAT PLAY CUSTOMER'S DISCS AND THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN SLOW ON OCCASSION.

It seems pretty close to a 50 50 split here on whether or not people think that a KJ should be able to play a customer's disc. Most of the people that think that it shouldn't matter, just happen to be KJ's that run a strictly digital show. Go figure! Anyway, those particular KJ's are esentially blowing off 50% of their potential singing audience which will definitely cut inot the bars bottom line. If I'm the KJ down the street who is willing to play a customer's disc, I'm glad that you won't play it because that means at least 50% of the local karaoke crowd is guaranteed to be at my show instead of yours. Thanks for helping out.

For BruceFan4Lice ...

Yes, 100% digital. Would never go back to disc-based system. The convenience digital affords far outweighs any benefits of a disc only setup. But then there are people who still think rotary dial phones are cool ...

Interesting you should pick up on the lights and fog (for clarification) bit. What you're not taking into account is I do dazzle with brilliance first, and the lights, fog, and humor are simply elements that enhance the experience. I don't think it's a secret that not all singers (or songs for that matter) can be made to sound good. A good KJ can make the most of a nights worth of slips, but there are good karaoke tracks and singers and there are bad. At the same time, when you've got three sleeper songs in a rows, it's nice to be able to come out of that with a bang.

It IS my show, you dweeb. I don't say that because it's my way or the highway, I say that because I'm the one getting paid to entertain. I know what works because I've had the night in and night out trial and error. I know my equipment and how to get the most out of it. I know what people respond to and what they don't. I know how to turn a group around at the door to keep them from going next door. I know my singers better than most know themselves. You're shortsightedness doesn't preclude the fact that each of us has OUR shows. I don't put up with some of the common crap that other KJs do (because I don't have to - the owner and bartenders make the rules - I have certain luxuries within the provided framework) ... my crowd has come to expect certain things and I deliver. People come to my show because it's a total experience. I can't even tell you how many times I've gone to two-bit shows and wanted to hand the mic back in the middle of a song because the sound was so impoverished - but they could usually attempt to play a disc). No one hands me the mic in the middle of a song, and rarely do I ever call someone up that isn't there.

From BruceFan's post: I'VE BEEN TO MANY SHOWS THAT PLAY CUSTOMER'S DISCS AND THEY ARE JAM PACKED. I'VE ALSO BEEN TO MANY SHOWS THAT ARE 100% DIGITAL AND THEY HAVE BEEN PRETTY EMPTY.

Wow, you might be on to something here. Look at the glaring correlation between being able to play a disc and a full house. I never looked at it like that. Thanks for the enlightenment. Ever think it has to do with atmosphere!!!

I couldn't fit 50% more into my shows ... so thank you for keeping the whiners, prudes, and fingertappers away.

With all that said, my show may not work in all venues, but I don't work in all venues. I do what works for the crowd that frequents my shows.

BruceFan = Naptime.
Croak = Axxhole.

If you've got it, flaunt it.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

How did I know it would eventually come down to name calling???? If you're happy, CroakDog, I'm happy for you. I can disagree with you without resorting to name calling. If you don't need any more customers and your bar owner doesn't want any more customers, that's great for the both of you....BUT I've never met a bar owner yet that wouldn't want a few more drinkers in his bar.

I also find it funny that most of the 100% digital KJ's classify other type karaoke hosts as somehow inferior in quality and or ability. I have found that most KJ's that are 100% digital are about 90% illegal when it comes to their song libraries; especially the ones that brag about their HUUUUUUUUUGE Libraries. Before everyone started buying loaded hard drives with 50,000 songs or more, you were lucky to find a show with 10,000 songs. Now there are digital shows all over the place with 50,000 to 150,000 songs I have yet to run into any KJ that had that many songs with the discs to match up if they were ever checked by the karaoke police. I think that the reason most digital KJ's refuse to play a customer's disc is that they just can't figure out how to do it so they come up with all kinds of excuses to hide their lack of ............ummm, let's call it ingenuity.

BFFL: I am 100% digital, I play others' discs, I have a hard copy for every song on my drive; I bought my computer and ripped the discs myself, each and every song (16,000-plus). I run a fast rotation when I have a lot of singers, and they come to expect that. I play 'bumper' music in the space between the songs (seldom more than 15-20 seconds) and people respond. I don't look down on people who use discs. I just had too many to carry anymore. So....take me out of your generalization, please.

Croakdog and I run a similar kind of show, though I don't carry lights with me. I can't speak for him for sure, but I believe we both entertain, we're exciting and excitable, and get into the crowds' collective brain. Nobody sits in the corner and pouts. Our crowds love our shows. We create a fun atmosphere, involve everyone, and ignore those that beg for it.

I've been to CD's show and if he was closer, I'd definitely go more often because it's a great show in what could otherwise be considered a desert in this area. I'm still waiting for a visit from him, though....

I'm not sure why the constant pixx and moan, BFFL. (I'll bet your elementary school teachers just couldn't WAIT for you to be in their class...NOT)

Your post was so inspirational until you just had to sling a little mud in your last paragraph. I never said ALL digital shows were 90% illegal. I'm glad to hear that you are one of the good ones. I went to Catholic Schools my entire life and was a very good student. I never had a problem with the NUNS in grammar school. I knew better. There were rules and I followed them. That's the way I was raised. I NEVER got into trouble at school. That's the way it was back then. If you misbehaved you got a beating at school and then you got another one when you got home. In today's world, the parents would file a law suit against the school if a teacher so much as yells at their kid thereby damaging their poor child's self esteem.

If you and CD run similar shows and they were the only two options for me, I woul dpick your show because you would play my disc and he wouldn't. If you skipped me in the rotation, I might try his show the following week to see if his show was better than yours even if he wouldn't play my disc. If I were disappointed in both shows, I'd drive to the next town and try to find a show to my liking there. I eventually find a show that I enjoy.

BruceFan ...

Man, oh man ... You take your digs in a passive agressive sort of way and them duck from underneath them when confronted. Don't sling it if you can't take it. I call 'em like I see 'em and stand by my words.

To all, sorry for the post meltdown ... I'm unruly today.

Back to Brucey ... Singer/KJ - Two different worlds, dude. When you start doing shows then you can start kissing up to Karen, until then you just keep show hopping. I've skipped a singer or two or some in my day. Hard to keep track of the shear volumes some times. If a singer gets the shaft and approaches me about it, I'll make it right. If they choose to leave, they're better off leaving. I'm fair, but not perfect. I don't play favorites, and have turned down many, many tips. I don't let duet junkies dominate a rotation either. One song, per singer, per rotation. It's about perception. It doesn't matter the context, if Joey Singer sees Betsy Singer up twice/three times before he's up, he's likely going to assume the rotation's out of whack.

My library comes in between 15-20,000 as well. I've got a blowhard up here who boasts 75,000 and swears it's all legit. I might give him credit if he had one rig, but he's got three and uses the same library for each. How does that happen? Must have blown his whole trust fund on karaoke discs.

Karen, that's for the back up. I owe you a show. PM me and let me know what nights and where. I'll make a date to come see you (and I won't bring any custom discs!!) Oh shxt, I crack myself up sometimes.

To each his or her own CroakDog. Sticks and stones....People who can make a point don't have to resort to name calling.

You croak me up Dog!

Birds of a feather croak together. I wish you boys well.

1-Good sound(as in,decent to good equipment run by someone who knows that one setting does not fit all .

2- Fair and reasonably fast rotation/getting up to sing at least 2 to 4 times in an evening.

3-Good song selection or allow singers to bring own songs.

4 -water available for sale at prices that make me not feel bad for only drinking water. I don't drink,and hate wasting money on soft drinks I don't even want just to get a glass of water. I prefer to pay for bottled water .

These 4 things are what I want in a show.

A friendly kj and crowd, nice venue, and friendly staff are also appreciated, but not essential.

What would make me not want to return would be if the rotation is slow or miles long ,you can't tell the singers apart because they are all drowned in reverb/mega-delay,moniters are set in messed-up-mix-mode, or the mics are so hot that stronger singes can't even get near them.

I would never try to or presume to tell a kj something like 'just a touch of delay,please',....the good ones don't need to be told what to do to make us sound our best through their system, and the clueless ones won't listen anyway.

So to get back on topic: as I stated in my very first post: The venue itself-cleanliness, atmosphere and such. Then the KJ, sound and of course doed the KJ allow u to use your own discs.

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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