Karaoke Forums

Birds of a feather......

I would have expected nothing other than for your "girlfriend/wife" to stick up for you since the two of you seem to show the same contempt for people who just happen to be better singers than the average karaoke participant. It seems like only below average singers are welcome at your shows because then you can feel superior to them, due to their lack of singing ability. Since they don't sing very well, you treat them as if they know nothing about how to run sound either and because of that, they have no RIGHT to ask you to change anything about the way you run your sound.

Mcky nailed it right on the head. You two are in it strictly for the money. I can't understand why you have such animosity for the singers that just happen to be more talented than the rest. Only explanation I can come up with it jealousy. It seems to bother you that someone shows up at YOUR SHOW and may get MORE ATTENTION that YOU get for a few moments. There is usually someone at every show that people don't want to sing after because they are more talented than everyone else in the room. THAT"S LIFE!!! Get over it! A good singer shouldn't have to sing poorly just to make some insecure people feel better about themselves. If you can't handle singing after the resident DIVA performs, then don't hand in a slip. Talk about people who take it TOO seriously!!!! The DIVA doesn't think it's a competition so why should anyone else? The DIVA just happens to be better. There will ALWAYS be someone better. I wouldn't care if I was the worst singer in the world. I'd still be willing to sing after the best singer in the world if it was my turn to sing.

The only thing I have animosity for is bad manners. Nothing I have said above indicates anything more. The fact that you're interested in turning what I said into a tirade of crap in which I am suddenly a villain who hates good singers simply says quite a lot about your character, or lack thereof. You are a piece of work. "Lighten up, Francis."

birdofsong

Wow, a flaming thread that I had nothing to do with! !

SHEESH!

Hmmmmmm, Serious singers take themselves too seriously. A KJ's job should be to take all singers seriously, no? How about a serious "eater" who pays good money to go to a nice restaurant? Should the serious "eater" just accept poor service because the server has been doing it for 13 years? If I order my steak medium rare and it comes to the table well done, should I just eat it and not mention it to the waiter or the manager? If I complain, am I just being a food DIVA?

Whether I'm paying for a night of karaoke or I'm paying for a good meal, I have THE RIGHT to be satisfied by the people that are supposed to be providing those services to me and everyone else there. I don't deserve to be called a DIVA because I expect to get what I'm paying for. As far as people not complaining about the way someone may run a show; it's probably not much different than some people that are afraid to complain about their food at a restaurant because you never know what might happen to your food in the kitchen once the chef knows that someone complained about his cooking. If you complain to the KJ about the mix, or lack thereof, God only knows if you'll ever get called up to sing again or what the sound will sound like the next time if you get up to sing.

Just because someone has been doing something for 13 years, doesn't mean they are doing it the right way. There are plenty of auto mechanics that have been ripping off people for a lot longer than 13 years......just like there are plenty of KJ's that still don't know how to run a fair rotation. Just because people are afraid to speak out about a bad rotation, it doesn't mean that it isn't bad. Some people just don't need the aggravation of having their local KJ pissed off at them so they just let it go. I guess they just don't take it "seriously" when they get poor service. They would rather be like sheep who get led around and just do as they're told without ever letting out a bleat. Well, that's too baaaaaaaaaad for them. ;c)

Now YOU'RE insulting my singers. Sheep? Afraid of me? Fantastic. People who are drinking have no problem expressing what they like and don't. Is it that difficult to believe I run a good show? As long as they think I do, that's all that matters. There are a zillion other bars they could go to if they wanted. If it was so bad, I would think they wouldn't opt to keep coming back. If I get bad service at a restaurant, I won't go back. Why would they? Before characterizing me as a bad KJ, why don't you come into my show and actually experience it before you attack my skills on this forum after knowing me for all of about 3 seconds.

birdofsong

Excuse me for reading the words you are defining, and thinking that the definition should somewhat follow those.


By your definition? Should they get a life, too?


But there are far too many of them?


Good for you. I am sure you are a fine host if your show is so well attended. Even if you seem a bit intolerant to me.


You dismiss requests to be turned up by saying you mix well. What am I supposed to think? If you said "I normally accommodate reasonable requests, but some people are over the top" that would be another thing.


I will confess I am not a fan of apologizing in the same paragraph as you attack.

How have I attacked you? I have certainly attacked your opinions, which I think are ridiculous as expressed. I have certainly attacked the disdainful way you speak of people. I have attacked your narrow definition that appears to target one or two individuals that come to your show. Why not just say "I get a few loons from time to time"? I get loons too. I think they are over the top, too. But I am not going to use such a series of words as "serious singer" to describe them, because that would be way too broad a brush.

You make statements like "heard three blocks away" which are obviously ridiculous, so what degree am I supposed to believe this applies to? Is this anyone who asks to be turned up at all?

In all of this I have studiously avoided saying you were a bad person or that your feet stank. I think you are probably a fine person, but that you need to be reminded that bashing others isn't a good thing to do.


I think you appear to have made a biting attack that targets one or two individuals. It is an interesting way to debut, so you should get an interesting welcome.

I am a serious singer some of the time. You wouldn't see me at your show more than once if I was in that mode. I am not willing to wait that long. I want to sing, and I want as much adulation as I can get. In my case, I am looking for people to crane their necks looking to see who is singing. And sometimes even turning and watching my whole performance, dropping what they were doing. I don't pay much attention to applause, because it doesn't mean a lot at a karaoke show, particularly once people get used to you.

I am an "other" in my weekly, everyday life. I go once a week to a show where I don't get to sing too much, simply because I enjoy spending time with my wife and friends there. We are all "serious singers" in some way shape or form, but we enjoy hanging out together along with our non-singing spouses and friends.

I know I am not a great singer. I am not too bad, but I have only a few illusions about what I can achieve having started singing at 51. But I want to do the best I can, and I probably do take myself too seriously at times. I take voice lessons. I got into hosting and doing live sound. I have far too many microphones and mixers. But some of that is a problem, because I can't sing at my own shows. They are too busy.

I also spend way too much time here. Yes, I should get a life. No need to tell me. I am sure my partner would be horrified to find out how much time I spend here that I could be spending making our business even more successful than it already is. (Actually he wouldn't, because we are both fans of doing what we want to do and have worked hard to be successful enough to be able to spend lots of time goofing off. Which is why you might get me showing up at your show some time, as I have done with hosts here from Seattle to New York to Missouri to Florida.)

I am certainly willing to be friendly, but if you want to talk disdainfully of people expect me to respond in kind. There are a lot of people who made fun of scholarly nerds like me in school, and I react pretty strongly when I see that type of behavior in life. Live and let live, I say. If someone wants to dress up in spurs and a ten-gallon hat and sing I Can Still Make Cheyenne badly, I say more power to them. Even if they show-hop in the process and have an over-inflated opinion of themselves. It takes all kinds. I can make a little bit of fun of them, but I am not about to tell them they take themselves too seriously. They are doing what they want to do.

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

while little experience on this particular bboard, bird has been on a few other boards. It's been my pleasure (and occassional curse ) to debate finer points with her. She won't take any crap off anybody!

Welcome J!!!!

mckyj57;

I think that you're being less-than-fair with birdofsong. I firmly believe that you don't understand her "characterization" if you will, of the term "serious singer."

There is a distinct difference here between YOUR definition of "serious singer" and hers (or mine for that matter.)

Your definition of "serious" is somewhat a description of how you approach the whole singing arena: you are serious about PERFORMING WELL. You want to learn "how" to do it properly to make your performance(s) something that others will appreciate and want to hear more of. I wish more that came in did half as much as you do in improving their performances.


But that's fine and exactly NOT what we're talking about when we use the term "serious singer." She's talking about apples and you're getting insulted over the oranges....

Picking apart her post on a line-by-line basis isn't fair on your part or anyone's part. (Bruce is the king of nit-picking.) And when she posted an apology for inadvertantly offending (obviously) you, you retailiated with additional verbal abuse.

Here's what I find "seriously" wrong with your answers:


When did religion get tossed into the picture??? Who's offering to share anything? This is simply a line that is inflammatory and that's all it is designed to do.



The word "despise" was first posted by YOU, not her. She was simply correcting your statement that you thought she despises people. You act like she was talking about you and that you're some kind of victim here. You put yourself there, she didn't.



Her comment was clear that there are singers; "who take themselves so seriously that they destroy what I consider the core purpose of Karaoke, which is to have fun." Do you consider going to a karaoke show as "fun?" If you're thinking that it can be anything OTHER than "yes" or that it's something that you have to practice for in order to be the adoration of a club full of drinkers, then you are taking yourself too seriously. Karaoke is for fun if you're a patron, period. It's a different matter if you're the KJ... then it's business.



This is where you're magnifying the few to include yourself. She wasn't talking about a singer having TROUBLE hearing themselves.... Once again, you're misundertanding the difference between; (1) a "Serious Singer" and someone who takes (2) "Singing Seriously".

You want to hear yourself, we get it. Problem is, there are so many others that want to hear a disproportionate mix and have their voice just as LOUD at the back of the room. They love to bark orders: "Turn up my mic," "Turn up the mids, and more bass". Any KJ that's BEEN a KJ for more than a couple years will answer with; "You sing the song, I'll worry about the sound." If you fall into the trap of "accomodating" every request the singer has... then you're patently admitting that the singer knows more about your "job" and mixing board[/u][/i] than you do. And we're not talking about simple "I can't hear myself" requests that might be true.... fact of the matter is, most of the time it isn't. Ask Lonnie.



Well, you DON'T "get you right" and therefore the rest of that paragraph is simply abusive. Once again; it's great that you want to improve your performance, the point is that [i]if you go to a karaoke club with the intention that you are going to impress people with your singing, you are NOT there to have fun.[u] And therefore, you are "serious" for the wrong reason because you are there to "perform" and not have fun... Believe me, listening to the Phantom of the Opera or Josh Groban songs in a Sports Bar isn't my idea of a "good time" no matter HOW WELL it's performed.



I'll TAKE THAT BET! and you'll lose in a week. The shows I have with the LEAST amount of "serious singer" by your definition are the ones that do the best, are the most fun and make the most money. Give me "casual singers" all day long. Do they have the most "quality singers?" Nope, but they certainly do what karaoke is intended to do: a fun party atmosphere.

--------SO IN CONCLUSION: -------------
It's easy to pick apart someone's post line-by-line if you feel you must.
It isn't friendly and you obviously have a different definition of "serious singer." Clarify it before you go on the offensive.

My bad. It was simply what those words meant to me when discussed in a setting of a Karaoke show.




Do you like everyone that walks into your show? Everyone? As I said, I think the people I was speaking of behave badly. I don't have to like that. Intolerant. No. I treat everyone like they are a star when they come into my show. Whether I like them or not. And I do like most of the patrons. That, I'm sure, didn't come across properly in this post, which was discussing what I considered to be a narrow scope.



Who said I dismiss requests to be turned up? I never said that. But I'm not going to make other people's ears bleed, either in order to accommodate a singer. Again, the people I was characterizing (the one or two) are loud enough already. Those types are requests do not happen often. I get more requests to turn up music than vocals. And I honor them as best I can without making it uncomfortable for the other patrons.



Again, we're talking semantics. The difference in a definition. You say that I speak disdainly of "people," but acknowledge that I'm only talking about one or two. But your post above made assumptions about far more than what I actually said. That was the problem I had. Not your disagreement with my opinions. Simply that you took a giant leap from what I said to make assumptions about me that weren't even remotely expressed in what I said (and by the way, bear no resemblance to the actual truth).

I also don't sing much at my shows. I'm not there to sing. I'm there to facilitate. It's not my time to perform, it's theres. I'll sing the first song to set the levels (in which I'm usually quieter than I set everyone else), and then I spend the rest of the time trying to make everyone sound the best they can.

It would actually be nice to be the patron and spend time going to someone else's show. And you would certainly be welcome at mine (I might even turn you up if you ask - nicely. .


birdofsong

Thanks, Knightshow (and sorry )

birdofsong

"Well, you DON'T "get you right" and therefore the rest of that paragraph is simply abusive. Once again; it's great that you want to improve your performance, the point is that [i]if you go to a karaoke club with the intention that you are going to impress people with your singing, you are NOT there to have fun.[u] And therefore, you are "serious" for the wrong reason because you are there to "perform" and not have fun... Believe me, listening to the Phantom of the Opera or Josh Groban songs in a Sports Bar isn't my idea of a "good time" no matter HOW WELL it's performed."

And you wonder why I think that you have a disdain for "quality singers"???? Why can't someone be good enough to impress and still have fun while at karaoke??? When did performing become a bad thing??? I love it when people perform well at karaoke. Why does it bother you so, Chip? Is chip a nickname that you got because you always seem to have a chip on your shoulder? You as a KJ are not at the bar to have a good time. You are there to provide a service to the guy who loves to sing Josh Groban songs because his wife likes it when he does. It is not for you to decide how seriously someone ELSE should take their singing hobby and it not for you to decide what style of music people should be singing in a sports bar.

"I'll TAKE THAT BET! and you'll lose in a week. The shows I have with the LEAST amount of "serious singer" by your definition are the ones that do the best, are the most fun and make the most money. Give me "casual singers" all day long. Do they have the most "quality singers?" Nope, but they certainly do what karaoke is intended to do: a fun party atmosphere."

Give me "casual singers" all day long

Give me "casual singers" all day long

Give me "casual singers" all day long

Give me "casual singers" all day long

Could it be any more obvious how much you prefer the "casual singer" over the "Serious singer"???? You seem to think that "serious singers" aren't having fun when they are singing. I've been to shows where almost every singer there was what you would consider a "serious singer" and they all seem to be having a great time and they are more than gracious when a "casual singer" takes their turn on the mic. The "serious singer" understands how much courage it takes to get up in front of a room full of people and bear your soul by singing a song; especially when you don't possess the skills of a "serious singer". To suggest to me that a "casual singer" has more fun than a "serious singer" is utter nonsense. It just reinforces my belief that you and your wife look at "serious singers" as non-desirables at your shows because you think that they are ruining the fun of the "casual singers" somehow. You seem to think that karaoke should only be for people who can't sing well because they are just having fun and aren't trying to be GOOD at it. I guess people who bowl well don't have any fun when they're bowling because they take it seriously???

As far as the religion thing goes....It's called an analogy, Chip....or should I stoop to your wife's level and call you Sally???? You think that your philosophy about karaoke is the only TRUE way. Anyone else's WAY is something that you two won't even consider. You're just another couple of KJ's who believe that it's your way or the highway. Instead of being religious zealots, you're karaoke zealots who deem everyone else who does things differently than you do them as karaoke infidels. People who take thier singing seriously are considered less desirable than your "casual singers". "Serious singers/DIVAS" are just too much trouble for you to deal with. You can keep on denying it but it's as plain as the chip on your shoulder.

I perfectly understand it. I also understand that both you and her feel it is absolutely warranted to attack this type of person, and not only that, you will attack anyone wo defends them against this attack. You somehow even seem to think that it is right and proper to make such an attack.


No, there isn't. It is completely clear she is trying to attack one person, and is trying to cloak it as an attack on a class of people.


Again no. I am saying that she is making a sham definition trying to target one person.


Sorry you can't see the distinction I was trying to make. That she feels that she should be able to make this characterization but that anyone disputing it should keep their mouth shut. Like someone trying to prosylytize yet getting upset when someone returns the favor. It's called an analogy -- look it up.


She was attacking and speaking disdainfully of someone. You don't think it is valid to defend them? What if I resemble her remarks in some way? Am I supposed to tick off each one and say "well, I don't match every characteristic precisely in all detail. I should just ignore it."


Destroy? For who? And fun is the "core purpose of karaoke"? Who are you to say that? Seems to me there are quite a few people doing a lot of different things related to karaoke, including producing nationwide #1 rated shows.


And you think that your taking things seriously is valid, and others is not? Are you the arbiter and judge of all, declaring absolutely who should take what seriously?

And how are you defining fun? Should everyone have *your* type of fun or enjoyment?


There is no difference. A serious singer is someone who takes singing seriously. You apparently think there is some degree to which they should be allowed to do so. If they pass the Chip and BoS level, then they are taking themselves too seriously. And as such, they should be the target of disdain and attacks.


Do you? Do you provide a monitor speaker? If not, do you have your vocals always clearly and *unmistakeably* on top of the mix in the area where the singer is? With sound at a level that overcomes the noise of conversation and even people singing along? And are you always 100% on top of that at all times, never abandoning your console for a bathroom break or smoke? That's what you need if you are completely disdainful of people asking for things.


I can see you also have an attitude that you know best, and that any requests even from people who might know one or two things are completely invalidated by your belief that you know what you are doing.

I go to a lot of shows with tenor or female hosts. It isn't much fun for a deep baritone. Hosts tend to mix for their voice. There are songs that need the bass turned up in the vocal channel. Do you pooh-pooh requests like that?


Sez who?

You are constantly telling people what they should and shouldn't want to do. I know a couple of famous vocalists who do concerts for thousands of people being paid tens of thousands of dollars. One doesn't need the money in the slightest. He does it because he likes to play out and likes the applause. Are you telling me that their desire is invalid? And you are saying that anyone else wanting a small part of that has an invalid desire?


And we all know that if Chip and BirdofSong doesn't think it is a good time, no one should think it is a good time.


I rest my case. A karaoke gig can't die in a week. It can die in a few months of singers disappearing, though.


Then I bet they are venue driven.


Not well. All you have done is tell people that what they feel and want is not valid. That is BS.


I was not the first to go on the offensive. You and BOS are the attackers here. You are the ones telling people precisely what they should want to do and feel, and that if they don't they are "taking themselves too seriously" and "not having fun". You are also saying what you do is serious business worth respect and what they are doing is not.

Yes, I would say that isn't friendly.

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

CHIP & JULIE seem to think that "serious singers" don't have any fun with their singing because they take it TOO SERIOUSLY.

I confess to being one of those people who take their singing seriously. On that note, I invite anyone to check out the Singers Showcase where I posted the song "LOVING YOU" by Minnie Ripperton. There was nothing BUT FUN in my decision to record that song and put it up for all the world to get a laugh about. I've even written a few song parodies along the way and there is nothing but fun in that persuit as well.

People can be both serious and funny, sometimes simultaneously. The world is not all black and white as some people would have you believe.

I am not mad, and I'm not hurt. I am having a little bit of fun, strange as it may seem to you. I am also defending strongly the attitudes some take toward people who don't do things precisely in the way they think is proper.

It is clear you are trying to be conciliatory, so I will be too. But I ask you to please not try and use a thing like "serious singer" to attack someone. If you want to say "Over-the-top idiots", fine. Start a thread about that. But don't tell people they are taking themselves too seriously. Tell them they are acting like jerks. I may even share the same opinion about certain jerks.

If you tell me where your show is, I will try and show up there some time. After I have sung and hung around for a while, I will introduce myself as "A Serious Singer".

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

BruceFan4Life whined some more:


Look Boy Wonder;

STOP putting words in my mouth then turning around and being an a$$ about it.

(1) DID I SAY THAT someone can't "be good enough and still have fun while at karaoke?" NO I DID NOT.... but YOU want to make it seem that way.

(2) DID I SAY THAT "performing was a bad thing?" NO, I DID NOT... but YOU want to make it seem that way.

(3) DID I SAY THAT it "bothers me" when someone performs well? NO I DID NOT... but YOU want to make it seem that way.

If you can't seem to substantiate something, you simply make it up and then twist it around to make it sound like I said it somewhere.... But then again, YOU are the VICTIM here aren't you Bruce?

You wanna walk in a sports bar and sing the Phantom to your wife or girlfriend or office workers to make them gush with jealously because that's fun for you?
Go right ahead... Don't expect accolades from the rest of the patrons... unless of course your idea of "sports bar" is a shuffleboard club.



Guess again boy genius. If I'm stuck in "ballad hell" because a bunch of "quality singers" (such as yourself) want to belt out every sad, love-lost, divorce-ridden, operatic death-dirge on the planet, you can BET I'm gonna do something about it.

You are under the MISCONCEPTION and sadly mistaken if you think that I'm there simply to please YOU... what YOU want, when YOU want it, how loud YOU want to hear it, which song YOU want in the order YOU want them....

It ain't about YOU.... (mr. ego) I'm there to keep EVERYONE IN THE CLUB happy, not JUST YOU. You grant yourself some self-importance because a KJ hands you a microphone then you're simply another big-headed, halfway decent singer that thinks everyone MUST enjoy what YOU enjoy... because after all, it's all about YOU.

If there are 100 people in the club and you're singing, I'm concerned about the OTHER NINETY-NINE.... because I KNOW you're happy... you're singing... whether it's good or bad for the rest of us. And if you don't like it and get a bug up your rear end for some reason and leave, guess what? I still have 99 others.... (Have a nice day.... elsewhere.)

My "job" is one that requires I am concerned for EVERYONE in the room, not just YOU... sorry....



Frankly, I really don't care how seriously you take your self-admitted "HOBBY." This business ISN'T my "hobby." I've been in it for 15 years and the entire concept of karaoke in a club is for EVERYONE to have fun.. not JUST YOU. (it's always about you isn't it?) It doesn't (and shouldn't) matter to me whether you spend 8 hours a day "at home learning a song" or just pick one because it's there, the "quality singers" don't get up to sing more often than the novices.... not even YOU.

This reminds me of the threads where the long-time karaoke hosts, ones doing it for 10-15 years, decry the current state of karaoke. They say that it has gone to hell, that it is on the decline. It isn't like it used to be.

In fact, there are more karaoke shows than ever. Of all kinds, in all places. Part of it has to do with the wide use of illegal libraries. But none of it would be possible without a large number of singers.

Some of the older hosts miss the days when people were constantly getting introduced to "Sweet Caroline" and "Friends In Low Places". They were happy with a small library and thrilled to find a song they could sing. Sound? If you could hear it, it was sound. They were willing to wait all night to sing. There wasn't much competition, because the cost of the music and equipment made it a pretty exclusive club.

Nowadays, it is not that common to find someone who has never heard of or seen karaoke. Young people are comfortable with it and have grown up with it. Most kids who are in choir in school have done karaoke on some level. As the years go by, there are fewer and fewer people who are karaoke newbies.

It is a whole new world, and as such there is no longer one type of karaoke show. You can go to different cities and find all types. Some have outstanding equipment. And that makes a lot of the old-line hosts a bit uncomfortable, as well as understandably making them feel a bit threatened. Singers know more than they used to, and will complain if they can't hear. They are discriminating about sound. A "karaoke mixing amplifier" and a pair of DJ speakers doesn't make for a top-of-the-line show any more. It isn't even up to snuff.

Casual singers will go anywhere -- serious singers tend to want better sound. It is natural that the hosts here would come in contact with and probably conflict with "the serious singers". We probably have better than average sound, which is what the serious singer wants. If you go to a show with crap Nady mics and junk speakers, you don't say much, because there is no point. But if you find someone with halfway-decent sound, you think it has possibilities and get frustrated when it isn't as good as it can be. I have many examples of this, but have mostly given up trying to do more than just BS the host a bit after I sing. I am hoping to pass on some knowledge that might benefit the next singer, not command better sound for myself.

If someone puts one or both of their speakers on the floor, I can ask why they do that and I can explain that I had trouble hearing myself. Most of the hosts who do it sheepishly admit it is because they don't want to have to deal with stands. Maybe the fact that someone calls them on it will make them think twice about getting away with it.

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

Did you or did you not type out..."Give me "casual singers" all day long" ????

You don't have to type out the exact words for people to figure out how you feel about singers that aren't what you determine to be "casual singers". By saying "Give me "casual singers" all day long"; you are, in effect, saying I would rather not have the "serious singers" at my show because then you wouldn't have "casual singers all day long", which is what you would prefer. You don't even understand wht you type.

Funny how you consider me a Boy Wonder, a golden throat, a boy genius and a singer that wows the audience and you are giving me such a hard time about having a different opinion than you do. That's what I've been saying all along. You have a real contempt for people that YOU consider to be Boy Wonders, Golden Throats, and or DIVAS. I have never claimed to be any of these things but you have tried to label me as such... not to mention a few choice other names. That seems to be your fall back position all of the time, as well as your other half's position. At least you haven't called me doody head yet. That one always makes me cry. Do you really think that calling people names strengthens your argument?

HERE'S ANOTHER CHIPPY QUOTE:

"Guess again boy genius. If I'm stuck in "ballad hell" because a bunch of "quality singers" (such as yourself) want to belt out every sad, love-lost, divorce-ridden, operatic death-dirge on the planet, you can BET I'm gonna do something about it.

You are under the MISCONCEPTION and sadly mistaken if you think that I'm there simply to please YOU... what YOU want, when YOU want it, how loud YOU want to hear it, which song YOU want in the order YOU want them....

It ain't about YOU.... (mr. ego) I'm there to keep EVERYONE IN THE CLUB happy, not JUST YOU. You grant yourself some self-importance because a KJ hands you a microphone then you're simply another big-headed, halfway decent singer that thinks everyone MUST enjoy what YOU enjoy... because after all, it's all about YOU."

So ballad hell is a reason to blow off the rotation???? So much for the consideration of the people that keep you employed, right??? Just more disdain for your singers being evident, Chippy. If I wait for my turn to sing my song for 4 or 5 minutes, YES!!!! Those 4 or 5 minutes are about me and the song that I chose to sing. If I can sit through a rotation of over an hour listening to other people sing songs that I may or may not like, then I have the right to sing whatever song I want to sing when it is finally my turn. You are there to please me and EVERY OTHER singer when it is their turn to sing. Whether you like it or not, THAT IS YOUR JOB. it is about us, not you. The singers at your show are not there to sing songs that you want to hear. They are there because they want to sing a song that THEY LIKE TO SING. For their 5 minutes of stardom, it is about them and it's not about YOU AT ALL. You take it upon yourself to deny or delay your singers their time in the spotlight because you personally don't like the song they chose and you call THEM DIVAS. Maybe you should print up a song book with only the songs that you like to hear???

SIGNED, MR. Ego

Last night I sang "CHEAPER TO KEEP HER" & "TEN WITH A TWO". NOT EXACTLY YOUR love-lost, divorce-ridden, operatic death-dirge on the planet. Just another example of this "serious singer" singing some fun songs while out at karaoke. I guess I should be embarrassed to say that the crowd seemed to enjoy them....or maybe they were just laughing and applauding because they were so grateful that it was over???

mckyj57:



The only person that feels "attacked" here is you. And sorry, it ain't about YOU...

Sorry pal, it's only "completely clear".... once again.... to YOU.... interesting that there has been no other comments on this thread from anyone else..... defending YOU... if you're so "right" in your defense of the planet.

I said:



You answered. So, what you're saying is you are NOT "serious about PERFORMING WELL?"

And who is this "person" would she be targeting and what would the purpose be? Because it certainly sounds like you're twisting every drop you can out of a few statements to serve your purpose as a fuel for a rant. Did this person somehow need your "protection" to be their spokesperson? Are they mute with no fingers?



Don't think so... looks more like you're just throwing as much inflammatory crap as you can against the wall and see what sticks....

I said:



I'm sure if she was specifically pointing to you, you'd have the balls to say something about it directly... but you didn't. So, once again, do they "need your protection?" Did they ask you to defend them? Nope. Because there is NO single person... you've decided it is and that the mystical, invisible mute with no fingers has been so emotionally damaged that they can't defend themselves?

You are simply bitching for the sake of bitching and cloaking it under some "superhero to the rescue" cape of some sort.

I said:



Yes. The core purpose of karaoke is "FUN." Was there some other core purpose? Does it work better than viagra? Will it make someone prettier? Does it get out even impossible stains?

If "producing nationwide #1 rated shows" means "American Idol"... then obviously you haven't watched the show very much. If you did then you'd realize how often they SPEAK DISDAINFULLY ABOUT KARAOKE.... How, if you sound like a "karaoke singer" it works against you.... So don't go trying to tag some measure of success of "karaoke" to some television show or vice versa. You're barking down the wrong tunnel.

here we go again, I said:




There is a difference. A "serious singer" most probably would NEVER be in a karaoke club... they'd be out either learning their craft and getting gigs to pay them for being serious about it.... You wanna talk "Serious Hobby" instead? That's a horse of a different color... (an analogy... look it up)

And of course:





How did you know? Been talking to Bruce? If you give every karaoke singer what they want, whenever they feel they WANT it (and don't necessarily need), then you're fully admitting that you have no concept of sound engineering and all you want to do is keep the singer happy and the hell with the rest of the house. Taht a drunk singer knows more about sound than you do.... amazing.

Sorry. My job is to keep the ENTIRE club happy, not just a single singer for about 4 minutes at the expense of everyone else.

I've been in this business for 15 YEARS mickyj57, I have 7 systems, TENS OF THOUSANDS of dollars tied up in discs, delivery trucks, insurance and I'm not a newcomer... relatively speaking, you ARE a newcomer and it's difficult in all the excitement for you to see beyond your own nose. (Especially when it is where the sun doesn't shine.)

You are under the misconception that the karaoke business and "American Idol" is about "singing." It's not and couldn't be further from the truth.



As a matter of fact, yes, I do have an attitude that when it comes to my equipment and the sound it produces, I DO know best. I'm not an amatuer or hobbyist. I don't have those requests because I mix the sound for each singer, not for me. I'm not one of the singers for the most part, it isn't my job to sing remember? I wouldn't dream of walking into Lonnie's gig and start telling him how to mix sound... he'll simply do what I do.... pretend to twist a few knobs until you say; "Thanks! that's MUCH better" when in fact, he did nothing.

And later I said:




Sez Me.... Wanna substantiate your claim where I "constantly tell people what they should and shouldn't want to do?"

I'm sure your (unnamed) "couple of FAMOUS vocalists" never turn down the checks either..... (next, you'll say something like; "they donate to charity") and how often do these "serious singers" pop into a karaoke club? (more BS....)



Are you the one feeling attacked? If so, then absolutely... you are taking yourself WAY too seriously... have a drink... sing a happy song badly and fun with your friends.... I'll worry about the sound...

Okay Bruce, If you insist... but this is the last one:


I would prefer an NFL stadium FILLED TO CAPACITY with "casual singers" over 3 of your "serious singers" any day... Because the casual singers would be "whoopin' it up" with the really bad singing and beer drinking.... the 3 "serious singers" would all be bitching about the sound and rotation while they sipped on the 2 pops and 1 water between them.



Okay Doody Head, if you insist.... But Bruce you ARE a diva... just look in the mirror already! You have no problem telling the world that you're at home "trying to learn some new song" before you debut them on your waiting throngs right? Wasn't that you that posted that you were doing that???? Why would you want to ruin the surprise and not just spring it on your crowds and dazzle them to death? Get a pin and pop your snobby little head..... quickly.



(1) You Bet.
(2) Depends on who you consider the "people that keep you employed" are.
If you're a "serious singer," you'll say it's "the singers like me of course."
If you're a KJ, you'll most probably say it's "it's the club" or the "patrons that come in to have fun and spend money."



I, I, I, I, I... it's still all about YOU isn't it?
Do you realize that you used the word "I" SIX TIMES in one sentence?

Let me correct you: You have the right (and legal duty) to pay your tab and leave. Those are your "rights." You have the "right" to take your business elsewhere and not be singled out (because you're so good) by the KJ and mistreated by having your mic turned down. I don't believe that ANY of the karoake venues you frequent has a "karaoke bill of rights."



This is where you're wrong... I'm NOT there to PLEASE ONLY YOU... I'm there to please EVERYONE and NOT individually. If I'm in ballad hell, I'll ask you to change your song to an upbeat one. Of course you don't have to change your song 'cause that's the one you've been practicing in your living room..... but then again, don't be surprised if I delay your song. I won't subject the other 99 persons in the house to 10 ballads in a row no matter how well you perform it.

God, I WISH I COULD! (most of your songs probably wouldn't be in there though) It would be heaven wouldn't it? No more "crazy", "love shack", "can't help fallin' in love", "boheimian rhapsody", "cheaper to keep her", "ten with a two", etc....



Oops.

There you go, telling everybody what they should think. I will top replying to those.


And now we wheel out the disdain about "you aren't a real pro". I happen to know that real pros don't often say that type of thing. Hmm....


How did I know what? I never read his posts. I just know that most singers don't ask to be turned up unless they can't hear themselves.

Are you saying you don't provide a monitor? That you expect people to hear themselves in the mains and yet won't take pains to make sure they are well over the top of the mix?

If that is the case and singers are complaining that they can't hear, they have a valid complaint and you are likely doing an awful job at sound. If you don't have a monitor, you make the mains and mix so that the singer can hear.

Do you do other no-nos like putting non-sub speakers on the floor with the horn pointed at people's knees? I am sure not -- only the rankest kind of amateur does stuff like that.


Don't *necessarily* need? Are you saying that all your singers are drunks and that it doesn't matter they can't hear themself?


Drunk? Your "serious singers" drink? You obviously disdain every type of singer. Either they're just drunks, or they are taking things too seriously. Or they want to hear themselves and don't have your extremely advanced concept of sound engineering which expects them to hear themselves in the mains no matter the mix?


What expense? Explain to me what they are going through?


Some people have 15 years of experience, some have one year of experience 15 times over.


Certainly not for the type of "pro" that disdains monitor speakers and expects singers to hear themselves in the mains.

A lot of AI singers got themselves started in karaoke. And quite a few have gone on to the serious music business. I will leave it to everyone else to decide whether that connects or not.


Can you tell me which of these songs wants the bass turned up?

A. Folsom Prison Blues
B. You'll Never Find

A. Kiss An Angel Good Morning
B. Your Man

A. Set 'em Up Joe
B. Your Man

Someone who knows what they are doing will get it right every time.

And later I said:



You have substantiated it yourself all over your posts.


I'm not a name dropper. If you don't know that musicians like to play, then you aren't a pro. Period.


You'll worry everyone else with your sound, it seems. And you'll continue telling people they take YOUR serious business too seriously.

I'm done. I believe you have shown your true colors, and will let everyone else decide from here.

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