Karaoke Forums

Ive been having problems with a handfull of individuals getting mad when the show is over beacuse they still want to sing. In the past I just told them that my job is over at 1am (the bar closes at 2). I am being paid till 1am. Wouldnt you know they dont care and get mad. I usually have an hour of tear down as my rig is quite extensive. Last week I told them that I would keep the show going till close for 5 bucks a song.. no one complained and the 5 dollar bills flowed in like water. Not to mention they all stayed and helped load my equiptment up. Has anyone else dealt with this situation in a different manner?

px

PX
More power to ya, if it pays the bills.. And the bar don't mind.

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Brian D.
(BHB)

There's an old show business adage that says that you should always leave them wanting more!

I doubt there is a karaoke operator around who DOESN'T deal with the "one more song" problem. Your first mistake was charging only $5.

I always end my shows a half hour before closing time so I can get torn down and out the door within 15 minutes of closing. That way the venue doesn't have to pay extra to keep someone there overtime to watch me load up. Occasionally, I will play up to closing time for the "one more song" bunch, but it costs them $20 in the bartender's tip jar. I do this for a couple reasons.

A-The bartender wants to go home too, and this makes them a little more willing to put up with staying late. Plus, by having them give the bartender the money instead of you, you don't look like a selfish (@$%&#!) about it. Often times though, nice bartenders appreciate the gesture and will share the wealth.

B-By charging $20, the casual "one more song" people will say screw it and leave you alone. You REALLY gotta want to sing one more to cough up $20 for a song.

C-If you just don't want to stay, tell them you're sorry and say that they are just going to have to come back earlier next time!

However, by having done this for $5 per song, the crowd will expect you to do this every time for them. Your options are either to keep doing it, or grow some stones and put your foot down!

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Spreading the karaoke gospel

I've been thinking about this PX, and another thing I do to let people know the show is over is I always close with the same song, "Goodnight Sweetheart" This music also works out nicely in that there are two places where the music changes and I use that time to thank everyone for coming, remind them to check out my website, tip the waitstaff, drive carefully, etc. I've been doing it for years, and it's gotten to the point that most of the time the crowd sings along! It's like putting a period at the end of a sentence.

If I still get some hardcore whining about one more song at this point, I check with the bartenders, and this is where the $20 songs begin!

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Spreading the karaoke gospel

My advice is to monitor the slips coming in and make no promises to the late-comers. Others already there with multiple slips that won't get in might be asked what they want to do for their last one, since they may not get back up after that. If the bar stays open past your end time, discuss with the staff what you plan to do. I will often go over a little, assuming it's okay with them. What you don't want is people running to the bartender or others and "getting permission" and pre-empting your plans for ending the show. I think this issue gets much easier to deal with through experience - working the rotation and dealing with people (drunk or otherwise enthusiastic).

At one of my shows, I go until the bar closes (2 a.m.) - the lights come up, the manager takes the drawer and security "encourges" everyone out, though they may let a few regulars take a little more time. In any case, the music is definitely off and I'm outta there (house system). They have an attached nightclub which goes until 4 a.m., so people just get herded down the hallway if necessary. But I will often use the same technique during the last hour or so - no promises, and make sure everyone knows it's winding down.

Have never accepted money from a customer to extend anywhere, but if it works for your venue and doesn't hurt your reputation, that's your call.

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Sounds Great! Entertainment
Bartlett, Illinois

Its close enough to post in this thread - so here it is. As you're comming up on the end of the evening, what do you do when a new singer comes in during the last 30-45 minutes and you've already announced you've got more than enough slips to take you through the end of the show?

I tell the new singer we've already closed off taking new slips as we already have a list long enough to more than take us through the end of the show. Then let them know we'd be glad to take their slips at any future show, giving them the schedule and recommending they show up earlier in the evening. Just happens that recently a small group came in about 40 minuts prior to end of show, after having spend all night at another club, and wanted to sing. After making a big deal about the other club they'd been spending their money at all night, they now want to come in and get preferential treatment, when our regulars had been supporting our show all night. I just think its low class (or no class) to come into a club, clearly well under the influence, and make a big deal about promoting another establishment, then (@$%&#!) and cause a scene about not getting preferential treatment, when you haven't been supporting this establishment at all.

This is a great question. Since my wife accompanies me to 99% of my shows, with about 45 minutes left, I call last call for slips. Then, with about 30 minutes left, I have her collect the books so people can't write up anything new. I tend to go till 15mins b4 the bar closes.

Also, I try to always let people do 2 songs per round. At the end of the night, if I have alot of slips, I will cut it back to 1 song, and try to mix any remaining new singers in by using a new, old, new, old rotation. I usually don't get too much bitchin bout this.

And also we end with either Goodnight Sweetheart or Closing Time....

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Let's Kick the Tires and Light the Fires!

OR Happy Trails to you.......

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

In Maryland, everyone must be out the door by 2am, except for Saturday night, when you must stop serving by 2 and everyone out the door by 2:30. Obviously other states are different, but keep the bar owner or manager in mind when continuing to play past a given time.

As for the end of the show, I've made a CD of sound clips(about 3 minutes worth) of good nights and good byes. Do a search for audio clips using good night or good bye, save them and paste together. It ends with Porky Pig and the Loony Toons fanfare.

Ron has it right I have seen this one before.. The regs deserve the best treatment.. 1 hour before closing even if the rotation is stacked.. nobody should get shuffled.. not even for a tip.

Yeah BABY!

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Brian D.
(BHB)

I have been guilty on more than one occassion of bribin' the KJ.....but after many years of singing I've learned it's not the quanity of songs you sing....it's the quality of your preformance that matters....so if I sing only three songs in a night cause the rotation is heavy.....who cares!... as long as I wow 'em when I do sing....

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

As I pondered the question....what to do when the show is over.....I remembered!.......grab a friend and go home and sing some more...

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

Kkid,
That's the best response I've heard yet!

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Brian D.
(BHB)

Naw, I was gonna say something bout that grabbing a friend, but thought better of it. Good idea

Ron, that same thought crossed my mind too when this thread came up. Ya know me, I'm a pro too... can't do it!

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Brian D.
(BHB)

my first response was ... go home!

Matt,
That too!

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Brian D.
(BHB)

Go home's ok, but then you have to ask...."With Who?"

OK i stop taking new slips 30 to 45 to 60 minutes before stopping,depending on rotation...... I will let the singers know before i start that last rotation that "this will be the last rotation, i will try to get everybody in, but this requires your help, when you are called get up here ASAP"....."singer 1 is up, singer 2 on deck, singer 3 in the hole, be ready, no instant restarts"

When the last singer is done i do God Bless the USA, and then the national anthem then i have a "drop" i play ".... it's closing time, If you're not sleeping here, it's time to go home; if you're not working here, it's time to go home; If you're not sleeping with somebody working here, it's time to go home, so drink them up"

Sometimes will do Good Night sweetheart

Mind you we usually play until a little after last call

after done with the mic, i zero everything out, give the amp a minute to cool, then i shut it off and start tearing down, or securing the gear (covers, boxing the expensive stuff)

This is one of the hardest things for some show hosts to face when & how to end.

I have used many different methods to close shows at various venues and times.

If I have more people than time to get through a round I will draw names for the allotted time left as each song takes about 4 minutes with change out of singers.

I may close my taking of singers if I have enough to finish out my evening. I know fairly well when I need to do this. I am usually full an hour to an hour and a half before show end time. I may go over but I finish the round for those who stay and sing with me as my wait is normally an hour and a half or more at 4 minutes per song/singer. People who I cultivate and wait are the ones who sing that last round if I get one.

At one venue I try to finish out the evening with a couple of dance songs while I shut down. This is a college crowd so they are ready.

Grow a thick KJ skin and say no. I have many a night where they beg and say "awwwww, it only 4 minutes!" Well, with 20 eyes all looking wanting the same, the answer is NO. I have had some ugly patrons. There are nights when folks are out with their horns on and their pitch forks in hand! It goes with the territory. I do remind them I am on my own time at show's end if they come up to beg.

A couple of years ago I have taken pay to play at one venue and I made some good money but I rarely do this. I charged $20 a song so I could go home, but I have several who wanted to keep singing. It was a venue where I did not have a permanently set up rig. They were still buying at the bar so the bar said go for it.


Modify the close to fit the time and venue. Try to be consistent when using a method at a club. Don't be afraid to say NO. The KJ is in the PILOT's SEAT - WE ARE IN CONTROL!