Here's a few rules I've set for myself for running my shows:
1. Don't drink - Now you could change this to don't drink a lot. Drunk hosts are bad hosts, they may make mistakes, be jerks or whatever. Except in rare circumstances I have a not a drop rule for myself when I'm working. Occasionally if someone buys me one or if there's a special event I might have a drink but that's it.
2. Don't show Bias in your Rotation - I say No Bias rather than Favoritism because I've seen rotations go both ways. I've seen singers given preference, however I've also seen KJ's who wanted to limit certain customers from singing. Treat EVERYONE the same no matter who they are.
3. Don't take tips - I know this is a controversial one, but personally I don't accept tips. It just makes it too easy for folks to get the impression that I can be influenced or bought. Occasionally, I'll get the person who insists I take their money (a bizarre situation to begin with) and in those cases I give the money to the bar tenders as a tip for them.
4. Don't lose your cool - Remember going in that you're likely going to be dealing with drunk people and get your mind ready for that. The only difference between drunks and children is that children understand logic and reason
Seriously though, if you start yelling at people or getting upset, it makes you look unprofessional.
5. Don't forget who the show is about - Remember the show is about your guests, no you. People do not come to see you sing, they come to sing. Now sure some will likely request that you sing certain songs and you should be accomodating whenever possible. But if you're busy with a long rotation, you shouldn't be singing. Even if it was requested, it just looks bad to the others who are waiting patiently for their turn to come around again.
Interesting points! I see things are changing for the better as far as Wisconsin karaoke goes. I've known KJs who are drinking shots through out the night and it's funny and sad at the same time. Of course I know one KJ who does not drink and is a recovering alcoholic and still maintains his sobriety in the bar setting. It also has been a given that KJs here sing and are in the rotation. I see that is changing as well. When I filled in for a KJ friend, I never sang, but that was because I was too busy paying attention to the equipment and rotation to insert myself. I've been going to karaoke since 1984 and I've seen it all from eight tracks and printed lyric sheets to casettes to those huge Pioneer discs to CDGs and PC based rigs. How far we've come. I still like the "two song per turn" which is still common here.
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