Karaoke Forums

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Gator

One added advantage to this is you can make a note if you dont have it. If it's a current release I will check on it. Some singers dont like using books when they finf other ways.

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Gator

Personally, I would love to get rid of the heavy things. But, I find that the books are needed just for the purpose of giving the singers ideas. Most people sit there and draw a "blank" when they don't have a book to look at in front of them. It's just a way for them to look and find something that really doesn't come to mind right away. But you are right, the people who sing regularly probably don't use them as much as the newbies, or the people who go to the bars/clubs on an infrequent basis.

Just my 2 cents worth.

I agree with everything you stated and that is my 2 cents worth.

3 more that agree and we will have a dime

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Music speaks to the heart in ways words cannot express.

Books are a necessary evil for us to have new singers. Drunk, looking at the book and finding their favorite song is how we get them.

I totally agree with mrscott. There are many people who peruse the book and find those "I can't believe you have this" songs. It's especially good for those who sing alot, and are always looking for something new to sing, but don't really know what they're looking for until they see it.

Right next to where I have my books stacked is a big sign that says "If you know what you want to sing you don't have to look it up. Just write your name and the song on a Post-It." But on a busy night I'll run out of books anyway.

They get used. A lot. So I'll keep providing them.

I sometimes get comments from people new to the show who tell me that they are glad I still have books. I don't tell them why a couple of shows around here don't.

I think books let everyone else in on the deal--as already stated, people who aren't singers--yet--sometimes like to start off with a bit of wishful thinking while perusing the books. If I went to a show and someone said, "Just tell me what you want to sing and I'll have it," it seems almost like a power/ego trip on the part of the KJ. I want to know what version it is so I know what I'm getting into. Some people don't care but our books have a manu code for those that do. I think looking at the books helps people to get in the mood.

Plus we are just starting out and only have 4,500 songs. We DON"T have em all.

And as a host, it would drive me nuts for people coming up every minute with "Do you have this". I equate it to "When am I up". Nope books and slips work very well.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

For us it is a matter of having a pretty good library so newcomers LOVE to find stuff other places don't have - they'll usually bring their 1st song up, and then dive into the book for a half hour or so. I'd never be without books and don't care for shows that don't have them - I probably have 300-400 songs in my repertoire but often can't remember a SINGLE one when I'm put on the spot to sing something! ARGGGG... CRS sometimes is pretty bad.

I'm with you, gotta have the books. I still get the "do you have.......?" "I don't see it in the book" I don't forsee getting rid of them anytime soon even when I convert to computer this year.

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No venue to big or too small. From your den to the local club or event, we have the music most requested. Great sounding system!

I agree, the books give ideas. If I go to a show, I try to have a small list of songs I may sing. If I don't, I forget them. As a host, I type them in a spreadsheet, I use the sheet as a notepad for any songs that may malfunction, songs that are requested that I don't have, and for songs I may sing and for any other issues I need to look into later.
My books no long have dupes in them. So they only show one manu for each song. I tell the customers that if it's not in the book, I don't have it but I could have other manus or versions. I know a KJ that is a pirate and has 2 books on a table. Maybe 4" binders. That's it and they've bragged to have 100,000 songs. They tell people "just ask, we will have it". So my opinion is that they have the old outdated books there for 2 reasons, to give people ideas, and to make it appear that they are legit.
If I go to another show, I enjoy going through their books. I like to see how they put them together, how accurate they are and what they have as well as how many pages. By the way, today I celebrate moving past the 3000 mark for karaoke songs, all unique and not counting dupes.

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

"I do not like green eggs and ham Sam I am..." Try kiosks. Put your books next to the kiosk. The books will gather dust. After introducing the kiosks at a regular gig I went from 100+ slips per night to 3 within three weeks, and I had a lot more time to drink beer. Blessed be the kiosk.

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Okay, who took my pants?

For those who use kiosks, one question. Do you read novels, books online or real paper books, and why?

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You can be strange but not a stranger

I am not sure it is the same thing.

I have seen kiosks in use, and they do work. No problems that I saw, anyway.

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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.

Thank you mckyj57.... that pretty much puts it all in a nutshell....

"THEY DO WORK!"



And here's a question for Timberlea: Do you write out your books one-by-one in longhand or do you use a computer to make your books, and why?

I'm sure kisoks do work in certain situations, but even though i'm toyin with the idea of a kisok or two, I will always have books available to those who want them. I know I prefer a book to look through at a show so I know others would appreciate the same courtesy.

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I just love when people answer a question with a question. The reason being is that people like the feel ofpaper in their hands and flipping through a book is usually more at home with people than scrolling. And reading a book on plane, bus, car etc is more convenient than a laptop or a crackberry.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

I still make books just not as many. Some use books some dont. Some turn in slips some dont. Its another case where a business caters to what the public wants. The poll should be directed at singers not hosts.