Karaoke Forums

This came to me while writing a response in another thread. Why become a karaoke host?

For me, I felt I truly had something positive to add to the scene. When I was a singer I was asked to step in and do fills for a KJ I frequented. It didn't last long, but I got a taste of it and felt I had more to offer. I wanted to share my love for music and karaoke with others. A lot of the hosts in my area seemed like they were hosts because they got free alcohol for working there, and the karaoke might have been secondary.

I had a "feeling" about what I wanted a karaoke show to be, and thought that others would enjoy what I had to offer. I had spent 20 years in sales, taking every public speaking, human relations, and positive thinking course known to man, and it occured to me these skills would be useful has a karaoke host.

What about you?

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Good music, good friends, howling good times!

By accident. I was the sound tech for a company in 90-91. The company split up & went with one that was closer to my home. One night, the regular host was sick, I was there & the boss through me up. We lost the club the next even though the boss & all the customers were very impressed. She decided to purposely throw me up again at another place. Same response & kudos - we lost the club the next day - now both clubs said it was nothing to do with me at all, but they were trying other avenues. OK, well I still have a complex. Boos decided to do it again a few weeks later - this was in 92 mind you. I decided maybe I should tone down my hosting - so I did. We almost lost the club the next day because the new host was kind of boring. Went back to my first two ways. Am still working the same club today!

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Because I wanted to sing more.

Well, sort of but not really. I don't drink and neither does my wife. I wanted to be able to do karaoke shows and parties so I would have an opportunity for karaoke outside the bar scene. Now I have done a couple of weddings, lots of charity events, a couple of dozen gigs at the state park. Most of mine have been for free as a volunteer, but I also have worked in bar gigs. (I stopped doing that because I couldn't find reliable hosts, and my wife is not thrilled about the thought of me being out every Friday night.)

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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.

I had been a Karaoke whore at a few of the local spots. I saw so many things that Karaoke hosts did that I didn't like and some things that I did. There were those that were just way too boring, those that got drunk and turned into A-holes playing favorites, very few if any understood how to use their equipment. I was already working as a monitor engineer with the production company and had done some radio work so I figured what the hell, I could do this way better.

So I started with a business partner and we set out to create the best Karaoke show we could put together. We bought quality equipment and worked out everything and had a really good dynamic going. Then we broke up the partnership and each of us has continued still with the same goals in mind. So here I still sit today.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

When karaoke first started I was still working for a living at High Country games in fort collins. I had over 100 jukeboxes to maintain plus pin balls and video games. We started the valley dart leagues in this area and next I had 40 dozen dart boards to to take care of. WE even done national leagues in vegas.

A Sunday aft we had a dart tournament in a lil local bar and they were trying karaoke. I had always snubbed my nose at it thinking it was for drunks and amatuers. The host was a gal that opened for for the biggies in vegas and was good, She kept pestering me to sing and I decined. Finally after leagues I said OK I sang cheatin heart and blew everybody away. I forgot what it was like to turn on a crowd and get the natural high. The rest is history.

After that I cleaned the old pioneer player optics fixed stuff and helped KJ'S update their systems. We were the very first in this area to go digital. After retiring with time on my hands I put together my own system about 8-9 years ago. I'm too old now to host and keep up with my high paced formats.

I advertised for a host on Craigslist and I'm getting several responses from very qualified people. I'm not done yet!!!

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Join The Karaokle Singers Social Network. Upload Your Music!!

I've been a multi-op DJ (mostly clubs/bars) for 20+ years always avoiding the karaoke side of the biz. 16 months ago, one of my accounts wanted me to recommend who we could get to KJ on Wednesdays. Well, I wasn't about to let some other DJ/KJ company get their foot in the door and took on the task myself.

This turned out to be a great business move because I'm busy 4 nights a week with karaoke.

Viva la Karaoke

Mojo

Well, if you're going to ho around going to every karaoke show you can find that's decent, it's easier just to do it yourself - you're least guaranteed to sing great songs on a great system at least a few times a week. <tongue in cheek almost>

Divorce proceeds funded my first system in 1997 and my partner and I have been putting on shows anywhere from 2 to 6 nights a week since then. We're both professional musicians and it really is an extension of our professional life but on a hobby level. I LOVE to help people get over their fear of singing, especially in public. I also think that people deserve an opportunity to change their horrible preconceived notions that all karaoke is krappyoke so we do our best to break down that horrible myth.

I guess I'm kind of hooked on the kudos I get from my singers (many of whom have moved from singer to friend category) when they go home at the end of the show with a big smile on their face, laughing all the way. There's a lot to be said for endorphin addiction I guess. I love to sing and I love it when other people sing (well, most of the time).

It was by accident for me also. I frequented karaoke every Friday night at the same place for a few yrs. The KJ there asked me several times to work for him as a fill in. I reluctantly decided to give it a try. A year later he retired and I took over. The rest is history.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

I was a regular singer at a few places, and one day it occurred to me that being a KJ would be a cool and rewarding thing to do. I had observed one particular host for a few years, and decided I wanted to do my show like him. So I jumped in with both feet, bought a system (crappy) and some discs (about 2,000 songs), and got my first gig without the bar owner knowing I had never hosted a show before in my life.

I learned almost everything the hard way, with nobody to really teach me. I would never recommend this method to anyone, by the way. I did learn a lot from this forum and the Jolt forum.

10 years later, and still going strong.

I'm an accidental KJ too. I never expected I would be doing this, and never had a plan or anything like that.

I just started out doing a quiet show for an old friend who's only instructions were "Do something on Thursday. I don't care what." Originally it was just me and a few friends getting together and having fun. It was a combination of live music, modern karaoke, and some DJ work. But the karaoke part quickly took over, mostly due to the band sized PA with subs and a more contemporary book than others in the area.

I never was a KJ, but I did host back in my college years. It was started by a friend of mine who did it as a coffee house gig and at some dorm houses. This guy had the equipment and was going for radio broadcasting and sound enginerring. I was just the guy around campus who got a crowd following so why not be the MC. But when the flyers for shows got to become regular paying venues he got too much into the business side instead of for fun. No more drinking during the shows, tone down the language content, serious singers came to shows, and other disagreements, I had to call it quits to protect the friendship.

So now I'm just back to singing only.

I have a very eclectic background, and trying new ventures has always been exciting for me.


I went to a Lions Club dinner, where karaoke was the entertainment. This was back in the cassette tape and lyric sheet days. While I enjoyed singing, I realized that I actually preferred to watch and listen to others. It was just a blast!

I started going to local bar venues, and watched how it was done, what the customers liked, and what they disliked. I have a strong electronics background, and- having sold everything from raw gems and electronic components to meat and surplus car bodies- a strong sales background.

I put it all together for Karaoke. I have to tell you: Even today, when someone comes up to sing for the first time, and gets that crowd applause after, the look on their face is still a rush to me. I love this business!

I have come to realize something else. While it may not seem so to many, I have actually come to the conclusion that what we do is important. Why? Because in this world of the last 15 years or so, the stress of constant competition, corporate politics, and lack of rest has really started to take it's toll on people.

The time they spend with us gives them the opportunity to actually RELAX, have FUN, and give their minds a break from all of everyday problems for a while. It may well be what keeps some from breaking....... Just my opinion.

That's WHY I became, and still am, a Karaoke Host

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

I, like others, am an accidental KJ. I dabbled in karaoke for a bit in the past but not really seriously. I used to frequent this dive bar mostly because my friend's father owned it. I went there to play pool, dart or just hang out for an evening with live band. They had karaoke on Sunday nights, which sometimes I went. Well, the KJ and I got to be a good friend so I hung around Sunday night to sing and play in a pool tourney.

After about a year, once night the KJ couldn't make it because he was sick at the last minute. His company brought in the equipment and set it up but they didn't have a KJ. They asked me, since I am technically savvy, to run the show. I knew nothing about the running the how, other than running the equipment. What do you mean rotation?

So, that's how I started being a KJ and I came a long way since then. I found out that I have an ear for sound so now, my friend's band gets me to set up their sound system once in a while also. It's been a long but fun journey so far.

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Seize the day and SING!!!

I was the singer in a 90's rock cover band from 2002-2003. I owned a Yamaha mixing amp, two off-brand 15" mains, and a Yamaha BR12 monitor as part of the band's PA setup.

Once the band broke up, I still had this equipment sitting around. I was the bar where my GF worked at the time, which had karaoke. The karaoke lady quit on the spot during one of her gigs, and I immediately thought that I could pull off karaoke considering I had a full PA at home, so I BSed the owner and told him I had a few years experience.

That was on a Saturday, and I had until the next Friday to order some music and a player and make some books. I ordered the crappiest ever starting collection (SGB, Nu-Tech, Backstage, SuperCore, and a Music Maestro 20 pack), made my books of about 500-600 songs, and gave it a whirl.

I sucked big time the first time, but had it going pretty smoothly the second night, and only improved from there.

Even in my band, I was OBSESSED with good sound, so once i had some $$$ in my pocket, I started upgrading pretty quickly, and had a really good show within about 4-6 weeks!!

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C Mc
KJ, FL

I would have to say I "fell into" hosting as well. I was a singer and was asked by the owner to host on occasion. I really love it. It's great when you see a local karaoke singer leave YOUR show with a smile on his face because he was respected and made to feel good. That's why I love it. I love to sing, don't get me wrong, but I love being "behind the box" just as much! One of my regulars said the reason they love coming to my shows is because I can make someone feel like the greatest singer on the planet even when the know they're not! Love it, love it.

I'm just here for the party!

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

My first time was by accident. I had only been singing for 6 months, though 5 nights a week. One night I was at my favorite little place on a tuesday night. The KJ, who was also the owner, called and said he would be late, and for the bartender to see if they could find someone to run it. The bartender volunteered me. Heck, I just wantted to sing.

Almost 5 years later, I do it because I really enjoy it. The fact that I know if I sing a song, it will sound the way I like doesn't hurt. I enjoy making people smile after they sing a song because they enjoyed the experience, the music and the vocals.

I pride my self on making it sound good, being fast and efficient, and run my show like I am hanging out with my best friends and family. I got almost the exact same complement recently from two different customers. They both said they enjoy my shows for mainly because they just liked me, and the way I am. That is the best compliment, especially for an ex marine.

Felix the KJ

I used to frequent 2-3 shows a week. That's an expensive habit when drinking beers and eating dinner. I put bought a crappy 'full' system off ebay, that came with a bunch of discs. Starting doing shows for empty houses, and am now a legend in my little town. So, it was a budgetary decision.

Wow!! So many KJ accidents!! Me too! I had been singing my whole life, at all sorts of places, school, churches, community events, weddings, etc. I had never experienced karaoke until I was probably 22. I sang at karaoke when I visited the beach one week-end, and I was hooked. I started frequenting this show, 2 hours from where I lived, as often as possible. One week-end, the couple that hosted the show asked me if I would hang out with their son, who was visiting and didn't know many people on the island, and I agreed. I met him, and we haven't been apart since. So, I married into a karaoke family. I was teaching at the time, so when the school year ended, we moved to the beach. My father-in-law knew of a local bar searching for a karaoke host, and he kind of signed us up to do it. The bar had their own equipment, so I just came in and ran the show part-time and taught school during the day. 5 years later, it is full time, and I have my own equipment and more shows coming!! I even have my mom doing karaoke. I am going to open my own business soon, KaraokeNutz. It will be great, I'm sure. I am a karaoke junkie!!

I had a good public relations job with a very large corporation. I kept the stress level down by doing karaoke with my wife, we really enjoyed it so I bought the basics of a good system so we could practice at home. We bought a lot of CDGs, too, to take to the shows. We were at shows 4-5 nights a week.
Then one Thursday afternoon, I got laid off! BAM!
I drove to the bar to drown my sorrows with my friend the owner, who said I should try a Sunday night show just to keep a little money coming in.
I put together some songbooks and called my buddies, we had 30 singers that first Sunday. After the first three months, I've always worked three to six nights every week.
That was six years ago, and I've never looked back. It's my only job and it pays the bills.

I think I had the basic "qualifications" because I knew what I liked and disliked as a regular singer. And I think I had an advantage because I seriously looked at karaoke as a business -- once I was in it, I was in it to win it. I had no fear about approaching venues for gigs, or talking money, or cultivating regulars, or learning all I could about my system.
I've seen a lot of KJ's get into it because they think it'll be fun. Well, it is, but if you want it to work as a business, you have to really work hard at it.