Karaoke Forums

Everyone is familiar with the diva singer. They ask for more reverb, more this, more that, in a loud, knowing voice that even someone playing pinball in the back of the bar can hear. They might even throw the microphone on the floor if things aren't just right. But, is there also a diva listener? Someone whose ears are so sensitive that they visibly wince in pain, contort their face, and scrunch their shoulders, at the most minute deviance from a songs "true rendition". The person who leaves their drink half finished, and scurries towards the door at the first strains of American Pie. The person who can tell if a dropped pin is off-key, and who when they hear the angels sing, admonishes them on their performance. The diva listener...is there such a thing? Do they exist?

I believe they do. Occasionally will get someone in the audience that is not a singer that will try to 'teach' me on how the sound should be, not enough effects, too much bass, singer volume, etc. Don't know if this is what you are looking for.

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

Yes -- me when I have laryngitis.

All kidding aside, I would be surprised to hear of one. Though we do have some people who come to listen at my monthly Tuesday night gig, I don't think karaoke audiences are particularly demanding. Were they that way, they wouldn't be listening at karaoke.

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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.

Well to some extent yes. I haven't seen them as nit-picky as you describe but I have certainly seen the faces made, the comments to their friends, etc. Moreover, I've seen the singing *AT* the singer from your seats as loudly as possible to try to either overpower them or somehow "correct" them on how to sing the song. Not super common but it does happen.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

I think I experienced the ultimate Diva listener--the one who just DOES NOT GO TO KARAOKE. Several months ago, all of the people from work (where I used to work) were out at a Brew Pub and they had karaoke on that night instead of the usual night. So I figured I would put my mouth where my mouth had been for the past year telling my coworkers about our karaoke business and the exploits. I signed up for a song and I was third on the list. Mid-way through the second song (by a good singer) a few of my coworkers got up and left because they "don't do karaoke." They didn't even want to be polite and wait 5 minutes to support a co-worker, even if it meant blackmailing me for the rest of my life. I figured that was pretty Diva as far as listeners go.

We did have one incident at our show where someone made a derogatory comment loud enough to be heard by the singer. It resulted in tears, walking off stage, singer's boyfriend almost hitting someone, singer not singing again for months, etc. But the people sitting with the offender signed her up and made her get up there and after she mangled it we never saw her again.

Oh wait--there was a singer at our friend's show who kept telling everyone she was professional caliber when she wasn't but she would sit close to the stage and try to outsing even the hostess who was a professional. She also took to putting in songs that she knew other people sang regularly so they could be done "correctly" but her work schedule got changed and she hasn't been in lately.

Yes, they do exist and I know one. His name is Don, and he's the ultimate Diva listener.... he wont let people get away with the tinsiest flat note, and he's picky about volume and fx. (WAY picky) He (atleast mentally, if not verbally) judges every karaoke performance.

But I'm thinking he's not going to like that I named him here:)

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

I provided sound/lights/crew for a series of talent contests this summer. The judges were not so much talent judges as "diva listeners," as you have described. They'd make remarks about each contestant, never disagreeing with each-other, and often making absolutely no sense.

One contestant would be told that singing ability doesn't matter, their stage presence is what is needed to make them a marketable singer.

The next contestant might be told to sing a twangy country song next week, because their superb singing ability was not being challenged by rock songs.

The next may hear that their stage presence rocks but they need a vocal coach.

What I learned is that the judges had absolutely no clue what they were doing, did not understand which singers / songwriters were talented, and were basically opening their mouths and letting crap come out so they could appear to be professional talent scouts.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

Yes.

Yep I have an old timer who sits in the bar all day every day and drinks. He used to tell me all the time it's to loud or can't I just have so & so singer not sing.

I won him over with kindness and he is now my biggest fan.

If you are in a bar where regulars hang out just to drink all day they can be very negative about when karaoke comes in.

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