Karaoke Forums

.....Don't you love it when a person fills out a slip (Ex. Susan & Friends or Susan's Girls or Susan & The Brat Pack, etc.). You then call her up for the next performance and her and her group of 20 people show up trying to sing on the 2-3 mics that you have provided for your singers? That's fun trying to adjust the rotation with some or all of those singers in the rotation!

.....Then there's Mr. Slick Joe. The one that has several A.K.A.'s in an attempt to try and sing more songs. Thinking you won't realize that he's the same guy just using different names.

.....All KJ's use their own rotation but we mostly do a first come first serve rotation. Give me your first slip, I'll put you in the rotation and when it's your turn I'll call you up to sing, if you're gonna sing another song hand me your next song-slip while making your way up for the song I've called up for and I'll keep you in the rotation.

..... As far as working myself into the rotation, I don't unless: #1) I feel the need to break the ice (need singers or it's the beginning of the show) #2) It's a slow night but I have people there that say they want to sing but might be a bit nervous about singing by themselves. I will sing with them if they can't find a friend, just to help them with their stage fright. #3) Someone or others want me to sing a certain song (will ONLY do this and only if we are very slow and or several other people at the venue requested it).
......Of the 20 plus years (running shows or going to shows and being around others at the shows), this has to be one of the biggest complaints from the singers (or those who are there attending) is when the Host/KJ wants to sing on and on and on. Most of the comments I hear are: "Why does the KJ constantly sing so much? Doesn't he/she realize we have enough singers, it's taking away from our time".... and or "OMG that KJ thinks he/she is So Good, they must not get much attention in their life." Regardless of how good or interesting the KJ is at singing, the patrons feel like it's their time. I enjoy singing or entertaining while singing but I would much rather have a 12-15 singer rotation and be working the crowd (over the mic and throughout the venue) then to be Stage Hoggin'. Sure, it's my show to run but I feel like it's my duty to do my best to keep people entertained by providing a service that's fun, fair and memorable to all. It's what I get paid to do.

....In the end, it's your show and yours to run. For me, I'm always open-minded to anything....Well, just about anything... I like to watch other KJ's in action and see the reaction of those attending the venue including the Venue Owner/Manager.

I really worry about this, I am in complete agreement with the above statement, but on some nights I can up to five singers in a row that want to sing duets with me, or ask for me to sing the song with them or could I join in on the chorus. I find myself really self-concious of the fact if someone just walked in and didn't know the show, it would seem like I'm stage hogging. It seems silly/rude to say to customers, no I won't help you or I don't want to sing a duet right now so I'm yet to find a compromise.

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'A genius is one who can do anything except make a living'. Joey Adams.

.....I hear ya. It can be rather confusing to those that aren't regulars. But those that are regulars do and most likely know that you're there singing with those singers per requested by those singers. I've had those situations, myself. I just simply announce it ahead of time. Most people understand.
.....Over the years we've tried many different "Rules Of Rotation" for the singers so as not have the appearance of a "Stage Hog Setting." Some KJ's will only allow for an individual, duet or duo performance, but no groups. Plus you know that eventually you will run into that Joe Karaoke who is up for the next 4 songs (Individual, Duo, Duet and Group)...but that just happens to be the order that pops up. Now you have to make it seem fair to everyone else. What do you do?

I know of two other Karaoke services in the immediate area who have managed to blow themselves out of at least 7 or 8 well-paying venues... simply because they were (and are) mic hogs. Definitely good singers... make that very good singers... but like I always tell our patrons... "you come here to sing... not to hear me sing"...

Like many of you, I may do one, or on rare occasions, perhaps two songs at the most in a night... but that's it... More often than not, I don't sing any.

Both of these other outfits... one is a M/F couple, and the other a single male ... tend to do three or four songs, and then let the patrons do two or three... then the spotlight is back on them. Not good.

To me, the two fatal "kisses of death" for a Karaoke host are... (1) hogging the mic, and (2) not honouring the rotation...

It's on those occasions when I, as a patron, want to choke the hosts..

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Earl
(BS, PHD & Certified CurmuDJeon)

[font=Times New Roman]"Growing Old may be mandatory... but growing UP is still optional."[/font]

I don't know where you guys are all at that your customers get bored listening to good songs, but we have people around here, who do longer songs, myself included, and we have no problem with people getting bored. I sing War Pig, once in a while, and I always get a good reaction, and the people are playing air guitar and having fun. Every now and then I do Bat Out Of Hell, too. Never had a problem with boredom. I like to hear others do long songs, especially if they are good. Most of the long songs are the better songs. Besides, it gives the KJ a break to go mingle for a bit or to pee. I don't do all long songs, but will do at least one a night.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

"What do you have for songs"?
Oh, I have about 20,000, want me to start at A or Z? Artist or Title?

I think I'm going to start charging a dollar for vocal requests, & the "you pick my song" crowd.

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If you're going to eat my mic, do you at least want some condiments?

If I know the person, and what they like to sing, I am fine with picking songs for them. If it's someone I don't know, then I will not do it for them.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

Punishment for all of the above mentioned posts by KJ's for those singers: KAMIKAZE KARAOKE HOUR

For me, it depends how busy it is. If it's busy, I may get one or two songs in. If it's not busy, I take a turn at the end of each rotation. Why not? I get a LOT of requests during the night. I think some of you are just too rigid, or you work for some rigid places. I have never had a problem with a host who sings. It's his/her show. I think it's good for the host to get some fun out of it. Keeps the job fun. Maybe some of you have too many Prima Donas at your shows. Maybe I just live in a more relaxed area. People don't get so uptight about singing hosts down here.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

Or SCARYOKE!!!!

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

My regs know that i'm more than willing to pick a song for them - most of the time, but they also know that it may be something they haven't done in quite a while.
As for new singers I have never met before, no I have them look in the books. This happened to me last night, asking what do you have by - heres a book! Then she comes back up, pick something you think i'd like - WTF??? I don't even know you so I ask what do you normally like to sing, she replied - oh I don't sing - well she picked a song, got up on stage and immediately told me this wasn't the right song and about halfway through asked me to restart it. NOPE, sorry, the restart button only works in the first 30 seconds. But she was right about not singing, i've heard alley cats making love that sounded much more appealing!

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

Smooth,

Early in the evening I have no problem with the longer songs. When it gets down to the last hour of the show is where I have issues. When I only have enough time left in the show for about a dozen singers and I still have 30-40 people in my rotation, I'm trying to get through as many people as I can. To have three or four people take what roughly amounts to 2 songs means that three or four people who would have been able to sing, out of that last dozen singers, won't get to just because someone else got greedy and just had to double their stage time.

I hate the following:

1) Mr/Ms. "I know the owner."

Guess what, so do I and about 60 other people in the bar, you're not getting up next/after hours. Unfortunately for me, they usually go complain to the owner, and depending on how hot she is, the owner usually makes me, so I have learned to just let the hot girls go right ahead and do whatever they want and at least reap the credit for being in charge of the situation. It's unfair, but if the hot girls are having fun, the whole bar is having fun. Guys/ugly chicks, forgetaboutit! I'm being a bit sarcastic, of course. A bit.

2) Mr./Ms. "I gotta leave in 5 minutes."

9 out of 10 times I tell this person NO. The only exception I make is if it is slow (like less than 6 singers) and it is a singer who is completely new to the bar, with the idea that the rest of the singers will still get up quickly and I may earn a new regular. Of course 9 times out of 10 that person does NOT have to leave and just took advantage of me, a fact that I am more than happy to point out when they come up for their second song request.

3) Mr./Ms. "I'm with the DJ."

I think someone already said this one, but those people who want to stand right beside you and chit chat all night, like I don't have a job to do. Then, when you're in the restroom they start taking requests and answering questions on my behalf, like "do you guys have XXX song." "I" may, but there aren't "guys" making this show happen. Sit down and let me work. Just because I'm nice to you doesn't mean I'm your best friend, and I certainly don't need your help. We can still be friends, just get the f*** away from my s**t....like 20 yards away. Minimum. Standing beside me has a ONE SHOT PER 15 MINUTES toll. And depending on how long you stand there, cab fare.

4) Mr./Ms. "I am the best singer you've ever heard."

Karaoke divas are the bane of my existance. Male or female. Most of them are right, they are the best singer of the night, but the attitude and drama is just off the charts, and I'd rather listen to "My Heawt Rill Go On" by a korean lady who pronounces her Rs and Ws backwards than have to put up with a Diva dominating the ROOM all night. {editorial note: I'm not racist. The korean lady who comes to my show sings that song....with the Rs and Ws backwards....weally]. They can't understand why they don't get to sing four times as much as everyone else, since they are obviously four times better than anyone else and the math checks out. No one ever has fun when they're around, except their friends who kiss their a$$ because they are spineless lap dogs. If it were up to me, the divas, even the best of the best that are "making an album/just signed a record deal" wouldn't be allowed to even sit in the crowd, let alone sing. They contribute about the same energy to a show as a demon at an exorcism.

That'll do for now!

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C Mc
KJ, FL

In your mind!!!!!! I've heard this too and often it's quite the opposite of the best but they do think they are doing great.

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

Holy CRAP.....just read the last few posts and you guys are KILLING ME.....can hardly type a reply, am laughing so hard!!! Been there so many times over the years. Although some nights can appear start out the same....as in same ole singers/same ole songs... Some of those nights can end up being very different.... "It's All The Same Only The Names Will Change".....Crazy/Funny People.... No matter what we think of these people, at those moments, We Do It With A Smile & A Thank You....or most of us do!

How about when they hand you a slip and you say "What's your name?". Uhhhh..."Put it in under Bob". "So you aren't Bob?" "No, but he really wants to sing this song!"

And then it's usually something like "YMCA", "I kissed a girl", "Man I feel like a woman" or "It's raining men".

Har Har...oldest karaoke trick in the book. No Thanks. Not going to waste my time when I know good & well "Bob" will never come up.

Yes Bazza, I call those "train-wreckers" - same for the people who sign up and ignore the list of singers on the screen and are not available when it is their turn.

Also, I sing the first song at my shows - always. I also keep myself in the rotation if the active singers list stays at around 10 or so. If it gets longer than that, I remove myself except for requests or duets that I may be invited to share.

I don't limit anyone's song selection in any way.

One of my favorite things to tell people is that "It's karaoke, it ain't serious".

I will also take the time to explain that I don't get to go to karaoke shows anymore, because I work them 4 or 5 nights a week. I treat the list just like a patron when it comes to me signing up for songs.

Last night, I had two "can you bump me?" and one "I've never done this before. What should I sing?".

The bump me's are easy... ask the people in front of you if they will switch. The list is on the screen during the entire show.
The 1st time-whatter, I just sent my assistant/pit bull to deal with her and get her signed up. She did "Kiss" by Prince and announced at the end that is was her first time.

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Never the same show twice!

"you don't have any Elvis Presley?"

looking in the book under "E"
god bless stupid people

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Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens

Don't blame those people necessarily, I have seen kj's books alphbetized by first name, it could be all those people are used to!!

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

I think every single thing I've read in this topic has happened to me, if not nightly, then weekly. People just don't learn!

Two more from me then done

The air-headed looking gal (an act) hands me her slip then reaches for the mic, ready to climb on stage.

Or, I've gone on a short break (I'm human), and I come back to some jerk behind by booth, adjusting sound... or even worse playing with my computer! The last time this happened I was so mad I announced it on the mic. "KARAOKE RULE NUMBER ONE, DO NOT.. REPEAT DO NOT EVER TOUCH MY EQUIPMENT!" I'm sure I added an 'I'll break your arm" so something to that effect. I didn't care if I lost one customer or five.. my equipment is too expensive to have some jerkoff mess with it. My regulars totally back me up Oh.. and the excuse.....(yuk yuk).. "I used to be a dj" "I can make it sound better" .. go get your own gigs then A$$hole!!

In reference to one of my earlier posts... 10% Joe who goes across the street... I allow him to keep his spot ONLY because he is an older guy who sings Michael Buble very well and the kids love him. If that weren't the case, he'd be gone.. he spends not a dime at my gig or the one across the street. But he doesn't drink water either, so at least he's not wasting the servers' time

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SoundChoice Certification coming soon!