Karaoke Forums

Most hosts keep talking about singers giving you slips? I guess the slips represent the next song the singer is going to sing. Then what you have all these slips laid out in front of you in order? I hope you don't have a cold and sneeze then your papers would go flying everywhere. I use a large board that can be seen by all and also a list I keep at my karaoke station. Everyone knows who they follow and bring up either their disc which I can play or they get a number out of my book they bring up and I input into my hard drive player, very simple.

I can do the same with my software. I can show the next five singers, and can keep the rotation by using the history built into the program.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

Same here, or I might pull something from their history and add it to the playlist as a placeholder then they can change it.

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

I've been to shows that never "cap" a rotation. A rotation can start with 15 people in it and by the end of the rotation, there can be 25 to 30 people in it. If those 15 "extra" people show up after the first 10 people have sung; singer# 1, who was 5 singers away from singing again, can now have to wait for 20 singers to sing before he gets to sing another song. The "extra" people don't have to show up all together. Even if they show up one at a time; the KJ just keeps adding them to the end of the rotation until he gets to the last singer in the rotation. if ever. The top of the rotation just keeps getting pushed back every time a new singer signs up to sing a song. I've seen it happen.

As far as how I would run a rotation; I think I've explained it already but for the folks with ADHD; I'll do it again.

KJ starts accepting song slips from people as they find a song in the song book or kiosk or hand him a disc that they brought from home. Let's say for this discussions sake, that before the show starts the KJ has 10 song requests already. First "new" singer shows up while Singer # 3 is singing. "New" singer gets placed between singer # 2 and singer # 3 in the bext rotation. "new" singer # 2 hands in a slip while singer #7 is singing and he gets placed between singer #6 and singer # 7 in the NEXT rotation. EVERYONE Waits an entire rotation to sing; however long the rotation is at the time they hand in a slip. Three more "new" singers hand in slips while singer # 12 is singing and those 3 people will sing between singer # 11 and singer # 12 in the NEXT rotation, and so on and so on.. When the first rotation is finally over; the second rotation will look like this:

1, 2, New singer # 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, new singer # 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, new singer # 3, new singer # 4, New singer # 5, 12, 13, 14, 15.

Any new singers that hand in slips during rotation # 2 get put in front of the singer who was singing when they handed in their slip......IN THE NEXT ROTATION.

THE PERSON WHO HANDS IN HIS FIRST SONG SLIP WAITS JUST AS LONG AS THE PERSON WHO JUST GOT FINISHED SINGING A SONG.

EVERYONE waits an entire rotation to sing regardless of whether or not you have already sung a song or not.

I do cap the first rotation, usually when I get 15 singers lined up or 9:30 (half hour after show start) - which ever comes first, then if any more new slips (not even going to say new people, because they may have been there from the start just hadn't turned in a slip yet) are still coming in, the get mixed into the 2nd round - otherwise the first round may never end. It's rare that I have more than 15 in a first round so it usually works out pretty well. In the rare case where I may have 15 or more singers all at once (already turned in before I even start the show) in the first round, I may put the cap at 20 at that point or 9:45.

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

I also cap my first rotation using 13 singers (a recent change and a silent jab at superstitious people) or 10:30 (1 Hour) as my markers.

I have had to flex this a few times this summer when I have had 30 people in the bar at 9:30 but, like Lonnie, it is usually a more manageable number.

Seattle Hempfest is the weekend. So my rotation is going to be stupid crazy.

-Chris

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-Chris

Ah man forgot about that, that means we going to be dead!!

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

Has anyone ever done a focus group with a large group of karaoke singers and gotten an answer to what would make them more likely to come to the shows?

I've done the worst thing possible and vacillated back and forth on the methods because I'm so torn about the thing. I know I need to settle on a method.

My initial impusle was just to put the new singers at the end of the line and that was how I did it when I started. But, I got convinced that method has its own flaws one Sunday night when the next day was a holiday.

A whole bunch of singers came up and started signing up near, but not at the end of my first rotation. I ended up with something like 40 singers. In the meantime the first few singers began complaining and wanting to know when they would get up again. I was being "fair", but I definitely wasn't making the first singers happy. The singers who had just sung up near the end were loving it of course because they weren't having to wait long.

My latest thoughts?

The average human being has an attention span of 20 minutes. So... if a new singer gets to sing within 20 minutes you have a chance to get them hooked and especially if you give them a great experience. Once they're hooked they'll wait a reasonable amount of time. So I'm leaning to introducing new singers 4 singers down and introducing them as a new singer when they come in. That satisfies the 20 minute threshold, but still gives them a chance to buy a drink and settle in. The singers on stage, on the deck and in the hole are unaffected by the new singer. Once they're in, that's their spot for the rest of the night.

The other thing is to be consistent which I just admitted has been a problem for me not because of any desire to be unfair, but just because I'm a bit too much of a people pleaser who wants to try and keep everybody happy and I guess you just can't always do that no matter how hard you try or how good your intent is.

In the vast majority of cases I've experienced.......people coming in with two hours left of a four hour hit........would not get to sing........I usually come early, and I like the way you're thinking......but it's just not practical.........

So is it better to just let all new singers bump right up towards the front the rotation? I never do it. Give me your request, you are following the person who sung last or the person who turned in the last request.

Never been a problem with me. Everyone knows that not only do I run my rotation the same way all the time, I am known at karaoke and elsewhere as a straight shooter. That includes being approachable for questions and suggestions.

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

[/quote]
I agree with consistancy, and your way is fine, just pointing out the major flaw in that one point.[/quote]


As I said at the beginning,,,,,,, this is for people who have to work and can't make it to the beginning of the show. No different than what you said, they can't be here at 9 or whatever start time yet you know they are going to come and spend money. This isn't about someone calling me to sing a song and hop on down the street. From that perspective it is no different than your method of inserting new singers. At least I know 100% of my "insert singers" are going to stay. And if they hosed me once, the call in (or text really rather than call) would no longer be available to them. To me, it's better than just randomly sliding new singers into a rotation. Maybe ten a night in your show compared to 1 or 2 a night via my show.

I don't consider that a major flaw.

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

ripman8,
If it's only a regular or two who work late that text in, I can kind-of understand that. Because they are regulars, the consistency of the practice is built-in and the rest of the regular crowd probably understands. Everybody has exceptions to their rules, but too many exceptions and the rules disappear.

We work nights too, but we don't get to call ahead to the Taco Bell and cut the line at the drive-thru when we get off work. I know I would consider that great service, but those that had to watch it happen from their place in line would probably think their service was sub-standard. If it can be done without the rest of the customers knowing, then maybe they can all be made to feel special one at a time.

My philosophy on rotation is that if anyone deserves to wait less, it's the one who has been waiting longest. There are very few exceptions.

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KNOW THYSELF

I can understand late workers, and I accomodate them - provided there is time, but would never take a phone in request to do so because they aren't there. They know that sometimes they may get in and sometimes they may not. That's the nature of the karaoke scene.

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

I have had people call/text/tweet/Facebook me during a show just to make sure I am running a show or to ask how long the rotation is. I have had a few people ask if I could add them to the list because "they are on their way" but I have always politely declined.

I personally don't think it is fair to call ahead, but I am not going to chastise anyone that allows for it. I would never call ahead myself as a singer either.

I am a big fan of speaking face to face to every singer that wants to get on stage. Even if it is just to ask their name and what song they want to sing. This is one reason why I don't use slips. I think it is a personal touch allowing me to introduce myself, make a connection no matter how brief, and it helps me put names with faces (something I am absolutely horrible with).

-Chris

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-Chris

I like to twist nature when it makes sense. I like change, when it makes sense. I like to buck the system, I'm wearing my 1980 style cut off shorts. That might not make sense but I like it, and it accomplishes the same thing as your insert system without rewarding possible hoppers. That's pretty much it in a nutshell. Oh, I am a techie! So the phone things works well in my world.

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

What's the difference? Is this someone you can trust? Is it not? I'm pretty sure that if you did take calls ahead (for the poor souls that do have to work) you would still get to speak to them face to face when they hit the stage. Apparently you wouldn't have to introduce yourself, I'm assuming you already know them if they call/text you.

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

In spite of me being a "technology evangelist" in my day job and a die hard techie always, I also believe that just because a technology exists, doesn't necessarily mean it should be used. I was doing karaoke before cell phones were common. There was no ability to call ahead. I had to show up, sign a slip, wait my turn.

Just because we have cell phones, and social media that ENABLE us to be connected and accessible 24/7 doesn't mean we SHOULD be connected and accessible 24/7. My cell number is public, but I maintain boundaries. It is a personal choice.

If you want to sing at my show, then stop by and tell me what you want to sing. If you just want to say hiya, send me a text, a tweet, or even call.

-Chris

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-Chris

When I was in grade school, I had to literally walk uphill both to school and home,,,, and I LIKED IT!

Thank God whoever invented air conditioning didn't mind moving along into the next phase. My number is/was on my song slips. Nobody abuses it.

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

I used to allow people to phone or text me saying to put them on the list because they were on their way.

Do you know how many times I did that and then when it was their turn to sing, I called their name but nobody was there? That really makes ME look like an (@$%&#!) because the singers who are there in person are wondering, "Why is he calling that person's name when that person isn't even here?"

And now other singers are thinking, "Hmmmm, so he allows people who are not here to be on his list. I guess I'll try that. I'll call ahead to avoid the wait."

I noticed that I started getting more people texting me or calling other people and having them come up to me saying, "So-and-so just called and said put them on the list. They are on their way." So I put them on the list. Their turn rolls around, I call out their name and they aren't there. It happened to me a lot.

So I finally just stopped it altogether. I made an announcement on the mic one night too to let everyone know.

I still get the occasional text from people saying to put them on the list because they are on their way. I just ignore those texts. If they show up and say, "Hey, how come I'm not on the list. Didn't you get my text?" I just say, "Nope. I was too busy and didn't check my phone. Also, I don't put people on the list who are not here. It makes me appear like I am showing favoritism."

Even with that said, I am not trying to start an argument or war with the people who do allow phone ins or text ins. Please do what works for you. That system doesn't work for me.

I'm so old, school had to walk uphill two miles both ways to come see me.

...

Ok, that's not true at all.

It was only a mile and a half.

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Co-host of The Greatest Song Ever Sung (Poorly), a karaoke-themed podcast