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Letters To The Editor In response to last month’s letters to the Editor Dear Editor: I couldn’t agree more with Lok N. Onn’s opinion piece in your February issue. I am also a regular customer of Karaoke bars and pubs all over the Eastside from Federal Way to Lynnwood and often see the same problems Lok listed. I would even add another issue that’s been bothering me a lot. It’s the frequent “mic jacking” by uninvited guests whenever they like a song or feel they could sing it better than the called-up singer. Though this is not the fault of the show host per se, they could do more to discourage it than what I’ve been seeing. Without the called-up singer’s invitation or approval there shouldn’t be anybody else grabbing a mic or even milling around it. Most of the time the singers have to wait quite a long time to be called to the mic and they should be allowed to show their stuff. I know some of those uninvited singers think they are doing a friendly gesture by joining in but they are not and the show hosts ought to remind them that they should also submit a request slip if they want to sing.
Dear Editor, I recently picked up and read a copy of the February 2008 issue of the Karaoke News. On page three, I quickly noticed two articles by different authors complaining about various shortcomings of some of our local Seattle area KJs. These articles dealt pretty much with the abilities (or should I say, lack thereof) of some of the Seattle area hosts that each of them had come across. These hosts were at locations that varied from the southern side of Seattle to the area north of Seattle. I found it somewhat ironic that these two submissions appeared at the same time and on the same page, but I had to agree wholeheartedly about what each was saying since I also have seen these same problems many times. I have been to many different venues that are located on the Highway 99 corridor or to one side or the other from Shoreline to South Everett. This area encompasses quite a few establishments that do the karaoke thing. It would almost seem to me that Lok N. Onn, from Edmonds, and I must frequent some of the same places since so much of what he wrote about I have also witnessed. Either that or there are a lot more “dud KJs” out and about than we all realize. The other author, “Seattle Singer” and Mr. Onn each expressed how a KJ can totally screw up any performer, sometimes purposefully! I agree completely and have seen it happen many times myself. You really feel sorry for the singer because you know it isn’t their fault. Both of the above mentioned authors said that it is not all that difficult to get things “in the ballpark”. Seattle Singer called it singing “through a pillow” and Mr. Onn referred to it as “yell or scream into the mic”. Whichever words you choose to apply, how hard is it to find a balance between the music and vocals? Forget the other adjustments, but at least get this right. If you are tired because your day job stocking shelves at Office Depot has you worn out, forego this part-time income and let someone at the controls that can do it. If you don’t like the person about to sing, at least have the balls to tell him or her that they are too particular about balance, tonal quality, keys, or whatever, before you take it upon yourself to humiliate them. Let them know you are not operating a recording studio. Don’t use your position to make them look like a moron because you aren’t doing the job you were hired to do. If you humiliate them, they will either completely avoid your show in the future, kick your ass, or slash your tires in the parking lot late some night. I know which way I lean on this and if you checked “all of the above” you could very well be correct. We need to have a forum where we can expose some of these bogus dud KJs and the venues at which they are operating. This would be a place where readers can send in the name of the bar/club and date where problems such as “leap-frog” rotations, “singing through a pillow”, dead time, vulgarity, bad adjustments (vocal balance, volume, key, etc.), MIA hosts and the like occur on a regular basis. When people (owners/hosts) begin to get some bad reviews, things are bound to change. With Spring fast approaching, let us get some of these dud KJs back to their real jobs of landscaping, painting and stocking shelves at Office Depot. Let someone who can do the job move into their slot. I’m not being critical of all KJs, I’m sure the good ones cringe when they come across these dud hosts as well. It makes them all seem bad even though we know that isn’t the case. We all know that we have responsible KJs who have been at this for a long time and take extreme care in their rotations, equipment settings and any any other things making for a great show and I commend them. However, longevity in the pursuit doesn’t seem to matter since one of the worst duds I’ve encountered has 20+ years experience – to hear him tell the story. Twenty days would seem more appropriate! I think I need to follow Rocky and Kristine around – they find only the good hosts, bartenders and food. Maybe the new “Karaoke Squad” will bring some of these issues to light, but I have to say that I remain very skeptical. Rocky and Kristine are very big into this karaoke stuff and I think they are very well intentioned. But, I have personally seen Rocky and Kristine at a place they were reviewing for about 60 minutes in the middle of the karaoke hours. I feel they did an okay review for the period of time they were at the location. However, they missed the late start, the two hosts hosts away from the equipment on smoke breaks at the same time, lousy sounds because of volume or music/vocal balance, pirated music, requests for songs each host would perform for the rest of us, etc, etc. If I hadn’t known better, their review in the Karaoke Guide would have had me heading on out to this place for the great food, great bartender and fine KJs. The problem is that this all occurred on what was the night I had decided I would never step foot into this place again for karaoke. After too many evenings here, I couldn’t believe that things never improved. Everything a host could possibly screw up with a karaoke gig occurred here with this two-host team at one time or another. This place no longer has karaoke and the hosts mentioned no longer works here or at any other place where they also tried to pretend they were KJs. So this glowing review by Rocky and Kristine didn’t/doesn’t mean much. Rocky and Kristine do many reviews that I have read in the Karaoke Guide, but I have yet to see any type of criticism of any of the places or hosts at the locations that they have visited in their rounds. They all have the greatest food, best bartender and best KJs. Maybe hosts change their ways when Rocky and Kristine are seen arriving and the hosts forget about performing for us and all the other things we don’t like to put up with. Maybe Rocky and Kristine are indeed doing an honest evaluation, I’m not questioning them, but if the Karaoke Squad operates on this same premise that every place is just fabulous, they shouldn’t waste their time creating a form for the Squad to use when critiquing “new” shows and going out for an evening to rate them. No, I’m wrong. Create the form and make known to people what information you want submitted for your review and let us get that info to you. It will save you the trip out for the evening. My picture isn’t on the front page of this karaoke newspaper every month, so a dud KJ won’t be changing his normal ways for me. I suspect you will get many comments that are not necessarily just praising all these great hosts, but being truthful when publishing could help us decide what might be a good place to avoid. Eventually the duds will no longer be with us. Print us a copy of the form that shows the information you want and put it in the Karaoke Guide. Allow us to inundate you with information on the good and the bad that we find at the places we frequent or are about to visit because of good things being written about them. It would seem to me from all the complaints about KJs that I’ve read in the Karaoke Guide that this is a pretty widespread problem. Let’s get a Dud KJ Squad going along with, or instead of, this Karaoke Squad. My first entry to Dud KJs will be the KJ from last night who claims to have 20+ years experience, who leap-frogged me in the rotation at the end of the night for the gal he was sniffing all night long. This idiot, along with another dud KJ at another place who actually kept letting us all (in a very long rotation) know that he would be kind enough to perform almost anything we requested him to do. This, of course, would be done in his regular spot in the rotation. That happened to be right after the duet he needed to help some gal out with. This is for real folks! These are the things that need to be brought to light and it isn’t going to happen when Rocky and Kristine or the Karaoke Squad walk into a place. It will be brought to light by someone who honestly lets you know what is going on and where. Someone who isn’t pegged the moment he walks in the door as the Rocky and Kristine Karaoke Squad will be. Come on! What is going to happen when this Squad walks in? Any chance a dud will change his ways for a short couple of hours for a good review? You tell me. I personally don’t think we need the (still forming) Karaoke Squad that will review “new” shows rather than “forming opinions where opinions are needed”. Review the duds currently operating and you will have many, many “new” shows in the future once the duds are gone! I definitely know that I am sick of all the sweet, sugar-coated reviews we have been getting that lead us toward a bad location. It might be better when this is done as a group since it won’t be known which particular participant voiced a critical view, if there is such a thing, but I’m still leery. Just tell us the information you want on any show and the venue where they are operating. We will get this back to you by way of an address you provide where you can categorize all of this information over a period of time. Not as much fun as going out, but what the heck. We will then, as observing karaoke enthusiasts, get that information to you and it will be a lot better and a lot more truthful than the coverage we are currently getting in the Karaoke Guide. Sincerely,
Written response to Jack Knauf’s Letter to the Editor We appreciate the input from all of our readers and welcome all comments and suggestions. In response to Jack Knauf’s Letter to the Editor, we do personally check out lots of shows each month, but only report on those that we feel worthy of mention. And no, we don’t always find the best hosts, the best food and the best bartender, nor the best sound. But we do find locations that have some of the above and mention the good, not so much the bad. We agree with some of your points, and yes, feel free to follow us around anytime (hopefully we’ll know you by your REAL name at that point!). Just ponder this thought, and we’ll leave it at this. The Karaoke and Entertainment Guide is just that, a Guide to direct our readership in all things Karaoke and Entertainment locally. Be it awesome, so-so or horrible, we are not the final judge and jury. Our job is not to berate bars, their karaoke hosts, their staff or their patrons. It is our job to let you know they are there and point out their good qualities. Would you, if you were a bar owner, want to spend your advertising dollars in a publication that has nothing but bad things to say about your establishment? I wouldn’t! Please read the Karaoke Corner this month, featuring the Karaoke Squad write up on a location and see if this suits your tastes a little better. Next month, the Squad article will stand on it’s own, just for future reference. Thanks for taking the time to let us know how you feel. - Kristine & Rocky
Written response to Jack Knauf’s Letter to the Editor By Melissa Reed A pro and con response: QUOTE: “A KJ can totally screw up any performer, sometimes purposefully! I agree completely and have seen it happen many times myself.” Different music has output levels, depending on the brand or quality of karaoke music. I happen to own a variety of music, some not so good and if I have a better version I will put that in for the singer instead of using the one version they requested. The bad version being the one which, even if I have maxxed out my controls, the music is still damper compared to the singer. So this is not always the KJ’s fault. But in regards to when it is in the control of the KJ, I too have fallen victim to this, it is indeed unfair. Not all hosts are like this. I have used some of my own music at other karaoke shows so I know that it is good sound quality. The KJ had not tuned me in and walked away. Mind you, he didn’t even notice that I had sat down during the beginning of the song because I had no microphone volume and the music was so distorted, it was unbearable for me to listen to or sing along to. “…Screw up any performer” In response to this, it is only fair to point out and make mention that sometimes the KJ has no control over the vocal abilities of the singer, ie: I like to call them “whisper singers”, the ones who, for whatever reason, do not sing with any volume whatsoever. No matter how much you tune, how high you dial your volumes, no matter how you change the settings for these singers, you still cannot hear them, this is not only frustrating for the singer but the host too. And not without adding, that you get an almost painful feedback from the gain that you have now raised trying to pick up their voice. I know it must be embarrassing, not only to the KJ, but also to the singer who thought “The KJ was deliberately trying to ruin their performance.” QUOTE: “…Singing “through a pillow” and Mr. Onn referred to it as “yell or scream into the mic”. Whichever words you choose to apply, how hard is it to find a balance between the music and vocals? Forget the other adjustments, but at least get this right.” As for the “SREAMING SINGERS”, well to those I must also add, that “Everyone” sings differently, and to those who are either untrained, or have little to no experience, they have no vocal control. No, this isn’t their fault either, but to be fair once again, a KJ will tune in a singer and at times feels that once they have been into the song for a moment it is good, until that “SREAMING” occurs, then you get the reaction of most where you might as well not take your fingers off the controls because this person is completely unpredictable. However, in some cases when hosting, I have advised these types of singers to not scream into the microphone, it will not only damage the equipment, not to mention everyone’s ears in the audience. If it continues to happen by the same individual, I will simply mute and end the song. If that is humiliation, then I suppose they will listen the next time someone tries to give them benefit of doubt that they understood the first time. “Singing through a pillow” Singers, and I have had these singers, who try and eat the microphone while singing, or cover it with their hands, it sounds muffled and distorted. Please note, neither of these things make you sound good, that’s what the effects are for. If this is done, there is very little the KJ can do to try and improve the sound quality of the singer’s voice. QUOTE: “I’m not being critical of all KJs, I’m sure the good ones cringe when they come across these dud hosts as well.” Absolutely the case, and even more so when I hear the same claim they’ve been doing it a long time. It wouldn’t matter since they still don’t know what they’re doing. But I do cringe when I see people hosting that have no business doing so. And please if you can’t sing, then don’t. Let your customers sing, use your charming personality and your great people skills to enhance your business, don’t allow your voice ruin it for you. Let’s get one thing straight here, there is no such thing as a “perfect” karaoke host. You will never find that one person who cannot make a single mistake, or never has a bad night, or nothing ever goes wrong. And if you do, then by all means let’s all go to that show! We are KJ’s we are not Divas. Some may want that status, some may want to be recognized as the best. But even the best I’ve seen, and the best I try to be, myself and others will always have something to improve on, or some new technique to learn. QUOTE: “Rocky and Kristine do many reviews that I have read in the Karaoke Guide, but I have yet to see any type of criticism of any of the places or hosts at the locations that they have visited in their rounds.” Let’s take a moment to reflect on this one. I have read these articles for quite some time now, and in some cases, their reviews weren’t “great”, they were just okay reviews. I think for the most part they take the diplomatic approach. If I didn’t know better, the review itself may not have been that great. But really what are you going to write, “This place has a terrible bar staff, we never got served, the food was not that great, the karaoke host had no clue as to what they were doing, and the bartender was rude when we went to the bar for service, etc.?” I am sure we all know that one. And if you didn’t see it in the paper, that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, it simply means that the diplomatic approach to this is “Not to write the article for that particular establishment”. Rocky & Kristine go to many shows each month, they write up many different bars. They invest a lot of their time and effort toward promoting a new place, a fun bar, a great karaoke spot, and the ones that make it in the paper, well… they may have been the best they saw that month. So don’t try to discredit them for their pursuits of better writing. They are taking the most honorable route and saving some places, for lack of a better term, the “embarrassment”. And do not think for one minute that they do not inform the bar management or owners of inappropriate or bad service, or bad hosts - they do make mention, just not in a public forum. QUOTE: “These are the things that need to be brought to light and it isn’t going to happen when Rocky and Kristine or the Karaoke Squad walk into a place. It will be brought to light by someone who honestly lets you know what is going on and where. Just tell us the information you want on any show and the venue where they are operating. We will get this back to you by way of an address you provide where you can categorize all of this information over a period of time.” Please, if you feel that this is your place, then I do hope that you will not hide your identity when doing so. And that you will not spare us all the horrible details surrounding the situation. Perhaps having a tear out section for that purpose is a good idea. Jot down all of your conflicts, personal or not. Let us know that you are upset, that the KJ did not meet your expectations, and include any other information you feel is important enough for everyone to decide “not to patronize” the establishment. But please remember to include your address, email and phone number - that way, anyone who wishes to contact you regarding your feedback may indeed do so. After all, the point is Rocky and Kristine put a name to what they write, and if anyone else would like to include their name and telephone number to the input they provide, then indeed it is a great idea. So to you, Mr. “Jack Knauf”, as if that was not distasteful and an obvious indication of your mentality, I do hope to read some of your upcoming input to the shows in question, and I would love to have a name to put next to the article when it comes out. I do look forward to reading some or your “truthful coverage in the Karaoke Guide.” - Melissa Reed
February 2008 Dear Editor, If you haven’t covered this topic already, I’d like to see an article on what I call KJ Skullduggery. This is when the KJ provides unequal sound or hosting to his singers. I have sung karaoke for about six years. Some KJs are extremely fair and provide a nice, evenly amplified, sound level to all singers. For other KJs, one person might sound good, but the next person sounds like there is a pillow stuffed in front of the microphone. Why did the KJ mess up the sound? Did they not like the song? Did they not like the performer? The worst instance of this I have seen is when a KJ completely turned off the microphone for one singer. It was painfully embarrassing to witness this, and had to have been even more so for the singer. Good sound is not rocket science - especially if you’ve been a KJ for a year or two. Another thing I’ve seen is a KJ making someone stand up at the mic for minutes while their music video finishes, or while they hunt, hunt, hunt for the CD+G. Huh? Find the song, then call the singer up! No one should have to wait at the mic for more than ten seconds. Does this lack of professionalism (lack of human empathy) really make a show better, or does it ultimately drive people away from a show, and hurt the bar financially? I’ve seen this occur at a few bars. I’ve sung in at least a dozen places in the Seattle/Renton/Kent/Tukwila area, and I think it happens frequently enough that it deserves to be addressed. I don’t care if a singer is good or bad - I want to hear their voice and I want to hear their song, and I want them to be treated with respect. Karaoke isn’t about perfect singing. It’s about people enjoying a brewskey and getting up there, sometimes flubbing up tremendously, but still giving it their best. Let’s bring equal treatment back for ALL karaoke singers! Sincerely, A Seattle Singer Please send us your thoughts titled, Karaoke Skullduggery, to P.O. Box 25282, Federal Way, WA 98093 or email your letters for possible publication to Editor@nwkaraokeguide.net.
August 2007 Response to Mark Evans' letter to the Editor Published in June 2007 edition of the NW Karaoke Guide Singer chimes in This letter is in response to the article by Mark Evans in your June 2007 issue of the Karaoke Guide about song difficulty. I have been singing all my life and hosting karaoke for over 16 years. Karaoke contests and judging them is such a joke that I quit entering them years ago. Not because I didn't win some of them, because I have. Not because I thought they were rigged, though sometimes I believed that the “fix is on”. Rather, it is my opinion they are rarely judged by people who have a clue as to what they should be looking and listening for. The assumption that if a song range is very low or very high is also a big mistake in judging the difficulty level. I am a high soprano by nature and I have expanded my low range for karaoke so that it would increase the number of songs I could sing and so that I could find more music that appeals to a broader audience. I personally find my mid-range to be the most difficult to sing in for a number of reasons that I won't go into here. If you judged a song based on highs and lows, then I could surely win hands down most of the time – I have great range. My son has the deepest bass voice you have ever heard and he sounds wonderful, but it flows from him effortlessly. This would not appear to be a good reason to give him high marks. My other son has a slightly higher range and a broader range which gives him the ability to sing a wider variety of music. I believe that ones own natural ability to sing should not be part of the judging process for determining song difficulty. Certainly it comes into play in some of the other judging categories like Singing Ability. I have seen new singers turn in the most difficult songs to sing for their first-time-ever karaoke song. As a seasoned professional, I can almost always tell when it will be too hard for them and I try to encourage something easier. It's not that they are too hard for me because I've been doing this a long time and have gotten a feel for it. I'm referring to songs with tricky phrasing, multiple key changes, tongue-twisting lyrics, etc. Sure, none of these things is difficult once you learn a song, but still some folks learn them better than others. Other thoughts on contest judging: It is very easy for someone who lives close to the establishment they are competing in to pack the audience with their own personal fan club. Thus counting on audience appreciation to help judge the performance can be a serious mistake. I once heard a judge loudly proclaim at the beginning of a contestant's performance that, “I hate it when guys sing chick songs!” The man got a standing ovation from a huge audience and didn't even place in the top ten. Unfortunately, this man's song choice ruined his chances at a trip to Vegas. But that isn't all that ruined his chances. He was a big man and the same rude judge hadd something even worse to proclaim to the crowd about that! In my personal opinion, the singing ability should be judged blindly (judges secluded from viewing the stage). They can always judge performing ability with a second round after the poor singers have been weeded out. After all, do we really want the guy wearing fake fruit and Bermudas, bellowing Day-O to a crowd of his best friends and drinking buddies to represent us at that karaoke finals show in Vegas? Yes, that is exactly what happened at the aforementioned contest where the real winner was belittled and the tone deaf, goof-off got the all expense paid trip. To wrap it up here, I like to sing songs by Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and Reba McEntire because of their difficulty level. Not because they have a broad range and tend to be technically a little more challenging. You don't have to ask me twice to sing something by Natalie Cole, but if you ask one more time for Crazy, by Patsy Cline, I'm going to have to charge you for it! That was one lady who could sing very well in her very limited range, but she couldn't touch anything really difficult. Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to vent. ~ Roberta Triechel
Letter To The Editor My thoughts on the guy who in last months issue regarding the “Tip Jar”. He needs to start thanking the Karaoke Host. Our host works hard to bring us a great show. There is a lot of work that goes on that most people do not see. I have gone up and taken the tip jar around myself, never being asked by the host to do so. I know of others who've done the same. We appreciate the hard work our host puts into bringing us a great show and a wonderful time. If it were not for the host, there would be no karaoke show. We're not begging or panhandling, we just ask with pretty, cute smiles. ;-)) A simple “No Thank You” and we move on. One of us may bring a tip jar to your table one night for the host. This is our way of showing how much we appreciate all that the host has done to bring us a whole lot of fun. If you don't care for the host that night, move on to another bar. Oh, and if you're afraid of pretty, drunk girls with cute smiles, what are you doing in a bar? I say keep on tipping your karaoke host! Our host has never asked anyone to take the tip jar around. We love her and we do it because she puts so much into her shows to make sure we have a great time. She is a great lady!
July 2007 From a Reader A gentleman called wanting to express a pet peeve of his regarding a specific karaoke host and their actions during their show. Says he's been frequenting a show where the host(ess) picks out the cutest/drunkest female to take her tip jar around and basically beg or panhandle for extra tips towards the end of the night. It made him feel that if he didn't tip extra that he would be excluded from the last rotation of the evening. He says that he has approached this host several times, letting them know that he felt it was inappropriate and that it made them look bad to be panhandling at their shows. The host seemed unfazed and continues to do this at every show. The caller wanted to make it clear that he has nothing against the host, but feels like he's being pressured to “give” when he feels it should be an option, not a requirement. Where do you stand on this issue? Email your thoughts to editor@nwkaraokeguide.net.
June 2007 From a Judge's perspective “Song difficulty” is a cagey category generally used as a separator since most serious karaoke contest singers hit the same scale heights on their point score charts when it comes to voice and performance. The way the singer may sound is always subjective to one's ear and part of the identifying factor to the overall performance. Singing bass, baritone, or tenor has nothing to do with song difficulty. God has given man (or woman) a wide range of variables on our musical scale. Everybody has an instrument. That is the artistry of sound. “Song difficulty” takes in a part of everything else. With karaoke singers, difficulty is usually white-washed since they are at ease with following the bouncing ball. But by relying on the comforts of electronics, even very good singers come up short. (The color changes may not be in sync with the song.) “Song difficulty” is the progression, or changes, or turnarounds in the song. A Ronnie Millsap song usually has three key changes, two turnarounds and several rhythm progression shifts. How many karaoke singers do you know that can master a Millsap number? Celine Dion couldn't do a straight ballad because her mantra is built around turnarounds and changes. Not many karaoke singers can challenge her repertoire either. Trying to recreate Sarah Brightman's ex-husband, Andrew Lloyd Webber's song material would take a highly trained expert. Or Josh Grobin's twists and key changes could end up being a karaoke singer's worst nightmare. Those type of songs would be categorized as “difficult.” Popular songs that most folks can sing are not deemed “difficult.” Beetles, Elvis and even Johnny Cash songs are examples. Country and folk songs are usually written to formula. Most standards through the 1980's seem to be fairly easy to sing. Why? Music publishing and single hits were all important and if you could hum the tune or sing it right off with little challenge, usually those folks would buy the sheet music or the record. As soon as elaborate production videos became the selling tool, the industry went for more elaborate music with all kinds of difficulties built in. But those early easy songs can be deceiving. Without properly interpreted timing/syncopation, a song like “Crazy” can turn out as dull as dishwater. The wrong timing for “Suds In The Bucket” can leave those suds all over the ground. Then why was Sinatra and Bennett mega popular? They made the songs they sang their own! Sometimes in a contest, when you choose a song that is so closely related to the singing star that made it famous, the “song difficulty” will cut you to shreds if you don't do it exactly like or better than the popular artist. No matter what song you choose, making it your own and always coming back on meter will move you ahead of the crowd. Last year's Evergreen Idol finals came down to the best of the best cowboy/girl crooners neck and neck, yet Paul Tilley had the smarts to take a mega difficult song “Auctioneer” making it his, with an excellent resounding performance, as if the music was accompanying him - always on meter - while he never once chased it. That in a nutshell is one of the secrets to winning. Mark, you got off easy. In some contests singers are judged on vocals, pitch, phrasing, presentation and overall entertainment value. All of those have subcategories too, broken up into different points which make up the total score. It's a complex system and it's fair. Keep on singing.....don't give up. Sometimes you'll end up best man, and someday you may be the groom.
April 2007 Karaoke and Alcohol By Karen Knapp Initially I wasn't really sure how to broach this subject as my intent is not to criticize anyone unjustly. I felt compelled to write this now though, because it is getting to be a comment I hear more and more often. So I will just paraphrase it thusly; “ Why is it that everywhere we go to sing karaoke, by the end of the night the host appears to be totally drunk or well on the way?” Much to my surprise, one of the comments I received recently at one of our shows (and I suppose in this context, this should be perceived as a compliment) by a new attendee, was this: “It's so nice to come to a show where the host is still sober at the end of the night.” I have found this to be too common a statement from people who have recently moved into the area and have begun searching for their favorite karaoke venues. Having been in this business for more than a decade, I believe that there is a silent majority of dedicated singers out there who began singing years ago when hosts really never considered drinking while hosting - shows were more of a production then. There were fewer companies, it was more expensive to get into the business, and it was very new to the adult entertainment scene. However, as the years have passed, it has become less expensive to get into the business and many people saw putting a karaoke hosting company together as an opportunity to make some money and still be in a bar having fun with their friends. Perhaps because a host isn't under the watchful eye of a boss, the prospect of taking the edge off of a bad day with a drink or two (and sometimes MORE) is tempting. And to those people, perhaps hosting isn't viewed as a job. A kind of hybrid-ized show has developed based on the “fun factor” with the focus more on fraternizing and laughing and having a lot of fun rather than singing. There are lots of singers who are happiest in that kind of environment - no “competition” or feeling badly because they don't sing as well as the next person who walks in. And truly, karaoke should be included - everyone should feel good when they sing, whether it's a personal goal of sounding the best they can or just plain entertaining everyone in the room with crazy antics. I am going to make a suggestion here though, to those singers who fall into that other category. Perhaps those who are bothered by an inebriated host need to look further afield and continue to search for “old school” hosts whose primary goal is to cater to the singer, based on a complete and up-to-the-minute song book and the quality of the sound reproduction. As in all areas of life, it is all relative in the karaoke world, too - as each singer varies, so does each show. The reasons we go to sing varies from person to person. If you are finding that the show you are frequenting is not to your liking anymore, for whatever reason, search out new shows. In this area we are so fortunate - there are many, many shows around, every night of the week. Spend some time doing your karaoke homework. Go to a new venue; spend a minute talking with the host about their “karaoke philosophy.” Then decide if yours and theirs are similar. A good match will provide the best chance for a great karaoke experience.
April 2006 Response to last month’s Karaoke 101 Tom Brown, author of the Karaoke 101 series, made some excellent points
last month about being generous when singing in karaoke establishments to
support the bar and food service. What about the karaoke establishments
supporting and recognizing those fearless singer/performers that keep the
entertainment flowing all evening? For example, a birthday ago, we were at one of my husband’s favorite karaoke bars where we normally spend $25-$30 a night on food and drink and I patronize the place for business lunches as well. Every time my husband got up to sing the K-host kept reminding everyone that it was his birthday. One of the establishment’s owners was sitting at the bar applauding my husband’s songs but do you think he would send over a cup cake with a candle in it, a brandy to the table or even get off his bar stool to offer good wishes in person? Nope! Nada. Nothing. Do you think that establishment is first on our list anymore in spite of an excellent K-host? I’ve noticed that the places that show their appreciation in small ways seem to continually have their seats filled. It’s not the K-host’s job to become the hospitality king, it’s all they can do to keep the rotation flowing, the sound wonderful and create good room karma. Good hospitality is the responsibility of the owners, managers and their bartenders and staff. A personally delivered “thanks for coming in and singing for us” would be a much appreciated offering. One place we were in not too long ago knew us and our solid spending habits but ignored us all evening and nobody, not even the staff on the floor asked us for our drink order even though my husband had sung several times. Going the extra mile to acknowledge a special occasion would really be a problem for this place. After being ignored for over an hour we left and have never returned. Some saavy night spots give their bartenders the ability to fulfill special
events and requests. Other places hand out coupons for future free items.
They could be just small trinkets such as “This pen is stolen from...”
, or a free cola or coffee gladly handed down by the management to be individually
recognized instead of being ignored as if you were merely the unpaid evening’s
hired help. Recognition and appreciation is a two way street! |
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