posted
Guess I should consider myself lucky. I've got a regular group that comes in all the time at the places I host. They all sing pretty much the same stuff (unless I Kamakazie them. Others that come in want to sing songs with cursing or other overtones are welcome. BUT when they turn in their slips, and I see it's "Slim Shady", I let them know ahead of the time to watch the "F" Bombs. If they have a problem with that, they know where the door is, and I know where the mute button is. But I never have had a problem. The way I run my show, you never know what's coming out of my mouth next anyway (neither do I)and I have people travel quite a ways just to see "the show" (not sing), BUT - AGAIN, no "F" Bombs. I let the crowd dictate how I act (obviuosly older, settled crowd, I TRY to be a little more subdued). I believe singers should be able to sing what they want, but have a little respect for others.
If I'm not mistaken "Brown Sugar" by the Stones has racial overtones, as does "Walk On The Wild Side". Many from the 60's, 70's and 80's do. Just a sign of the times I guess.
Posts: 102 | From: Vacaville, Ca. | Registered: Jun 2001
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We have to be the luckiest karaoke hosts in the good ol' U.S.A. We have been at our locations 11 years, 6+ years and 6 years. We have ONE song over 5 minutes long in our book (You Never Even Called Me By My Name), no RAP, very little ROCK. Our song book lists over 9,000 songs (very few repeats), mostly COUNTRY and 50's to 80's POP. No complaints from anyone about enough songs to sing. Our rotation is rarely under 25 different singers. Never a fight or a complaint from the bar staff or management about how our show is run. "You control the music, You control the crowd" is our thinking and it has been very successful.
------------------ "You'll never get out of this world alive, ya' just keep karaokin'"
posted
We've never had a fight either, but we would if we had that type of selection.
Posts: 1795 | From: Fall River, Ma | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
Very little rock and no rap? What time warp do you guys work in? We could never please our clientele without the modern stuff. I'd be bored stupid too. Seriously, our variety of selection is one of the reasons we attract a good crowd. Rarely do we have big problems, just folk who get too inunciatious with F bombs. We've got rockers rappers, bumpkins and folks in rockers and they all mix well. The ones that don't tolerate are the ones we don't want.
Posts: 531 | Registered: Feb 2001
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If you haven't figured it out yet, Karaoke/Musical preferances in North America differs immensely region to region:
I am in the great Pacific NW (Portland, Oregon)
and from what I remember reading...
l'opera voce is from California. Suburb of LA? Not sure there, but regardless it is on the WEST coast.
Alice Cooper's Alter Ego is from Vancouver B.C. This too is on the WEST coast.
Then we have rjthe1god. Even though he lives in "Middletown" that is in Rhode Island which is far, far, far to the EAST! LOL
With Doug Oswald located in Blaine, Minnesota, (remember Fargo? lol) we have the whole East Coast, West Coast thing here ganging up on Middle America! Sheesh! Nothing wrong with the good folks of Blaine wanting to sing oldies and country music. I bet there is more "Rock" in his selection than "very little". He probably, more specifically, meant "Metal". With a song selection of over 9,000 songs I'm sure that no matter my preference of genres I would have NO PROBLEM finding something to sing! I think Doug was just saying how lucky he was because due to the song selection in his songbook, there is no need to censor anything. Nothing wrong with that! I have sung at an establishment that had a very strict policy on profanity and there was absolutely nothing that I could detect as missing from the songbook. That book was HUGE! This was Lonman's selection. I was very impressed. That place was definitely not hurting for any business either!
so there lol just my .02 *grins*
[This message has been edited by Diane (edited October 25, 2001).]
posted
I agree about the differences from region to region. I am in the Midwest (Kansas to be specific), and there is virtually NO metal sung here, and the only rap that gets done is when an out of towner comes in and happens by. Mostly what gets done here is country and pop - with a slight edge to country. But, I would also say...I lived in northern VA for a bit (near D.C.), and the music selection at the establishment I went to there was very similar to what is here. I never heard a metal OR rap song performed in the year I was there.
------------------ Kelly Alsip http://www.rexall.com/healthy-n-fit
posted
Hey, Hey, Hey Your not actually picking on the Midwest are you? lol. I live in WI probably the number 1 state for beer drinkers. Well anyways here in WI all varieties of music are played. The city I live Country music is the most popular . If I drive up North Heavy Metal is The' music up there. The karaoke establisments up there have a much younger crowd. However I rarely hear rap. I would just it depends on the venue, the age group etc.
Posts: 798 | From: Wisconsin | Registered: Mar 2001
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Diane: Hey you Guys! Don't be so mean! LOL
If you haven't figured it out yet, Karaoke/Musical preferances in North America differs [b]immensely region to region:
I am in the great Pacific NW (Portland, Oregon)
and from what I remember reading...
l'opera voce is from California. Suburb of LA? Not sure there, but regardless it is on the WEST coast.
Alice Cooper's Alter Ego is from Vancouver B.C. This too is on the WEST coast.
Then we have rjthe1god. Even though he lives in "Middletown" that is in Rhode Island which is far, far, far to the EAST! LOL
With Doug Oswald located in Blaine, Minnesota, (remember Fargo? lol) we have the whole East Coast, West Coast thing here ganging up on Middle America! Sheesh!
Hey guys what did you have for lunch? A SANDWICH! Lame chuckle follows!
posted
Don't pick on me because I'm from Rhode Island, were the coolest. Actually I just moved to Newport so now at least you know where I'm at.
Posts: 1795 | From: Fall River, Ma | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
LOL! I was not picking on you guys! I was sticking up for Doug you sillys!
ACAE... what? *whoosh* right over my head! Did you have to copy nearly EVERYTHING I typed? LoL! You could at least get the UBB code right if you're going to quote me. LoL!
[This message has been edited by Diane (edited October 25, 2001).]
posted
At our shows in Pa it depends on the management. All our shows are in Adult only bars so we don't have to worry about kids. At one show the management has told us not to play anything "vulgar" (he still can't define it though...is the pussycat song vulgar??). one venue doesn't care at all and our last one doesn't care but there we charge $1.00 per cuss word which gets donated to St Judes Childrens hospital.
Posts: 64 | From: Saylorsburg, Pa USA | Registered: Sep 1999
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posted
I empathize with Doug, MN shows are pretty front-loaded with country tunes. Pretty sad. If I didn't know better, most bars I go to I'd swear I was in Austin.
And for you east and west coasters: We don't talk like Fargo... people from North Dakota talk like Fargo.
Posts: 20 | From: Rosemount MN, USA | Registered: Oct 2001
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Hey Diane, don't blame me for the code, I just took a straight reply with quote so it got lost somehow. Anyway you've got to go back to the school yard to get the lame little joke. You know, East and West come together so whatever is in between is the filling thus we have a sandwich. "SIGH" just a lame-o silly joke. Posts: 531 | Registered: Feb 2001
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egkse: I have a friend that sings the pussycat song. Yep, that would be a tough one LOL. I think that is really cool that you have a specific charity that you donate the proceeds from the cuss jar. Good idea!
Anacrusis: I was waiting for someone to correct me on the Fargo thing. heheheh I do specifiacally remember "Blaine" as being one of the towns that the crooks travel to.
A.C.A.E.: I figured that's what you were making reference to. yep, lame! LOL
posted
Hey -- we NoDaks don't talk like that, don't'cha know?
Besides -- "Fargo" was actually filmed in and around Bemidji, MN. Yah sure, you betcha.
(As an aside -- I hope I have time during my next Twin Cities trek to attend one of Doug's shows. I've gone to a place in St. Paul that has no "heavy metal," where most people sing standards and ballads, and had a great time! And that's my 02....)
I am in the Heart Of Dixie as it reads on the car tags of Alabama. The fringes of the "BIBLE BELT". As a coastal city there is more of the secular world influences than further North.
Here with the older crowds I seek to attract they do not care for songs with strings of obscenities. I play in clubs that cater to these crowd, and while I do attract all ages who are welcome they abide by my rules.
There is one word that is NOT allowed. As I tell them "IF YOU SEE KAY, tell her I said hi!" is NOT allowed.
That means NO to songs like RODEO, CLOSER, PIECE OF SH#T CAR, etc., sung on MY stages at MY shows. I have said it before. It is not regional just the clientele I deal with. Down the street at any Bubba's Bar and Grill they can gleefully sing these into the night.
posted
To me the main thing regarding profanity, is that if you go to see someone like Eminem in concert, you are paying for tickets and know what to expect. But, if you are going out for karaoke, you have the right to not be forced to be subjected to certain langauge. Yes, you will over hear profanity by other patrons, but not to the extent that a lot of these songs do and not over a microphone. Bob Prosing /Sound Escape Productions
Posts: 206 | From: Clearwater, Fl | Registered: May 2001
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posted
Man...this is really an opened can of worms, huh? I actually LOST a gig because the owner didn't like anyone singing CREED (gees!). I insisted that they could sing ANYTHING they wanted, providing there were no obscenities (it was a restuaraunt/bar, and children are there till around 10). NOW, if it's just a straight up BAR, they can sing anything they want to. If there are people who I think may be offended by the song present, I kindly request the singer to tone it down before the song ever starts. Usually, they never have a problem with this... CHEER-IO!! Shawn
------------------ Keep Singing...It's Good For Your Soul! ~Shawn
Posts: 30 | From: Gun Barrel City, Texas, USA | Registered: Sep 2001
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I am a father of 3 and would not allow any song that is vulgar or profane to be sung at my show when children are present. All the songs stay in my book but are labeled with an "m" for "mature". When children are present the "m" songs are prohibited. Other than that we are all adults and should be able to handle it.... If you can't handle the vulgarity of a few songs then I suggest you leave. I'm not forcing you to stay.
Also, the venue is paying you to do it to their satisfaction. If they want no vulgarity it is there right to say so. If you as a KJ don't agree with their request, then don't play there.... I'm sure there are many of your competitors that would love you gig.
Do I sing vulgar songs at my show? Only when there are no kids, it is requested for me to sing by someone else, and I clear it with my "boss", after all... for that night the club owner is my boss. The only exception is the private party where a majority of "mature" songs are already being sung then I might join in (again, only if there are no children present).
Banning songs for length is debateable...I don't do it. As much as I don't like the long songs I feel it is the right of each singer to express themselves with the songs they want to (except for the afore mentioned). But I can't say that not seeing those songs in a competitors book bothers me at all, even though I know they have them... cause quite frankly I wouldn't sing them anyway.
NOW, for my biggest pet peeve(sp)... KJ's who take songs out of their book simply because they don't like them. It is AROGANT & SELF-SERVING. I won't go to anyone's show who believes that only their "acceptible" music is the only music I should be able to sing. Several of my regulars are at my show now because I have the songs they want to sing...Crazy - Patsy Cline, The Rose - Bette Midler, and several others....even though I've heard these songs so many times I could puke. It's gets old to me, but for them it is not an every night occurance so it's fun.
Bottom line...Each KJ can do what they want...but in my opinion the only censorship necessary is to protect kids from vulgarity.
Thank you for your time & consideration!!!
Bryon Dahle Karaoke4Life Entertainment karaoke4life.com
quote:Originally posted by karaoke4life: Other than that we are all adults and should be able to handle it.... If you can't handle the vulgarity of a few songs then I suggest you leave. I'm not forcing you to stay.
Also, the venue is paying you to do it to their satisfaction. If they want no vulgarity it is there right to say so. If you as a KJ don't agree with their request, then don't play there.... I'm sure there are many of your competitors that would love you gig.
Banning songs for length is debateable...I don't do it. As much as I don't like the long songs I feel it is the right of each singer to express themselves with the songs they want to (except for the afore mentioned). But I can't say that not seeing those songs in a competitors book bothers me at all, even though I know they have them... cause quite frankly I wouldn't sing them anyway.
NOW, for my biggest pet peeve(sp)... KJ's who take songs out of their book simply because they don't like them. It is AROGANT & SELF-SERVING. I won't go to anyone's show who believes that only their "acceptible" music is the only music I should be able to sing. Several of my regulars are at my show now because I have the songs they want to sing...Crazy - Patsy Cline, The Rose - Bette Midler, and several others....even though I've heard these songs so many times I could puke. It's gets old to me, but for them it is not an every night occurance so it's fun.
I agree whole heartedly, matter of fact I've said that it's just stupid to ban or take anything out of your books for all the above reasons.
Posts: 1795 | From: Fall River, Ma | Registered: Feb 2001
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quote: Originally posted by karaoke4life: Bottom line...Each KJ can do what they want...but in my opinion the only censorship necessary is to protect kids from vulgarity.
karaoke4life: I totally agree with you! If it is a bar then so be it. If it is a wedding or private function, or any karaoke show where children are permitted, then by all means, ban those songs! The bar that I frequent for Karaoke is .. well... A BAR! There are no children allowed so we don't have to worry about it. In fact, when someone does get up to sing a "colorful" song, RC will often announce a disclaimer that sounds something to the nature of : The following song may contain colorful lyrics so for those of you who are shy, have senstive ears and are easily offended.... WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING IN A BAR? LoL! That is NOT an exact quote. It is fairly accurate though. RC, Please correct me!
*edited to remove old link*
[This message has been edited by Diane (edited July 14, 2005).]
posted
Hmm....Censorship, I have been a KJ for 6 years and I Love My Job. I Own, manage & oversee everything in my business, I would be ****ed off royally if a bar owner came to me and told me there were certain songs I Couldn't play, I have connom sense. I play evrything expect for things that have to do with the Devil or Ripping on Jesus or God, that's my choice because I have spent a fortune (like we all have) to have a kick ass collection. When i walk into a bar with 13,000 + songs people are excited, so if it's in the book, my singers can sing it.
Posts: 2 | From: Wisconsin | Registered: Nov 2001
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I think Doug was just saying how lucky he was because due to the song selection in his songbook, there is no need to censor anything. Nothing wrong with that! I have sung at an establishment that had a very strict policy on profanity and there was absolutely nothing that I could detect as missing from the songbook. That book was HUGE! This was Lonman's selection. I was very impressed. That place was definitely not hurting for any business either!
lol just my .02 *grins*
*whoosh* right over my head! Did you have to copy nearly EVERYTHING I typed? LoL! You could at least get the UBB code right if you're going to quote me. LoL! 
