posted
We are blessed with doing a show Thurs, Fri, Sat. We have the same singers coming in all three days and sing the same songs each night.
We also have a large audience that does not sing, but likes to come in and dance and hear the songs. It has become so monotonous the regulars are leaving.
We have now implimented a rule:
Singers may not sing any of the same songs two nights in a row at the same establishment.
This does three things:
1) Gets the singer to try new material 2) Keeps the singer away for a night so others can get in rotation 3) Gives the listeners something else to enjoy
Some of them think we are *ricks for doing this, but they have relate it to listening to the same songs over and over on the radio: don't you say, 'I hate that song, it's played too much'?
Any thoughts?
Dale
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Posts: 175 | From: Grand Rapids, MI | Registered: Apr 1999
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posted
Generally, I'm not in favour of limiting the songs that somebody can sing. No repeats in a night (either by the same person or a different person) is enough, in my mind.
I am in favour of a KJ taking the initiative and suggesting songs that they think people can sing, and will enjoy singing. Maybe you can pull up your songlist at home on the computer, and have a quick look through it, and make up a page of songs for a particular person, that you think they'd enjoy. Say something like "Garth Brooks did more songs than "Friends In Low Places", and here are some of the other 63 of his that I have." Tell your regulars that you are glad they come out to support your shows, and enjoy their singing, but that you spend a lot of money to keep an up to date songlist, and you think they should give it a closer look.
If you happen to be one of those KJ's that have the little envelopes to save your regulars' slips in, and you are positive that they would know a new song, put it in their envelope. Put that song up one night, if it's a little slower, and when they protest, say politely "Well, it was in your envelope, I figured you must have tried it that night I wasn't here. Give it a try for me anyway."
Or, bribe some of your regulars with a 2 song turn, as long as they sing something new.
posted
I have tried diligently to suggest songs, they put it in, but them chicken out the last minute, only to go back to the old stuff.
I am setting an example by not repeating myself and trying new songs, even if I suck at it. It shows the singers that even the host makes mistakes sometimes.
However, their thinking is, if the rotation is long (usually is) they don't want to 'waste' their turn trying a new song no one will pay attention to. (positive reaction is the singer's payoff, in most cases)
I tell singers they can do two in a row if the songs are two minutes or shorter each. Mostly oldies are in this catagory so I don't mind, and the singer thinks they got ample time on stage for their turn.
I know it's a drastic measure, but it's going to be that way for a while.
Dale
[This message has been edited by Dj Dale (edited November 11, 2002).]
Posts: 175 | From: Grand Rapids, MI | Registered: Apr 1999
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posted
It seems that there are different kinds of karaoke singers. Some start off with one or two songs that they feel comfortable performing. The serious karaoke singers will eventally buy their own karaoke system and discs learn new songs quickly . Some willl try songs without practice. Then there are those who will only sing certain songs, for years and years.
Here is something that helped me before I bought a home system. When I first started karaoke, my KJ had a portable CD player that she brought to the show. She would let me take CDG's into another part of the bar (like the closed restaurant part) and I would listen to songs that I thought I might know. I would find lots of songs I knew listening to the CDG's, I just didn't know the titles. Years ago I remember taking the CD player to the ladies rest room and listening "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac. I came back into the bar, signed it up, and sang it well.
I think that if the singer could just hear the song first, that would recall their memory enough to try it.
posted
People singing the same songs is pretty much standard karaoke fare. If your rule helps business, then I suppose that's good. Just seems sort of strange with the non-singers influencing a karaoke show like that. Maybe some incentive (free drink?) to get first-time singers up might pay off. Once they sing, they would probably find it fun (most do) and perhaps understand people's inclination to repeat what they're comfortable with. You may want to also offer an incentive for new songs from singers - like putting their slips in a hat for a raffle or something? I've suggested songs for singers and sometimes that has worked out pretty well to get them to expand their base. Preventing someone from singing the same song two nights in a row is pretty drastic, but that's just my opinion. What happens when someone wants to sing a song that was already sung earlier? That often can happen.
Posts: 232 | From: Chicago area | Registered: Nov 2001
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posted
Or you even have the people that do pretty good with one, but are trying very hard to "perfect" it.
For instance, I'm heavily into Billy Joel's "The DownEaster Alexa", and I HAVE been since it came out (sc8715).
I LOVE it. The near-Celtic-type beat makes for a tremendous difference than standard Pop songs, or even Country. When I got up to sing it the other night, I had SEVERAL people go, "Oh, I LOVE this song!", and I was singing it in a venue I've not frequented for at least a year. But I get the same reaction out of my regulars, and even my KJ "Tig" says he loves hearing it.
I DEMAND that his wife sings "Ashes by Now" when she comes to my venues. She does it BETTER and with more feeling than Lee Ann Womack does! LOL! She near frightens us guys! LOL!
The point is, I like people who have a standard, or one that they're known for. I consider it a HELLUVA compliment when someone requests a song from me, such as "A$$hole" by Dennis Leary, the various Styx songs I sing, or even Bob Segar and Billy Joel. If you can do one song particularily well, and it PLEASES people, then that's a good thing.
Yes, hearing the same crooner do "Crazy" or "Grandpa" or "With Arms Wide Open" ALL the time might get dull, but they ARE your singers. Encouragement is one thing... rules are another.
I doubt I would be happy at your place, despite a huge selection of songs I routinely sing. Because sometimes I ENJOY singing the same song two nights in a row. And sometimes I enjoy HEARING the same song two nights in a row.
Matt *the anti-establishment Karaoke Host*
Posts: 3332 | From: Independence, mo | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
I don't think thats fair if you tell your customers they can't sing their song 2 nights in a row. They are there paying your wage and if they are there 2 nights in a row aren't they considered your regulars?
You want to keep yor regulars as well as getting newbees.
posted
These singers are not the new singers... they have been singing not too good for a while...although I do not care one way or another if they cannot carry a tune, I applaud the courage. However the people I am talking about sing the same three songs evernight.
I have more than once not gone into another karaoke show because I see certain people that I know will sing the same terrible songs. If the KJ had the courage to encourage them to do different songs, then I probably would give them a standing ovation for the effort.
Already we've seen an increase in the venue's business again and the old regulars are filtering back.
It's a good change the singers will thank us for in the long run.
Dale
Posts: 175 | From: Grand Rapids, MI | Registered: Apr 1999
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posted
The way I see it is the singers are our support. If they want to sing the same songs so be it. If you can encourage them to do something else, great (this is where a large library is helpful) if not let them be. If you try to force them to do something they don't want, they'll go to other shows.
Posts: 377 | From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
Ahhhh! the power of suggestion! That's all it should be - a suggestion. I "was" one of those singers that sang the same 2 songs week after week until I perfected them. There was no surprise on my song selection. But I was very comfortable with them and I knew that no one did those 2 songs the way I did them! People "expected" me to sing those songs after a bit. They loved them! I decided to branch out and try new stuff every week. I would at least try 1 new song. If the KJ approved, I added it to my list and worked on perfecting that one. And so on... Now, I must say, I have quite a selection of songs I believe I can do very well. And once and a while I go back to the 'old stuff' just to rekindle a memory of when I started out in the Karaoke world. And although they are old songs, they are welcomed. I have my own style. Now, the KJ and the crowd never know what to expect! I like that better I know what it's like to shy away trying new songs. YOu figure if the crowd likes it, why change it? But I believe there is a handful of singers that are willing to try new stuff to make up for the ones who will sing the same stuff for years to come... Posts: 92 | From: new brunswick, canada | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
when we started keeping envelopes of our regular singer's request cards we found a neat thing happened. Suddenly, people started filling their envelopes with songs they thought they might try and many folk started singing new songs.
As well, we not only filled each envelope with our regulars' songs but also songs we thought they should try...and....they do!
Posts: 878 | From: Ottawa, ON, Canada | Registered: Dec 2000
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posted
Hey Niki, I see you're from NB. Do you ever get to Halifax? If so let us know, love to see you at one of our shows. As for me I love trying new songs. Most times I don't even know what I'm singing until the music starts.
Posts: 377 | From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Mar 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Timberlea: Hey Niki, I see you're from NB. Do you ever get to Halifax? If so let us know, love to see you at one of our shows. As for me I love trying new songs. Most times I don't even know what I'm singing until the music starts.
Timberlea - NEVER BEEN to Halifax! I hear it's a rockin' place. Planning a business trip in the Spring - if it happens, I'll get in touch!
Posts: 92 | From: new brunswick, canada | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
Hope to see you in the spring. If you want let me know if you want me to E-Mail you our song book so you can take a look and have an idea of what you want to sing. It may take you all winter to get through it and decide.
Posts: 377 | From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Mar 2002
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when we started keeping envelopes of our regular singer's request cards we found a neat thing happened. Suddenly, people started filling their envelopes with songs they thought they might try and many folk started singing new songs.
