posted
What really weighs on me is that there are several very, very, very good singers that sing for me, but they always sing the same songs, week end, week out.....i'll suggest some things to them but i'll usually get the same comment, that they don't like to take risks of sounding bad or average....any comments on my dilemma???
-------------------- Karaoke With Jason "Where Stars Become Friends" Posts: 32 | From: 7072 sunnyside drive Mechanicsville Va. 23111 | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
they're obviously not very good if they can only do a few songs
try having a random round or something, where people just turn in a blank slip and you choose the song for them
-------------------- Be still my heart This could be a brand new start with you <3 Posts: 1242 | From: Lakewood, Ohio | Registered: Jan 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
yes, a "random round" ...if the "crowd" is comprised of regulars they may enjoy playing a little game our hosts play: "dog is an a**hole", "kitty is a b*tch", "hound is a wanker", "gator is a jerk" etc...
The host [insert funny animal nickname here]picks songs that they truly believe the singers will do well - afterall, the host gets very accustomed to singers' style and vocal ranges. If everyone plays the round, they're all on the same fun footing. Our singers really enjoy these games and many of them have expanded their repertoire substantially as a result.
quote:Originally posted by King Tony - King Of Hearts: they're obviously not very good if they can only do a few songs
try having a random round or something, where people just turn in a blank slip and you choose the song for them
My thing is, if they sound good on that song and want to do it every week, go for it. As long as they have a good time, stay, and come back, I don't care. I would agree that these people may be very limited as to what they can sing. But I'll invite some that I get to know over to the house for a jam session. There I make them try other things. Many times you are correct in that they are limited. But several have found they CAN sing a wider range and they just don't have the chance to try other things unless they come to the show. I like the suggestion of blank slip rounds, but I'd have to do it on a week night when it's just regulars. Something else I do is strongly enchourage duets. A duet counts as a song for both singers in my rotation, so I can get back around faster. It also gives people a chance to try songs they don't normally do with someone else.
Posts: 71 | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've picked up regulars that used to frequent other shows as a result of this subject. People don't want the karaoke host telling them what not to sing. I'll be the first to admit that it's annoying to hear "Bring Me To Life" every week, but if a good singer is comfortable singing one particular song, I don't think it's right for the host to give them an attitude about it.
Posts: 248 | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
LOL, I know what you mean. If I hear *John* do the Devil goes Down to Georgia for the 73rd week in a row (3 nights a week---you do the math) I will scream.
I know I have songs that even I sound good on, but will do my so-so songs to keep it mixxed up. Even add a brand new song every now and then to add to the list of things I do.
As for KJ's making suggestions on what to sing, I told one KJ that I was thinking of actually doing a non-comedy song one night and he begged me not to (after 6 nights a week of the same old boring serious songs, guess he looked forward to Monday night and my crazy selection). Probably was the best advice he gave me.
Crazy Chris
Posts: 40 | From: Omaha, Nebraska, USA | Registered: Jan 2005
| IP: Logged |
I guess the reason i raised this question is because those particular 'Professional" singers, who perform at dinner theaters and whatnot....are often the biggest critics of the average "Joe or Jane"...whom in their opinion, has no talent whatsoever...but.."Joe or Jane"...attempts a variety of different songs....Its great to have really talented singers at my venues..and they deserve the accolades that they wish to achieve...but i love the Average Joe And Jane...I really do.....I'll go to bat for them every chance i get....
-------------------- Karaoke With Jason "Where Stars Become Friends" Posts: 32 | From: 7072 sunnyside drive Mechanicsville Va. 23111 | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Jason E.: Great Responses...Thanks
I guess the reason i raised this question is because those particular 'Professional" singers, who perform at dinner theaters and whatnot....are often the biggest critics of the average "Joe or Jane"...whom in their opinion, has no talent whatsoever...but.."Joe or Jane"...attempts a variety of different songs....Its great to have really talented singers at my venues..and they deserve the accolades that they wish to achieve...but i love the Average Joe And Jane...I really do.....I'll go to bat for them every chance i get....
I think a weekend show needs a bad singer or two. I call it the Jerry Springer affect. People may be laying back, because I do have some excellent singers, but when they hear that bad singer, they'll know they at least won't be the worst of the night and they'll fill out a slip. As for me, I open the show with a different song every show. I never use my good stuff and put just enough into it so that it sounds good and get's the crowd in the mood. This past Friday I opened with "Walk of Life" by Dire Straights, as an example. I tell my other KJs that if they were the best singer of the night, then they didn't do a very good job. I'll only sing again maybe one more time, and then it's a duet request by some of the ladies. They know I'll only do one so they take turns asking me. I could care less about critics. Anyone that has the kahoonas to get on that stage is a star for five minutes in my book. My show is all about having fun and all my singers get a pat on the back...
Posts: 71 | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
quote:Something else I do is strongly enchourage duets. A duet counts as a song for both singers in my rotation, so I can get back around faster. It also gives people a chance to try songs they don't normally do with someone else.
Duets are alot of fun. I've sang Don't Go Breaking My Heart, Whenever I Call You Friend (my favorite), You're the One That I Want, Always, Picture (arghhh), and Islands in the Stream (which I don't know very well). I purchased a cd of brazilian samba music awhile back. It's all duets. These people have so much fun singing it makes me wish there were more karaoke duets available. I wonder if Sound Choice has and easy way to search for all their duets?
Posts: 683 | From: seattle,wa,usa | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Jason- if you go through the archives of this forum, you'll find that I've created two separate gimmicks to get people to try new stuff...the Big Money Mystery Song (tm), and the Karaoke Scout program.
-------------------- one of the last legitimate karaoke hosts in the Pacific Northwest... Posts: 745 | From: Portland, OR, USA | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Usually the best way to do something like this would be ro say hey to someone and you heard a song the other day and it made you think of her/him. also let them know you'd love to hear them try this song as it should be a great song for them. As most experienced KJs are pretty good at picking songs for singers.Especially with the singers you hear all the time.
Posts: 1483 | From: Kansas City MO 64119 | Registered: Mar 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Here is an interesting question. In some places I've been, if you hear someone sing a song, and then want to try it yourself, it's kind of frowned upon because it's considered "stepping on that person's song." Anyone else run into this? Is it a social faux pas to do this?
posted
Generally I would do the song at a different show. I definitely would not do it the same night as I heard it. Some hosts don't like repeats in the same night. Beyond that, no one owns the songs, but if someone was known in a place for a song or was a "one hit wonder" who did that song every week, I would not do the song at that location. If it was someone who usually mixed it up and did that song once, I would no compunction about doing the song another night at that venue.
Posts: 1261 | From: Milton, MA 02186 | Registered: Mar 2001
| IP: Logged |
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
