IMHO, I feel about every two or three rotations is fine. The exception would be for a newly established show at a venue that has never had karaoke. Then yes, the KJ or their partner needs to make it happen.

The host should at the very least sing the first song to test the equipment. Apart from that, it depends on the rotation--I go to shows that are capable of hitting 2 hours plus rotations, and the host will (as he or she should) skip his turn in order to get as many people in as possible. If it's a slow night, then the host has to sing to help move the show along.

Best,

When I first started out (close to 4 years ago...time fly's when it's fun), I would sing the first song of the night and after every rotation. Then, it seems, after the word got out about my shows (i.e. song selection, equipment, fair rotation, fun, whatever was being said) we started seeing many new faces and larger rotations. I started to feel that if I was singing after every rotation I am taking time away from:

- A possible new person wanting to try karaoke for the first time either by themselves or with a group.

- Any regulars who may have been used to a smaller rotation in the past either at my shows or someone else's.

- Someone checking out my shows for the first time because of what they've heard on the street about the (sound system, selection, rotation, fun) and the singing experience that goes along with that.

I now feel, although I love singing myself, I'm not there for singing. I feel I'm there to serve:

- The singers.

Have as many people as I can get their karaoke "groove" on. Have them experience the great karaoke rush that hooked me 8 or so years ago. Have them sing the new/old songs I buy for them.

- The venue owner.

To keep the venue owner happy ($$$) and me around for awhile I feel I want to give the singers all the time available.

I feel the bottom line is this...I'm getting paid to perform a service.(create a draw of people that will spend money)I feel this does not include singing myself (Well, maybe once)unless it's very, and I mean "very", slow.

The singers at my shows are not getting paid to do a job. They are there to have a good time and hopfully spend money.

I feel that singers at karaoke venues are limited in the time they can sing from my disc selection and since I own the disks, I can sing from them anytime. I feel it's my obligation (being paid) to give them as much time with my disks as possible.

This is only meant for "food for thought".

P.S. Anthony T. - Your post went up while I was writing the above so I'll address it while I'm still in a writing mood.

Good point - I agree that you're there for the singers. Additionally, to make money for the venue. If both are done correctly I believe you can be the highest paid KJ in any area.

I have no problem with a KJ singing once per rotation. The KJs here have very good voices, and it's great to hear them sing; they are also very supportive of everyone else who sings.

That being said, I have encountered shows where a KJ would automatically sing the next song if someone got loud applause for doing a good job on a song. This KJ was singing three or four times per rotation.

I have a real appreciation for the job a KJ has to do -- he or she has to keep the party going and satisfy as many customers/singers/party goers as possible. I've only hosted a couple of times -- as a favor to the KJ -- and I found hosting to be fun, but challenging as well.

Maybe that wasn't even worth .02...but it is my opinion...

When the rotation is long, I drop out, only to be resurrected if someone:

1) Requests a duet with them.

2) There have been too many sappy ballads in a row. (I usually kick in a fast tune here)

3) Someone requests for me to singa certain song to a B-DAYer or anniversary.

4) Or if someone is having trouble with a song, I usually bring up the mic just enough to set them back on track and them drop out again.

I WILL do the closing song too. Usually a slow song to 'wind down' the crowd, and too I can pick out a cutie to sing to

Dale

I'll just reprint my response from another forum on this topic...it was advising potential new KJs at the time....

If you want to sing all night, walk away now. One of the surest ways to kill a show is for the host to hog the mic.

It's rare that I sing more than two songs all night....the opening song, and the closing song. If there's more than 10 singers, I drop out of the rotation, PERIOD.

The show is for the singers, NOT the host. If you plan to try making a show into your own private showcase, don't bother becoming a KJ...you can only do damage to the industry. You need to be good enought to carry the show by yourself, but only do it if there are no other options.

Regardless of what they say to puff up your ego, the bottom line is that the singers came to sing, not to hear you sing. If you can't handle this concept, you're in trouble before you even start.

If you need to "scratch the itch" to sing, it's best to go to somewhere else to scratch it so you're not inclined to use your own show. (and it shows your support for other KJs)

Karaoke can be a drug, and what was that old drug dealer's saying they used in Scarface? "Don't get high on your own supply." Good advice. (Hel-looo, garyc...read it again)

BTW - A host "helping" a new singer is not the same as a host arbitrarily taking a turn at the top of every rotation.

In my opinion, a host has NO BUSINESS singing a song of their own when there are 30 singers waiting. I'm sorry, but that's a load of crap, and customers have the right to complain about it. (BTW - Just because customers don't complain OUT LOUD about something, doesn't mean that they like it)

As for someone "requesting" a host to sing a song, refer to the "phrase to remember" above.... - L .

Remember, this is all advice & opinion. You own the equipment and run the show, you make the rules. Your success will be gauged by your employment.

In keeping with the topic, I, and my wife, take our turn in rotation over the course of the evening until/if the list gets too long and/or the hour gets too late. It just depends on the situation, nothin' written in stone.

I once attended a show, however, in which the KJ would sing 2 or 3 songs in the rotation. Sure, it was a short list, but I thought that uncalled for. We've had short rotations before...hell, me & the wife have had to carry the first hour of a few shows. I mean, I LOVE karaoke, but an hour with no one else singing? A rotation of TWO? Even WE were gittin bored!!

It would really get me P.O.'d when, on a heavy night, the owner would instruct the KJ to announce "Last Call for Alcohol", which meant only 4 more songs. Invariably, the KJ would always put himself in for one of those songs, sometimes for two of those songs if a lady wanted to do a duet with him. It didn't matter to him if it was his turn in the rotation or not. We singers didn't like that at all.

I think it's good for the KJ's or one of the regulars (who has a solid repertoire) to start out a show, just to get things off to a strong start. Then start the rotation as normal.

As more people come in and submit their request slips, then the KJ should remove him/herself from the rotation. Leigh is right when she says that it can be intoxicating, especially when the babes from the birthday party are throwing dollar bills at you while you're singing onstage! But the show is for the crowd, not for the KJ.

If it's one of those really slow midweek nights with only a 30-minute rotation for a 4hour show, then I have no problem sharing the rotation with the KJ...there's plenty of time for everyone to get in a lot of songs.

I also agree that the KJ should have the discretion to "pick up the pace" if an hour-long slow ballad set is taking place. I've sat in the audience and completely tuned out the singers after awhile because of so many slow songs being sung one after the other.
Getting in a fast song that the audience can join in with to break up the monotony and wake everyone up is a good thing.

But if the KJ does that, then I think that counts as his turn in the rotation. He shouldn't come back later to do the slow song he originally planned to do (I've seen this happen).

I've also seen the "applause-addicted" KJ who won't even wait until the singer who's tearing down the house is finished with his song...this KJ would jump up onstage in the middle of the song and try to share the limelight!