Karaoke done right!!!

As many of you may or may not know, I have been a karaoke goer for about twelve years now. I have seen hosts and venues come and go. I have sang at karaoke bars all around Washington state and some in southern California,so I know my stuff when it comes to making a successful karaoke show! The host needs to be energetic and well spoken. If they can't engage an audience and make a connection then they will not make it. Here is a list of things NOT to do as a host:

- Constantly text while patrons are up singing

- Call women lewd names when they sing. No woman wants to be referred to as "jugs" when she goes to the mic

- Being drunk or drinking on the job. You are getting paid to provide entertainment and an employee of the establishment. The waitresses and cooks aren't drunk and neither should you be!

- Not knowing your equipment. If this job is provides most or all of your income then you should know your own equipment inside and out before running shows. No customer wants to see you fiddling around all night with your karaoke machine and just pushing random buttons hoping everything works. It's unprofessional and you will more than likely lose your venue,customers, and give your company a black eye in your community.

- Don't blame patrons for your problems. If you don't have a song that someone wants to sing you can simply say that your sorry and will try to get it for them the next time they come around. DO NOT get up in the customers face and say," Well if you'de put more money in my tip jar every night then I could afford it asshole!" This is babyish and will get either your ass kicked or lose your venue. Do what you can do with what you can afford and have. If you are working on very limited funds then you will just have to build your collection little by little. Again don't blame singers for your problems.

- Don't be on drugs when working at a venue. I have seen many hosts "coked up" or so stoned they can't even operate their system. These people should be fired immediately.

THINGS TO DO :

- Have filler between songs. Whether it's music playing between singers or music videos, don't just have dead airspace.

- When it's getting close to quitting time at the end of the night please make an announcement such as," Sorry folks it's one-thirty and we can't accept any more slips for the night" It is such a simple thing to do and it saves hard feelings from people and you the host from stress.

- If you have twenty plus singers in each rotation, don't put yourself in their to sing as well. Time is limited as it is and with so many people wanting to sing you should set aside your song and let the paying patrons have their time. You are being paid already, the singers aren't so suck up your ego.

- Give acknowledgment and salutations to your singers. Let's be honest- some people are much better singers than others, however you shouldn't give Sally any more props for singing than Bob just because Sally sounded pitch perfect on a song and Bob can't carry a tune. Everyone should feel great when they go up to sing and when they go to sit back down. Positive reinforcement is a great thing and will help you build a loyal fan base.


Well these are my guildlines I came up with on how to run a great karaoke show. Some of my friends are karaoke hosts and many of my friends are karaoke singers. I would love any and all feed back from the readers.

Cheers
Stephen (self professed singing geek)