I've experienced karaoke cheers and jeers over the years. While I've
karaoked a few times in my teens and early 20's, I really only recognize my
early 30's as my start to my karaoke "career" for lack of a better
term.
And what I meant by "career", I included time behind the mic as well as in front. That's right, in the early stages I was karaoke host with the most at Malarky's. When I wasn't working, I was singing at the same place.
Once I was established and comfortable hosting karaoke, I was encouraged to tour the surrounding area including Seattle to observe other karaoke. Not necessarily to compare myself but know how other DJ's do it. See what their strengths and weaknesses are, and see how I can apply that to my show.
All and all, I've had an awesome time singing, and drinking beer with my
friends while waiting for my turn. I've learned my vocal tone range, and the
songs that fall into that category so they are polished no matter where and
when I belt them out.
The equipment can be state-of-the-art or barely running, at least it'll be consistent across the mic. One of my more fond moments of karaoke cheer is when the crowd is fired up and singing the chorus with me.
Some singers don't like that, in fact, they find it insulting. Not me! I love it, because it means that song they are hearing is one they love, too. What better way to display your love than to sing it? Granted I have the microphone, but I might as well the original artist performing the song on stage.
Like I said, one of my best memories of karaoke cheers is during a business trip to the Dominican Republic. One of the nights that I didn't have a group event was the night the resort I was placed at hosted karaoke.
Before submitting my song request, I surveyed the crowd. Mostly from the South because they were displaying University of North Carolina hats, and shirts, a couple Georgia Tech hats, and the telltale Southern drawl in their conversations.
My go-to song? Rodeo by Garth Brooks.
My guess was spot-on as that half of the crowd got on their feet to help me out. The next singer was a black fella that absolutely killed it with Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel. While he did bring down the house, I still felt good as I lay down in my bed that night.
The other moment that I reflect on happened a week ago at Pub 85 in Kirkland. My first song I launched into is my standard go-to song without scanning the crowd, or caring if they wanna hear it or not.
We're An American Band by Grand Funk Railroad.
It gives me a chance to review the crowd response, and survey the crowd for my next song selection. They were mostly barely legals (21 y.o.) to late 20's. I knew in an instant what would be my next song to submit to sing.
Animal by Neon Trees.
Sure enough, the crowd didn't disappoint me! They sang the entire chorus, and most of the song to boot!
However, for all the fun and cheers, there's also the unsavory part of karaoking. Sometimes the person requesting the song is so intoxicated that they want to jump the singer queue. Mostly because they are not gonna last too much longer before passing out, vomiting, or be being ejected from the bar.
Sometimes the DJ (including me) doesn't have the song the singer wants to do. In addition to the version that they want. I've had some customers request to use their own backing track on their iPhone or Android device.
Another jeer I have about karaoke hosts, or karaoking in general is the increase on the microphone gain to increase volume level. It simply doesn't work, or all it does is created sound feedback through the speakers, which can be deafening.
Or some singers feel it necessary to scream into the microphone, which amplifies your voice anyways ... so I don't see the point in doing that. Again, mostly that they are drunk.
Speaking of which, my only incident that I remember was at Malarky's. It was the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving Day which most college students have return to Issaquah. One drunk idiot walked up to me while I was singing Animal by Neon Trees. In the middle of the song he tossed a full beer at me! It dowsed me in beer and it splashed all over Mari's equipment to boot.
We stopped the song, I pointed to the perpetrator, and they ejected him. I requested more like yelled for his bro's to be tossed too, but they remained. I was mad but mostly embarrassed having a beer thrown on me.
Obviously, it rattled me but not for long. The next night I was singing again at the Juanita Bar & Grill, and it happened without incident.
So Seattle, and Spaceship Earth, any proud moments while karaoking such as singing for the first time? Any not-so-proud moments that you dare to share with me? Love to read those, too.
Until next time, be good like you should, and if you can't be good, be good at what you do!
Mic drop *bOoM*
'los; out
And what I meant by "career", I included time behind the mic as well as in front. That's right, in the early stages I was karaoke host with the most at Malarky's. When I wasn't working, I was singing at the same place.
Once I was established and comfortable hosting karaoke, I was encouraged to tour the surrounding area including Seattle to observe other karaoke. Not necessarily to compare myself but know how other DJ's do it. See what their strengths and weaknesses are, and see how I can apply that to my show.
 | |
| Karaoke Cheers and Jeers |
The equipment can be state-of-the-art or barely running, at least it'll be consistent across the mic. One of my more fond moments of karaoke cheer is when the crowd is fired up and singing the chorus with me.
Some singers don't like that, in fact, they find it insulting. Not me! I love it, because it means that song they are hearing is one they love, too. What better way to display your love than to sing it? Granted I have the microphone, but I might as well the original artist performing the song on stage.
Like I said, one of my best memories of karaoke cheers is during a business trip to the Dominican Republic. One of the nights that I didn't have a group event was the night the resort I was placed at hosted karaoke.
Before submitting my song request, I surveyed the crowd. Mostly from the South because they were displaying University of North Carolina hats, and shirts, a couple Georgia Tech hats, and the telltale Southern drawl in their conversations.
My go-to song? Rodeo by Garth Brooks.
My guess was spot-on as that half of the crowd got on their feet to help me out. The next singer was a black fella that absolutely killed it with Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel. While he did bring down the house, I still felt good as I lay down in my bed that night.
The other moment that I reflect on happened a week ago at Pub 85 in Kirkland. My first song I launched into is my standard go-to song without scanning the crowd, or caring if they wanna hear it or not.
We're An American Band by Grand Funk Railroad.
It gives me a chance to review the crowd response, and survey the crowd for my next song selection. They were mostly barely legals (21 y.o.) to late 20's. I knew in an instant what would be my next song to submit to sing.
Animal by Neon Trees.
Sure enough, the crowd didn't disappoint me! They sang the entire chorus, and most of the song to boot!
However, for all the fun and cheers, there's also the unsavory part of karaoking. Sometimes the person requesting the song is so intoxicated that they want to jump the singer queue. Mostly because they are not gonna last too much longer before passing out, vomiting, or be being ejected from the bar.
Sometimes the DJ (including me) doesn't have the song the singer wants to do. In addition to the version that they want. I've had some customers request to use their own backing track on their iPhone or Android device.
Another jeer I have about karaoke hosts, or karaoking in general is the increase on the microphone gain to increase volume level. It simply doesn't work, or all it does is created sound feedback through the speakers, which can be deafening.
Or some singers feel it necessary to scream into the microphone, which amplifies your voice anyways ... so I don't see the point in doing that. Again, mostly that they are drunk.
Speaking of which, my only incident that I remember was at Malarky's. It was the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving Day which most college students have return to Issaquah. One drunk idiot walked up to me while I was singing Animal by Neon Trees. In the middle of the song he tossed a full beer at me! It dowsed me in beer and it splashed all over Mari's equipment to boot.
We stopped the song, I pointed to the perpetrator, and they ejected him. I requested more like yelled for his bro's to be tossed too, but they remained. I was mad but mostly embarrassed having a beer thrown on me.
Obviously, it rattled me but not for long. The next night I was singing again at the Juanita Bar & Grill, and it happened without incident.
So Seattle, and Spaceship Earth, any proud moments while karaoking such as singing for the first time? Any not-so-proud moments that you dare to share with me? Love to read those, too.
Until next time, be good like you should, and if you can't be good, be good at what you do!
Mic drop *bOoM*
'los; out
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