Should I even consider going back to a show that I used to do
Re: Should I even consider going back to a show that I used to do
I am lucky to be able to adapt to whatever demographic that I am put into but would rather deal with a venue that while it will allow Classic Rock wants a clean show. Personally I hate hip-hop due to the language in it. The foulest words I tolerate is when it's maybe a single time in the song that is basically the d word. If I can get through a show that has no f word or n word, I would be as happy as a pig in the mud.
-
- Posts: 621
- Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 9:19 am
- Location: CALIFORNIA
Re: Should I even consider going back to a show that I used to do
wiseguy wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2017 5:08 pm
These were top 40 pop and rock songs. If I remember correctly the song that set the guy off was a Kiss song. I play what the people ask for. If all I had were "golden oldies" the only places I could play would be American Legions and VFWs. Plus I'd be bored out of my mind. And BTW, I am a baby boomer.
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
-
- Posts: 621
- Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 9:19 am
- Location: CALIFORNIA
Re: Should I even consider going back to a show that I used to do
DanG2006 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2017 7:53 pm I am lucky to be able to adapt to whatever demographic that I am put into but would rather deal with a venue that while it will allow Classic Rock wants a clean show. Personally I hate hip-hop due to the language in it. The foulest words I tolerate is when it's maybe a single time in the song that is basically the d word. If I can get through a show that has no f word or n word, I would be as happy as a pig in the mud.
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
Re: Should I even consider going back to a show that I used to do
Without going to the extreme end of the vulgarity scale, such as rap songs with explicit lyrics, how would you adapt to someone telling you that you could not play songs by let's say Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, Led Zepplin, or Poison even though they are the type of songs getting the most requests, simply because someone in charge only wants to hear the oldies from their generation? This is not some far fetched scenario but actually quite common at some venues.DanG2006 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2017 7:53 pm I am lucky to be able to adapt to whatever demographic that I am put into but would rather deal with a venue that while it will allow Classic Rock wants a clean show. Personally I hate hip-hop due to the language in it. The foulest words I tolerate is when it's maybe a single time in the song that is basically the d word. If I can get through a show that has no f word or n word, I would be as happy as a pig in the mud.
Re: Should I even consider going back to a show that I used to do
I don't consider myself to be especially "hip or enlightened" but rather open to the musical preferences of others. I would never deny someone the right to sing the type of song they like regardless of how I feel about it. I've been a bar owner so I've approached entertainment from both sides. These club leaders, and the American Legion is really no different than a private club, who like to control everything to their personal preferences are nothing but selfish jerks. It's not that the venue was not right for me because the crowd was large and having a great time.The Lone Ranger wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2017 9:16 pm BTW not all baby boomer's are as hip or enlightened as you are, that doesn't mean what you are doing is wrong, it just means it wasn't the right gig for your type of show. Every host is different and what works for one venue doesn't work for another. What will fill up one venue will empty another. If it turned out that a venue wasn't right for me I let the owner know and we parted friends.
-
- Posts: 621
- Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 9:19 am
- Location: CALIFORNIA
Re: Should I even consider going back to a show that I used to do
wiseguy wrote: ↑Fri Sep 08, 2017 1:55 am
Without going to the extreme end of the vulgarity scale, such as rap songs with explicit lyrics, how would you adapt to someone telling you that you could not play songs by let's say Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, Led Zepplin, or Poison even though they are the type of songs getting the most requests, simply because someone in charge only wants to hear the oldies from their generation? This is not some far fetched scenario but actually quite common at some venues.
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
-
- Posts: 621
- Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 9:19 am
- Location: CALIFORNIA
Re: Should I even consider going back to a show that I used to do
wiseguy wrote: ↑Fri Sep 08, 2017 2:12 am
I don't consider myself to be especially "hip or enlightened" but rather open to the musical preferences of others. I would never deny someone the right to sing the type of song they like regardless of how I feel about it. I've been a bar owner so I've approached entertainment from both sides. These club leaders, and the American Legion is really no different than a private club, who like to control everything to their personal preferences are nothing but selfish jerks. It's not that the venue was not right for me because the crowd was large and having a great time.
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
Re: Should I even consider going back to a show that I used to do
Actually, those I mentioned are some of the very artists that were being requested at the Legion when that incident occurred. When I get called to do these places it's because they are having some type of event where not only the members but friends and family of the members are invited. Usually, at least half the crowd is under 30 years old and the younger people tend to turn in more song requests.The Lone Ranger wrote: ↑Fri Sep 08, 2017 6:42 amwiseguy wrote: ↑Fri Sep 08, 2017 1:55 am
Without going to the extreme end of the vulgarity scale, such as rap songs with explicit lyrics, how would you adapt to someone telling you that you could not play songs by let's say Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, Led Zepplin, or Poison even though they are the type of songs getting the most requests, simply because someone in charge only wants to hear the oldies from their generation? This is not some far fetched scenario but actually quite common at some venues.Depends all on the venue wiseguy. Having worked VFW's, American Legions, Elks, Moose, and Eagles I can tell you that artists you have listed aren't requested. It is more Elvis, Sinatra, Dean Martin, Elton John, Cat Stevens, Doors, Rolling Stones, Neil Diamond, Garth Brooks, Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, classic 50's, 60's, 70's and some 80's.
Re: Should I even consider going back to a show that I used to do
With thousands of shows at virtually any type of venue you can imagine under my belt I consider myself a skilled karaoke host. There's nothing subtle about some fool who has to have his way regardless of what his entire crowd is enjoying. When you say something like "you will like working at the Legion post better than any bar" you should qualify this by adding "if you're willing to cow down to those who place their own preferences over what the crowd wants".The Lone Ranger wrote: ↑Fri Sep 08, 2017 6:52 amDon't get me wrong wiseguy there are plenty of politics that go on in private clubs, everyone is trying to push one agenda or another, with little regard to really trying to make the enterprise successful. A skilled host that works in such an environment has to be able to pick up on subtle hints and know how to navigate around potential problems and diffuse them before they become issues. While there are selfish jerks everywhere knowing how to out smart them is the key to success in some venues.
I do my karaoke shows for the crowd. My job is to read that crowd and do what it takes to make sure they are enjoying themselves. I take NO direction from bar owners or managers that would conflict with that. The key to success is not tiptoeing around some egocentric morons. It is putting the crowd first at all times.
-
- Posts: 621
- Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 9:19 am
- Location: CALIFORNIA
Re: Should I even consider going back to a show that I used to do
wiseguy wrote: ↑Fri Sep 08, 2017 12:41 pm
Actually, those I mentioned are some of the very artists that were being requested at the Legion when that incident occurred. When I get called to do these places it's because they are having some type of event where not only the members but friends and family of the members are invited. Usually, at least half the crowd is under 30 years old and the younger people tend to turn in more song requests.
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
-
- Posts: 621
- Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 9:19 am
- Location: CALIFORNIA
Re: Should I even consider going back to a show that I used to do
wiseguy wrote: ↑Fri Sep 08, 2017 1:07 pm
With thousands of shows at virtually any type of venue you can imagine under my belt I consider myself a skilled karaoke host. There's nothing subtle about some fool who has to have his way regardless of what his entire crowd is enjoying. When you say something like "you will like working at the Legion post better than any bar" you should qualify this by adding "if you're willing to cow down to those who place their own preferences over what the crowd wants".
I do my karaoke shows for the crowd. My job is to read that crowd and do what it takes to make sure they are enjoying themselves. I take NO direction from bar owners or managers that would conflict with that. The key to success is not tiptoeing around some egocentric morons. It is putting the crowd first at all times.
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
Re: Should I even consider going back to a show that I used to do
We simply have a different view of a karaoke entertainment business. I've played at a state fair, county fairs, and street fairs. I've hosted large karaoke contests and performed for audiences of thousands of people. None of this would have been possible if I limited myself to any certain genre or niche. Anyone who hires me is made to understand that I play for the crowd, not the management. Unfortunately, there are times when the person who hires you is not the only person in charge of the venue.The Lone Ranger wrote: ↑Fri Sep 08, 2017 2:56 pmWith 20 years of hosting experience behind me and thousands of shows I consider myself also skilled. The difference is I specialized and shaped my show to fit a target market, baby boomers. I didn't feel I had to kow tow, since me and the crowd I was hired to play for were on the same page. There was no need to push the envelope or cause a confrontation. I always saw my job as working with the venue owners and the staff to create the type of karaoke show that they hired me to do. They knew what kinda of a show I did and that is why most of my work was referral and I really didn't have to canvass for jobs. When my business was going full tilt I was working six days a week. Even today I get calls to come back to work but I enjoy being retired.
Now you may be exactly the type of karaoke host that a private club manager wants. But I can assure you that if you would have shown up at the American Legion I've been referring to with only oldies you would have made the management happy while watching the crowd walk out the door. I know that Dan is a classic rock guy. I think you are off base to suggest that he "will like working at the Legion post better than any bar" unless he's lucky enough to find one that will let him play his type of music.
There is one good thing about American Legion, VFWs, etc.. They have really cheap drinks.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
-
- Posts: 621
- Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 9:19 am
- Location: CALIFORNIA
Re: Should I even consider going back to a show that I used to do
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
Re: Should I even consider going back to a show that I used to do
I now have one night under my belt. Went ok. Seemed to be a Southern Rock crowd because every Southern Rock song that I played was met with all right. I played about 5 DJ songs at the end of the show.
-
- Posts: 621
- Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 9:19 am
- Location: CALIFORNIA
Re: Should I even consider going back to a show that I used to do
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)