Kara hoky

As someone that knows Johnny and his son Bobby, this is kinda offensive to me.

There is a reason Karaoke does so well around here, and that is because there are a lot of talented vocalists in this area. I love to sing Karaoke, and have won several contests, myself. The reason I am not in a band is because most the musicians like the ones you speak of, already have their selected members.

Hence, leaving those of us that have a passion for singing, ourselves, without a band to back us up. Besides that point, Karaoke is more for entertainment than anything else. It's a form of self entertainment, and considering there isn't a whole lot of other options around here, it's one of the best.

There are still plenty of places that have bands or band night, which several play different genre's of music. It's fun.

I do feel bad that there are musicians put out of work due to Karaoke, but in this area, there are so many great bands and musicians, that maybe that's also another reason they are struggling to find work.

Anyways, that's my two cents.

~Manda~

quote:

Originally posted by for change:
RE: http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20.../NEWS/701150333/1011

Karaoke is the anti- christ and should be banned from the face of the earth. It has put a lot of Musicians out of work. Look at how many clubs that had live entertainment now have karahoky(spelling intentional). Everytime that happens four or five musicians, many that are feeding a family are out of work.
People who want to hear themself sing should stay at home and sing in the shower. Most showers have a wonderful reverb.
Music is an art. I do not see much art in singing along(most times off key) to an already recorded track.
Please people stop supporting clubs that have Karahoky and force these club to have live entertainment.

have you ever notice, most people who sing Karaoke cannot sing with alive band.

Friend, everything is art. Most of the "artists" you hear today are merely karaoke singers who can stay on pitch. If a band is good enough, then nothing will hold them back. Otherwise, is Artistic Darwinism--survival of the fittest.

I'm sorry you've been upset by karaoke's recent popularity, but bands need to be playing where they'll be heard anyway. A place that needs karaoke in order to pick up its attendance probably isn't going to be hosting any real talent agents.

Manda, you may sing great and I bet you do if you've won several awards, but let's face it after having suffered through Christmas Party Karaoke every year with my Husband's job I just have to say some people should leave their dreams for singing stardom in the shower. It is only the Bonus check at the end of the night that gives us the strength to last through every painfully schreeched note....LOL!!!!!!!!!

I love Karaoke!!!! I love to watch people have their 3 minutes of fame and the looks on their faces when they get applause.

There are some GREAT karaoke singers around here in this area... and contrary to some people's opinion, some DO make it bigger.

Karaoke singers that "I" know can not only sing with a band, they can play instruments with a band...

And another thing... where on earth does CHRIST, or "antichrist" enter into self entertainment????????????????

quote:

Originally posted by lookn2it:
Manda, you may sing great and I bet you do if you've won several awards, but let's face it after having suffered through Christmas Party Karaoke every year with my Husband's job I just have to say some people should leave their dreams for singing stardom in the shower. It is only the Bonus check at the end of the night that gives us the strength to last through every painfully schreeched note....LOL!!!!!!!!!

LOL lookn2it... I have heard some that made my ears go to instant pain, but just KNOWING they are having fun, and they paid as much to have it as anyone in the room had, I just tolerated, LOL.. We might have been at the same place!!!! LOL!!!

But on Amanda's side, I have heard her sing, and if you close your eyes, she sings "When You Say Nothing At All" you would actually think Allison Kraus was in the same room. She has the voice of an Angel, and a pleasure to listen to.

She is one of those who make Karaoke FUN, ya know?

Also, I know a young lady, (probably several of you do), who sang NOTHING but Karoke for 2 years, then went to try out for American Idol last year, she didnt make the first cut.. Then for this season, she went back and made the first 2 cuts, went before Simon, Paula, and Randy, ... she didnt make it ... But they did tell her to come back next year...

So, in defense of Karaoke, if there were more GOOD bands around here, then maybe Karaoke wouldn't have taken over. NO WAY am I going anywhere that the music is so loud it breaks my ear drums, and I am NOT a heavy metal fan, so MY choice IS Karaoke...

quote:

Originally posted by one who posts:
Friend, everything is art. Most of the "artists" you hear today are merely karaoke singers who can stay on pitch. If a band is good enough, then nothing will hold them back. Otherwise, is Artistic Darwinism--survival of the fittest.

I'm sorry you've been upset by karaoke's recent popularity, but bands need to be playing where they'll be heard anyway. A place that needs karaoke in order to pick up its attendance probably isn't going to be hosting any real talent agents.

I have to disagree with you on this one... I have heard many many great singers in a Karaoke club... great talent and VERY entertaining.

Karaoke clubs don't charge out the you know what to hear them and bands charge a good bit. its hard to find good bands around here that i would want to listen to.

quote:

Originally posted by PBA:
Karaoke clubs don't charge out the you know what to hear them and bands charge a good bit. its hard to find good bands around here that i would want to listen to.

Total agreement on that one!!! Last one I heard almost broke every eardrum in the place... ONE hour and 10 minutes later, we were out the door, heading to a Karaoke place.

quote:

Originally posted by for change:
RE: http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20.../NEWS/701150333/1011

Karaoke is the anti- christ and should be banned from the face of the earth. It has put a lot of Musicians out of work. Look at how many clubs that had live entertainment now have karahoky(spelling intentional). Everytime that happens four or five musicians, many that are feeding a family are out of work.
People who want to hear themself sing should stay at home and sing in the shower. Most showers have a wonderful reverb.
Music is an art. I do not see much art in singing along(most times off key) to an already recorded track.
Please people stop supporting clubs that have Karahoky and force these club to have live entertainment.

You know, I just read your entire comment... and I have to ask you... are you the Karaoke Police??? Are YOU the one who is taking over telling ADULTS where to go, and what to do, and who to listen to? How sad that you have to insult others to try to make a moot point.

Japanese has a male and female dialect. Females say "thank you" as a soft "arigato." Males say "hai dozo" from the gut.

Karaoke is a japanese word. If you ask japanese males what it means, they say "empty voice." Japanese females say it means, "drunken, old fool."

If the gutshot cat squalling, out of tune, off key, every third line mangled karaoke that I've heard around here is a danger to the employment of singers or musicians....they should consider getting another job.

lol.. Mom, you are biased though

Lookn2it, I like to be humble here. I've heard far better vocalist than I am, but I have heard the kind in which you speak. I pretty much know most the Karaoke hosts around here, and one of them, when they "knew" someone that didnt sing well, they would turn it down just a tad so that at least it wouldn't be as annoying. I do agree there are some people that should never step foot on a stage and sing.

And anyone that is decent at singing knows that you dont have to screech to hit a good note.. I feel for ya though, every Christmas? It is a fun past time though, for the most part. And hey, at least ya get a check for surviving..hehe

Alacharger, I've heard that kind of Karaoke and that's usually the kind ya hear after someone has had one too many or they are completely tone deaf. lol..

As for me, I don't sing things I just like, I sing stuff that is in my vocal range, and not all the same genre of music either. I've won money contests from the above mentioned "when you say nothing at all" to Whitney Houston's "I will always love you."..... Most people that can sing decently just don't know what to pick and what is good for their voice.

As for Musicians and bands though, they still have their place here in the shoals. I'd love to find one to sing with myself, but with a 2 year old running around, I can't do that just yet. I can sing with a live band though, I did that a couple years ago at one of the street parties in Sheffield.

I hope this doesn't come off as bragging though, 'cause I just ramble off sometimes.

~Manda~

I love Karaoke! I sing in the chior in my church. Karaoke helps me keep my voice top notch, and it is alot of good clean fun. I am a non-drinker, so I so not go to clubs, but there are plenty of places to get it. Comcast is one of them and it is great. To say that Karaoke is the anti-christ is a silly and foolish thing. Lighten up friend, you should try it sometime. It is quite addictive. LOL!

Sweet, I just discovered on the On Demand had Karaoke on it too, today.. lol..

My husband was like, "Look, there's Karaoke on the Tv now!" And then proceeded to ask me to sing just about every song on there.. lol..

They don't have a great selection though, mostly older songs, which is alright but not a great selection as picking goes.

I'm not a big drinker myself. When I go out I have at most 2 drinks, the rest of the time it's water and singing for me.

~Manda~

It would be nice if there were places for the musicians and bands to play. That is why we need to develop the entertainment district in East Florence. A "strip" of bars where musicians could play and people could go and see them.

quote:

Originally posted by brakefield20032003:
It would be nice if there were places for the musicians and bands to play. That is why we need to develop the entertainment district in East Florence. A "strip" of bars where musicians could play and people could go and see them.

brakefield, in my younger days, there were bands at every place in town, all towns around. People obviously LIKE Karoke better, because in the last 4 years I know of a few places in town who TRIED bands, and didn't have a handful of people in there.

Bands just dont "get-it" with the crowds who go out. They THINK the louder the better, but that is not what patrons want. They want to go out for a nice evening with their friends and be able to listen to music AND talk to their friends without having to shout.

I have yet to see a band who will be gracious enough to turn down their sound. Maybe it is ego, or maybe THEY are deaf, but people just don't like it much around here anymore.

I know we have been to several places promoting a band, and left early with ringing in our ears.

So the owners of the establishment went back to Karaoke and got their packed crowds back. People LIKE being their own entertainment...

IF it's the case that the same restaurant, lounge, or other such establishment is more crowded on "kara hoky" nights than those nights where a live band is performing, I seriously doubt it's because the average person with good - or even reasonable - taste in music prefers the former of the two. I would bet the preference is for 'no cover' rather than a modest door cover that supports musicians and their families.

quote:

Originally posted by dbt123:
IF it's the case that the same restaurant, lounge, or other such establishment is more crowded on "kara hoky" nights than those nights where a live band is performing, I seriously doubt it's because the average person with good - or even reasonable - taste in music prefers the former of the two. I would bet the preference is for 'no cover' rather than a modest door cover that supports musicians and their families.

DEFINITELY NOT a proven factor in our area!!! Definitely not, by a LONG shot lol... Way too many Karaoke Bars, and right now I can only count ONE Band Bar, and one Bar who does song writers night ONE NIGHT... Rest of the time,... KARAOKE!!!!!! OHhhh, and there ARE some bars that charge a 'modest' cover charge for Karaoke, and they have a packed house... Our area just prefers it, and the Club Owners know it... Just count them, compare them... you will find out for yourself.... It is a NO-Brainer, lol

If all else there is true (not agreeing, but just for the sake of discussion), then it must just be something in the water that causes bad taste in 'music' I suppose. Or maybe some people drink too much bottled water! The same soul of the 60s and 70s is here for those who want it. What a shame that more people don't actively support it.

quote:

Originally posted by dbt123:
If all else there is true (not agreeing, but just for the sake of discussion), then it must just be something in the water that causes bad taste in 'music' I suppose. Or maybe some people drink too much bottled water! The same soul of the 60s and 70s is here for those who want it. What a shame that more people don't actively support it.

It matters not whether you agree or disagree, just go around town, go to ALL the clubs, and see things for what they are for YOUR own satisfaction.

And I do have to admit, we have loads of GOOD singers in this area...

There are several restaurants, bars, and lounges in the area that feature live music (not Karaoke) at least once a week. The Shoals would be smart to support them.

quote:

Originally posted by dbt123:
There are several restaurants, bars, and lounges in the area that feature live music (not Karaoke) at least once a week. The Shoals would be smart to support them.

That is where you need to be then, since you dont like Karaoke.

When is everyone going to understand that people LIKE Karaoke, and will go out of their way to find the best place that has it???

I guess that is called DIVERSITY... some like live music, others like to BE part of the music... and everyone is happy... nite nite.

quote:

Originally posted by Kindred_Spirit:

quote:

Originally posted by dbt123:
There are several restaurants, bars, and lounges in the area that feature live music (not Karaoke) at least once a week. The Shoals would be smart to support them.

That is where you need to be then, since you dont like Karaoke.

When is everyone going to understand that people LIKE Karaoke, and will go out of their way to find the best place that has it???

I guess that is called DIVERSITY... some like live music, others like to BE part of the music... and everyone is happy... nite nite.

kindred , you are ussually right on but this time i disagree, i go out several times a week and i have been doing an informal survey, the results:karaoke bars are like denny's you dont go there you end up there and when you are done you want to throw up.

quote:

Originally posted by spunonion:

[QUOTE]kindred , you are ussually right on but this time i disagree, i go out several times a week and i have been doing an informal survey, the results:karaoke bars are like denny's you dont go there you end up there and when you are done you want to throw up.

We don't have a Denny's, so I am thinking you are not from this area, or no longer here anyway, but to get a grand scale analysis on this, you would have to do your investigating here in this area, with these Bars and Resturants that offer music, mostly Karaoke.

With my family and friends, most enjoy Karaoke much better because THEY can be their own entertainment, and I guess that we have been almost every where in the Shoals area finding the BEST Karaoke System to "play with"....

quote:

Originally posted by Kindred_Spirit:

quote:

Originally posted by spunonion:

[QUOTE]kindred , you are ussually right on but this time i disagree, i go out several times a week and i have been doing an informal survey, the results:karaoke bars are like denny's you dont go there you end up there and when you are done you want to throw up.

We don't have a Denny's, so I am thinking you are not from this area, or no longer here anyway, but to get a grand scale analysis on this, you would have to do your investigating here in this area, with these Bars and Resturants that offer music, mostly Karaoke.

With my family and friends, most enjoy Karaoke much better because THEY can be their own entertainment, and I guess that we have been almost every where in the Shoals area finding the BEST Karaoke System to "play with"....

sorry if my reference to denny's misled you into thinking i am not local, i am about as local as you can get. and my investigating was done locally.

I would like to know the names of the places where they have live bands, who knows, I might just like to go someday instead of Karaoke.

~Manda~

Yeah, I would like to know the names of the places that Live Bands play in also?????

Who knows this answer?

quote:

Originally posted by Kindred_Spirit:
Yeah, I would like to know the names of the places that Live Bands play in also?????

Who knows this answer?

the smokehouse, bayou blue, lafonda, big ed's, the blvd, just to name a few

quote:

Originally posted by spunonion:

quote:

Originally posted by Kindred_Spirit:
Yeah, I would like to know the names of the places that Live Bands play in also?????

Who knows this answer?

the smokehouse, bayou blue, lafonda, big ed's, the blvd, just to name a few

Thank you I will check them out

Just because there are more and more clubs that have Karaoke, I don't think it's because it's more in demand as much as it's cheaper. Most club owners are in business to make money. If they can make as much money with no trouble or expense (Karaoke), they will do it, not because it's best for you, but because it's best for them. Why pay someone, when you'll entertain yourself. It's simple math. If everyone that comes in your club has just $10 to spend, and you have no expense (karaoke), you'll need to get 50 people in to make $500. If you pay a band $500, you have to get 100 people in to make $500. More people may prefer live music (myself included) but Karaoke is easier and less expensive.

It's kinda like checking yourself out at Lowes or Home Depot. They say it's for your convenience, but if you didn't do it, they would have to pay someone too.

Let's just face it, there are only x amount of good pickers around. The ones that are good but not pro quality, do as I do. Play at home or maybe at a campout after everyone thinks they are the best singer of all time.So they think that you sound just like Hank Jr.
Kara- hoky is no different just a way for people to live a 3 min. dream. Let em go at it, every so often someone that has real talent may get a chance to be heard.
I come from a musical family and extended family. It was always picking & grinning going on. I was lucky in that I did make some money playing I knew I was not good enough to make it my only profession. But I can say that I have played with some, that now have made and written enough to never have to worry about money. LOL wish I had just a little more talent who knows? Scooter and Walt would be cheering me on.

quote:

Originally posted by Kindred_Spirit:

quote:

Originally posted by spunonion:

quote:

Originally posted by Kindred_Spirit:
Yeah, I would like to know the names of the places that Live Bands play in also?????

Who knows this answer?

the smokehouse, bayou blue, lafonda, big ed's, the blvd, just to name a few

Thank you I will check them out

Spunonion has offered up several places you might try, depending on your tastes in music and atmosphere. In addition to her list, I would add Old Town Tavern, and I know the Ledbetter Band plays at SidePocket(s?) in Florence frequently. I'm not sure if the Music Room in Florence is still up and running, as I haven't personally heard about anyone playing there lately; if so, it's a nice place to hear live music in a different type of atmosphere. If you're in the mood for listening to some excellent music in a unique setting, I'd also recommend one of the many great concerts held at the Shoals Theatre. Enjoy!
______________________________________
dbt123, Supporting Live Music and Local Musicians in the Shoals since Birth.

quote:

Originally posted by themax:
Let's just face it, there are only x amount of good pickers around. The ones that are good but not pro quality, do as I do. Play at home or maybe at a campout after everyone thinks they are the best singer of all time.So they think that you sound just like Hank Jr.
Kara- hoky is no different just a way for people to live a 3 min. dream. Let em go at it, every so often someone that has real talent may get a chance to be heard.
I come from a musical family and extended family. It was always picking & grinning going on. I was lucky in that I did make some money playing I knew I was not good enough to make it my only profession. But I can say that I have played with some, that now have made and written enough to never have to worry about money. LOL wish I had just a little more talent who knows? Scooter and Walt would be cheering me on.

I agree with you, themax... nothing wrong with anyone wanting their five minutes of fame, nothing at all..


DBT, thanks for the information!!! I will check it out ..

quote:

Originally posted by for change:
RE: http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20.../NEWS/701150333/1011

Karaoke is the anti- christ and should be banned from the face of the earth. It has put a lot of Musicians out of work. Look at how many clubs that had live entertainment now have karahoky(spelling intentional). Everytime that happens four or five musicians, many that are feeding a family are out of work.
People who want to hear themself sing should stay at home and sing in the shower. Most showers have a wonderful reverb.
Music is an art. I do not see much art in singing along(most times off key) to an already recorded track.
Please people stop supporting clubs that have Karahoky and force these club to have live entertainment.

I would agree with you TOTALLY for change, and probably should, the father of two of my grandchildren and husband of my youngest daughter is a professional musician. He made it past the club stages to auditoriums a few years ago, and has had his moderate success. Kareoke was on the rise with his rise. HIS TAKE...I HAVE TO BE MORE FUN THAN THE KAREOKE MACHINE, OR THE KAREOKE MACHINE GETS THE MONEY.
I am as liberal as anyone on this board, but I don't even want to give credence to the idea that someone would outlaw one form of entertainment in hopes of preserving another. IT KILLS BOTH. Open the Bars and Taverns up. Stop with the government permit fees for live music, allow dancing to live music or recorded music ANYWHERE THERE IS ENOUGH SPACE TO DANCE.
get rid of the regulations on the Sale of Alcohol after some specific hour. AND GET HEAVY HANDED WITH DRUNK DRIVERS.