Questions from Our MailbagQ: I would like to know
if you have a list of Karaoke clubs that like certain kinds of music? I
am new to Karaoke and someone told me there were clubs that favored one kind of
music such as Jazz/R&B over the
other so I thought I would ask. Any help would be greatly appreciated. A: Interesting question! There are some venues that
do favor certain types of music. Country for example. Certain clubs prefer that
style of music (In Cahoots, Fanny's, Comstock) while you don’t hear too much of
it in other venues (Charcoal House, Tickled Trout, Oasis Cafe). Then
there are those clubs that cater to a younger, hip sound (Cheers and Beers,
Greek Sombrero, Ould Sod) and those which prefer the more classic tunes (Welk
Resort, Quails Inn, Carlton Oaks). As far as Jazz/R&B (my personal
favorite) I would say that, while most clubs have an audience who appreciates
that music, in some clubs that sort of music predominates. I haven't been to
all the venues but off the top of my head I would suggest: Smokey's II,
Manhattan, The Place, Charcoal House, Tickled Trout and most any place which
enjoys a diverse ethnic and multi-cultural following. Q: What is a showcase?
And who has them? A: Various clubs/KJs hold showcases from time to time. A showcase can be anything from a two hour show with various singers and dancers featuring one soloist on several numbers, to a 15 minute segment in which a singer gets to sing 3 or four songs in a row, usually before the karaoke show of the evening. Several KJs are holding showcases lately, including:
Coleman Cecil Karaokeklassics@aol.com NOTE: All KJs currently promoting singers in showcases are encouraged to contact our magazine at: johnny@sandiegoscene.com. Q: What is a signature song? A: A signature song is one that has become closely identified with a particular singer. Sometimes in some clubs the singer is so closely tied to the song that no one else feels comfortable doing the same song in front of that singer. The buzz is usually..."Hey she is doing your song?! What's up with that?!" Of course there is no rule that you can't do another's signature song, but in the karaoke circuit, it's usually best (if you know it's a signature song) that you ask "permission" ahead of time. You don't have to, but depending on the club, it could be karaoke suicide. |