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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Hi I'm Sniffy Dog...you probably  wonder what I'm doing here. Good question! My job is to sniff-out all of the FAQs and try to get them answered here. These questions will deal with karaoke, and no...I don't know why dogs greet each other by sniffing butts.
This page updated 12/07
SPECIAL FEATURES
Q. Quite a few KJ's have gone digital, but you're still using disc's, aren't laptops quicker and more convienient?
A. I will eventually download my music into a laptop system. However, I will only carry those tunes which have been paid for, and licensed for use. The trend is to use music that really isn't available legally. This puts the artist in a position to not get back the monitary reward they have earned from creating the music we all enjoy. So, yes I will go computerized, but will not do massive mp 3 downloads...let's all do the right thing!
Q. You have so many interesting features on your web site, how does the SINGER OF THE MONTH work?
A. This is the new feature of our karaoke show. I was inspired by the movie "The Karaoke King". Very simply, a singer is selected once a month for a year. The only real requirement is that you are a singer. The person selected will be featured on the singer of the month page. Besides having their picture posted, we will give them a short bio to fill out, and this way we can get them to share a little about themselves. As a prize, they will recieve a gift certificate of value to the venue (Ernie's, Relax only), and a custom made CDG disc (of eight songs) from Rockin' With Rick Karaoke.
Q. What happens at the end of the year?
A. The combined winners will be put in a web poll that will be posted on my web site. Visitors to the site will actually get to vote for their favorite singer of the month! The winner will recieve a personal home karaoke system, a t-shirt proclaiming them the King, or Queen of Karaoke, a permanent crown to wear, and a custom cdg disc (of 12 songs) from Rockin' With Rick Karaoke. The club will also provide a certificate of value for food and a great time!
Q. How do I become a singer of the month?
A. Selection is done by a "secret" process! It is key is to be a singer, bring as many friends as possible, and to come out often for karaoke!
CONTESTS, AND KARAOKE NITELIFE MAGAZINE
Q. How do these big contests work?
A. Karaoke Nitelife sponsors several contests a year. Among the themes are; The Duets Challenge, The Entertainer Challenge, The Impersonator Contest, and now the lead into the "World Series of Karaoke". All of them start with a preliminary, local round. Each level leads to the finals, with cash and prizes increasing at each round.
Q. So what's the key to winning?
A. Well, besides having a good voice, it's also about audience reaction. Bringing supporters to cheer you on is a good idea. Song selection is a big part of it. The judges like to see the singer work the crowd. It's really important that you know the words of the song well. They don't want to see you anchored in front of the tv monitor.
Q. What is the big deal about the "Best Of The "Burbs"?
A. This the seventh largest entertainment market in the US. It
is a great coup to even get into the final round of this annual competition. Understand that this magazine covers the entire Northern half of Illinois, and parts of Indiana. The competition includes bars, clubs, and entertainment of all types and sizes...it's a BIG deal!
Log on to: www.nitelife .org
Be sure to vote once a day, everyday!
Q. What is "Ernie's Idol"?
A. This local contest, is a quarterly competition. The first place winner of each of the quarters will compete against the others at the end of the year. This contest has cash prizes for the top three places, as well as giveaways to the audience. See our Ernie McCann's page to view the most recent winners.
COMMUNICATION 
Q. How often do you up-date your web site, how many pages are there to it?
A. I am working on my site almost everyday. I try to get the nights information on within 24 hours. I am my own web master, so I am able to up-date quickly. The number of pages vary. Sometimes I will add a temporary page. Each page is different, depending on venue, and purpose. Be sure to visit them all when you log on. If you have any ideas or suggestions concerning my site, please contact me about it. Look for your picture by clicking on the Gallery button at the top of any page on this site. Want to share your pictures? Easy, e-mail them to me (as a jpeg), and I will be happy to post them for you!
Q. I have a question during karaoke, when is a good time to talk to you?
A. During a break, when I'm spinning dance music is best. It's never a good idea to try talking to me as I'm queing up a song! If it's an emergency, wait until I get the next song going, and then ask your question. PLEASE DO NOT WALK AROUND BEHIND PEOPLE WHO ARE SINGING! Just walk up to the table, and I will be happy to talk to you.
Q. What's the information on the song request slip signify?
A. The slip is pretty basic. The first line is for your name, PLEASE BE SURE NOT TO USE "AKA's". Using your first name, and last name initial helps me keep a proper rotaion. The song title comes next, and the last line identifies the disc and track number you have selected. It is not necessary to write the artist name on the slip.
Q. Why can't I just come up and tell you what song I want, and you put it in for me?
A. My main function is to que discs, keep the rotation, and try to adjust the sound for each singer as they perform. The casual observer sees what I do as "easy". There is much going on. You may notice that for the most part, I don't take many breaks. I want to get as many people as possible to sing. So please take the time to look in our books for your song choice, write down your selection, and hand it in.
SINGER ROTATION 
Q. I understand the new smoking law is affecting singer rotation, how is that possible?
A. Simple, a singer who smokes walks out to have a cigarette, when I call them to sing, they miss their turn. If I can see their table, I have no way of knowing if the singer has left for the night, since the coat and the singer are gone!
Q. How does your rotation work?
A. When you hand in your song slip, your request is added to my rotation board. The nice thing about the board, is that it gives you a very good idea of when your song will come up. I keep slips in an assigned spot on my board, and move them up as each singer finishes.
Songs are posted on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED basis. It is no longer my policy to put new singers at the head of the line for their first tune.
Q. If I put in a song as a duet, does it effect my other songs?
A. Yes, and no. If you put in a duet, it is placed into your spot on the board with your other selections. So, your songs will come up in rotation, but the duet will be in that stack. This helps to prevent people singing twice in a short period of time. Also, when singin with a large group, please place only the name of the main singer on the slip, followed by the phrase, "and friends". When I call that group up, I will call it that way. Remember, EVERYBODY wants to sing!
Q. Sometimes my song comes up quickly, and other times it seems forever before I get my next song...why?
A. That's easy! Less total people singing, the more quickly your turn comes up(and visa versa). Remember that each song, from announcing who's next, to them getting to the mic, singing, and then queing the next song takes a total of about 4.5 mins. If there are five singers in front of you, it can be almost 20 min. before you get to sing.
Q. I have to leave soon, can't you just move me up real quick?
A. Not a good idea. If I did that everytime someone said they were leaving, everyone would be "leaving", and I'd be going out of my mind!
Q. Can I turn in more than one song at a time?
A. Yes, I have a slot on my board to place them in. It does help if you number them in the order you'd like to sing them. Please be sure to go by only one name (use the same name all night) on your slips, and, if you have a common name, include your last name initial.
Q. If I give you more than one song, does it matter what order they are in?
A. Not really, unless you have a preference. Keep in mind that it's not a good idea to change your choice once I've called you up. Why?...cause I've already qued your disc, when you say no I don't want that song right now, that means I have to stop it, pull the disc, and then find, and que up, the song you've changed to.
Q. If I tip you, will you move me up in the rotation?
A. Tips are great, BUT they do one thing...cause friction between me and the rest of the people in the rotation. Most regular singers watch the rotation to see when their song is up. They do notice if people sing out of rotation, or sing more than one tune in a short amount of time. While I love the extra cash, I do get paid well for what I do.
ONE LAST SONG 
Q. How come (at the end of the night after you have collected the song books) we can't get in just one more song??
A. Remember that I work for the people who own the venue. When they say we are done, WE ARE DONE. Each venue does have a license it has to protect (and, of course, everyone always wants just one more). Here's an idea...save that last one, to be your first one next time!
MUSIC REQUESTS 
Q. I can't find a song in your book that I want to sing, how do I convince you to get it for me?
A. That's easy. First, be sure it really isn't in my book. Look in the white section in the front of the books. That's where my newest additions are. Your song may already be there (as requested by someone else). If you find that I really don't have your tune, and it is available on karaoke, I can get it within a week to ten days.
Remember though, not all tunes are done to karaoke.
Q. I notice some singers come in with their own discs. How do I get my own?
A. Karaoke CDG discs are available most places where karaoke equipment is sold. They can be expensive, and most times you get one song you really want, and a bunch you don't. Why not contact my buddies TW, and Frank. They can make a custom made disc for you. Contact them at: oneandonlymonk@yahoo.com
Q. How do I go about setting up karaoke in my home?
A. It's really very easy. You can karaoke directly off of Comcast, purchase an inexpensive machine from places like Target (about $50-$100), or get a cdg player, speakers, mic, and amp from places like Guitar Center on Route 59. Discs are available online from a number of resources, or you can contact me to help set you up with a custom CDG!
Q. Why do some of the songs have the "wrong" words, or the music is a little different?
A. Basically it has to do with licensing. Some karaoke producers are able to avoid paying the artists their full fee if they change the song, one way is to change the words of the original song.
SINGER HELP 
Q. Sometimes when I am singing, people I don't know will come up and ask if I need "help" with a song. Why do people do this?
A. Good question, first off if you don't want "help", just tell them nicley ,"no". If you are not comfortable, turn to me, and I will ask them to come back during their song.
Q. Is it possible to sing with you Rick?
A. Sure I love doing duets! Remember, just like all karaoke singers, I can't sing everything, but I sure will try!
Q. Your books seem to take a beating during the night...what can we do to help?
A. Thanks! The biggest issue is when people walk around with them. This bends the spine, and breaks the clips. Setting the book on a table helps to prevent this. Also, the books are not coasters, and should not have drinks or ashtrays placed on them! Believe it or not, the song books are the biggest upkeep item in this business!
CLICK THE GUESTBOOK BUTTON AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE TO LEAVE A SHOUT OUT!
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