K Scar...
100% agree with you :)

On the subject of fill in music, as a singer, I really don't like it. Simply because often, I'll be at the mic stand or have a mic in hand while preparing mentally for whatever I'm about to sing and if there's something else playing before my song starts, it usually puts me off - especially if the song I'm about to do starts without intro music and is in a completely different key from the filler music.
A good host can keep things moving along smoothly without the need for fill in music.
Like all tools of trade, it requires skill to use and often, I find hosts voices are either drowned out by the filler music or blend with it so as to be very difficult to understand when announcing who's next - especially if they keep the fx on when talking and not singing or are using low quality microphones.
By the same token, many hosts fail to notice that there is a long pause without their speaking so that it seems that the show is over when in fact, they are just looking to queue up the next singer.
When there's a pause in proceedings such as someone less mobile than most approaching the performance area a little slowly, a host should just encourage the audience to get up to sing or tell them how often the show runs, when they'll next be returning or announcing any promotions going on or repeating last drinks announcements or encouraging the audience to continue paying over the bar if there is an arrangement with the staff to keep the show going as long as the bar's busy. It isn't hard to keep things fun for the audience. Background music is distracting, unnecessary (except when used while technical difficulties are being sorted), and in my opinion, only used when a host has little confidence in their own communication skills - in which case, what the hell are you doing holding a microphone?
Ditch filler music.

Regarding swearing...
As a song writer with a penchant for all things classy, I really don't understand how profanity became so popular in music. It's unnecessary and excludes some people from listening to it which to me defeats the purpose of song. Music should be for everyone (lyrics included). I don't even like the swearing in ''Master Of The House'' from ''Les Miserable'' and that's Lloyd Webber for crying out loud!
That being said, if the song is a good one, I'll do it. e.g.: Robbie Williams' ''Come Undone'' which I did do at an RSL after firstly apologizing for the upcoming swearing as besides not wishing to be disrespectful, there was a rather wide range of ages in the audience that night - and I was new to swearing into the microphone. I think the next time I did the song somewhere that I didn't think swearing would be appropriate, I just didn't sing the offensive words. That sounded kind of like the edited versions of songs that are so commonplace now where in extreme cases, a song can sound more like a mumbled and distorted order through the intercom of a drive through fast food joint! At a busy pub though, with no minors present, it's probably acceptable - especially if everyone chimes in with delight with the audience participatory line in The Angels' ''Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again?'' (I keep trying to get my friends to join in with the G-rated lyrics: ''No way! Get lost! Go home!'' just cos it's more original but this seems to egg them on further to curse at the top of their lungs with the usual lyrics) ;)
Submitted by Johnny B on 17-04-2007

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