Yikes I've missed a lot here (I'm into the hundreds of posts unread!!) When I notice the forums are slow for a few days, I tend not to log in for a while. So, here's some retrospective as well as contemporary posts...

Tom...
No problem re your website. I'll head there to have a looksie soon.

Kate Kelly...
Great write up of the KWC comp and I agree totally that the well tuned ear can pick up what most other's don't.
I also agree with your thoughts on the majority of patrons who harangue judges rather than show courtesy towards them after a comp.
Did we meet when I sang for the 2004 Wintersun grand final? Regardless, it's great to have you posting here.

LeatherBaron...
No longer 'Frank' I see. Was this possibly brought on by a mistype in another forumer's post or just cause you're out of the fishnets now? Heheheh.
I agree with your thoughts on judging also but as I just mentioned in response to Kate Kelly's thoughts, people do need to show some common courtesy when asking the judges about their final decisions. When I have judged, I have been happy to oblige the very few who ask for feedback and those who were contestants themselves were most appreciative even when the comments were critical (but conveyed respectfully, of course). I think people just appreciate honesty and being treated fairly.
I also think you are right with regards to some of the stand and sing type singers. The self doubt factor can be a big one but I think if audiences are encouraged (actively) to be entertaining, I think the knock on effect of seeing several other patrons try to be so, would be that singers come out of their shells a little more.

el barto...
Dude. You're too HUMBLE!!! Yes, being humble is a great quality to have and I sometimes wish I was still guilty of it myself but alas... lol. Anyway, besides myself, there are a lot of folks who sing your praises every time you get up to sing - most of whom are female so stop putting yourself down and realize you are a singer people WANT to hear. I'm not just a fan cos we're friends but because you truly have some talent man!! Recognize! :)

With regards to Mark Wilson's vocals, I have to say, I am a fan of the deeper male tones myself but even so, Mark's voice is a good one. In my quest to retrain my voice after having it destroyed through poor quality lessons years ago, I listened to a wide selection of genres and learned to appreciate what rated as good and bad quality in each. Mark has a voice that is 'up there' in quality as well as range. His diversity of song choice shows he also has TALENT. I'm not a fan of the Celine song but I thought he sang it great at the KWC final (a clip of which can be found at You Tube).
I have more than an inkling as to why he made it as world champ. He has the voice, the style, the fashion sense, the act and the look. Very, very professional. If he desired and has the attitude to match, he could easily go pro at international level - I mean as a professional artist.

With regards to the current Boiling Point...
I've seen this topic of hosts who chime in unrequested with singers, crop up a fair bit in recent months. I've witnessed the phenomenon happen many times and at several completely different gigs / venues, though in my experience, it has only been to prompt the singer for timing or key. I don't think a host should continue singing throughout the song if their effort fails to help the singer out any within say 3 lines maximum though. It may seem rude to come in at all but it is done out of courtesy to both the audience as well as to the singer. I mean, hosts don't want you to be a source of ridicule. The good ones want everyone to have a fun time and their joining in with a singer is meant to aid in that, not to annoy.

With regards to the bitchy factor...
I've seen 3 people already reference this as something foreign to when karaoke is not about money. Well, nuh - and may I say - uh!! Amateurs gripe all the time. Rivalries of all sorts crop up in karaoke. It can be about ethnicity or mental state or talent or personality or WHATEVER!! If you're a karaoker, odds are there's some other one somewhere talking about you in derogatory fashion. It ain't about the money or the fun. It's about the human psyche. People gossip and people bitch. Money and professionalism has nothing to do with it.

Well, I'm not done reading all the unreads yet but I got's ta fly. In case there are any other messages to me here, I'll get to them and back to you soon enough.
Take care y'all! Happy singing!!

Submitted by Johnny B on 21-10-2006

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