When im performing at bars/clubs i have a strict no guest singer policy. Unless i see another singer/musician i know, then i might invite them on stage for a couple of songs but not otherwise (that is provided my regular crowd knows the musician)

At private gigs however its a different matter. If at the end of the day a person is paying me handsomely to perform, i dont care if they come and do a song. but again, i keep it strictly ONE SONG, and thats it.

its funny, recently i did a gig where there were like 5 people who wanted to sing. and i didnt know there were 5 of em until i asked the first one to comeup. the nextthing you know, the stage is packed with wannabees. and i stuck to my one song policy and at the end, the organizer of the party was pissed off that i didnt let people sing more and accused me of being afraid of them "stealing my thunder"!! LOL!



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~Jay

Yamaha PSR-3000
Korg i3

I think playing for a private party is different than playing for a 'corporate' function or a 'public' gig, i.e piano lounge, restaurant, etc. ... what also must be taken into consideration is the audience. Example: I played a 'piano lounge' where the bar clientele was the same crowd, Friday and Saturday every week ... during the evening I would only allow people I knew to get up and sing, and I would introduce them as a 'personal friend and fellow entertainer' ... any others, I would explain that since I did not know them, I did not feel I could do justice in backing them up ... BUT, near the end of the night some of the bar regulars would come around the piano bar and start singing ... the owner loved it, the remaining audience loved it, and the tips were good ... so I figured "knock yourselves out" ...

Playing a private party, everyone knows each other, and more often than not also know who is going to get up and sing, whether they are making a fool of themselves, or performing well ... In this case, I don't think a poor performance is a reflection on the paid entertainer, but on the 'sit-in' ... especially if the paid entertainer is otherwise doing a good job ...
If the host requests in advance that someone sing, I try to get the song they will sing in advance of the function ... if necessary I would work out the key during a break - LOVE that 'transpose' button ...

I would not allow 'sit-ins' at a corporate party if I did not know them because there the reflection of a poor performance usually falls back on the entertainer ...

PS: chas - love your response ...
t.


[This message has been edited by tony mads usa (edited 11-29-2006).]

One of the main problems with allowing ANYone who is not a pro entertainer to sing... tripping over cords, leaning on equipment, being drunk and spilling drinks, etc.

There is no doubt in my mind that not allowing ANYone to sing would be best but so far, I have been too easy. And it recently got out of hand and I had to get rough. Literally. Well, verbally.

I didn't knock her teeth out, she didn't have any.

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Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

It's a thin line, with no perfect answer. I'm more in line with what DocZ does.
There are times when you have to let someone sing. I've made 100-dollar tips that way, and there are two reasons I'm in this business: I enjoy it and to make money!
I always carry a guest mic, one of the cheapo Samsons. The mic sounds good and if they drop it, oh well it's $19.95. I've never had one used as a weapon against me! That might change my whole attitude!
I like to be able to invite other pros to sing. However I don't always, and they generally understand when I decide it's not the right time or setting. A real pro NEVER asks to sit in. He waits to be asked.
Occasionally someone will stink it up. I usually say something like, "Let's give John a big hand for that effort. Tomorrow I'm going to get drunk and go help him on HIS job. (at the Bank or where-ever if I know what he does)."
You can always get by with letting someone do one song. You can never let them take over.
I always have control over the mic volume and occasionally the mic will unexplicably quit before a song is over.
I try to never let anyone use MY mic. I used to do this, but learned my lesson long ago. Using a mic after a drunk smoker makes me ILL. So does kissing one. And then there's the girl with an inch or so of lipstick to smear on your mic. Gag.
Just rambling. Good thread.

DonM

Check any female vocalist's mic and you will see the results of lipstick ... it's the result of pronouncing 'b' and 'p' while they are singing ... even if they DON'T hug the mic ...

And fret not, Don ... you're a good 'ramblin' man' .. ...
t.

If there paying you let them do whatever they want....as long as you do you part professionaly...most times they suck so you look even better up there......but let the client make the call remember your just a worker especially at a private function.

Agree, Tony...I play several repetitive private jobs where everyone knows each other. It's so informal that, If someone wants to sing, I let them (an old mike, of course).

Most corporate jobs are more structured, so, unless there's extra money and a rehersal, it dosn't happen!


Russ