Smoking Venue And Hoster

[RIKKI TIKKI]

OK, let me chime into this volatile conversation.

First let me say that I think Apple is being overly cautious in regards to the declining of warranty repair to machines that belong to smokers... Just look at their history, as it applies to the invention, the inventor, the apple/microsoft split... most of my Mac friends swear by the product... kinda like Hoster compared to Brand X, It's what you are used too, in most cases, and very rarely have I seen a Mac user switch to a Windows Based computer... but now Mac Users can access the MicroSoft programs, so that argument is kinda mute...

Here in Arizona, they passed the no smoking ban state wide in November of '06. First off I'm a Non-Smoker, and couldn't be happier! I've been doing Karaoke in Bar's around here since 1994, and was quite sure that I would probably die of second hand smoke, but that was a choice I made in order to do Karaoke, because all the venues allowed smoking, to some extent, and the smokers outnumbered the non-smokers in these establishments. Then the legislators in 2006 rammed a bill through the State House to eliminate smoking, and the smokers forgot to vote, and the bill/ban was passed quite easily... We have had three years of smoke free establishments, and honestly I can see very little difference in the closing or opening of new bars, restaurants, or what we would consider normal Karaoke Venues, or a drop off of the business in established clubs, due to the smoking ban! I think the added pressure of drinking & driving, getting caught behind the wheel while inebriated, going to jail, paying court fees, paying attorney fees, losing your driving priviledges, and /or the doubling of your car insurance rates is a risk that smokers, and non-smokers, have not been able to justify, and are staying home from the bars, after getting busted the first time, or the hassle of making sure a designated driver is present, or the added cost of taxi service and these tough economic times is depleting the customer base for our workplace...

As to the topic of age demographics contributing to the raucus atmosphere in our workplace, it's not true in my 3 or 4 gigs that I currently work at, but it's not contributed to being non-smoking or smokers, but the fact that no matter what your age, there will always be the very few that can't handle their alcohol, and be labled as troublemakers, and have to be dealt with, and thus ruining the fun for the majority that can!

I also vote for not discriminating against us "New York, New York & My Way" ol' fart types, I get just as tired of hearing "Picture" or AC/DC, and cringe when I hear and see some of the Hip Hop lyrics that roll across the screen and come out of the speakers just because the "F Bomb & other vulgarities" can be screamed out, and always gets a rise out of the audience. Too bad, because some of the music is really good!But as I say, I'm equal opportunity Karaoke and if it's in the book, you can sing it... these x-rated lyrics are about the only thing I refuse to play, or exhibit in my books... so problem solved, even though I know by the language that comes out of the mouths of some of the younger crowd (boys & girls), notice I didn't say ladies & gentlemen, that it would sometimes be acceptable, and yet I still find it vulgar and inapropriate...

Thanks for letting me vent! 'Nuf Said!

[RandyMcCharles]

My favorite KJ has a policy: if you swear into the mic you get a warning. If you do it again you are off the stage for the night. The only exception is if the swearing is in the lyrics and you aren't being an ass when you sing them.
This is an easy policy to enforce as everyone else in the bar supports hime when this happens.

[Musicman51]

Nicely said rikki. I am a "Kids" and "Young Adult" person. Allduring the time my daughter was growing up, and especially during her high school years the house was always full of kids. And now that she's in the army, on leave, she calls her friends, and the house is again full of young people. When she's gone, and there is only the dog and i here..it's just wayyyyy to quiet. But i have faith in, and enjoy todays youth. I don't believe in bad kids, just those without the proper upbringing and supervision. And by the time they're older, it's too late. But i agree, there are always those that have the foul mouth, and prove their ignorance. I always laid down my rules, and most of her friends didn't have a problem with them. To this day, those same young people stop by to check on me, and see if there is anything i need. It's tough to be a kid nowadays, much more then when i was younger. But i agree 100% with rikki kids are ok in my book. My daughter turned out ok, is serving in the US Army, and making a career of it. She's in germany, and should be rolling in here in a couple of days. The holidays are just a bit tough on me since my wife passed. But we're gettin' by.....Now karaoke time!!!

[billyo]

i had my share of playing in bars, and i'm trying to stay away from it, So. Fla. is a tourist state, so around spring time, we get a lot of outdoor concerts, we have the MTV hip-hop concerts, etc. and also during spring break we get a lot of teens from diff. states, i'm not sure if smoking in public was outlawed, since we have a popular night spot here in West Palm Beach called "city place" and if you walk around you'll see a bunch of ashtrays along the area, the only law they kinda enforced here are the the teens that walk around with their pants hanging out almost to their knees. ( no wonder they walk like ducks ) when i used to play in bars spring time is the busiest time, and thats when you see the unrully one's, college kids that get so wasted and they will sing in a groups and drinks on their hands etc. just like what Rikki said i will let them sing but foul language i won't take,if they do i cut them off right there and there.