ARTICLE KARAOKESTAR 1/97 JUDY AMES KARAOKEMANIA
NEW YEAR~ NEW HOPES & FEARS
There was a stange sense of something missing on the table...in the air, as I walked into
a bar last night. A feeling of relaxation and ease seemed to open up, like when the dust
settles after a skirmish ends and the bad guys are dead. Now, you smokers, don”t take
this personally, but really breathing, talking, moving around has just become risk free-
no cigarettes or ashtrays
to avoid, no watery eyes, smelly clothes, no lungs full of second hand smoke! Many bar
keepers are worried about how this will affect business. Smoking and drinking seem to go
hand in hand. “Will they come here?...Should we build a patio?... Will this law
stick? ..Should we cancel entertainment?” Some say there should be clubs just for
smokers. Fear and scarcity thinking exists as with every change, but what I have noticed
is a sense of acceptance and the mature realization for the most part that this is for the
best. I’ve heard some people say that the government is infringing on the rights of
the individual. The government exists to put the good of the majority above the minority,
so sometimes this must be done. It’s obvious what my opinion is.
What I would like to address is: HOW DOES THE SMOKING BAN AFFECT KARAOKE.
Singers who care about their voice and general health have long complained and bemoaned
the smoke-filled bar atmosphere. Many can no longer tolerate it and will avoid the worst
locales. Sometimes ventilation takes the form of rotating fans, sending the second hand
smoke around the room and propelling it into everyone’s lungs at a greater velocity!
The association of musical entertainment with liquor sales and the smoking sidekick has
long been an issue. Entertainers are judged and valued by the amount of liquor sales they
produce, not on whether they are talented, liked or even if they have a good following.
Often, the restaurant does not even include food or soft drink sales as part of the
bar’s take, therefor not crediting the entertainer for this section of the revenue.
Several times I have lost clubs for no other reason than my customers did not drink enough
alcohol. If cigarettes and booze go hand in hand, will this slow down the drinking to the
point where Karaoke Shows are not affordable? I have suggested to Club managers to set a
minimum table rate, charge for every drink no matter what it is, wait on tables with
encouragements to buy at least one drink. This seems very difficult to change and move
with the times. Entertainment costs money. We entertainers do what we can to bring in
participation. Its up to the management to profit from what’s there. Also
it’s up to you Karaoke singers to support your favorite karaoke shows by both your
presence and purchases.
The other issue is whether or not we Karaoke hosts are employees. Some small bars are
owner operated and since they are not harming any employees with exposure to smoke, they
believe they can have smoking in their bars. But, we as entertainers are still being
affected. What position does this create for us? Lose our gig or say nothing? It depends
how this new law
is stated. I’m sure there will be other loopholes and interpretations, but we must
quit destroying our bodies and environment. Eventually, just as it has been banned on
airplanes in movie theaters, and restaurants, smoking in bars will be a thing of the past
and we will all be the better for it.
More articles by Judy Ames
"Luck" | Smoking Ban | Musician or Magician | Song Categories | Stage Fright | Servers or Singers