Some things can get out of hand, very quickly, very easily. Seasoned DJ's will know many such situations, and heres a chance to impart a few words of wisdom to the newer members....

Heres an example, which came up this Saturday (yesterday~ish)

Him: "Hello mate, can you play Ronan Keating: When you say nothing at all?"
Me: "Sure, it wont be soon though...it'll be during the slowies near the end"
Him: "Yeah thats ok, and can I borrow the microphone to sing along to it"
Me: "We'll certainly play it, but just the original song - no extra singing on it, Im afraid. - Sorry"
Him: "Why not?"
Me: "Well firstly, I dont have the Karaoke version, and it would sound strange, you dueting, almost in time, with Ronan....secondly, the hotel management dont allow anyone other than me to use the mic, and thirdly, the mic will make loud whistling noises if its taken infront of the speakers..."
Him: (you guessed this was coming...) "But I'm the grooms brother, and the brides mum has specifically asked me to".
Me: "I can appreciate that some people in the room would be only too pleased to hear you sing, although some might have special reasons for hearing only the original, but it doesnt change the facts that the mic will whistle if used infront of the speakers, I dont have the karaoke version, and that the hotel wont allow it.

At this point he just stood there, sipping his pint (not his first, I beleive) trying to think of something else to say...

Me: I've got to get the next track ready to play (Lies: I had the next 4 tracks already cued), but I'll definately play Ronan Keating during the slowies...sorry"


Real reasons: Some people, even sober ones are a right pain in the neck once they have a mic in their hands (swearing etc), some are almost impossible to prise the mic off of once they've done their "thing" (even once you've switched it off at the mixer end), and also you open up the floodgates for all the other Robbies, Kylies, Gloria's and Franks out there...

What other "ways out" would you use on the above scenario, and what other situations would you recommend a newbie watch out for, and avoid?

Zero tolerance has me,
Every day I deal with idiots so what better way to treat them if there gonna act like one!
So did you bring a backing tape?
Do you know the words of by heart then?
Thought not!!!! A very firm NO!!!

think weve been here before! I just say that it negates my PLI so NO - or I say due to hygene reasons, nobody is allowed to use my mic - or I just say NO...without any excuse whatsover!

I just say NO politely and then impolitely after that

i say no and if they keep on ask for a 100 pond upfront to cover the cost of my mic getting damaged which nobody has ever come up with yet

Just a firm no!!! Follow that up with PLI, hotel policy kinda spiel if needed (which it normally is to add a bit of weight!)

Have never bothered with the 'have you brought a backing tape approach' Think that may aggrovate a situation tbh...much safer to stick to the legal argument!


Steve

I think that I am going to be in the minority here.

under some circumstances I have no problem letting people sing on the mic, but I do control the level (turn it way down)

Ah Ian, so its YOU keeping their hopes alive, clouding their ability to tell the difference between a Disco and "Stars in their Eyes"....

Which areas do you cover? We'll have to get a "pins in the map" crime map of which functions have wannabe's still asking for the mic.



Just kidding, of course.

years ago, I was the same as you, but I have found in the long run it's easier to let them.

the conditions that I allow it are

1. If the person who booked me says its OK (If they say no you have passed the buck & you are not the bad guy)
2. the are told not to swing the mic swear etc if they do it is turned off

I do the same as Ian - the client has to agree first. It gives the individual something to remember and, if they're a good singer, the rest enjoy it too. If they're bad I balance the mike so that you can hardly hear them over the record then everyone (including the singer) still thinks that they're good

The one time I do refuse is if they've had too much

One thing that I do object to is when someone just comes up and attempts to grab the mike without asking - this gets a very swift rebuke

PaulS

I always get the drunken 20 something at the end of a Wedding who wants to do his drunken impression of Oasis. I use the combination of the Client / Audience to decide whether they "Want to hear ******** (Fill in idiots name here) on the Karacroakey or not?". Get the client to agree to it first, then ask the crowd if they wanna hear him.

More often than not - the answer is no, but at least you've been democratic and subtle and also proven a point. Of course there are gigs where the answer is Yes, but if it all goes up and he can't sing, then they have only got themselves to blame!!!! .

I found that if forced to do this sort of things then using props like score cards ( printed with 1 , 2, 3, 4 ,5 ,6 ,7 ,8, 9, 10) given to several members of the Audience (Pop idol) to hold up, adds a professional edge to these otherwise tricky situations, and makes it almost look planned - however bad the singer turns out to be.

If you don't want to go to this effort, or its not that sort of venue, then I respect the firm "Sorry you are not covered on my Employers Liability Insurance" is a good one. But I think that any D.J worth his / her reputation should be able to work a situation like this to their advantage

What you want is that little gismo that makes them sound like Donald Duck.

I see a magic mic, that makes em sound like Mr Bloobby

ah s~d it..... dont humour them say no then if they persist just say well Ill lend you my mic if you lend me your car!