Can you play this song for me, cause I can sing it...

[Rich_S]

We only let a guy sing with us one time, but coincidentally, it was a Lou Reed song that he sang. It started as the typical "drunk guy wants to sing" encounter, and said something about Lou Reed. I was in the process of sending him on his way when out bass player, ever helpful, started playing "Walk on the Wild Side". At that point, there was no escaping it. Drunk guy sang his bit, me & the girls singer provided the "doot-do-doo" vocals, and they cued me for an impromptu guitar solo at the end. Miraculously, it all worked.

Years ago, when our first singer, Barb, quit the band to get married & have a baby, the drummer and I attended the wedding. At some point, whoever was MC'ing the reception got wind of the fact that the bride was a singer, and talked her into coming up to do a number with the band. After a brief consultation, they settled on "Heatwave" and Barb proceeded to tear the joint down, while the band's girl singer sat at the side, shooting flaming needles out her eyes.

[GigsbyBoyUK]

Depends on the situation but often we'll let someone join in if they are not too drunk, especially if it's someone the venue knows or who seems a regular. If they suck it makes us look good. If they are good then everyone has a good time and if everyone has a good time we'll probably get asked back. I then clean the mic with TCP when I get home.

Suzie Quatro's daughter once got up and sang with a blues band I was in. She was great. Our regular singer was not happy though as Ms Qautro was definitely a better singer!

[Old Cane]

Originally Posted by Rich_S

an impromptu guitar solo at the end.

Is this something unusual? Sounds like every song I play.

[tonedreamer]

this is what happens when the owner of the bar asks if he can sing a song.... you can't say no, cause he's the one paying you. he keeps looking over at me because he doesn't know the words.. not to mention he can't sing, but oh well, it's all fun

[AJBaker]

Originally Posted by tonedreamer

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMB7t_OabjV">YouTube Link</a>this is what happens when the owner of the bar asks if he can sing a song.... you can't say no, cause he's the one paying you. he keeps looking over at me because he doesn't know the words.. not to mention he can't sing, but oh well, it's all fun

That video wasn't too bad! I've played a place where the owner has his own wireless mike, and starts singing along to every song towards the end, and even during the solos. Very confusing the first time, trying to figure out where the out of key & time singing was coming from...

[mlove3]

my standard responses:
come back next set, we'll squeeze you in.
you want to sing that song? what's the first line? (they typically can't remember)
ask the bass player
ask the manager
and my favorite, union rules, we can't allow a non union musician onstage. that's money, I urge you to use it.

[trev333]

I love that "blind guy" clip with U2.... I've seen it a few times before... it worked out great... Bono had Blind Faith in the guy, you might say....

and he gives the guy the guitar.. way cool.... now that's connecting with your audience...

[tonedreamer]

Originally Posted by mlove3

my standard responses:
come back next set, we'll squeeze you in.
you want to sing that song? what's the first line? (they typically can't remember)
ask the bass player
ask the manager
and my favorite, union rules, we can't allow a non union musician onstage. that's money, I urge you to use it.

That's the best one I've heard! union rules, I'm using that next time!

[JoeNeri]

First rule of running a stage - NEVER give up the microphone. Once in the hands of a wannabe performer, you have lost control of your stage. Too easy to give 'em the mic, much harder to get it back.

Second rule of running a stage - NEVER allow anyone but a band member to be on stage during a set.

Exceptions, of course. You know the guy/gal. He/She's a local musician, etc. But even then, be careful.

My response to requests to sing/etc: First time, "No." If that doesn't work, then I say: "Sorry, but this isn't open mic night." Finally, if all else fails, I say "Hey man, I'm workin' here. This is my livelihood. Do I bother you when you're working?"

999/1000 times one of these answers gets rid of the problem.

For the 1/1000 problem, I smack 'em in the head with my Tele .

[Le Jab]

What about when you're watching a band, and a non-musician friend suggests you should sit in. I had this a couple of years ago when I was visiting San Fran, in a bar where a fine blues band were playing. I was just happy to sit and listen but my friend was insistent that I should play. I told her it wasnt my gig, and I wouldnt like it if it was my band. It would mean the guitar player sitting out and handing me his instrument etc. Embarrassingly she seeks out the bass player during a break, and he tells her flat - NO!. So she starts cussing him out, saying 'My friend is all the way from London and its just one little song!' I was mortified. Needless to say the band (quite rightly) managed perfectly well without me for the rest of the set, and all my friend could do was moan that these guys were just so 'not cool'. When in fact they seemed a decent bunch of fellas.

[Open G Tele]

This stuff was happening long before anyone ever heard of karaoke and American Idol.
I always use the old "our contract won't allow it" excuse.

[1955]

I wish I had the patience of police officers dealing with drunks. Watch "Cops," they make it look so easy. Firm, but respectful, and ready to handle trifling behavior when needed. I'm not even surprised by the things drunk people think they have the right to do or say anymore. However, if somebody isn't drunk, and is asking to sing a song - oh my goodness!

[Capel]

Originally Posted by Open G Tele

This stuff was happening long before anyone ever heard of karaoke and American Idol.
I always use the old "our contract won't allow it" excuse.

Originally Posted by mlove3

my standard responses:
come back next set, we'll squeeze you in.
you want to sing that song? what's the first line? (they typically can't remember)
ask the bass player
ask the manager
and my favorite, union rules, we can't allow a non union musician onstage. that's money, I urge you to use it.

Funny that - our "insurance" doesn't cover us for sit-ins (including our "public liability insurance")...

As far as Lou Reed goes - would he let any of them just wander up & sit in with him while he's on-stage??

[Old Cane]

Originally Posted by Capel

As far as Lou Reed goes - would he let any of them just wander up & sit in with him while he's on-stage??

Do you really think anybody would want to? That's the great think about sucking.

[ravindave_3600]

Originally Posted by Le Jab

So she starts cussing him out, saying 'My friend is all the way from London and its just one little song and he's JEFF BECK!'

That might've got their attention.

But I'm with you, never push myself into someone else's house.

[wayloncash]

Tell em to find an open mic

[brewwagon]

its disrespectful your interupting the performance and one should only go on stage when invited even if one thinks they deserve a grammy award

then if you refuse and don't do your best unter the conditions

thats kinda disrespectful too

[brookdalebill]

Taze em', bro!

[TeleTim911]

I've never allowed someone on stage that could not be vouched for as being a real musician at my gigs. I've allowed quite a few to sit in, but only if someone I trusted knew who they were, etc. They've always come out well.

As for some drunk in the audience, forget it. My favorite lines were that my insurance wouldn't allow it, or that my contract would not allow it. That usually shut them up.

[Skub]

Originally Posted by Old Cane

Do you really think anybody would want to? That's the great think about sucking.

Did you catch this great event on US tv?