Lake Sumter disappointing entertainment

[Sandtrap328]

I usually put posts on about entertainment on the squares that I have enjoyed. Well, last night, June 14, will be an exception to that!

The entertainer, Brian Carl Balyeat, is a young guy and hopefully, he has a good day job. He sang karoke style to recorded tracks - and from the pitch of his spoken voice compared to the pitch of the singing - I am not sure he was doing much of the singing. For one song, he was telling a story and then all of a sudden the music track began, and he jumped into the song several bars late. A voice on the track was audible for those several bars.

Okay, I should not be hard on the entertainer, I guess. He tried hard, enjoyed himself, and it was better than watching a rerun of I Love Lucy.

Even with an evening of no-quality entertainment, my wife and I enjoyed getting down to the square and enjoy being in The Villages everyday.

Tonight was great! It was Rocky and the Rollers at Spanish Springs. The square was rocking! :a040:

[hulahips]

Yeeks. Do not enjoy. Karoke. Hope they never make that entertainment on the square. Rocky always great!

[Jaggy]

We drove past in the cart last nite and both my husband and I commented.. wow.. sounds like karaoke.. we didn't park.. plus it was hot, hot , hotter outside and my AC was calling me..

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

There are many entertainers on the squares that are nothing more than professional karaoke singers. With a few exceptions, if I don't see a drum set, I keep driving. It all comes down to money as usual. In stead of paying four or five or six talented musicians the entertainment department can get away with paying one singer/computer operator. Sometimes they don't even have a singer, they sometimes just have a DJ. Why do they need a DJ when they could just send a feed of WVLG through the PA systems at the squares?

But, like I said, if they can get away with paying one person instead of four or five or six they can save a lot of money. The line dancers don't seem to care either way. They dance to anything. But if the rec dept is paying attention, they might notice when there is a good band at a square there are a lot of people there spending money at the bars and stores.

[sunnyatlast]

There are many entertainers on the squares that are nothing more than professional karaoke singers. With a few exceptions, if I don't see a drum set, I keep driving. It all comes down to money as usual. In stead of paying four or five or six talented musicians the entertainment department can get away with paying one singer/computer operator. Sometimes they don't even have a singer, they sometimes just have a DJ. Why do they need a DJ when they could just send a feed of WVLG through the PA systems at the squares?

But, like I said, if they can get away with paying one person instead of four or five or six they can save a lot of money. The line dancers don't seem to care either way. They dance to anything. But if the rec dept is paying attention, they might notice when there is a good band at a square there are a lot of people there spending money at the bars and stores.

Among those "karaoke singers" are truly skilled, educated and dynamic vocalists whose singing is so good it wouldn't matter if they were singing with a full band or with no accompaniment whatsoever.

Several that come to mind are Clark Barrios and Cathy Merkel, Suzi Casta, and Petrina, but there are many other vocalists here who were born to sing on stage for an audience, with or without live instrumentals.

However. The singer last night needs to keep his day job as a hairdresser. We stopped in and quickly left. Drama/Flash is no substitute for singing performance skill and musicianship.

[Miles42]

I do not think as a whole they are paid that much. On top of working in the heat LOL

[Villager Joyce]

There are many entertainers on the squares that are nothing more than professional karaoke singers. With a few exceptions, if I don't see a drum set, I keep driving. It all comes down to money as usual. In stead of paying four or five or six talented musicians the entertainment department can get away with paying one singer/computer operator. Sometimes they don't even have a singer, they sometimes just have a DJ. Why do they need a DJ when they could just send a feed of WVLG through the PA systems at the squares?...

Does this include Scooter?

[Bonny]

Among those "karaoke singers" are truly skilled, educated and dynamic vocalists whose singing is so good it wouldn't matter if they were singing with a full band or with no accompaniment whatsoever.

Several that come to mind are Clark Barrios and Cathy Merkel, Suzi Casta, and Petrina, but there are many other vocalists here who were born to sing on stage for an audience, with or without live instrumentals.

However. The singer last night needs to keep his day job as a hairdresser. We stopped in and quickly left. Drama/Flash is no substitute for singing performance skill and musicianship.
Also Dunning Shaw !! Awesome voice.
Scooter is a DJ and I think he's awesome !

[sunnyatlast]

Also Dunning Shaw !! Awesome voice.
Scooter is a DJ and I think he's awesome !

Yes!

Another legendary voice here (who sings karaoke sometimes but usually is with his band) is Norman Lee. I miss seeing him at the squares and at City Fire, doing his big Elvis voice like "Viva Las Vegas".

[Sandtrap328]

Yes!

Another legendary voice here (who sings karaoke sometimes but usually is with his band) is Norman Lee. I miss seeing him at the squares and at City Fire, doing his big Elvis voice like "Viva Las Vegas".

Norman performs on a venue with Susie Castas sometimes.

He is very involved with his church and is a terrific minister. It is Garden of Hope and is in Summerfield.

[hulahips]

Love love scooter! He is in class of his own , energetic, funny , gets the crowd going! Square would not be the same without our Scooter!

[justjim]

Maybe the "quality" on the Squares is a bit less because it's summer. Sometimes very hot and humid ----the AC can feel pretty good.

[MicheleE]

Don't forget about Lisa Beck! She's one of my favorites.

[biker1]

I agree. Live bands, all the time. Karaoke singers, one is a while. DJs, never. When is Vinyl Recall playing again?

There are many entertainers on the squares that are nothing more than professional karaoke singers. With a few exceptions, if I don't see a drum set, I keep driving. It all comes down to money as usual. In stead of paying four or five or six talented musicians the entertainment department can get away with paying one singer/computer operator. Sometimes they don't even have a singer, they sometimes just have a DJ. Why do they need a DJ when they could just send a feed of WVLG through the PA systems at the squares?

But, like I said, if they can get away with paying one person instead of four or five or six they can save a lot of money. The line dancers don't seem to care either way. They dance to anything. But if the rec dept is paying attention, they might notice when there is a good band at a square there are a lot of people there spending money at the bars and stores.

[sunnyatlast]

Norman performs on a venue with Susie Castas sometimes.

He is very involved with his church and is a terrific minister. It is Garden of Hope and is in Summerfield.

I know he's a gifted and spirit-filled pastor with his church. I just like it how he meets people where they are, just as they are, in the public square.

No phony baloney. No dressing in "Sundy Go-to-Meetin' Clothes" to pretend to look less sinful. Just regular, ordinary "tax collectors and sinners and bikers".

I hope the entertainment dept. is listening and schedules him again.

[hulahips]

I do like DJ's because there is nothing like the original artist singing and they can play a nice mix. Bands are great too though just will pass on karoke

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I agree. Live bands, all the time. Karaoke singers, one is a while. DJs, never. When is Vinyl Recall playing again?

July 6 Spanish Springs.

[Number 6]

As a wise man once said, "Different strokes for different folks."

[raynan]

I want to give an endorsement to Carol Ann. She sounds just like Reba McIntyre. Very enjoyable.

[hulahips]

I love Reba. Will have to check her out!

[jane032657]

I hired Brian Carl to play at what I called a "hello" party for my mom on Mother's Day weekend so she could see all her friends and say hello before we all had to say goodbye, as she was on hospice. I had about 50 people at my house. It was a catered event with hired help. We moved furniture and got the birdcage ready for Brian. He never showed and never called and had voice mail on his phone that he would not pick up or return calls. He did not contact me until the next day. This was a very special occasion for my mom as she was very frail, it took two of us to help her in the house. I was devastated. One of the few things she loved was entertainment and I trusted Brian to show up. It was my last gift to her.

Well there was no entertainment and my mom passed last week.

I think that says it all.

[dbussone]

Wow. So sorry about your Mom.

[CathyandSteveG]

oh that broke my heart. There are some things in life that we just do not get to do over....this was one of them.

I am so very very sorry he did not show up and please accept my deepest and heartfelt condolences in the loss of your precious mother.

[Barefoot]

I hired Brian Carl to play at what I called a "hello" party for my mom on Mother's Day weekend so she could see all her friends and say hello before we all had to say goodbye, as she was on hospice. I had about 50 people at my house. It was a catered event with hired help. We moved furniture and got the birdcage ready for Brian. He never showed and never called and had voice mail on his phone that he would not pick up or return calls. He did not contact me until the next day. This was a very special occasion for my mom as she was very frail, it took two of us to help her in the house. I was devastated. One of the few things she loved was entertainment and I trusted Brian to show up. It was my last gift to her.
Well there was no entertainment and my mom passed last week.


I'm so sorry for your loss. I read your article in the online newspaper.
I found it very touching, probably because I went through exactly the same hospice experience with my mom.
I'm so sorry Brian Carl didn't show up when he was booked for such an important occasion.
Your mom was lucky to have such a wonderful daughter in her corner.

[Bonny]

So sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family !
I never heard of him.

[Villager Joyce]

I am so very sorry for your loss. Please know your mom knew and felt your love. The actions of the entertainer were inexcusaable.