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What would you do?


BillinDayton

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Gang-

 

A client of mine believes a musical entertainer lip-synced some of his last performance at her facility. Several other employees of the facility also saw the same thing. This entertainer is well liked, but not one of the "favorites." He is hired, along with his wife who also sings, to sing over recorded CD's.

 

The AD spoke to the entertainer before and after the gig, not about his lipsyncing, but enough to not suspect any health or throat issues that day.

 

The residents apparently had no clue it was happened...

 

A ) Would it bother you?

 

B ) Do you think its fraudulent or deceptive at all?

 

C ) Would you continue to use them again?

 

D ) If they denied lipsyncing, would that change anything?

 

Thanks-

Edited by BillinDayton
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The question I have is, Is he lipsyncing to his OWN music? I think that makes a difference because when I pay a singing entertainer, I pay them to sing. Almost anyone can lipsync to someone else's songs. But if it were his own songs and he lipsync's because he wants to maintain the same quality all the time, then I wouldn't have as much of a problem with it.

 

However, it would bother me if he couldn't change the sound volume of his voice during a show.... for example, if the music was too loud and the residents couldn't hear what he was singing (or singing to). He should be expected to have all of the necessary equipment to adjust all the settings.

 

I have the same issues with someone bringing a keyboard and all the songs and instruments are already loaded on it, and all they have to do is push a button. However, I know I don't pay near as much for that person than I would for a band to come, so I accept and enjoy the music.

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The question I have is, Is he lipsyncing to his OWN music? I think that makes a difference because when I pay a singing entertainer, I pay them to sing. Almost anyone can lipsync to someone else's songs. But if it were his own songs and he lipsync's because he wants to maintain the same quality all the time, then I wouldn't have as much of a problem with it.

 

However, it would bother me if he couldn't change the sound volume of his voice during a show.... for example, if the music was too loud and the residents couldn't hear what he was singing (or singing to). He should be expected to have all of the necessary equipment to adjust all the settings.

 

I have the same issues with someone bringing a keyboard and all the songs and instruments are already loaded on it, and all they have to do is push a button. However, I know I don't pay near as much for that person than I would for a band to come, so I accept and enjoy the music.

 

*No, he's singing over sequenced tracks / cd's of background music...famous songs, not his own works...

 

*Volume wasn't really an issue at all..

 

*The keyboard you mention is called a sequencer...they can push a button and read the paper and it sounds glorious, lol...

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*No, he's singing over sequenced tracks / cd's of background music...famous songs, not his own works...

 

*Volume wasn't really an issue at all..

 

*The keyboard you mention is called a sequencer...they can push a button and read the paper and it sounds glorious, lol...

 

Definitely sounds like false advertising when they are calling themselves singers! Wow, did I miss something in the story, or had they sang for real before and are now pulling the milli vanilli act? On the other hand if this is a normal thing for them then I would think you'd be less likely tohave them come again next time...Unless residents are demanding them to come back because they love them so much.. I don't think they represented themselves well.

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My understanding is the AD never suspected them of doing this before. She's feeling a little duped and not sure what to do. The residents never suspected anything, but when AD asked me for my opinion, I suggested she definitely talk with them. I asked about his health that day and she said she spoke to him and his voice was just fine...

 

Given that his wife also sings, it kind of rules out that he needed a break...

 

I asked her what she would do if they denied it...she's not sure. I told her in my opinion she's the advocate for the residents, right? If she doesn't look out for them, who will?

 

There may be a perfectly legitimate reason for this happening. There have been plenty of times when my voice is on the rocks and it drives me crazy. But, I would never pull a stunt like that without alerting the AD and getting their approval.

 

Again, I hope there is a good explanation for this. If there isn't and an entertainer got caught trying to take short cuts at the residents expense...well, I don't know how you tolerate that...

 

ps-(I do not stand to gain anything regardless on how she handles this...Its not like I'd be handed his gigs. He's only there 2-3 a year...I'm there monthly...)

Edited by BillinDayton
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The AD should talk to him. AD can explain his/her policy of only having live singers, and describe what was seen but say it diplomatically. Then if there is no valid reason the singer has for his hijinx, then take it from there.

 

If the AD wants them back, have them sign something agreeing to the "live singing performance" with dates and times before they come in again. Get them to sign it & fax it over before the next performance.

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As an AD, I would talk with the entertainers, question the lipsinging, and depending on the reply, explain to them the importance of providing live entertainment for the residents. If you have noticed that the residents are not too pleased with the performers, minimize the amount of times they are invited to the facility for performing, and seek other "live" entertainment for the residents.

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Unless you have a contract for scheduled performances, I would just not call them anymore. If they call the AD wanting to come back, they would open the door for a confrontation. If you belong to a chapter of Activity Directors, maybe you can bring the issue up at your next meeting and see if others have had the same problem. Perhaps your chapter president can speak to the "entertainer" on behalf of the whole chapter rather than one...it may give the allegations and concerns more muscle if more people were experiencing the same thing.

 

In our small town, a bad "professional" is rumor-whipped without ever being faced by their "victims."

 

Good luck,

Tishanne

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Guest Tinki

I know I would have been angry and if I had the guts ask for some money back. I think a live show if very different then a pre-recorded show. I could get up and sing -a-long anyone can. I think that is a huge misrepresentation of what you agreed on in a "live" performer. The price should be different for sure.

 

Just because a client might not notice does not mean you can give them a less quality service - very unethical!

Karen

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