How does one become an MC?

LSS · 08-05-2006, 06:55 PM

When people first start out, do they MC w/ someone else? Do they start out at small pow wows?

CHEROSAGE · 08-05-2006, 11:33 PM

I imagine that a person is asked to speak for another or say something for an event. A Committeeman hears the speaker and thinks he is a good speaker. The Committeeman may ask him to mc or CoMC an event. This just purpetuates.

LSS · 08-06-2006, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEROSAGE

I imagine that a person is asked to speak for another or say something for an event. A Committeeman hears the speaker and thinks he is a good speaker. The Committeeman may ask him to mc or CoMC an event. This just purpetuates.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!

**Wojapi4Me** · 08-07-2006, 10:08 AM

I've MC'd on two occasions, and didn't particularly care for it nor did I think I did a particularly good job LOL Once I filled in at a Sobriety pow wow here in Cherokee when the scheduled MC didn't show and the committee asked me very last minute to fill in so I did. The other was a small dance in Tennessee...it was a good little pow wow...but I just don't think being an MC is my niche.

I don't think I have the voice nor the verbal skills to be an effective MC. Those are two things a person MUST possess.

I would think that a person would become an MC by being heard speaking in public (i.e. public giveaway like Cherosage spoke of, a tribal council or community meeting, etc.) and they like what they hear. When we were running the pow wow at the Cherokee Youth Center, the last year we tried a Jr. MC who shadowed the MC and that worked out well and gave the young adult a chance to see what an MC does. So, maybe that's an idea for future MCs to try out?

WhoMe · 08-08-2006, 05:30 PM

I have heard of several emcees who got their start by filling in for a "no-show emcee". They did a good job and were asked back and other powwow committees asked them to emcee and, and, a star is born!

Most effective emcees know most aspects of a powwow and are gifted talkers. Naturally this knowledge and gift are combined in their emceeing.

And then there are a few who make you say, "Who the?"

*L

**Kiwehnzii** · 08-08-2006, 09:32 PM

Yep, I agree. I don't MC much, but I have a helluva good time doin' it. Teasin' & stuff. I do little ones. No Dale Oldhorn or Vince Beyl for sure, but I can hold my own. Somebody heard me Mc'ing at a wedding and a person asked me to do a school native awareness day. Next thing y'know, I got asked to do a bigger small powwow. One thing I can say - don't let it get quiet for too long. Keep talking even if yer just rambling.
Non-competition gatherings are a little tougher cuz you got to do a bit more talking.
Have fun, even if you suck. Aye.

TKMJ Productions · 08-10-2006, 12:14 AM

Being an MC can be a tough job. You may have to do stuff you do not agree with. I do know that you need to have a vast amount of powwow knowlege and a good memory. You must also have a reasonable speaking voice that is somewhat pleasing over the PA system.

You must also know your vendors at the powwow and what they are selling. A quick once-a-round before the powwow starts to collect business cards really helps.

Just a note: If ya push (advertise) the food vendors, you usually get freebies like frybread and buffalo burgers and stuff. That's one of the "perks" to the job.

StoneyClaus · 08-10-2006, 09:05 PM

I got my start as an MC by filling in for my bro, Keith Colston, when he took breaks - mainly just messing around with him. We had fun, but he always stressed I was fortunate enough for committee members from various powwows to hear me and give me a shot. I've also gotten to know lots of committee members by singing with by bros.

It is a tough job. You constantly have people coming at you with requests, questions, specials, annoucements. And you have the speak the powwow moving and the crowd entertained. I tell my bros that I am always much more tired after I MC all day than if I we singing and dancing.

But I have fun with it... Free food, sodas, and you get to talk about the good-looking women without your wife/other half getting mad... Those are the PERKS...

Rock on...slj

**badmaninc** · 08-10-2006, 10:43 PM

If people like how you work when you do things at little gatherings and watch as the gatherings become bigger, how you handle yourself is important. I know a couple of MCs who got real bigheaded. Thought people came to listen to them and not the music. They started asking outlandish prices and would ask for more when they got to the powwow. One dude even asked for food and drinks for his c/l girlfriend. So remember its an honour to be asked all of the time. Remember that doesn't matter how good you are as an MC you can always be replaced. People come to see the singers and dancers. Nobody really hero worships MCs. Not that I've gotten any fan mail anywz. Nobody stalks me either. Dang, I'm getting depressed. Just kiddin' but I hope you get the message.

**Joe's Dad** · 08-11-2006, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StoneyClaus

I got my start as an MC by filling in for my bro, Keith Colston, when he took breaks - mainly just messing around with him. We had fun, but he always stressed I was fortunate enough for committee members from various powwows to hear me and give me a shot. I've also gotten to know lots of committee members by singing with by bros.

It is a tough job. You constantly have people coming at you with requests, questions, specials, annoucements. And you have the speak the powwow moving and the crowd entertained. I tell my bros that I am always much more tired after I MC all day than if I we singing and dancing.

But I have fun with it... Free food, sodas, and you get to talk about the good-looking women without your wife/other half getting mad... Those are the PERKS...

Rock on...slj

So when you're MC'ing, do you ever say..."Watch it Bud!!!"?How ya doing 'S'. Say hello to everybody down home for me!

**Joe's Dad** · 08-11-2006, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badmaninc

If people like how you work when you do things at little gatherings and watch as the gatherings become bigger, how you handle yourself is important. I know a couple of MCs who got real bigheaded. Thought people came to listen to them and not the music. They started asking outlandish prices and would ask for more when they got to the powwow. One dude even asked for food and drinks for his c/l girlfriend. So remember its an honour to be asked all of the time. Remember that doesn't matter how good you are as an MC you can always be replaced. People come to see the singers and dancers. Nobody really hero worships MCs. Not that I've gotten any fan mail anywz. Nobody stalks me either. Dang, I'm getting depressed. Just kiddin' but I hope you get the message.

Send me your adress and I'll send you a signed fan letter!!! j/k

blueskysmom · 08-21-2006, 11:38 AM

Pow wow MCs are a special kind of breed. They have the voice, the Indianness that know how to tell Indian jokes, they have the charisma on how to relate to people, to use tact, to be tough skinned, to enjoy working with people, to be able to resolve conflicts when they arise, and to be gracious. They need to know how to relate to little old ladies and also little children all in the same time frame. To comfort little crying, wet, grimy lost children and in a non threatening way to let the parents know that they need to keep track of their kids. To be able to stay up until 2 am and be back at the mike at 8 am ready for flag raising. Don't forget also that they also need to know how to talk to white people, dignitaries and racists.

Let's start a thread listing all of the past top MCs throughout Indian Country when pow wows first started.

08-05-2006, 06:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
LSS Sappling! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 833	How does one become an MC? When people first start out, do they MC w/ someone else? Do they start out at small pow wows? __________________ To get a true picture of your purpose in life, you only get the whole picture when you listen with your mind, your ears and your heart. This way The Creator has a direct connection with you and only you...no outside interference. When you follow the will of IT that created you, understanding that your purpose is not for you...but for IT and all that IT has created, there can be no wrong except failure to be obedient. Only then do we jeopardize the gifts we are given. Its not the final destination that defines us, rather the journey taken!

08-05-2006, 11:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
CHEROSAGE Pow Wow Committee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: , mo Posts: 1,316	I imagine that a person is asked to speak for another or say something for an event. A Committeeman hears the speaker and thinks he is a good speaker. The Committeeman may ask him to mc or CoMC an event. This just purpetuates. __________________ BOB

08-07-2006, 10:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
Wojapi4Me Kili! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Tha Rez Posts: 1,491	I've MC'd on two occasions, and didn't particularly care for it nor did I think I did a particularly good job LOL Once I filled in at a Sobriety pow wow here in Cherokee when the scheduled MC didn't show and the committee asked me very last minute to fill in so I did. The other was a small dance in Tennessee...it was a good little pow wow...but I just don't think being an MC is my niche. I don't think I have the voice nor the verbal skills to be an effective MC. Those are two things a person MUST possess. I would think that a person would become an MC by being heard speaking in public (i.e. public giveaway like Cherosage spoke of, a tribal council or community meeting, etc.) and they like what they hear. When we were running the pow wow at the Cherokee Youth Center, the last year we tried a Jr. MC who shadowed the MC and that worked out well and gave the young adult a chance to see what an MC does. So, maybe that's an idea for future MCs to try out? __________________ If pro is the opposite of con, then wouldn't progress be the opposite of...lol

08-08-2006, 05:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
WhoMe PauWau Coordinator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Land of 370 Broken Treaties Posts: 5,433	I have heard of several emcees who got their start by filling in for a "no-show emcee". They did a good job and were asked back and other powwow committees asked them to emcee and, and, a star is born! Most effective emcees know most aspects of a powwow and are gifted talkers. Naturally this knowledge and gift are combined in their emceeing. And then there are a few who make you say, "Who the?" *L __________________ "Today, recognizing and respecting the origins of powwow aids in our Cultural Survival. If enough people break the rules because they are not satisfied...."We will have no culture." WhoMe

08-10-2006, 12:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
TKMJ Productions Powwow Sound 4 U Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ohio, Oregon. Two locations, No waiting Posts: 917	Being an MC can be a tough job. You may have to do stuff you do not agree with. I do know that you need to have a vast amount of powwow knowlege and a good memory. You must also have a reasonable speaking voice that is somewhat pleasing over the PA system. You must also know your vendors at the powwow and what they are selling. A quick once-a-round before the powwow starts to collect business cards really helps. Just a note: If ya push (advertise) the food vendors, you usually get freebies like frybread and buffalo burgers and stuff. That's one of the "perks" to the job. __________________ Don't ask me what I think about something unless you want a truthful anwser. It may not be the anwser you are looking for. It's better to fly with the eagles then drive with the turkeys.

08-08-2006, 09:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
Kiwehnzii Oldfart Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 2,849	Yep, I agree. I don't MC much, but I have a helluva good time doin' it. Teasin' & stuff. I do little ones. No Dale Oldhorn or Vince Beyl for sure, but I can hold my own. Somebody heard me Mc'ing at a wedding and a person asked me to do a school native awareness day. Next thing y'know, I got asked to do a bigger small powwow. One thing I can say - don't let it get quiet for too long. Keep talking even if yer just rambling. Non-competition gatherings are a little tougher cuz you got to do a bit more talking. Have fun, even if you suck. Aye.

08-10-2006, 09:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
StoneyClaus Junior Dancer Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: RDU, NC Posts: 101	I got my start as an MC by filling in for my bro, Keith Colston, when he took breaks - mainly just messing around with him. We had fun, but he always stressed I was fortunate enough for committee members from various powwows to hear me and give me a shot. I've also gotten to know lots of committee members by singing with by bros. It is a tough job. You constantly have people coming at you with requests, questions, specials, annoucements. And you have the speak the powwow moving and the crowd entertained. I tell my bros that I am always much more tired after I MC all day than if I we singing and dancing. But I have fun with it... Free food, sodas, and you get to talk about the good-looking women without your wife/other half getting mad... Those are the PERKS... Rock on...slj __________________ Visit www.myspace.com/stoneycreeksingers Visit www.myspace.com/sandonj Last edited by StoneyClaus; 08-10-2006 at 09:31 PM.

08-10-2006, 10:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
badmaninc PowWows.com Addicts Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Saanich Tribes, B.C. Posts: 2,905	If people like how you work when you do things at little gatherings and watch as the gatherings become bigger, how you handle yourself is important. I know a couple of MCs who got real bigheaded. Thought people came to listen to them and not the music. They started asking outlandish prices and would ask for more when they got to the powwow. One dude even asked for food and drinks for his c/l girlfriend. So remember its an honour to be asked all of the time. Remember that doesn't matter how good you are as an MC you can always be replaced. People come to see the singers and dancers. Nobody really hero worships MCs. Not that I've gotten any fan mail anywz. Nobody stalks me either. Dang, I'm getting depressed. Just kiddin' but I hope you get the message.

08-21-2006, 11:38 AM	#12 (permalink)
blueskysmom Tiny Tot Dancer Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 41	Pow wow MCs are a special kind of breed. They have the voice, the Indianness that know how to tell Indian jokes, they have the charisma on how to relate to people, to use tact, to be tough skinned, to enjoy working with people, to be able to resolve conflicts when they arise, and to be gracious. They need to know how to relate to little old ladies and also little children all in the same time frame. To comfort little crying, wet, grimy lost children and in a non threatening way to let the parents know that they need to keep track of their kids. To be able to stay up until 2 am and be back at the mike at 8 am ready for flag raising. Don't forget also that they also need to know how to talk to white people, dignitaries and racists. Let's start a thread listing all of the past top MCs throughout Indian Country when pow wows first started.

08-22-2006, 03:00 PM	#13 (permalink)
WhoMe PauWau Coordinator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Land of 370 Broken Treaties