Karaoke Forums

To Karyoker....

OK. Here's my take on this. Unless you had some kind of contract with the Venue to give you free or discounted food and/or beverages (of any kind), then you should not be upset. Technically, you are not an employee in the establishment. You are a independent contractor, thus, any perks should be stated in a contract (assuming you have a contract with the place.... where I live, most of us KJs do not operate with the use of a contract... just a handshake agreement).

The places where I have worked, I pay for any food that I might decide to order there, and I also pay for my drinks (I usually do not drink when I am doing a show, but I have (on rare occasion) ordered a drink after I finished breaking down my system at the end of the night). Sometimes, the Bartenders have told me that there was no charge for my meal (and I'll usually leave him/her a very generous TIP when they do that). None of the places ever charge me for Soda (and I'll leave them a TIP for that too), but I never expect that to be the norm either.  

I have seen several KJs (in my area) who expect free drinks wherever they work. Some of them even refuse to work at a venue if they are not given free drinks (and I am not referring to Soda and Coffee).


BTW... Where I am located, $3.50 for a shot of anything is cheap (unless you're at an American Legion Hall). Shots usually range from $4 and up (depending what you're drinking).

I think this topic goes to show how differently people run their business.

I, or the 6 kjs that have worked for me over the years, have NEVER been allowed to drink alcohol on the job. Not only because of the overwhelming liability if you drink, drive, and kill someone, but for the sheer professionalism of, or lack thereof of it.

I suppose i just don't get the irresponsibility of it all- you risk your lives, others lives, your job, reputation, and overall entertainment of others by intoxicating yourself, which CAN impair your ability to run a fair and steady show.

...just a opinion.....different strokes, different folks...

NO disrespect to anyone here. Cheers!

I'm thinking that they were giving him a break and charging him  day prices if he was only paying  $3.50 for those shots. I've seen that done in some rooms.

Boozers are Losers

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Man Must Know His Limitations -Clint Eastwood

 jreynolds,
 No disrespect taken here. I'm FULLY aware of my responsibilities when doing my shows. Granted, I could drink till I drop, but actually, during my show, I probably have 3-4 beers.....and that's on a full stomach, over the course of AT LEAST 6-7 hours. More times than not, I rarely even get to finish the beers bought for me. Most times when the waitress tells me so and so bought me a beer, I'll ask her to put it on ice, and thank the patron. Sometimes (I bad), if the person who bought it for me has left, I'll give the beer away. The waitress still got her tip, the owner got the sale, and I'm sober. I have to go the highway to get home. Don't need the hassle.
Actually, just about every show I've been to in my area, the KJ "has a few". I'm sure I could tell you some nightmarish stories of what happened at a few of those. But, for the most part, anybody who's been DJing or KJing for a long period of time could probably do the same. (flashbacks?)
Anyway, I understand and respect your point of view, but for me, I still like to "have a few". No harm...no foul.

                          Donny "B"  

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It's a wonderful life!!

If you will reread the posts First shot in 7 months.

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[glow=blue]I have never had a limit set on my drinks ...just a few drinks i would have to pay for IF i order them...the more expensive ones. Doesn't bother me...i only ever when i have a drink...a few shots of tequila. I drink soda ...as for food. I've always paid for food. I always negotiated a set price for my show...drinks included. So far for eight years...never had a problem with it. But...every owner has their own way. [/glow]

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At all three of the venues I do, I get whatever drinks I want for free, and pay half price for any food (all employees must pay half price for food). I don't have any set limit on drinks, but I don't abuse the privledge. All my bar owners know that. At my main venue, I have a semi-permanent set-up, so I don't have to move anything. Therefore, after we close, I will help the staff do dishes, turn off tvs and neons, etc. The owner, staff, and I all know we have a symbiotic relationship. I make them money, they pay me a fair price, and we all help each other.

My only suggestion to karyoker would be to just discuss the situation with the owner in a calm and reasonable manner, pointing out the things you have said here. With the success you have had at that venue, I'd be willing to bet you can get what you want. If they insist on a set limit for a tab, perhaps you could get them to do it monthly instead of nightly. That way, some nights you could splerge just a little.

Don't think you are not being watched by bar owners and others while you do your show.  I have had many bar owners tell me they respect the fact that i don't drink on the job.  

It's funny how almost every jerk KJ i have known and seen, drink while hosting.   HHMMMMMMM..... Wonder if there is a direct correlation...  LMAO

sideWHINER
You don't have no stinkin' job man . You a phony man . Anyway, the alcohol's probably allergic... to YOU . Ya...I'm calling you a phony.
Prove me wrong. Prove us all wrong .  

                    Donny "B"  

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It's a wonderful life!!

This is REALLY similar to my outlook on things. I normaly do not negotiate drinks with a venue when I book, but I've only had one who did not comp us at least beers, as long as we keep it reasonable. I dont get really worried about the fact that she gives us 2 or 3 and then we have to pay from there, but I do not expect to do a ton of shows there either. its just not a great bar for karaoke, horrible set up and not much of a singing crowd. I Have never negotiated for food. on weds night we dont really get paid like I would like for the crowd we pull now, but its a FUN show every week . when we order something from the kitchen the owner has only charged us a couple times. he knows he gets a great deal having us, so he takes care of us. my cohost drinks a lot of shots (Im driving) he pays for all of those, even at bars that offer to give them free he insists on paying. it keeps him from abusing the free drinks. last week fri i was starved so I ordered a burger quick and asked the bartender to hold on to the ticket that I would settle up when she paid me. come the end of the night she gave us a tip and said not to worry bout the burger. I did not expect it free, nor do i expect not to get charged at the other gig, but I am happy to take what they offer when I know that I have made them a great night.

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the voices arent real, but they have some good ideas

DonnyB, i respect your point of view as well and thanks for explaining your situation.

And you're right about flashbacks...maybe we should start a thread on the "dangers of karaoke/substance abuse" .

My thought is, i wouldn't want to be perceived by an audience as a drinker who "happens to KJ"  (known a few of them), but rather a responsible businessman 1st, who likes to have fun and knows how to entertain. Alcohol usually degrades your timing, talents and skills,.. but i can see how it can improve ones' personality by loosening you up.

Most of my dj/kj career (10 years this year, wow) has been catering to corporate clientele who demand and pay alot. I've taken this very seriously since i once got burned for eating snacks right before an event for Verizon in 2000. I was quite embarassed when one regional manager pointed out the chocolate smudge on my mouth while introducing me to many executives... i've carried a compact mirror around since

As far as alcohol..i'm biased. Don't drink due to the fact of my dad committing suicide while drunk at a bar in '77.  bummer.    sorry- perhaps too much information!
I witness my regular singers and tourists doing over-the-top humiliating things that can only be contribited to alcohol..they're entertaining, but don't get any respect from the crowd or workers usually.

Ollie, you mentioned getting livid over having to pay $8 or so...why? I'm sure you make PLENTY of money over the course of a year from that one venue, to not make waves or make an issue over small change- your tips should cover it no problem.
and YES i read that this was your first 2 shots in 7 months- congrats- but right before that you mentioned you sometimes provide us with drunken-posts....

NOT getting on your case Oliie...i'll leave that to sidewinder

 LMAO

Actually I'm pretyy much over it now. I was super tired after teardown and packing up. Also coming off the high from from the show.

Paul the mngr and I have had a couple of minor clashes and solved them and 5 minutes later was laughing about it.  We will probably laugh about this too before it's over. It was just something I have never been hit with and I have done a lot of work in bars in one capacity or another.

Another thing I happened to remember  the week before I was asking one of the owners what the till was averaging. He mentioned something about Paul maybe giving away too many drinks so I think they might have got on his case a bit.

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As a singer, I think it's just plain tacky for the KJ to drink alcohol while working. One guy looked like a total loser dressed in a T-shirt, a beer in one hand and mic in the other.

On the other hand, I've seen good KJs order a shot when they went overtime. They stated it on the PA... "show officially ends in 10 minutes, gonna join ya'll in drinking and do one more rotation"

I totally agree with you, Randy J. There aren't many jobs where it is okay to consume alcohol while you're working.

I understand that a lot of people get into hosting because they think it is just party time with friends...and it can be, but the host does NOT have to consume alcohol to have a good time. Like someone said in another thread, a good host makes everything look effortless, like it's the funnest, easiest job in the world.

I am not beyond having a mixed drink and nurse it for 4 hours (I know, just a bunch of melted ice in the bottom of a glass, ick) and my response to people who beg to buy me a drink is this: "Hey, I'm here to make sure you have a good time. I don't want to do anything that might keep me from doing that. But I'll sure have one when I'm done if you're still here!"

For heaven sakes, save your drinking for a night when you're not working.  Clients appreciate it and respect you for taking the job seriously. Word gets around real fast - a bad combination is someone who has only the most basic understanding of mixing sound, and a penchant for over-consuming alcohol while hosting. What you end up with is a poorly mixed show with a host who will make one mistake after another...No fun for the people who have waited all week to go to your show and spend their money and have a good time. (Not to mention that to me, personally, nothing smells worse than a person who reeks of alcohol and just-smoked cigarettes, and all of a sudden believes he is God's Gift to the Women in the room  - ICCCCCKKKKK!)

(DISCLAIMER: Not trying to provoke discussion re: smoking. I personally just think the odor of cigs and alcohol is disgusting)

NOT getting on your case Oliie...i'll leave that to sidewinder

I have not singled anyone out about anything.  :no:   I have made some general statements concerning KJing and drinking.   PERIOD.


You get jobs by the way you are preceived.  I don't want anyone thinking i'm a drunk or they think i may drink too much.

It's your business so you can do whatever you want.  When the competition takes all your work, you'll be scratching your  :headscratch:  and  :crying2:  ..

I'll be   and  LMAO  all the way to the bank.

sideWHINER,
 You better re-read ALL your previous posts my little wannabee. They wreak of insults, bashing, contempt, and just your basic bad attitude, low aptitude mentality. I told you before....you can't measure up. If you could, with the "persona" that you've exhibited throughout this forum, in your short 3 month, 2 warning history, you should put up...or shut up. I could care less actually what kind of show you think anyone else should run. All I know is, the majority of the people out here who actually do have venues, are excited about that and want to share that with the members, including, when asked, where they are located, and an invite to "come on down". YOU...have no credibility. YOU..are a phony. YOU...are a pain in the A.$.$. Evidently you enjoy being one. How's it feel now. I'm your "buddy" now. We're tagged at the hip. Where-ever you go on this forum...eventually...I'll be there to keep you company..and reply to your "comments". I'm actually amazed at the number of posting you've amassed in such a short time. Heck, the only reason I have so many now, is because I decided to comment on things you know nothing about. Especially KJing, and audio systems, and oh, almost forgot, you "said" you use computers, that's right. You said cdg's were a waste of time because "everybody" uses computers. You're not a analog type of guy. No...you're just....anal. Go take a pill.....and a "pepsi".

                             Donny "B"  

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It's a wonderful life!!

"totally agree with you, Randy J. There aren't many jobs where it is okay to consume alcohol while you're working.

This is very true, which adds to the beauty of it!  There have been a few, maybe two the whole time in which I have consumed more than I should have and both times it was after a disagreement with the owner over something, combined with the fact I had a legit ride home, and combined with the fact I had a helper that night.  Neither time was I falling down, but over my limit of 3-4.  The next day I apologized for my lack of professionalism and was told by the owner, not to worry.  There are many KJ/DJ's I know that use their business to get falling down drunk for free.  I will not all my reputation to fall into that category.  I don't want to let alcohol influence my ability to do my show.  I do have a few, usually 3-4 in a night of 6hrs..plus a order of food...and a handful of pepsi's the last 2hrs of the show.  Can't take no chances...MrD

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I don't know why you encourage him Donny! !

Ollie, I've seen the extreme sides of this, from NO comp'd drinks or meals, to giving the kj all the booze he wanted to run the show because he was working for $50 a night!

Speaking JUST personally on this matter, I think maybe a warning would have sufficed, such as "hey, you've exceeded your tab... but we'll cover it this once!" and then the second time, "Nope Ollie... you have to pay the other $8!"

One dangerous point to make is some customers get peeved when they see someone has a "free" tab... and they're shelling out $4 a shot!!!

And honestly, isn't that what the whole situation is about? Pay the tab... it's the right thing to do! Besides, you're getting paid to have the freedom to have a shot or two on your "job"... not too many jobs allow that!

I think that possibly our general area of the country views drinking differently than most. I know that here in Wisconsin if you are in a bar and not having at least a couple it makes patrons nervous. last night I had one beer, and was not really into a party mood. I ordered a mt dew and the OWNER asks me "Why arent you drinkin?" normaly I have 3 to 4 like MrD then soda. Every owner or manager we currently work with except one enjoys having a drink with us. the exception being the one place that only offers us 2 each for free.  like I said before i just do not see that as being a place we do a lot of shows so its fine with me if I buy a couple beers. she does also comp me soda so im ok about it.

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the voices arent real, but they have some good ideas