Karaoke Forums

I actually thought about writing a contract last night.  I got a little upset because I set up right in front of the dart board.  The asinine decisions I mentioned that my owner makes - one was sponsoring a dart team on Wednesday nights.  It was right after we discussed it at the beginning of the season that I told her I wanted to try another venue - and left for the two weeks.  I am the karaoke king in my small town (4 other KJs try).  

Anyway ...  LMAO I came back about six weeks ago.  The last three weeks the dart team has been 'at home'.  So I had to wait to set up.  The first two nights I was setup and rolling by 10.  Last night (the last night of the three), I watched this dart team get totally drunk and stoned and make complete axxes of themselves.  One of them walked out before the match started, so they didn't get started til 30 minutes after the scheduled start of the match trying to find someone to fill in.  Then they bickered, stumbled, complained, etc. etc. the rest of the match (you're buying the next round - no you are, no, fxck it, I quit).  At the end (around 11pm) one fell and nearly passed out right in front of me.  This, as another was yelling about how the others were acting, and how karaoke should have started two hours ago, and one of the opposing team members (who happens to be on the league board of directors) was having a conversation about the behavior of the team and how it would be a discussion topic at the next meeting.

When I had the conversation with the owner about this I laid out the logic very clearly.  Darts - eight people (a couple who'll be drinking coffee and pop), maybe $30 in quarters in the board (60% goes to the league).  At half time, the bar buys both teams a drink (unspoken rule in the league), which costs the bar $30-40 in sales.  So, you get $10-13.00 in quarters, and maybe another $50 in drinks purchased during the match minus the $35 you gave away at halftime - your take for the night, what $35.00.  No one eats there, the choices come from the microwave or a chili pot.  The good food they advertise comes from the Dominos across the street.  That still makes me laugh.

Now, take a typical Wednesday (unadulterated by darts) ... I'm in by 8:00 and setup by 9:00 with some DJ music rocking the house.  Slips start coming up and the place is jumping until 1:30 with karaoke and a dance set at the end.  Typical take for a Wednesday (unadulterated by darts) $600-700 dollars.  Last Wednesday the till topped out over $1000.  

$35.00 or $700.  What's your call Mrs. Owner?  Well her call was, these are my friends too, and I'm not going to ask them to play next door (at her husband's bar), she actually said 'Hell No'.  When I left for those two weeks, she scrambled because she finally got it that I was legit.  We never close early on a karaoke night.  But both Wednesdays I was away, they were closed by 11 (and they had a scrub karaoke set up advertised as even better karaoke).  That went over well, didn't it.  :)

So I'm sitting in there last night, watching people come and go, because what they're used to on a Wednesday night isn't happening.  I'm seething because this is my crowd as much as it is the bars.  They don't come to watch a handful of irresponsible drunks throw darts.  No, just like the alarm clock every morning at 6:15, just like the staff meeting every Friday at 10:00, just like the news at 5:00 every night, they come in expecting a party on Wednesday night.  No one else in town does anything on Wednesday night, because I am the party.  I blow a lot of smoke up my xss about that, huh?  :)  I am punctual, loyal, and handle each show with a consistency people believe in.  And the owner, because it's her bar (and she's got a twelve year old's mentality) and rarely comes in to see the awesome time people are having, wants to let her drunk friends (who last night embarrassed themselves and her bar) play some stinking darts.  That they saved that until the end of the league was ironic because it sealed their fate.

She does a pool tournament on Saturday nights too, and people come and go for the same reason.  She could rape that town for an average of $600-700 a night by giving them what they want. No one wants to watch a bunch of uptight stick chalkin' butt-lickers playing pool all night either (please keep the music down, I'm trying to concentrate).  Phooey, you sxck, get over it.  :)

Needless to say, but I will, the bar won't be sponsoring a dart team on Wednesdays any longer.  Too much drama, and I don't do it.  My shows lack drama, one of it's draws.  The contract I thought about writing up was going to include things like, no conflicts on karaoke nights, if something is happening and it runs past 10pm, I'm paid at full fee and I don't have to show for the night.  Blah, blah, blah ...  But I probably won't, I'd probably ramble too much.

Anyway, point is, every bar is a freak show.  Pick one and be thankful you have a a freak show to call your own.  Times are tough, and they're going to get tougher.

Hi Babs.

Jam-

As Donnie stated, this is a difficult scenerio.  (speaking as a person who's been in the entertainment field and a business person yet not as a KJ)..

My thought is, you mentioned this guys wife filled in for you correct ?   Perhaps "Do unto others" EVEN in a business sense (because often how we handle such situations reflects how we end up feeling about others and ourselves, and we aren't spring chickens either meaning sometimes doing what is morally correct in accordance with our constructs becomes MORE important). Let's assume your current boss asked this woman for her card (I know you stated you have little loyalty to your present gig HOWEVER that doesn't mean the folks you sub'd for feel as you do about their current gig), and the situation was reversed.  Would you hope she'd tell you ?  Would you not care and consider it her business and solely between your boss and your fill-in,  or would you not expect or wish for her to inform you ?

I'd do as I wish to be treated.. I would not have at 19.. At 50 I would ~

You are not just doing it for him/ her- You are doing this for YOU too..  It's a reflection of character and the ONLY guide should be your own values, not other business people at this stage in life.

Keep in mind, that the decision you make currently, after you retire from the entertainment business will contribute to your memories of the type individual you were.. What matters most TO YOU as a PERSON ?   Does that supercede your "business is business" feelings at this stage in your life ?


What's strange is that I would NOT say this same thing to a 22 year old kid getting into the field.  He'd be a person that should be more of a realist.  Point being, that JUST because business often LACKS ethics, doesn't mean at all points within our business experience we too should throw them away..

When I decided I wasn't going to be a professional musician anymore, I started treating other musicians as people and friends, realizing that had I been able to do this throughout, I'd have survived in what is otherwise a very ugly area of business- Entertainment.. I still did it :my way: at the end..

I think something that should be taken into consideration when pondering how to act, is WHAT is it that matters to us most at THIS point as people who might put a different emphasis on something we never had 20 years prior. Our values change.  Nobody can tell you what is right for you.  The gauge is how you will feel about you down the road, AND. of course-  would these people respect it assuming you told them that their boss is on the prowl ?  That aside.

Is what I'm stating hypocritical ?  OF course it is !  We're discussing a nasty area of business.   When getting into a cut-throat area of entertaining especially in a bar atmosphere once the choice is made that this is an area of work one is going to pursue as stated dog-eat-dog in many locations so a certain amount of ones ethical constructs are usually compromised assuming an individual wishes to flourish in a competitive job market. Anything I did at my age wouldn't be primarily for the money- I would have the luxury of following a "code of the road" that I wish to be a part of. I despised seeing dishonest things happen to other entertainers when I was young and new... KNOWING that this is the norm of activity, and not the exception detracted from "fun"..

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Jam, in the first place, I would never have given my business card to that bar. I have actually been in this situation, where I've filled in for other KJs, and then the Bar has asked me for a business card. My response has been, "Since I am here filling in for "KJ X," if you want to get in touch with me, you can reach me through him." This way, everything is above board. If the Bar wants me back, the KJ that I just filled for will know before anything happens, and my conscience is clean.

As for the other half of your dilema (since you said you gave them your card), if the Bar calls me, I would ask them if they spoke to the other KJ first. I would want to make sure that the other KJ is aware that the Bar does not want his services any more before I take over his gig.

cue,

Although I agree with the 1st half of your statement.  IMO, it's not very realistic.  Personally, I don't give cards to just a 'few privied individuals' when deemed appropriate.  The cards are designed to adverstise my business.  I give them to anyone that asks....anytime.  Even if I do not ever intend of working with/for them.

MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
Visit MrD on facebook - mrdsentertainment
& on myspace - larrynance[/highlight]

I also don't agree, Cuey. To me, if you're asked for the card, give it to them.  Now IF they asked me to take over the gig, I'd TELL the current KJ that I had an offer!