Karaoke Forums

I don't think I am in this instance but there's a good opportunity here I'm trying to snag. I just want to make sure I'm doing it in a professional way.

If you remember from previous posts there's the place where my girlfriend (now wife) gave me the idea of becoming a karaoke DJ. I found a sweet deal on the equipment and began offering my services. I got a one-time trial gig at this place but was later told the owners just didn't think it was viable. Two months later however, someone purchased the bar and I talked to the new owners about doing it. Sadly, someone beat me to the punch but I didn't mind as I got a gig at another bar instead. Of course most of the money coming in goes right back out for more songs and some additional equipment (Denon HC4500 usb midi controller, Denon X-500 mixer, Lexicon MX200, another Shure wireless mic, lighting, etc).
Things at the other bar have gone pretty well. I get along great with the owner and on top of the karaoke he's provided some DJ gigs as well which I really enjoy too just as much as karaoke. With the holiday season coming up and Thursday night football games however, the owner asked if we could take a little karaoke hiatus until the end of the year. I'm ok with this as a result of the other DJ gigs I'm doing.
Last week, my wife suggested I check with the place where I originally wanted to do it just in case things have changed. In the last 6 months, they've tried 3 different KJ's none of which have panned out. In spite of this, I don't feel comfortable just poaching on someone's gig either. As such rather than karaoke, I talked with the owner about just DJ'ing one night, an idea he was cool with since the only place around to go dancing has an awful awful DJ whose mixes are about as smooth as a cheesegrader (Play 140 bpm song, fade mid-verse to 110 bpm song). We discussed it again a few days later and he mentioned an idea he had another idea of having goldfish races and having me DJ/MC that. It sounds like fun and so I said sure. I even designed a flier that has a fireman (it's called the Firehouse) riding a goldfish. When I went to show him the flier a few days later, it was on the night they had karaoke. I'm content with the DJ opportunity and since he knows I KJ too there's no point discussing it. If at some future point he wants me to KJ, I figure he'll tell me.
I'm listening and honestly on a scale from one to 10, its about a 4. He's behind the speakers, can't hear and mix properly, no effects, no monitors and the speakers sound cheap. Furthermore, everytime he talks into the mic, you can barely understand him. Like I said though I wasn't out to disrupt his thing. I pick a song, sing, and afterwards give the KJ my card and told him I KJ too and left it at that. I didn't discuss my personal opinions about the KJ with the owner because I felt no need to because I'm confident when he hears what I have just DJ'ing/MC'ing he'll clearly notice the difference.
Later while sitting at the bar a woman approaches me and asked where I KJ. When I told her she said she was DJ'ing a high school reunion there on the 20th which immediately raised my hackles because I know the owner and for the last 4 reunions he's always gone with me. I didn't say anything though just thinking she was talking out her rectum and trying to get under my skin which was obviously working. If she really DJ'ing it, I was certain it wasn't via the owner but perhaps the reunion organizers. I'm guessing my presence and the business card I designed makes her feel threatened (it looks sharp). Anyway, as we talked she informed me that the KJ works for her and she's a karaoke pimpess of sorts. The woman continued to annoy me though, asking all kinds of questions and really agitating me although I kept my cool. The reality is she has shown what she can do and soon I'll have my turn and suffice it to say, I can't wait. I have every confidence that my equipment, effects, Shure wireless mics, DJ skills, personality, etc. will win in the end.

Ultimately, I would like to get the KJ gig there but in the right way. Other than just waiting for my chance and putting my best foot forward, anyone have any additional advice to offer?

All is fair in business -- If you can do a better job --more power to you
It's getting tough out there and business owners have to get the BEST value for their money. GO FOR IT

Sounds like this owner uses the "warm body" method of choosing a KJ. If they've had three different hosting companies fail, they were probably offering KRAPPYOKE, not karaoke. Too bad these places do this - it's all too common. No doubt when people hear you, he'll change his mind, bring you in, and his place will profit from that. (I had a bit of trouble following your thread - maybe put in some paragraphs so it's easier for old biddies like me to follow?)

And then they take what these crappy companies offer & lump it into karaoke in general & when these companies cannot turn the register around, the bar owners blame karaoke for the fault, and not because they hired a 'work for tab' company. You get what you pay for 90% of the time.

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I'm in the old biddy category too. I had trouble following what was going on.

If I'm to understand right you were worried about stealing a gig from another DJ/KJ. To me it's not stealing if you are approached by the bar owner to work for them when they already have a DJ/KJ. Obviously they aren't happy with them and would replace them regardless if it wasn't you, it would be someone else.

Good thing though you have other gigs because it sounds like this guy goes through KJ/DJs like water. Hopefully he will be happy with you and keep you, but with the track record he has I wouldn't count on it. Some owners think constantly switching entertainment keeps new business coming in. You should sell him on the fact keeping the same KJ, you, on for a long time builds a loyal following. I'd try to work with him closely and ask why his other entertainment before did not work out. Find out what will keep him happy. Does he fire other entertainment because they don't make him money? Does he fire them because he gets tired of them? Is it a personality issue or service issue etc...

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It not POACHING and you have nothing to feel guilty about. He approached you.

His going though DJ's like underwear is a concern though--so keep your eyes and ears open and try to find out why.

But if he offers the gig, take it, try it out, keep your eyes and ears open and a finger ont he pulse of it. If it looks like its dying---then YOU PULL THE PLUG on it--dont wait for him to send U packing.

YOU control what happens to YOU and YOUR SWOW----NOT HIM.

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

Poaching is not what i call it if you approached a bar owner offering your services. It is entirely up to the owner/management as to how they do bisuness or with who/whom. Now, on the other hand if you go in trashing the existing kj/dj then you have to ask yourself what that looks like. I have gone into several bars here in my area where the kj has been there for several years. I approach the owner with an offer to be available on another night and/or in the event something changes with the current situation. The challange its to offer something that the current kj doesn't have (ie. better mics, sound, personality, presentation......) you get the idea. It doesn't matter how you view yourself but how the potential bar sees you.
I guarentee that the beer companies compeat every day against each other. What about the credit card processing companies. Are they poaching? I think not.

In my day job I sell commercial tires and call on companies that use my brand of tire but get them from another supplier. My task is to convince them to use my company and usually price is not the issue. I sell our services. Tires are tires! Am I a poacher? People do business with people. It works for me.

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I agree here. They are contacting you. It's business, nothing more.

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