Karaoke Forums

Other than price,date,and hours what suggestions would you give to include in a contract for work at clubs? I am new to karaoke work and just getting started making contacts at different clubs and I do not want to work without some kind of contract agreement. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Here are some items I'd suggest adding. I'm not a lawyer and this probably is not a comprehensive list so only treat this as a set of thought spurring suggestions, not a how to guide, but here goes:

- Location of the venue.
- A specific definition of the service you'll be providing
- A clause that defines your liability and remedies in the event you can't do a show (due to illness, due to bad weather, etc)
- When payment is due
- If this is for a recurring gig (i.e. weekly, monthly, etc) describe the frequency and the start and end dates for the effectiveness of the contract (don't leave it open ended if you want the ability to raise your rates later)
- The venue's responsibility to provide appropriate AC Power access
- The amount of room your require that the venue must provide at a minimum
- The venue's responsibility to take reasonable measures to ensure your safety and the safety of your rig.
- Overtime terms. What rate will they pay you, if any, to play beyond the contracted hours.
- The venue's liability and remedies in the event they cancel a show. How much notice is required, how must they provide it, etc.
- How much time must they provide you to load-in and setup your rig
- Requirements for cover if it's an outdoor gig (tent, permanent structure, etc)
- Your right to refuse access to your equipment for anyone
- How disputes will be settled and under what jurisdiction (mediator, court in the jurisdiction of the venue versus your business location, etc)
- The infamous "Act of God" clause absolving you from any liability for acts of god.
- Any refund policy
- Any agreements regarding advertising (who will provide it, what they will provide, etc)
- A statement that you'll be covered by liability insurance (many venues insist on this being in the contract)
- Any terms regarding breaking the contract (conditions to be met, penalties to be paid, etc).
- An area to write in additional amendments

Some other things to consider. Make sure the venue and an appropriate contact person are clearly identified at the beginning and referred to in the same way throughout the contract (eg. "The Client"). Ensure that the venue and contact information is included in the signature area as well and make sure they both sign and date it.

Hope that helps.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

Yes,that helps alot.You mention a few things that I hadn't thought of or seen like time for setup,room required for my equipment,and assurance of my personal and my equipment safety. And that yes,some will require me to carry liability ins.Thank you

You should be a bit careful with demanding a contract. Some bar owners are hesitant to sign a long-term deal for a karaoke host. In your situation, as a new host, it would be even more difficult for an owner to sign on. You have no references and no experience. Seems kinda one-sided to make a demand of a contract without a means of the owner to back out.

Check with your liability insurance provider. They will tell you everything that need to be included from a law stand point. This will CYA on anything not covered by your insurance policy.

I don't see anything wrong with asking for a contract, but not a long term contract.

My agreement for weekly shows at new venues is we sign an initial 4-week contract. That gives each of us an adequate amount of time to check each other out. (What if this venue suc ks and the staff and management are difficult? Do you want to be locked into that forever?) My contract states that either of us can cancel at the end of Week 4. If there is no cancellation, the contract continues for 16 weeks. After that time it's up for renewal/renegotiation.

I think that's fair to all parties involved. After 4 months you might decide you've built the show to the point where you deserve a raise. Or you get an offer from a competing bar.

Contracts are nice to have, but they also limit what YOU can do as well.

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Dj Tony makes some very good points, however it is true that a lot of venues will not sign a contract, but if they do and reneg for whatever reason, you will have to take them to court at your expense (hire a lawyer, time off work, etc...) and try to recoup your losses. It wouldn't seem worth it for such a small amount of money and you may not win the case.

Granted, if they do sign a contract and everything works out well, then you will have a comfortable feeling of professional security if mutual respect is met.

I usually include in my contract FREE MEALS and non-alcoholic drinks for me and my personnel, on top of what most of Dj Tony stated.

Thing is, only 40% or so ever agreed to sign a contract over the years i've been running karaoke shows. For private events, it's a requirement. Good Luck! -

On the topic of the long term contract, you could very easily set it up such that there are specific steps that they follow to end the contract rather than making it a specific term. Have a clause that requires 2 weeks notice to terminate the contract and I think that'd be fair for most bar owners. Like someone else mentioned, in the end, even if they break it, chances are you're not going to sue because it wouldn't be worth it. However, by the same token, the threat of you having the ability to sue should be enough to get most to abide by it's terms.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

One of my reasons for wanting a contract was to give myself and the venue assurance that the agreement would be kept even if it was for one night. I would hesitate to signing an agreement over a month in duration due to unforeseen reasons that may make either of us want to stop. I am not pushing a contract for any length of time right now because my experience so far is that they are reluctant to hire me without seeing me work,which I can see the point and may offer a low cost 'first' performance or something like an audition for them.
I would think that most places would want some type of agreement to obligate you if they advertise any or plan the event. And especially if you are helping business any. But I want to leave myself the option of getting out of a place should it suddenly become a hangout for a few dozen or so people that like to bring chainsaws,ax's,dynamite,hand grenades, speaker saws,microphone bubble gum,well ok,you get my point,lol.

Good luck in finding places that will actually commit to a contract. I have seen many contracts between dj.kj's & clubs go south & the clubs always won in the suits that followed claiming the karaoke didn't bring in what was promised. So word in in a way that isn't going to 'promise' anything except being there on time & starting/stopping when scheduled.

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