| Karaoke Scene's Karaoke Forums https://mail.karaokescenemagazine.net/forums/ |
|
| Seriously thinking about calling it quits https://mail.karaokescenemagazine.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=19426 |
Page 1 of 1 |
| Author: | letitrip [ Thu Apr 29, 2010 7:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Seriously thinking about calling it quits |
No joke folks, I'm seriously debating giving up the Karaoke gig. I've already dropped both of my regular weekly gigs and have only been playing ad hoc gigs for a number of my regular venues plus booking private parties. I did so to open up more room on my schedule for other things. I've now got two bands that play pretty regularly that I mix front of house for. Unfortunately the money isn't as good as the karaoke gigs, but I've been finding I just have a lot more fun working with the bands than doing the karaoke thing. On top of all that, we've got other ad-hoc contract gigs we're doing and the recording portion of the business is ramping up as well. I'm kind of torn right now. On one hand the money in the karaoke business has been really good (I just recently booked my highest paying private party ever). On the other hand, as I said before, I really am not enjoying it as much as working wtih live music. I guess this is more of a vent session for me than anything else, kinda like thinking out loud (so to speak) but I welcome any thoughts or comments. I'm serikously struggling with this decision. |
|
| Author: | RLC [ Thu Apr 29, 2010 7:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Seriously thinking about calling it quits |
Lifes to short-go with what brings you the most fun and fullfillment. You probably are already learning this and it will become more evident as you get older-money is only money...yeah you need it, but without fullfillment in what you do, it has little meaning. |
|
| Author: | mrscott [ Thu Apr 29, 2010 9:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Seriously thinking about calling it quits |
I agree with RLC on this too. If it's not enjoyable anymore, time to walk away. I did that with softball a few years ago. I was still on top of my game, hitting well, fielding well. But, while I was out on the field, my mind kept thinking of things I would rather be doing, and then I knew it was time for me to walk away and do the things I loved, not that I didn't love softball though. I used to be a boss in retail for about a dozen years or so, and I would give the kids that worked for me advice on career moves. The biggest thing I would tell them was to do whatever they felt was there "passion", and do something related to it. If you love something enough, there will always be a way to make it pay back. I honestly believe that. Whether its sports, music, politics or whatever, make it work for you. Tony, I'm sure whatever you decide to do, will be the right decision for you. Don't let someone else dictate your future or peace of mind. |
|
| Author: | Babs [ Thu Apr 29, 2010 9:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Seriously thinking about calling it quits |
I say follow your heart. Karaoke will always be there if you decide to come back to it. 
You seem the type of person that does everything to the best of your ability, so I'm sure you will succeed at what ever you do. You'll never know where it will take you unless you try. You may end up making more money and being happier. |
|
| Author: | Lonman [ Fri Apr 30, 2010 2:06 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Seriously thinking about calling it quits |
I love runniing sound for bands, honestly only got into karaoke originally because it paid more. Even though I still run sound on occasion, I personally have more fun with karaoke watching everyone else come out of their shell, having fun doing what they are doing without the pressure of HAVING to be 'on' like bands do - there have been some bands i've ran that I wish I didn't have to. I actually have more fun running karaoke 75% of the time. I have had some really bad karaoke nights (almost 20 years now) that have made me think about giving it up, but I weigh the bad with the good, & the good have always outweighed the bad - i'd rather watch amatuers having a great time singing over the hassles with the bands wanting more guitar or more vocal in the monitor or less of this or more of that anyday of the week. |
|
| Author: | Avg Joe [ Fri Apr 30, 2010 8:29 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Seriously thinking about calling it quits |
Yep, go with what you enjoy more. If KJing is just extra cash and not your main income, go with the fun. Like mentioned, you can always go back to KJing. I mean your not selling all your stuff. |
|
| Author: | Karen K [ Fri Apr 30, 2010 10:17 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Seriously thinking about calling it quits |
The times when I felt like tossin' in the towel usually occurred around the time that I was running too many shows and moving too much equipment. I sang in a band for years, ran sound for hubby's band, and ran karaoke shows, as well as having a full-time day job and realized a few years ago that that was just asking for burnout. Cut back on the number of shows (quit a great Fri/Sat gig that was closed to home, left equip there, etc.) and now have f/t job, two shows a week, have the opportunity to do community performances, enjoy hubby's band shows, and look forward to karaoke shows. I think it's all in the mix, and as soon as it isn't enjoyable anymore ... well, we know what a burned out karaoke host looks like, how they perform, and how their singers bear the brunt of it in one way or another. If you're asking at all, that is indicative to me that it's time for a change. (Kind of like asking yourself if it's time for a divorce - if you're asking, you know it already.) |
|
| Author: | jerry12x [ Fri Apr 30, 2010 12:50 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Seriously thinking about calling it quits |
RLC has it. Tony, can you not pay someone to do it for you??? If you do quit... Don't quit this forum!!! |
|
| Author: | Lonman [ Fri Apr 30, 2010 12:57 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Seriously thinking about calling it quits |
I think what I don't like about working as much as I do, the last thing I want to do anymore is go to other shows on my nights off. |
|
| Author: | KarenB [ Fri Apr 30, 2010 6:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Seriously thinking about calling it quits |
Tony, I'm with Jerry on this one. If you do decide to give up KJing, PLEASE, don't leave the forum.  The knowledge that you have contributed has been a major asset, not just to the newbie just starting out but to those who have been around awhile as well. This forum would be poorer without your input.
|
|
| Author: | twansenne [ Fri Apr 30, 2010 6:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Seriously thinking about calling it quits |
Maybe just a break from Karaoke. The wife and I had been doing a show that started out every thrs & Friday nite for about 5 years., while doing a once a month sat nite, and the private parties on other sat nites. Started getting burnt out. The 6th year, the ever thrs/fri nite gig dropped to only friday nite. Then the bar got sold and we slowed down on the private parties. So for the last 6 months we have been only doing the once a month sat nite gig. It was nice break. Well, things are ramping up again. We are playing 1 nite a weeeknd just about ever week for the next 2 months. New venues more private parties, and Karaoke is getting fun again. So maybe you just need a break. |
|
| Author: | jeffsw6 [ Fri Apr 30, 2010 11:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Seriously thinking about calling it quits |
letitrip @ Thu Apr 29, 2010 10:45 pm wrote: I'm kind of torn right now. On one hand the money in the karaoke business has been really good (I just recently booked my highest paying private party ever). On the other hand, as I said before, I really am not enjoying it as much as working wtih live music.
Keep your options open. The worst thing would be if you sold your CDGs and then a month later you had a chance to get a regular gig you would enjoy, or a phone call comes for a private party and ... now you have no CDGs! I am kinda burnt out on my venue, but not on karaoke. I think the solution to that is to drop one or two of my nights, pick up one night at a different venue, and see how the change of pace works for me. I too enjoy live sound more than karaoke most of the time, but I think it would be a bad move for me to give up my regular gig entirely because if nothing else, it's good advertising for me. That is how I get weddings, parties, and that's how bands know me (for better or for worse!) As far as getting someone else to do it for you, doesn't compuhost have a thing where you can encrypt the songs so they can't be played without its USB key? If you had that perhaps you could work with another KJ, who then would not be able to steal your songs, and still have regular income from karaoke so you can keep your library up-to-date? |
|
| Author: | letitrip [ Mon May 03, 2010 7:38 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Seriously thinking about calling it quits |
So here's what I'm thinking at this point. I'm definitely done doing the regular weekly gigs at this point. It just makes scheduling everything else in my life too much of a pain and that's where I end up with nights driving to a venue saying to myself "I just don't feel like doing this tonight". I think what I'll do is keep taking the ad-hoc gigs that I get from time to time from a couple other venues plus any private parties and just keep doing those when I'm asked and am available. I'm not real open to the idea of having someone else run my rig. I honestly have seen so much of the "bad" side of this business that I don't really trust putting someone out there representing my name and reputation for me. Just too risky. Also, I don't know anyone that I could have do this that I'd trust with my rig. Again, having seen plenty of DJ/KJ's running things into clip and stuff like that, I wouldn't want that going on with my rig. I don't have the time right now to spend on training someone. So good idea, but I don't think it would work for me. We'll see where things go. My wife reminded me that Karaoke is really her only opportunity at this point to perform publicly so she doesn't want me to give it up (she doesn't like singing at other shows in the area because as she puts it she's been spoiled by my rig). No matter what happens, I'm still a Karaoke fan so I'll be sticking around here long term and I will definitely not be selling off my CDG's. |
|
| Page 1 of 1 | All times are UTC - 8 hours |
| Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group https://www.phpbb.com/ |
|