Karaoke Forums

Considering all the problems KJ's face on a regular basis, I thought I would pose this question.

Let's see, we deal with drunks who damage and abuse our equipment (and our ears), like throw our microphones on the floor and not give a damn. These same people who have no respect for your equipment will rip out pages from your songbooks, or spill beer all over them and abuse them too.

Then we have the pirates that we have to contend with who are constantly trying to undercut you and make it difficult for you to get/keep a job. And of course bar owners who think you should only make 50.00.

So, we try to provide excellent equipment (wireless mics, remote kiosks) but for what? People to abuse them? Break them? Not care?

So with all the negatives of what we have to deal with, I ask:
Why do we do this?

Not sure what kind of clientelle you have, I have an occasional mic drop by accidents - once had a mic thrown back in 98. Decent (tolerable or better) singers 75% of the time although I have had nights i'd rather put an ice pick in my ears . The singers that come in do appreciate what I have to offer as far as selection & sound & are pretty respectful for the most part. The ones that aren't are usually people that get away with that stuff at other shows that have never been to our show yet. If they get rowdy on stage, they are stopped.
So I do it for these people and after 20 years still enjoy the hell out of it and watching people have a great time.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Y'know, I gave up DJing wedding receptions & corporate parties at $500 to $750 (and up) a pop... to make $175 a night hosting Karaoke every Saturday... (in addition to my Thursday night shows.)

I guess I do it because, at this chronologically advanced time of my life, I'm not the least bit interested in making a bunch of money. I'd much rather hang out with my "regulars" who've become like family to me...

Karaoke has become my main social activity, and the fact that at least two places are willing to pay me to have fun is a bonus.

By the way... the drunks I see are few and far between, and the abusers almost non-existant.

Life is good.

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Earl
(BS, PHD & Certified CurmuDJeon)

[font=Times New Roman]"Growing Old may be mandatory... but growing UP is still optional."[/font]

and I for one, am very happy for you Earl.

AS Jimmy Buffett Says "Once that bug bites you.. you live wit the sting." It is still a lot of fun.

AS Jimmy Buffett Says "Once that bug bites you.. you live wit the sting." It is still a lot of fun.

for the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I totally agree with Earl. He can identify with what I’m going to say because he himself spent a good 10 years in the military & a retired Fire Chief.

Why do I do it? $$$ is nice but monetary reason is only secondary to me. Primarily, I do it for fun (I’m retired military), I’m doing it to be active socially, mentally & physically. Better than being bored to death at home, or at a rest home.

To be the host who brings fun & entertainment to people who loves music, & be appreciated in return is unparalleled to many things I’ve done through life. A very rewarding & fulfilling experience indeed.

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To be fortunate enough to derive an income from a source as fulfilling as karaoke music has got to be as close to heaven as we can get here on earth!

I think "flattery" has to be worked in there somewhere... Case in point... at my regular Thursday show earlier this evening, I was approached by a lady whom I've seen at several of my shows, but she never sings.

Half-way through the evening she approaches me and asks whether I'd consider a steady Friday night gig at our local Royal Canadian Legion... Turns out, she's the entertainment chair... in charge of hiring and firing all the entertainment.

I'm already doing Thursdays and Saturdays... so to take on Fridays... meaning three nights in a row at three different venues... well, I figured it would be awful stressful on this old bod....

but I accepted anyway... because I was flattered... (She said some very nice things about me and my show.)

Thank God I recently hired reliable (I hope) roadie/assistant... or I could never do it.

The lady did the verbal equivalent of blowing in my ear... and I fell for it.

So... add flattery to the list of "Why Do We Do This".

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Earl
(BS, PHD & Certified CurmuDJeon)

[font=Times New Roman]"Growing Old may be mandatory... but growing UP is still optional."[/font]

Congratulations Earl on picking up another night. Good luck.

Thanks (I guess). I definitely wasn't looking for another one... and still not sure I didn't screw-up by accepting... Time will tell.

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Earl
(BS, PHD & Certified CurmuDJeon)

[font=Times New Roman]"Growing Old may be mandatory... but growing UP is still optional."[/font]

Just curricula why do you do it Alan?

For me the negatives are all such minor petty annoyances that they don't interfere with the success I enjoy: My love of music, the great friendships that have arisen from karaoke, and the fact that I get to watch people have a wonderful time. I love to get people started doing something that I love doing so much, which is singing.

Like Earl, flattery does play a role - people appreciate my ability to make everyone sound great, provide music that creates a great atmosphere, and the thanks I receive constantly from people who FINALLY got the nerve to get up and sing...after sometimes months of prompting from me.

I guess it just fulfills the need I have to keep my life full of music and friends...oh, nad a few bucks to support an expensive habit - buying new music constantly.

Like everyone else, I do enjoy karaoke and love being able to provide a service that makes most people happy. I like being around people and being an entertainer.

With that said, it's just unfortunate that on occasion we encounter rude people who have no respect for you, your audience, or your equipment. Recently, it seems that there has been several posts about this. Here are just a couple:

Mr. Scott
http://www.karaoke-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=20941tt

Toqer:
http://www.karaoke-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=20883

So, based on the above posts and many other similar ones, and all the crap that KJ's have to deal with, made me post the question. I guess, even with all the negatives in this business, it's still not enough to make me or anyone else quit.

I don't know of any jobs that doesn't have negatives to it.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

With me it's not about karaoke.
I love to put on a show.
Guess I mainly do it for me.