Karaoke Forums

My wife has given me some grief over the years for paying out of pocket for things that she thinks I should leave to someone else. I have learned to temper myself over the years which has probably kept us from ending up in the poor house. But every now and then I just have to do something relatively inexpensive to help folks out.

At my downtown Seattle gig, I noticed early on that the beer signs out front of the pub, didn't work. So a few weeks ago, I asked the owners if they would mind if I took a look at them to see if it would be a simple fix. Turns out for $25 I could replace the circular florescent bulbs and the starter module and get them up and running. I have to admit it was somewhat selfish on my part because anything that helps draw attention to the pub hopefully will bring folks in. Helps the show and helps the bar....Win-Win.

Tonight I hauled a ladder out and the necessary supplies to fix the lights.



-Chris

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-Chris

And the good-will you will get from the bar-owner is worth 10X that. Smart move! It's this kind of stuff that will make you part of the family instead of "whats-his-name the karaoke guy".

Exactly.. I have done the same and will do again.

The bar owners - two women in their 20's, maybe early 30's - are fantastic. Maybe it is a bit of chivalry coming through to help them out, but I knew it would be a relatively simple thing to fix. And like said, I know the goodwill counts for something. The bar runs on a shoestring budget and they are great folks.

Next up is to call to get a quote on their big neon sign out front. I am not paying for that one but I have toyed with the idea of doing a "benefit" karaoke show for them to raise money to fix the sign. Relabel my tip jar as a "Fix the Neon Sign" jar and have a big event to raise money. Anything over the cost collected for the sign to be donated to the charity(s) of their choice.

-Chris

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-Chris

Oh yes, my wife's way of thinking also. My philosophy: “You’ve got to spend money to make money”. I consider my karaoke gig venue as an investment. The dollars I spend to make things better for the place will earn a return later – $$ for the venue, thus a higher level of my job security.

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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 understand why you would do it but you are setting yourself up. Soon they will be hinting that this or the other thing needs to be taken care of, expecting you to either do it or raise money for it. It is their bar and their responsibility to take care of it. If they can't afford to, maybe they shouldn't be in business.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

As long as I get paid my requested rate, I am happy to do events and charity functions for anyone. I am also willing to help out around the place within reason. I also have no problem pushing back if it comes to that.

-Chris

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-Chris