Karaoke Forums

Well it sure seems that I stirred up a whole big can of worms and slams with my question on audits recently. Maybe I asked it the wrong way. What I am actually trying to find out is, does anyone know of who actually goes to karaoke shows and checks with the kjs to see if they are using legal or pirated material? Has anyone in Texas actually had this happen to them and by who? In the construction industry we have to get permits, and licenses, and inspections. Does any of this happen in the world of karaoke host and how often? If no one is out there regulating this, what is there to stop any joe blow from using pirate material except his conscience. I've been reading of warnings and suits to big companys , but how often does this actually happen to some small host just trying to make a few bucks on the side? Many thanks to those of you that have replied to my questions. this forum has been a very good source of education for me. so in closing who goes to the small shows and checks them out?

Let's put it this way Hoss I have been hosting now over 19 years have never seen a manu inspector, or been named in a lawsuit. The investigators if they are good will stay uncover at the show from what I understand, observe how you are doing your show. If they feel there is a chance you could be illegal they usually contact the venue you are working for, at least that is what I have been told. When I started there were a few people I knew in the business that sort of mentored me. Really this is one of those jobs for the most part you learn to sink or swim real fast. Most long term hosts are professionals and they act as such. My four cardinal rules are.

1. Don't be lazy.

2. Don't drink on the job, treat hosting like a real job.

3. Don't be greedy, a fair day's work for a fair day's pay.

4. Don't use the show as your own personal dating service.

A little history when I started hosting many years ago it was sort of Wild West everyone was doing their own thing. It is only in the last four, five years that a couple of manus have tried this legal approach to control piracy and hosts. The conflict is basically between the manus and the pirates. Unfortunately the few honest hosts that just want to run their business and be left in peace are caught in the crossfire. This is of course a very simple view of a very complex situation. As you can see passions do run high sometimes. Welcome to the wonderful world of karaoke hosting.

That should read "Welcome to the MODERN world of Karaoke hosting".

Actually, I drink during my show. I just don't drink a lot. You can't run a good show drunk. Loose is good, drunk is bad.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

Hoss - To date, there are only THREE karaoke companies that we know of that have ever investigated anyone for any type of copyright, trademark, or piracy infringement.

Stellar Records/Pop Hits Monthly does not seem to be actively investigating karaoke hosts and shows (that isn't to say they aren't, we just don't see cases being brought against hosts). They have a Compliance Assistance Program (CAP) that, in my opinion, is the most comprehensive, least intrusive, but also one of the most expensive.

You can read about it here - http://www.stellarrecords.com/cap_info.html

Piracy Recovery, LLC is the new kid on the block. They are responsible for enforcing Chartbuster and DigiTrax/Karaoke Cloud intellectual property. They have investigated shows and have filed suits, but only a handful so far. I don't believe many have been settled and certainly none have raised too much of a fuss so far or they would have popped up in the forums here. They do have an audit program which it appears Gretchen from DigiTrax is responsible for managing.

Contact Gretchen on these forums for more information
You can also read a little more here - http://www.piracyrecoveryllc.com/

Sound Choice has been the most active, and filed the most suits. It would also follow that they have performed the most investigations. They seem to be concentrating their efforts in specific metropolitan areas. Usually with higher densities of karaoke hosts. We have seen suits in NC, FL, CA, NV, WA and a few other isolated areas.

James Harrington on these forums can provide you specifics about Sound Choice audits
You can also read more here - http://www.soundchoicestore.com/how-to- ... pg-81.html

Several people on the forums have been through some of the processes above. I don't believe anyone has performed ALL of these yet simply because the Piracy Recovery Audit is so new. There are a handful of people, including myself, that have a Stellar CAP, a Sound Choice audit/certification/GEM, and a legacy Chartbuster audit/certification.

I have a Stellar CAP
I have been through the Sound Choice audit/certifications process/
I have the full GEM set from Sound Choice
I was formerly Chartbuster certified by virtue of the Chartbuster 12000+ drive purchase but never did a disc audit with CB.
I have *not* been through the PR, LLC audit. I am still undecided on whether I am going to do it or not.

I am happy to answer questions about my experiences but at this point I would prefer to do so in PM because of the firestorm the discussions always create.

-Chris

(edited to add the bolding I intended for the manufacturers)

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-Chris

If you want unbiased, analytical advice from a professional karaoke host, you can't likely do better than Chris Avis. Chris calls things as he sees them, without any agenda.

Yes listen to Chris, we all know Jimbo doesn't have an agenda, don't we?

It is quite ironic that such a ringing endorsement is given from someone that, as is abundantly evidenced in the forum, has had one major negative position regarding SC's litigation tactics, which, also as evidenced here, the endorsee orchestrates...

Like Chris, I call them as I see them.

It's humorous to me that I get accused of spin. My approach to public relations--which is what this activity is--is to tell the truth. I can deal with an unpleasant truth a lot easier and better than a convenient lie. I'm not here to spin. I'm here to counter the inaccurate information that gets put forward by people who serve a particular agenda and who lack the facts or the understanding necessary to present the truth for others to consume.

Chris and I disagree about some aspects of my approach to this problem. I can live with that. I try to take his criticism, internalize it, and make our process better. We've done that several times, in fact. But what I want to make clear is that the fact that we disagree about some things does not make him unreliable, agenda-driven, or even incorrect. Because I know I can rely on him to be fair in his praise and his criticism, I have no problem endorsing his approach.

I have a lot of respect for Mr. Harrington. He does not have to be here. I believe he is as transparent as he can be with us within his capacity as council of Sound Choice. He dedicates a lot of time here answering questions and correcting mis-information. The astonishing thing about that is that he also takes grief for spending time here as if it takes away from his responsibilities. Then when he is gone, people want to know why and feel as if he is hiding. Such is the life of a lawyer.

In spite of my critical take on some of Sound Choice policies, I can still call Kurt Slep or email him and get a response from him. I think this is because I don't tell him that he sucks or Sound Choice sucks. I have offered my opinions, I have been hyper-critical at times, but I try to leave the emotional aspect at the door.

I have also had email exchanges with James in the past and I occasionally PM him here. I get courteous responses because I don't say he sucks either, and I certainly don't bring up the personal things that some have that have no bearing on karaoke business.

James knows the issues I have with Sound Choice policy. I feel comfortable that he addresses the things he can. I also know there are policies that he can't influence for reasons I know about of and for reasons I don't need to know of.

@Lone Ranger - If you read my posted information to which James commented on, you will find that I neither promoted nor steered anyone away from getting audited or certified. I simply provided information and invited people to contact me in private if they wanted my deeper opinions. I have in the past been more of a cheerleader and I don't regret that position at all. I have taken actions to come back toward the center of the argument as much as possible. I am more interested in accurate information than promoting my position, though I have to admit I do lose sight of that from time to time.

I am happy to take either side to task for actions and comments that I feel need to be addressed. YOU should know this better that anyone, at least from your side of the equation. As pointed out by doowhatchulike, I have also taken SC to task.

YOU are a one trick pony and do NOT provided anything even remotely resembling a balanced view.

-Chris

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-Chris

I can only speak for myself but if I were to label Chris, it would be as a Sound Choice Cheerleader, just like KJathena and a couple of others. They still want to spread fear to anyone willing to listen in an effort to keep their competition from gaining an edge over them. There are no monsters under the bed waiting to pounce as soon as you play a Sound Choice track at your show. Sound Choice just lost another big case in their quest for quick and easy settlements. The more times they lose cases like that; the more people will come to realize that the boogie man has no teeth. Every judge lately has just been kicking Sound Choice right where it hurts them the most....In their wallets.

And I will hold your feet to the fire as well, Bruce.

When, in recent memory, have you seen me pushing the cheerleader message? I am not pushing the cheerleader message and have in fact distanced myself from the cheerleaders because I wholeheartedly disagree with some of their tactics.

I am definitely not spreading fear. (that is Chip's forte) I have never, even when I called myself a cheerleader, told anyone that Sound Choice would pounce the moment anyone plays a Sound Choice track. (Though, to be fair, I wish they had they resources to do exactly that.) In fact, your accusation points back to your leader Chip. He is the one that swears that if you play from disc that you are in Sound Choice sites. It is the anti-Sound Choice crowd that is so fearful of Sound Choice they have pulled discs from their libraries and have told everyone that is the only way to protect yourself from the tyranny of Sound Choice.

The other side of the fence has been very quiet on the Karaoke Scene forums as of late.

The only places I post anything about karaoke are here, and my blog. I am no longer a part of the Old Jolters FB group (though I still read it. btw, your spelling and grammar there is deplorable). I left the Vetted KJ's (Cheerleader) forum on FB as well. I don't actively participate in the "other" forum either. Everything you have to prove your case is conveniently available to you and everyone else right here.

Bring it.

-Chris

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-Chris

"KEEP CALM AND KILL PIRATES".

I guess that includes alleged pirates, possible pirates and anyone who has TOO MANY songs in their song books, right? Once a cheerleader always a cheerleader. Leopards don't change their spots. They just learn to hide in the grass.


I spelled karaoke wrong the other day in one thread. Do you really think it wasn't a typo? It happens all of the time. I'm a lousy typist. I only use two fingers and a thumb to hit the space bar. When you can't argue the facts, you bring up something that is completely irrelevant.

Will you be calling me a doody head soon?

Ummm, Chris didn't call you on the typo. I did. You were messing with me, so I started messing with you. It's all good fun.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

Old Jolters FB group (though I still read it. btw, your spelling and grammar there is deplorable)

Shouldn't it be ARE deplorable?

I was trying to point out to Chris that I make lots of typos. He pointed out in his post that my posts on another forum are loaded with spelling errors and bad grammar and in his post, he uses a singular verb when he should have used a plural verb. Isn't it IRONIC? or maybe it's just More-ONIC?
Hello Kettle. My name is Pot. You're Black!

Reminds me of a time that someone called me ignorant and they spelled ignorant incorrectly. You just can't make this stuff up.

"No More Metal"

Why do I get the feeling you are just a wise (@$%&#!)?

No More Country!!


Remember: For Those About to Rock We Salute You

For Those About to Cry Over Their Dog and Their Truck........Meh!!

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

It's a Jersey thing. We're all Wise Guys.

"No More Typos"

They don't cry about their trucks. They sing the praises of their trucks. I listened to one of your songs. Why don't you listen to one of my favorite Country songs and try to tell me that it's not a great song? "Watching You" by Rodney Atkins.

I'm originally from Long Island, so I know the feeling.



No More SC!!

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

I listen to plenty of country. I'm a KJ/DJ in Florida. I have no choice. It's just never done anything for me. BTW, I don't like ALL Metal. I can't stand Thrash, Death, Speed, and all that hardcore crap. I like the more melodic Metal bands like Dream Theater. Notice you never see me asking them to make more Slayer.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE