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Lonman
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 Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:11 pm |
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Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2001 3:57 pm
Posts: 22978
Songs: 35
Images: 3
Location: Tacoma, WA
Been Liked: 2126 times
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sidewinder @ Mon Mar 03, 2008 2:37 pm wrote: sidewinder @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 8:11 pm wrote: RULE # 1
Never trust another KJ.
Many, many KJs over the years have been very jealous of me. They have told other bar owners i charged twice as much as i really do, so they wouldn't call me.
Tried to get my jobs by coming in and handing out calenders and business cards.
Coming in, trying to undercut me.
Karaoke is a dog eat dog business. It's krappiest KJs that you have to watch the most. They are the ones desperate for work. And they can't build crowds so they want yours.
I did an Eagles club years ago. If you came in 2 hours early you could sit in the front. If you came late you sat in the cheap seats. All the seats were taken at show time. There were people joining the club because the karaoke was so much fun. It turns out (and this is the honest to GOD truth) there was a KJ called himself Donnie B. Skinny guy my age or slightly older, that wore a black rug. Looked like Moe in the 3 stooges. LMAO Thought he was a KJ. He used his member influence to get the borad to give him my karaoke night. Within 2 months you could hear a pin drop on the karaoke night. The bartenders all quit to find jobs they could make money at. The club went from a very thriving club to the verge of bankruptcy. Because the members all quit coming too.
I used 8 foot diagonal screen. He brought in a 13" tv. I had 5,000 songs he had 1,500. I had a real PA system. Lord knows what you call what he had.
I am friends with many KJs. I will help them with certain things. There are other things that i won't help them with. I have passed along many job leads and have received many. I won't help anyone to become better than me. I won't help anyone that has stabbed me in the back. There are many i won't turn me back on. They all want to be me or at least as good as me. They can't figure out my success. Or my success secrets. I can offer things on here because none of you are my direct competition. Remember Rule #1. Keep it in the back of your mind whenever you are around other KJs. Especially if they work less than you. Just to update: The 2 KJs that visited my show last week. The bar owner told me last night that both of them gave him their business cards and discussed the availability dates. Do i really trust any other KJs? THE ANSWER IS NO. How many times have you given bar owners your business card at someone elses karaoke night? Only if they really sucked I would do that. _________________ LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!
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sidewinder
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Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 4:49 pm |
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Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2007 8:49 pm
Posts: 1250
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What if you sucked as a KJ, and you had a crap system, and a small song book and needed the work and you never play in places that nice? That's the real reason.
KJ that can't work use those tactics.
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knightshow
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:19 am |
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Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2002 2:40 am
Posts: 7468
Location: Kansas City, MO
Been Liked: 1 time
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OR Kjs that recognize a good opportunity and tell the venue "if you're looking to upgrade or want other options, call me".
Look, Pepsi does it to Coke... bread vendors do it to each other.
If you have a great show, what's your worry?
Sometimes stagnation itself is a problem and new blood will keep the joint alive... or it will hurt it even more.
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Lonman
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 2:48 am |
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Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2001 3:57 pm
Posts: 22978
Songs: 35
Images: 3
Location: Tacoma, WA
Been Liked: 2126 times
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knightshow @ Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:19 am wrote: Look, Pepsi does it to Coke... bread vendors do it to each other.
If you have a great show, what's your worry?
It's business however you look at it. Like you said companies compete for business everyday however they have to do it. It's whether the company they a competing for buys it or not is what matters. I love the fact our bar refers anyone that inquires about replacing the current karaoke company over to me to determine whether we need to swap out karaoke companies or not. Tells me i'm doing a good job after 15 years. I have several kj company owners that I work with that come in on a regular basis just to sing - they know since i'm locked in that I do private party referalls that I can't do myself that I will recommend 1 of them. _________________ LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!
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jreynolds
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 7:50 am |
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Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 7:05 pm
Posts: 549
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knightshow @ Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:19 am wrote: OR Kjs that recognize a good opportunity and tell the venue "if you're looking to upgrade or want other options, call me".
Look, Pepsi does it to Coke... bread vendors do it to each other.
If you have a great show, what's your worry?
Sometimes stagnation itself is a problem and new blood will keep the joint alive... or it will hurt it even more.
I agree with you Knightshow. Stagnation is a problem with a lot of shows in my area. They don't update or even replace faulty equipment. New karaoke companies in town have made these lazy ones perk up and get on their game, but a few got run out of town, which is better for the local karaoke industry in the end. Most of the stagnant shows were from kjs who have been performing at the same venues for 10 plus years and just got lazy and uninspired. If you're not pushed by something or someone else, then you start to give the minimum needed to complete the task.
I DON'T think "experience" counts in karaoke, WHEN you don't keep using the skills you've attained or maybe never really learned. I know kjs with 20 more years in the business than i BUT don't use their former good personality skills or care about their equipment quality anymore. These guys are in their 60's.
It's WHAT you're utilizing NOW that matters, NOT how much "experience" you have.
I tend to think everyone here on this forum assumes that's the case with most kjs....not true in my experience. You gotta stay on your game or be replaced. 
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Kellyoke
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:06 am |
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Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2004 1:13 pm
Posts: 627
Location: TN
Been Liked: 1 time
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Good experience is really nothing more than making mistakes. Success on the other hand, is not making those same mistakes twice.
Kelly
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karyoker
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:13 am |
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Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2004 3:43 pm
Posts: 6784
Location: Fort Collins Colorado USA
Been Liked: 5 times
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 Every time this theme bubbles up I want to sit and scream!!!!! I have extensive knowledge in PR, business and personal contracting. When the KJ'S in areas band together and establish control then your wages will double. All I hear in these and other threads is how dumb the bar owners are. As long as you dummys let them make you compete with each other as big dogs little dogs or hot dogs like I see here on this forum then you will work for minimum wages.
In the past I have tried to discuss ways to do this and all I got was rejection and emotional crap. I gave up. If that bad KJ down the street had support and got good then the karaoke business in that area would start flourishing and that town would eventually have the reputation of a karaoke mecca. . The public attitude about singers would improve and come closer to reality.
As long as the focus is on legalities and damn the KJ across town this business will not fourish but stagnate and gradually die.
EDIT Come to think of it all my gigs have been a result of the recommendation of another KJ or singer.
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Karen K
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:13 am |
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Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:56 am
Posts: 2621
Location: Canuck, eh.
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I think along with that stagnation comes BURN OUT! There are a lot of burned out hosts who really do discredit to the business. Many have realized that they needed to get out of the biz for a while or permanently...always a breath of fresh air when that happens.
k
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karyoker
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:05 am |
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Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2004 3:43 pm
Posts: 6784
Location: Fort Collins Colorado USA
Been Liked: 5 times
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All I do karen is supplement social security with karaoke. I did get burned out and didnt host for 6 months or more. One of the better systems sat in storage.
Then due to demand I started doing a little bar here and approached it with a different attitude. I approached it as a salesman and attitude that worked in many vocations I have been in. I put my love, ego and funny notions about karaoke aside for awhile. Then I hired the best host I have ever known. We have the best working relationship and have actually formed bonds and friendships with owners and staff.
In any business it is 51% honesty hard work and PR. Concentrate on these and your other talents will mature as you have your boss, peers, and customers support 100%.
PS For the first time I look forward to sat night and am very proud of my shows. I have done karaoke for years and have never seen the energy or shows like this. We have first timers come up and compliment us (audience). OK Enuff blowing my horn..
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Karen K
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:23 am |
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Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:56 am
Posts: 2621
Location: Canuck, eh.
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I have taken six mos off at a time here and there because I need to get re-energized. I put 110% into what I do and I think we need to acknowledge to ourselves that sometimes a break is necessary. The last thing I would want to happen is if my attitude started to affect the great atmosphere at my shows. Tired? Yup, get tired ... Luckily hubby and I can switch off, though he has his shows and I have mine...
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knightshow
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Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 7:35 am |
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Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2002 2:40 am
Posts: 7468
Location: Kansas City, MO
Been Liked: 1 time
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Kellyoke @ Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:06 am wrote: Good experience is really nothing more than making mistakes. Success on the other hand, is not making those same mistakes twice.
Kelly not necessarily, Kelly. Good experience also is accountable by asking the right questions so the same mistakes that other kjs have made, aren't made by YOU! This forum and a couple others like it HELP the kjs...
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sidewinder
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Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:55 pm |
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Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2007 8:49 pm
Posts: 1250
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The majority of the bad KJs are bad because they do not take it seriously. It's a job i can get drunk at. I don't need real good equipment, it's just for fun. Buying songs costs money, i have enough music to get jobs and i'm cheap enough to undercut the next guy. So i'll stay busy, get drunk, party every night and make a "few" bucks.
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