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Just got back from doing another bar. This was a small birthday party Wed night. The mngr is the owners son and was blown away with the system after one song. We played our normal  1/2 hour of DJ before the show. Later I introduced myself to the owner who made the comment the weekend KJ'S were putting people to sleep. They wanted us but I went in with the understanding the weekend hosts were my friends and I would not steal their show. The mngr who also is a member of a band said he didnt realize karaoke could be like this meaning the show we put on. We blew them away..

If you want to do karaoke only by all means stick with it.

He indicated after teardown he wanted to talk. So we had a consult. We are now booked every open weekend slot through aug (about 8 shows) including 4th of July and halloween. I made the comment the only thing we havnt discussed was price. He asked so I told him I will not work for less than 150 but when we pack out I want 200.. He said that is only fair and he didnt have any problem with that.

This is the place that is expanding but this aint a bad lil bar now. pic 1 is stage (far left is the corner of the flat screen monitor)  Pic2 shows overall about 1/4 of the bar. The only thing showing at the station  is monitor and keyboard.

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Hey Ollie,

I'm happy for you!  This same thing happened to me, about 2 months ago...I don't need to remind you that..."business is business, never personal".  You went to to fill in or try out, when the regular kj's are friends of yours and you end up blowing the owners away.  Feelings get hurt, no matter how hard you try to avoid it.  I'm just getting to the point of repairing the hurt that was caused, when I (in their minds) stole one of their nights.  It didn't happen that way and certainly was not intended to turn out like it did.  The owner wanted to try me out and was impressed....the rest is history!  Best of luck to you and Keep it Rockin'!!!!  MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
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For a period I was in direct sales and even after a small sale you are pumped and the feelings get one through the lean times. The only thing I didnt like about this was being obligated for sparse engagements that far ahead but it will work out. It always does Things happen for a reason...

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What does it mean "when we pack out I want $200"?

When the nights are mediocre (which is seldom with us) we get $150. A good night we get $175. When we get established and the nights are very good and approaching SRO  (standing room only) or SRO part of the night, then our price goes to $200. Most mngrs are impressed with this attitude as he was last night. One night and we have the foundation of a very good working relationship.

If you are familiar with the  East coast Italians (they have a NJ and Italian accent) that always are enthusiastic and like to laugh and always seem to make any business work then this is George the owner. I like him a lot.

At about 11:30 it reminded me of the audience ignoring the singer thread . Everybody was ignoring the singers. They were drunk  LMAO

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Well, Ollie, I guess that works too -- If you can't keep em singing keep em drunk!!!


Good luck on the new gig.  Good job on getting it, particularly not having to step on anyone else's toes.


Eric

Congrats and Good luck ---Clean set up and a nice stage !!

FYI Might as well give the rest of the formula for those that want to succeed. In a few days I will pop back in and thank Centurian the mngr (yea that is his moniker), and inform  him as a courtesy I added his venue to the greeley co karaoke listings. These listings are a great tool even if you dont have a web site.

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And this is what i get from the story.


How bad were the other KJs?   And was it their system or selection or the pace of the show, or the KJs themselves that lost the deal?  

How much difference was there between you and them?

How come the other KJs didn't know or don't know what their problem is?

Ask the Mngr It is the Key Largo Lounge in Greeley Co. His name is Sotirios. He is usually there after 5p MST.

If you want to talk to one of the KJ'S her name is Nancy. I have known and worked with her for 15 years. She cant afford a computer and she only knows one way. I love her like a sister. Give her (@$%&#!) and she will tear you apart. You didnt read all of the post I did not steal her show She is fully aware whats going on for we talk to each other on a regular basis.

The other KJ is her ex who went through a change married a gal and all of a sudden started shunning everybody. I could have taken over his show in a minute but out of a lingering love for an old friend I didnt. Nancy  called me yesterday and said he sold his business. I called Sotitios and told him I am available fri nights

I have 12 year old nieces and nephews which have run my shows esp at all nighters. It doesnt take a special talent to call people up to the mic. It takes a talent of many facets and experiences and one can  not be locked into a rigid format. I have certain talents but I hired the best host I have ever known. It is like I told Sotirios I have the best system and host around He agreed.

I am a promoter, entertainer and have a wealth of knowledge concerning the bar, lounge, club business. From years of shore patrol I know how to deal with drunks including vets just back from the front. I have found self and I do not need to feed an old ego here or anywhere. I am busy finding new and better parts of me and growing spiritually. I have forgotten many things but when I can I will contribute to this forum in a positive fashion.

After we loaded up the birthday guy (young hispanic) and others will still there He thanked me and I shook hands with them.

I dont normally share such things on a public forum but this is psychological therapy at best. Who's turn is it to buy the next round?>

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I like your method for charging the bar at different business levels. That way you set up your own raise in advance and it is based on a formula that is fair and everyone understands.

Congrats Ollie

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Scott

My point was... do the other KJs know why they lost the job?    If so why didn't they change or fix the problem?      Don't they get it?  Don't understand?  Don't care?  Don't know how to fix it?    Didn't know anything was wrong?

Usually you can see there are no customers.   Too many KJs think the bar is the problem.  Anything but them.     Constantly losing jobs should be a warning sign or a wake up call.

.Nice Venue! I like the little step-up stage thing with the dance floor directly in front cordoned off from the seating area with that railing. Very Nice. A few par can lights and it would be perfect.

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Actually all of us have been doing karaoke in this area for about 15 years A typical gig here lasts about 2-5 years. Others have come and gone. The main reason they are losing their attraction is because they still cling to the old ways (they dont even play filler). Their crowds tend to be older and sing the same songs over and over.

I used to maintain their systems and one of them updated to a system which was almost an exact replica of mine. Last year he replaced the JBL Eon's with 12" bherringers. I have a steady flow of the old customers but they dont like the price of drinks They are used to the VFW prices.  

There are many factors which determine success. I dont encounter most of the problems presented here because during the first contact I am evaluating the owner and staff and if I dont see a good potential I walk away. If it is not an established karaoke bar I am very particular and I am the one doing the interview. By this time I have talked to and flirted with staff and if it doesnt click seeya.

98% of the shows I could steal are ones I wouldnt want anyway and the chances of some fly by nighter stealing my show is about slim to none. When people call up the bar asking about karaoke their main question is "Is it Ollie's show?". This is the result of years of good honest karaoke and PR..

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Ollie, you and I have the same philosophy with regard to selecting gigs. There are too many bars in our area that want you to supply them with customers (your own) and then want to pay you peanuts and basically be a pain in the rear. If you talk to them long enough you can get a good feel for the owner, his staff and his customers.

If they don't have a built in karaoke crowd then they must be a good fit or I won't waste my time or theirs. Also my crowd needs to blend well with theirs or it will spell disaster, so I'm very careful when I take a gig that wants instant business. After all I have invested years to build my clientel. If they have a built in crowd then I will stop in and check them out on their regular karaoke night first. In an hour or so you can get a real good feel for things and get a good idea of how the place operates.

I have been very fortunate that the bars I have selected have all been long term shows lasting a minimum of 2 years, and I currently have 2 that are getting to eclipse the 5 year mark. Some of it is luck, the rest is being careful to select my gigs wisely.

I salute you and the way you do business! When you think long term you will attract long term gigs.

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

I have had all of these experiences.  The most satisfying are the ones i start from scratch.

Building a crowd that another KJ killed is the worst.  Because the singers have been chased away to other venues and it's really hard to get them back.

There are towns and parts of towns that i won't play in no matter what they pay.   My personal safety comes into play.

If they have bad reputations, no.    If it's a biker bar, no.    Drug den, no.   21ers bar, no.   I can afford to be very selective about the bars i pick.    You can tell just by looking at the cliental they have lounging around.    Too much leather, no.     Too many boys, no.   When you pick the better bars you have a better chance of attracting a better crowd.     If i do it, they will come.  :yes:

two of the longest running gigs I ever did were both Biker bars! ! What a putz!

OK I have tried to start a positive thread about karaoke.. This thread is not about me or Cabaret Karaoke. It is meant to present ideas to promote our business and succeed. Surely there are others here who have a more successful business than I do. Let's have your knowledge!!!

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Why bother, good ideas just get shot down by certain whiners that don't agree or wouldn't ever do on the board.  Let's keep all knowledge to ourselves & not share or try to teach anyone as they may try to steal our shows.  

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[shadow=deepskyblue]I'm impressed, I've never met such a small mind inside such a big head before.[/shadow]

[align=center][font=Verdana]May I second that!!.  
Although I have owned a karaoke show for nearly a year, being a host and going out and getting gigs is new to me.  I would like to see some helpful, encouraging information here[/font].  [/align]

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