Karaoke Forums

[font=Comic Sans MS] Bar owners don't know the difference & go with the less $$ for more music.[/font]

Exactly right Lonnie - we are in pirate territory here for some reason. And bar owners seem to get fast-talked easily with this number thing. Fact is, if a show is bringing in anything more than the empty place does, and they're not having to pay a huge amount, many are satisfied with that. If it can be demonstrated that their numbers could double with a better hosting company, some will bite, some won't. Better the devil they know mentality for some reason. A lot of club owners have NO CLUE when it comes to hiring bands, karaoke, and even staff - they'll never live up to their potential. A lot of them have been put through the karaoke wringer by fast talkers who will resort to almost any tactic to get a gig. They're there for a few months, then you hear "karaoke just doesn't work here." Gawd, I hate that. I always think it's a terrible shame to go into an otherwise decent place to find krappyoke and hardly anybody there ...

k

I know that pirated songs are a huge problem now. That does not excuse anyone acting as a pirate. I'm merely pointing out that KJ's can still make money using legit songs. New KJ's should do it right. There is an old saying that I find very true. Cheaters never prosper. Running a professional show means acting like a professional. You can purchase songs and make money with Karaoke.

Rick

Maybe where you are at a legit kj can still make money in clubs, around here it's rare to see a kj running original discs & for the most part the legit kj cannot make money in clubs. Private shows are a different story, but even those prices have seemed to start falling as well as the clubs are starting to drop karaoke or switching over to dj or dj/karaoke mix, so these pirate kj's are moving into the private field now & doing the same thing as far as under charging what they could be making.
I agree though a new kj (well any kj) should do it right. Running a professional show should be clarified as well, I have seen a few pro quality shows that I would actually recommend if it weren't for the fact they were running illegal libraries, they had great sound, very professional host. Very pro quality otherwise.

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

I moved about 6 months ago to a new job and do not have a regular gig now. Perhaps I should stay out of this discussion. I am finishing a 30 x 80 building that I plan on renting out for private parties. I am planning on using Karaoke as a draw for the rental.

Is it really that bad out there now. I have always been able to find work if I hustled a little. I still believe that running your business with honesty is the way to go.

I just put up 380 bales of hay last week. karaoke has got to be better than that.

Rick

I finally sold off all my mobile stuff because I never found a club that was willing to pay more than $125 per night. I was asking $150 - and even that is lower than what I normally ask. Most said they would pay $100 tops.

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

Now, let me ask this: how are you certain the show was a pirate show? Being as I now run my show strictly from laptop, and my books over the last year or so don't list manufacturers, does this mark me as a potential pirate? I ask because I'd hate for another host to come see my show and think this based on my presentation.

There are a few obvious pirates around town, and at least one formerly legit host who's gone pirate, but overall, we haven't seen a dearth of it.

I have, however, had the issue of trying to find one more weekly gig, and finding I'm a day late and dollar short. One particular LEGIT group (an old married couple and their friend) is always two steps ahead of me picking up the latest gigs. Problem is, NO ONE likes them, they lose the gig shortly thereafter, and the bar thinks karaoke sucks or doesn't work and won't try it again. They have been absolutely EVERYWHERE around town, and are killing every place they enter. I can't get a third gig to save my life, even though the two shows I have are well received and successful.

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hi-voxentertainment

WOW that very same old couple live here!! however after a while managers see them coming, and know what they bring. they tried to steal a good paying gig of mine by giving away shows. manager told them she would make more money paying me top dollar.

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the voices arent real, but they have some good ideas

Darn Lonnie,
I hate to hear that. Here, the Karaoke is going stronger than ever. We have several mobile KJ's getting $200-225 in bars for a 4 hour show, and the norm os $175. Personally I hate doing bars, and with private parties, the pay is quite better. I quit doing bars, and started doing parties only, and am booked 3 months in advance for 1-2 Shows a week. I will do a bar, or a hotel for a special occasion New years eve, 4th of july, but it is at least $600.00 for 4 hours. I like my time off as well as the next guy, But they keep booking me, so be it.

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

They've been at this for YEARS. I just always seem to be right behind them. Never ceases to amaze me that I walk into a place that's been open a week and they've already booked this group. ARGH!

And I guess maybe I need to move to New Orleans, EElvis, because I'd never be able to get $600 for a private party. Weddings and corporate gigs, yeah, but private parties? I can barely get half that.

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hi-voxentertainment

If you selection is overly huge, yes I would probably deem you as a pirate. We could all get into the technically illegal but for sake of argument, we'll leave that out.
The ones that I know for fact around here went from under 10K songs to well over 50K or more overnight. Can't do that without illegally loaded drives.

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

So, if I could buy a 40 DVD collection (multiplex, ~20+ songs per disk) for $300.... is this a normal price for a collection of this size?... forgive me, I am new to this scene...

- Michael

Mantis, if they were used most likely. If new, I highly doubt it, but it would depend on the manufacturer and/or retailer and if it was a sale.

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