Karaoke Forums

I received a call requesting a quote to host an unusual Karaoke Show.
I have not confirmed the following ..although the request is real.

A local kid is attempting to break the world record for non stop karaoke singing by an individual. The request was for a price to host nonstop for 42 hours. The individual was going to use a home based unit ( p.o.s.) but thought about hiring a pro instead as they can not have any DOWN time between songs more than 30 seconds to keep the record going. I think they can have a break every few hours or so. What would I charge for something crazy like this ??

I would think for 42 non stop hours I would at least need 2 full systems and maybe 3 laptops and also a cdg player to guarantee non stop music except for the allowed breaks. ( don't get into any legalitlies etc)

The request is coming from the owner of my Thursday gig so it appears to be on the up and up. SO ...what would I charge assuming I would at least need 1 other KJ to alternate with me ???? CRAZY I know...............

Talk about a real unusual request!

I remember reading recently, like last month, about a man who set that 42 hour world record (maybe someone has a link?) so why not try to get in Guiness's book?

If you did do it Jam, i'd try and sign a contract stating YOU get credit or at least mentioned ,and your company gets in on any video or tv interviews or clips.

As far as payment, wow, that's a tough one. Maybe you could give them a cheaper rate if the singer agreed to mass-advertise in a big way (tv/radio) and promise to include your business in all advertisements? Just a thought. Good Luck!

I agree with jreynolds. Figure what you charge for your normal four hour gig and multiply, figure in food and hygiene breaks and of course additional KJs to keep it going whilst you attend to your own needs.

I thought about the "publicity" aspect for me if all went well and would consider that in any fee I did quote. I would like to actually meet the "singer" prior to any formal quotes and contract. Right now it is in its infancy as far as any confirmed gig.

I searched and couldn't find anything on a world record ---I did see for GROUPS and non-stop Karaoke singing but not individual --PLEASE POST LINK if anyone knows of anything.

This is an excellent promotional opportunity for you and the bar not to mention karaoke.

Is this going to happen at the bar? Perhaps the bar owner could pick up part of the tab by paying you along with the group requesting it. You could probably get some of your karaoke regulars to volunteer for the event and assist you in hosting the event. I would think many of them would be willing to share their time for such an event.

I will post back with what would be the charge.

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

An allnighter is hard enough.. I would figure at least $75/hr. Start off with a quote of $3750. Negotiate with the promotions Such a thing would be covered by local press and even TV. Be redundant that is have a backup for everything. An oh yea have ear protectors.

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What a great opportunity.. I would do that in a heartbeat..

Take pictures..

$3750? From some kid trying to break a record? Ain't gonna happen.

I would do this for a reasonable amount of cash (maybe $500) but insure that the promotion and publicity is done right. You will get more value in that than some pie-in-the-sky quote. Make sure you have company signage or the kid can even wear your company T-shirt.

Another way to go is to get sponsors...maybe the local karaoke store?

Working the press is the biggest benefit...make sure releases go out, calls are made.

Let us know how it goes!

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[font=Lucida Console]"Sing for the day, sing for the moment, sing for the time of your life!"[/font]

Notice I said start with That is an initial quote and the I said negotiate promos. Personally my time is worth professional fees I will not take much less. If you can find a kid to do it then go ahead. . I pay my help at least $40/hr to fill in. That's $1680.
I would not do it for nothing I am not cheap.... $500 for 40 hours? You have to be joking...

And I do have the capabilities of entering several songs setting the time and putting it in auto play.

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I really need to get some more details and I certainly will post back when I do
I need to understand how much 'good will' can be expected from hosting this event.
One of the problems is I wil need to take time off (vacation time) from my regular job ..at eleast 2 days. So I need to get something for my time$. $3750 little too much ..my initial idea is about $50 per hour . Ince I know more I can weigh the pros and cons ..but it is interesting

If you think the only thing of value in this proposed gig is cash, perhaps. If you get coverage from newspapers, bloggers, TV, radio ... how much do you think all that exposure is worth in cash?

That's why the only way I would take this gig would be if all the pieces were in place for the proper exposure and promotion. If some guy is doing it at home or for his neighborhood friends, there's no way I'd work for less than my regular rate. I know several DJs who did weddings for less than regular rates to appear on one of those cable reality wedding shows like "Whose Wedding Is It Anyway". They always get a closeup of their signage!

You also have to realistically consider how much money this kid will invest in this stunt. Just like when I do bars, I quote them how much I think they're reasonably willing to pay. Especially since he was initially going to do it with a home unit.

By the way, that also has value for more than cash. How many of us do bar/restaurant/hotel gigs where we're paid in a combination of food, drink and cash?

Believe me, I love money! But I also want to look at the total compensation picture.

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[font=Lucida Console]"Sing for the day, sing for the moment, sing for the time of your life!"[/font]

Jam, the man's name was Anthony Lawson from Wilmington NC. His record was 39 hours and 2 minutes. It happened on June 8th 2008.

I'm trying to link it but the scene says the extension webarchive is not allowed.
I'm definately doing something wrong!

Anyways, it can be found at grooveshark.com/blog/2008/6/11/new-karaoke-sheriff-in-town-news-break/

Let us know what happens as it happens. I personally don't think anything under $1000 would be worth it, even with sponsorship (what if he failed?), and i'm sure you have a family to feed. Besides, getting a venue to stay open continuously like that for 2 days can be expensive for the owners, no?

Wear and tear on your equipment, unless you switched out rigs at least 3 times, is definately a factor to consider.

On the other hand, if the world record attempt was done with a worthy cause in mind (such as St. Judes like that one was) and money wasn't a big factor, you could donate your time, get a receipt from "st judes" accounting dept for the donation of documented time/ your going rate/ on their letterhead and write it off on your taxes next year.

Your time, as a working entertainer, is deductible if it is donated to a worthy cause.
I've been donating gigs for homeless and cancer walk-a-thons for 7 years. All were documented and presented to my tax guy with no problems. Aloha. J.R.

Media exposure never guarantees more work, and really how many people are even going to remember after a week's time or even read about it? heck, most people can't remember the name of the last murderer in their area after a couple of weeks. We're in a time of sound bites and what happens today is quickly forgotten.

As for pay, whatever your usual rate is. Would you work for an employer hen he goes I have a special project for you but I'm going to pay you at a reduced rate? I don't think so. It's still wear and tear on your equipment and even moreso since it will be in constant operation.

I've done free shows for charity but this is not charity.

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Since he is going for the World Record, would you not be a record holder of KJ'ing? Or has someone (KJ) done it longer?

I was thinking more like 1000 - 1500 for the whole deal. I would think the good will and promotional perks you would get from it would cover the rest. Cheap? Maybe.....Who knows.

I would think you could get plenty of sponsor for such an event and they could pay for most of your fee.

Wish I was closer in geographical location as I would volunteer 12 hours if someone covered my meal and coffee...

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

Wasn't it "Son of Sam?"

DD, I think Tim made a very valid point here....




I agree with karyoker's starting estimate. At (let's say) $75 /hr, 42 hours would come to $3,150. The problem with this might be that this kid is just trying to break a World Record, and he hasn't even begun to think about what other people would charge for their time. I know that if I were thinking about doing something like this (breaking a record), my jaw would be dropping to the floor if I were to hear a quote that was upwards of $3,000. Even at $50/hr, the quote would end up being $2,100 (which I would be hard-pressed to pay as well). For people like this kid, he probably is thinking that it shouldn't cost more than a few hundred dollars (most people aren't aware of what KJs charge for their services).




JR, I agree that anything less that $1,000 would not be worth my time or the energy required to do something like this... but for something like this, even that is a low amount for a KJ to accept. As for that "What If...," well, I would have a contract in place that guarantees full payment for the EVENT, regardless success or failure. This is an EVENT (not a gig or party) for which you are clearing your schedule so that you can be there.




Now this is an excellent idea!!!! Something that popped into my head is that there WILL BE news coverage (periodically throughout the entire 2 days). Maybe the News Station covering this event would be willing to foot the bill for this story.

When I stated $1000-$1500 I was thinking that most folks trying to break a record would not have a large budget for something like that and would probably balk at anything over those amounts. Plus the up side for the KJ could be big on the PR side.

If I had enough help so that I did not have to do over a 12hr shift at a time without some R&R I wouldn't mind devoting a couple of days to do it for that price.

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

Pretty much exactly what I was thinking. The focus is going to be on the singer. If you got even one phone call from this, I'd be surprised.

I'd say charge at LEAST $1500, but would even go as high as $2500. As mentioned, meet the kid and the bar. They should easily be able to find some sponsors for this, which would cover your bill as well as the venue's, and even the kid's if he has to miss work.

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hi-voxentertainment

You also might want to check out http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?p=104623 as there is already an attempt in the works to go for this record on August 1st 2008.