Karaoke Forums

I think it's a great idea to go to other shows and observe! See what you as a singer like and don't like and incorporate the good things into your show and avoid using the bad (if any).
As for cutting your rate to get your "foot in the door", I don't recommend it. Once you let a venue owner pay you less than what you're really worth, he will be hard-pressed to pay you the rate you really deserve.
Never tell them you've never hosted before or are just starting out.
You do not want the venue owner to think you are not a "real" professional, because that is what he will treat you like and pay you accordingly.
Just let them know you are a professional and go out and do the job. He does not need to know you've never hosted before.
Near impossible to get a raise, so to speak. I was able to do it, not once, but twice, but it was really stressful and not at all easy to do. I risked losing the gig altogether.
If you feel you must tell them something, just tell them that you are establishing your business in this town. It's the truth and you're not telling them you're a newbie.
As for what rates you can get, it all depends on the area, as someone else said. Some places are saturated and you almost have to pay them to get a gig. In that case, I would stay home. Others, like my area, are quite the opposite, and because I run a quality show with good equipment, I can command a price on the high end of the scale. In my area, I am not worried about getting my price as I have no lack of gigs. In fact, I have to turn some away, because while my gear is available, I am not. I may have found a host and that may change. In the meantime, I get my price no questions asked (except for the "return gig" described in another thread, which the regs on here know about) and my venue owners are happy because they get their money's worth.
Good luck to you.

Timberlea: That is how I feel as well. I am more than willing to invest time, effort, and money to have someone work for me who will stick wiith me, help the business grow and become a part of the "family".
I am considering getting another rig going, as I could easily have enough gigs in the surrounding area to warrant it, but I certainly don't want to invest in the library only to have my host up and leave before I've got the cost of my investment recouped.
We all know that karaoke discs are NOT cheap.
I pay very well, and because my hubby owns a music store, does live sound, and also runs a DJ business, the host, if proven, would see no lack of work. In fact, at times, hubby is so stuck for sound techs, and DJs, that he has pressed me to DJ for him. I do it, but absolutely HATE it! I've even done a few live band sound tech gigs, but honestly, I just don't have enough experience at it, though I can "wing" my way through it. But lord help me if I have a serious problem! This is where a loyal employee could be apprenticed in all areas and thereby secure himself long term gratifying employment with exceptional wages (hubby's reputation in the area is exceptional and he can therefore command the higher pay scale as well).

Diafel, if you ever get to Halifax, let me know. You're more than welcome at our shows (unless you make an a$$ of yourself. Wait that's what karaoke is all about. )

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You can be strange but not a stranger

For the most part I get at least 1 visiting KJ per weekend. Some nights there are 3 -4 in the house at the same time. That get's interesting but it has never been an issue and all have been respectful and compliment the sound and song variety.

They all know that I am all about "fair rotation" and they will not get up any quicker then the next guy. When I visit them I certainly don't expect special treatment and I would NEVER expect to be moved up.

My only pet peeve is the guy that goes around talking about where he is playing and trying to recruit my customers/friends. One word.. "TACKY". I worked hard to build my following and it is rediculous for someone just starting out or for the KJ not willing to put in the time to promote themselves that way.

I'm friends with 5 other KJ's and we visit each other's shows if we're not working
one of our own. If we are approached by someone wanting to do a reception or
party and are already scheduled someplace else, we check amongst our group
to see who is available and who wants the gig. It doesn't get much better than that.

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"Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid."

I always make an a$$ of myself!
So I guess I'm out?
But thanks, anyway!
(Seriously, if I ever get out there, you can bet I'll pay a visit!)
Cheers!

I have to say, all my KJ experiences have been positive. I'm still a "newbie" in the KJ field, having only actually been working for 2 years... and in the last several months I've become the "go to" guy for other KJ's to kick back....

I've made a LOT of great friends, and even gotten some gigs through my KJ friends. When they can't make a gig, or need someone to cover they know I'll help out if I can. I'm not after their gig, they're not after mine and I'm not worried about mine... my folks and my bar owner love me.

Having other KJs as friends can only help your business, and its fun to swap some of the "KJ stories" of wild things happening at other shows....

While I know most of the KJs in my area, I've had other come to the show, and as it turned out they were well connected folks. I made friends before I even know who they were, and it has really worked in my favor.

If your on a computer, I highly suggest that you get an A/B switch and put a regular karaoke player in your rig. That's what I did, and its paid off in spades. Some singers come up, disk in hand and see I got a computer and say, "you can't play my disk can you?"

I just smile and say, "sure I can!" and their eyes light up, and I get a big smile.

This is a comfort level for some singers, and they just want to know that the version they are use to is the one that gets played, or they don't want to be bothered with looking it up in the book. Once they're comfortable, I'll approach them and let them know I have their version, and what the advantages are by letting me use the computer (i.e. their song history will be saved automatically. No slip saving).

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Good music, good friends, howling good times!

Hmmmmm! I may be fat, but I ain't illit...illiter...uh...I can talk good!

Here's one from last Sat night: Fellow walks in and asks if we have any DK Karaoke in our book. I told him we just had one DK disc and he replied, "Well, I have the DK Mellenium Set. How many songs do you have?"

I told him that we had almost 5,000 songs and he said that he used to be a KJ in another state and he has 40,000 songs. I told him that the Friday hosts had more songs then we did so maybe he would like to try their show. I offered him one of our books and he briefly glanced at one page, said, "Uh, well, yes. If you know anyone who wants to buy the DK Mellenium set, I have it," and he left.

The only DK song I would want in my collection is their version of PBTDL. it's the only complete version of the song.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Goes to show you differences. I love DK and there are many of their tracks that are preferred over any other. They are EQed down, though, so I often boost the bass and volume a bit.

I do wish that CompuHost would allow you to remember level and EQ on a per-song basis. Boy, would that be nice!

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

How much was he asking for it?

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You can be strange but not a stranger

Didn't ask how much he wanted for it. If you are interested, he told me where he works but it will be another week before I am home from the day job to go find him. I like the music on the one DK we have but my boyfriend objects to the flute. (old discussion) This fellow seems to think he has the ultimate karaoke collection so he probably has valued it at several million. Anyway, we obviously weren't up to standard.

I have two sets of DK 1-99. I think there are more requests from that series
of discs than my Sound Choice, Music Maestro or Chartbuster selections.

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"Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid."

Make sure you bring him a 6 of Bud.... (ducking for cover).

Cue you're cruisin aintcha. At least the Bud brewed here is 5% but still not beer. Diafel I will introduce you to Mr Propeller and Mr Garrison.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

I don't think you will find anyone to argue against THAT collection. Karaoke Gold.

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."