Karaoke Forums

I find some of this amusing! I do go to other KJ's show, fairly infrequently...but if I'm around I will stop in. Even if it's just for a drink or I'm going by. They're are 'friends' of mine, NOT "enemies"! Sure there are a lots I don't know or don't like...I ignore them. What's going on at there place, is NOT my concern. I will hear it was "dead" or it was "packed" on occasion from someone coming into my place and telling me. Heck, when I go to shows the KJ's *pump* my show and I do the same for them. It's so much easier...MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
Visit MrD on facebook - mrdsentertainment
& on myspace - larrynance[/highlight]

Diafel, from your answers you are clearly in a minority. I don't know how long you have been a KJ, but it shouldn't take long to experience all of the things i mentioned.

You are clearly on the opposite end of the KJ spectrum. I would guess the majority would fall somehwere toward the center.

but geez louise dude

Angel.. are you by chance from the Kenosha / Racine area?

If so, I now know what the cause of all this is and I'm sorry for ripping it to you... I now know the back story and who caused this and I am sorry to say I once (long ago) called her a friend.

Their actions were deplorable and they will be getting theirs... they are doing this because they do not have a show worth anything, the venues are getting that fact and dismissing them.... but remember that they are the exception and not the rule.

People like Char, Ken, and Steph are the rule...

you know who the local people are who are worth calling a friend in the industry... surround yourself with those people.

Any of your venues who they may approach the owners of...refuse to speak about them directly, but advise the owners to speak with the owners of their previous venues for references prior to making their decision.

Don't badmouth them... let your show stand on it's own merit and let theirs fall based on its. Some clients may need to have the worst before they realize they had one of the best...

I may be in a minority, but does that mean my answers don't / shouldn't count? You asked, I answered. Maybe you should have specified that you only wanted answers from those who agree with you!

That is not what i intended. I just suggested that i have experienced all of these and you have experienced none. These things are real and they happen to many KJs daily & weekly.

I am sort of in the same boat as Diafel. I did hear from one of my friends once that his "company" was trying to get him to offer cheaper karaoke to my bar owner. They wanted him to try to get my job, and he told them I had been there for years and he wouldn't do that to me. But see, here's the thing...I run a great show. Hands down. My bar owner wouldn't have replaced me anyway. So I told him to tell his company to be my guest. I'm not afraid.

That's all we're saying Angel...it's about your show. You are focusing so much on the negative. If you currently have a show, make it the absolute best you can. If your customers love you, your bar owner will too. That is their business. If your owner likes and respects you, you don't have to worry so much about someone else taking your job. I have heard some KJs here complain about "pirates" undercutting them, but I haven't really had to deal with it. And I'm not really out there competing for jobs. People are coming to me, but I could understand how frustrating it could be in a larger area if you were looking for a gig.

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It's called Karaoke Therapy...

I don't bad mouth other KJs. They don't need my help for others to know about them. But many of their tactics have had a direct impact on my shows and whether or not i get hired or lose a job. Some bar owners can not resist a bargin entertainment. Money lessons are hard learned.

What i do question is KJs that say they can't get jobs because of other KJs. If you are good the jobs are out there. The bad KJs simply can not be getting and keeping every job out there. So your talent level would come into question.

Oh, my bad!
Sorry.
I thought all those question marks at the end of your sentences meant you were asking questions.

I've been in the business since 90 & have similar answer to Diafel. The occasional shows I do go to (rare) are just to go out & enjoy something else for a change of pace. Not to spy on them. If I see bad stuff going on - particularly in the rotation, then I walk out, but that's about it. But again, I don't get to go out very often, I do not worry about what other shows are like - I concentrate on my own to make it as good as I can.

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That's what YOU have been whining about in this entire thread. YOU can't get jobs because OTHER KJS have been doing "bad things" to compete "unfairly."

You can't change that. It's NOT going to change no matter what.

The only thing you have the power to change is how you react to it.

Now read the quote from you I put in bold letters.

Go look in the mirror. Ask the person you see there, "Am I a no-talent hack?" I'm pretty sure she'll say, "NO!"

Then go figure out how to improve your show so you can prove it.

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Dave's not here.

I would have to put sending spies to other shows in the backstabbing category. Its funny that most of us that post here are all the KJs with kick (@$%&#!) shows. How come the no talent hack's never post anything? Much like most of the singers that come to our shows. If you ask them (or their mother's) they are great, but we know the truth. Not that karaoke is only just for good singers.

CRAP! I was gonna stay away from analogies....oh well.

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"Don't worry. It will feel better when it quits hurtin."

And you still haven't answered my question!!!!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with checking out/keeping an eye on the competetion. Major corporations are always doing this. This is how they stay competitive. Not know what the other guys are up to can cost you.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

I agree completely, Tim. I have gone and checked out the competition.

I've also kept a pretty close watch on my so called competiton, and am keeping notes on the known pirate operators.

I've been underbid every time since I've tried to get reestablished here in KC. Since I never relied on this as a super income, it's just been a minor inconvienience for me. But I've seen a couple of my competitors really suffering as the market has dwindled.

Yes, I am just dying to know. Where in the world is it this bad so I'll know never to move there. I suppose I am in utopia...

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It's called Karaoke Therapy...

My purpose is to see if and how many other good KJs are facing the same bad KJs and to determine how wide spread the bad KJ problem really is.

Does anyone have any practical solutions on how we can either improve or eliminate the problem. I'm sick and tired of my investment in time and money that i have put into my shows, not meaning much to bar owners.

I have recently read some articles about certain groups trying to sue KJs and bar owners over illegal music. Do you think this will actually go anywhere? Has anyone taken any individual actions toward stopping known illegal multiriggers? If so what have you done or what would you like to do or recommend doing? Has anyone considered mailing anonymous letters to them threatening to turn them in? Would that be enough to make you stop? KJs that use one hard drive are a problem but the multiriggers are much bigger. Is this idea over the edge?

Do you really think only top notch KJs read and post in here? I would put money on the fact that there is every type of described KJ at least reading this forum. There could be some that want to improve. There could also be many that could gives a rats behind about changing anything or the actual quality of their show. They are perfectly happy with the little bit of money they make.

I am interested in stopping or at least greatly reducing these KJs. I'm ready to hear real viable suggestions. What do you have?

I can't begin to understand the situation in your area because I haven't experienced it.
Sure I've had other KJs approach bar owners for my job, but I've never lost a gig over it.
I've only had someone I know try to steal a gig once. They still come to my show 3 yrs later and I'm friendly with them. Some of the patrons shun them though.

No things aren't always rosy.

I just find it is much more rewarding to befriend other KJs. Sure once in a while there is a bad apple, but it's worth taking the chance to find out.

I still don't understand how spying helps though. I've never not once spied or drove by to check a parking lot. I'm concerned with how many people I bring in not how many people someone else has at their show.

If you're spying for pirates that's a whole different story. One of which we just had a long discussion about that I prefer not to rehash.

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I have actually never visited many KJ shows since i've been in business. I do know about their shows. I know what they do and why? I know the ones with illegal hard drives. I have KJ friends and we talk but i haven't sung on too many of their systems because they sound horrible. No they aren't interested in changing anything. They think they sound good. I have many that want my jobs because they can't keep jobs.

I can't be compassionate about too many other KJs when you have to constantly watch your back from the next attack.

The only thing you can do is what everyone here has been telling you repeatedly: forget about the the competition and concentrate on doing the best job you can do and putting on the best show around. The chaff will fly with the wind.
As far as bar owners caring about the time and money you spend on your system, get over it fast or get out of the business. You simply won't find a bar owner that gives a rat's azz about it.
All he cares about is his bottom line: Are you worth the money he is paying you? Are you bringing in the crowds and do they spend enough money for him to turn a profit at the end of the night?
Again, he could care less what you spent on your system time or money - wise. If this bothers you, as I said, get out of the business now because this is a fact that will never change, no matter how much you want it to.

And yes! I want to know the answer as well. WHERE ARE YOU?