Karaoke Forums

I put a bid in for a karaoke gig a few weeks ago at fairly nice bar/rest. corporate chain type place. The meeting went well and I thought I had the deal until we talked price. The manager said his budget was $100 and I can't touch that price especially for a Friday night.

Well a couple of my regulars came in last night a told me that place had a new karaoke show. From what I hear he has 100,000 tracks, no song books, ect., ect.

I think I'm going to check out this show this weekend and see for myself what beat me out. I've been undercut by pirates before and I've always let it go, just something is really eating at me this time. (maybe its this big corporation just being so cheap)

I think competition is healthly, it makes me a better KJ. I just want a level playing field. So maybe a little of this post is me venting, but would you let this go or take any action ?(assuming this KJ is a pirate)

Mojo

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"It looks just like a Telefunken U47 !"

I would keep it matter of fact, and not accusatory, but I would definitely make the owner aware of the copyright laws and the ramifications for knowingly employing a pirate KJ.

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C Mc
KJ, FL

If you can, print out some official documentation regarding the law suits pending on this sort of karaoke practice -- dare I say the word, pirate. Then I would probably make an appt again with them and approach it from an "I didn't know if you knew this" angle with nothing but facts about the lawsuits and the ramifications it is having on the venues (what exactly IS it having?). Suggest that as a chain they could bear more of a financial sting, etc., etc. Budget smudget - are they realizing that good karaoke (with books, etc.) exponentially increases the dollars generated? That they aren't going to have to pay the fee out of a static amount?

Feel for you - this would probably have me on the warpath too.

I'd let it go. He didn't beat you out of what would have been a viable gig for you. The owner wanted to pay less than you were willing to take. As far as I'm concerned, someone else can have a gig like that, because I would never work for that little.

As far as a level playing field is concerned...these days there is no such thing, but if you run a good show and have a good selection and good equipment, you should be able to find other work.

Birdofsong

I agree, I know around here that the "chain" type restaurants probably have a very small budget for entertainment. So $100 was the MOST he would pay. You lost the gig to a KJ who was willing to work for that --YOU were not. Whether the other KJ had 100,000 illegal songs or 5,000 legal ones..you lost the gig due to your price limits. KUDOS to you for sticking to your price. Now stop complaining and start looking for another gig.

It couldn't hurt to stop down and check out this other KJ --mention to the manager about the legality of running a karaoke show.

Or he had the quote of $100 from this other kj as well before getting your price & so they may have figured that was what they were going to spend by his bid?

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That's along the lines of what I was thinking. I've certainly seen it before. They get a quote for $125 a night from Mr. Lowball Karaoke and then bring in another company to see if they can get it down to $100 a night.

I wouldn't sweat it either way. Either way the owner is cheap and that's not the kind of place you want to be working in. Right along with Jam, I too applaud you for sticking to your guns on price and I'm sure you'll find a better paying gig elsewhere.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

I approached a new venue in my area and knowing that the current (now former) kj was a pirate. The owner even bought a copy of his hardrive and was looking at buying her own equipment. (the former kj is trying to get the hardrive back due to all the publicity and he is scared. It is now in the possession of her attorney)

I ran down a list of equipment I felt she would need to pursue that option (after i showed her that she would need to aquire her music the old fashion way, buy the disks.) She changes her mind when she figured it would be in the $1000s. We discussed my music, equipment and legal issues she needed to consider since i know of several other suspected pirates in the area were beating on her door. I built the value into what i could bring to the table with quality. I never quoted a price. I even played a midweek "freebe" to showcase myself and the sound which she loved. After the show she asked the question "how much do you charge?" I quoted her $225 and she said that sounded good but she was waiting to get liquor license.
That was just before Christmas and she still doesn't have liquor nor has she called me. I was told by a fellow kj that knows her from another market that she thinks i am too expensive for her but she said I put on a good show.

I hear she has another guy comin for pennies but i am going back in to see her early in march and try again. I'll probably requote a little lower if she seems still interested.

My point to all this is to sell yourself and your show. Don't be afraid to talk about pirates and what they have done to destroy the industry. Be careful not to point the finger unless you are sure but I print out all the info about hiring a legit KJ and the law and share it with my prospects.

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No venue to big or too small. From your den to the local club or event, we have the music most requested. Great sounding system!

Listen, what have you got to lose by popping in and saying hello?

And if you decide to pop in, as someone else recommended, don't be accusatory about the current KJ!

Review the show and then confront the manager with a barrage of: DID YOU KNOW questions that make it clear that the KJ they hired may have more downsides than upsides to him? And emphasize the legal bind that the manager may have put the corporation in by hiring a pirate!

Thanks for the advice everybody. Its been over a week now and I've cooled off a bit. I was going to check out this show last weekend but got a last minute booking that went overtime. Maybe this weekend if I get a chance.

I think much of the answer lies in educating our clients about what is legal and ethical. Most have no clue. I have business licence,liability insurance,use legal music, and pay taxes. I've never had anyone question me about any of these.....and they should.

Mojo

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"It looks just like a Telefunken U47 !"