Karaoke Forums

Is having the ability to download the latest songs on the fly at your show worth something to the singer?

Can a KJ charge a nominal $1 per song for this service ??????

The only reason I would want to download a file on the fly would be to make the customer happy and increase their loyalty to my show.

Most karaoke venues don't charge a customer to sing a song, so wouldn't charging them even a nominal fee kind of defeat the goal of making the customer happy and more loyal?

I have the ability, however will not do it due to the legalities. I will wait & order a custom disc. But if those legalities ever come to a definite standing, i'm all ready.

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I don't think he was planning on charging everyone to sing, it was the ability to download a song they wanted now - charge $1 for that song at that time only.

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I don't charge but I do let them see that I am PURCHASING the song for them. 50% of the people tip at this point, often more than the song costs.

Jonn

Well since we already pay for all the other songs that people are singing and since we would be keeping the track and eventually listing it in our books I'm not so sure that the customer would want to pay us for the downloading. Great point about the iffy legalities by the way.

That is what is keeping me from doing the download on the fly, too. Just not worth it until that is resolved. I prefer a hard copy until such time. I know that the first big fine was issued this past week to a venue/pirate in the southwest, so the move is on.

I wasn't talking about charging everyone a $1 a song

It would be for the ADDED SERVICE --I don't have Wifi currently and if I'm not mistaken there is a cost for a wireless card ????

Don't talk about CUSTOMER SERVICE and or LOYALTY --- BMW and MERECEDES have some of the LOYALIST customer base. J/k

It would be for those songs that maybe you would never purchase or ones that are so new you didn't get a chance to sing.

Is $1 that much that someone would complain about to sing a NEW song they wanted to sing ?

I would have to believe that if you are downloading from one of the few reputable sites it would be legal.

Not necessarily, since most of the sites claim for home or non-commercial use only, I think this is where many don't read up.

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I would have to agree with BigJer on this one. Unless you are charging everyone $1 to sing a song (regardless of whether you downloaded it on the fly or already had it in your library, the charge is something I would be complaining about. Now, since I don't go to shows that charge to sing.... well... that's a different topic.

Now, as for that comment about it being for songs you would never purchase... wouldn't you eventually purchase it if it were for one of your Regulars (as versus some stranger that just came to your show for the first time)?

My biggest fear about downloading on the fly is the effect the net might have on my computer. My laptop never sees the net during a show.(and rarely any other time except for updates)

New material is just the cost of doing business. So I'd never charge my singers for a song. Requests are always a top priority but I do have a budget I stick to.

At least for now, if I don't have it on a disc, its not in my harddrive.

Mojo

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"It looks just like a Telefunken U47 !"

Today here in the States ( North East) many of the bars have digital jukeboxes.
They have a list of songs you can play for say a set price.

BUT THEN AGAIN ..they have "premium" songs almost an unlimited base of songs that can also be played ..but they cost a little more.

nobody ever complains about that

The point is this ..sure you may eventually get the NEW SONG requested. You may have to wait until you can compile a CUSTOM DISC or you can download it and have it for NEXT WEEK. But for me if I requested a NEW SONG or maybe even an older obscure song and the KJ aplogized - said he did not have if currently but would download it for $1 ... I couldn't see saying NO ? ....it's a $1 - The choice is the singers --- Don't sing the song because the KJ doesn't have it or if you want to sing it pay the $1 -- Why Complain ? ---call it a TIP

Seriously, I think given the option, someone who is that interested in singing a new song or a song not in the library at that time isn't going to gripe about paying a buck for the premium service. I know I would if I was at a place that had less than great selection, I hadn't dragged my own newer music along, and had the choice. I won't offer that but more power to those who will.

My computer also does not see the net either...but having a lappy set up for just that might be an option - one with air card and a light version of Hoster on it. Have to think about that. Lappies are cheap now, and though an air card isn't cheap, I see Verizon now offers "pay as you go" on air cards - might be perfect.

From a recent thread:



Because of the hi-lited section above I have recently started downloading some songs from them. If you buy the 75-song bulk packs, it's very affordable.

I don't download on the fly, nor will I, at any time in the near future. I want my hard copies. If something goes wrong, if the legalities are questioned, if, if, if!
With having the hard copy, I can tuck it safely away and never need to worry. If my singers can't wait a week or so, then maybe THEY can go out and purchase the song themselves.
I've had a few ask me if I can download on the fly and I always say no, I buy my DISCS. It's too much hassle to have the internet going and using up my resources while I'm working. It also would mean a virtual flood of people demanding I download a song NOW. I have had no complaints on that, either. They just accept it and wait.
I would never charge, either, BTW.
I base my purchases on what I think may be popular, as well as who is requesting it. If it's someone I've never seen before requesting a song that I doubt anyone else would ever want to sing, I likely will not buy it, at least not right then, and not until I see that person become a regular.
For an established regular, I will buy the song, no question, because I know they will make my dollar stretch and sing it several times, making the purchase worth it. I learned early on that if you buy every single request for every single person, you likely will go broke very quickly and have a bunch of songs no one wants to sing.

I still do not trust download sites as far as being legal to play in clubs.

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Do you have a link to this so I can read more about and perhaps pass it along to the venues in my area?

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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!

Rumbolt, I would prefer that the source publish this - if you are reading this, my trusty source, would you consider posting? Or I can do it for you -- let me know. (Concerns about retribution/revenge may prevent this person from coming forward - totally up to them.)

I do download on the fly when I am at a venue that has WiFi. And I would not consider charging the customer a premium.

My feeling is this... first off, as was said before, buying music is just the cost of doing business. I appreciate it when customers tell me what they want to sing so that I can make sure my music budget is spent on stuff that will actually be sung.

Second, isn't it worth $1 to make a customer feel special? Customers who feel special will return and they will bring their buddies and they will spend lots of money at the bar and I will keep the show.

Well... lemme just say that when I start to choose the dollar instead of making customers feel special, then it's time for me to get out of the business.


My two cents worth...