Karaoke Forums

I had this same situation happen to me. My friend was being crude, and making fun of the clientele of his Fri night gig. I had never personally witnessed this, but had heard from many of my regulars. As it turned out, the owner of the club called me to say that he wanted me to do friday nights because he knew I had a very good reputation, and that the other guy (my friend) was being too obnoxious.

I told the club owner that I am a friend of his current KJ, and that I refuse to step on anybody's toes. I suggested that he have a serious talk with the guy, and tell him that if he doesn't clean up his act, that he (the club owner) will fire him, and replace him with ME.

As it turned out, my friend refused to comply, and I was hired for the gig.

I say that you should tell the club owner that you would love to play his bar, but if and ONLY if his current host refuses to comply with his wishes. I would also ask the owner to tell this guy that if he has no other choice but to fire your friend, that he has every intention of asking YOU to do the show. This way, it gives the other guy a wake up call, and keeps you from being the heavy, should the you-know-what hits the fan.

My view of this customer is that he is a PITA because he tries to get the KJ fired/replaced instead of just going to a different bar or finding something else to do on that night.

Depending on your town/bar a sucessful karaoke night needs a TINY fration of the local population going to the show, probably less than 1 in 1000 in the area.

Of course the other 999/1000 (or more) find something else to do. Sure this guy may have an opinion but unless his views are repeated regularly to the owners of the bar, then they are unlikely to be a problem for sales. Most people are going to make their decisions to go or not go to a show privately and not make a stink about it to the owner. The person that tries to get someone fired (except for really unacceptable behavior) is the freak I would not want at my show.

Bars make and change their entertainers like KJs based on attendance and sales, especially changes in attendance/sales not the complaints of an individual (except when safety or legality are involved). I would not want this guy becoming a regular at my show because he probably would eventually find some fault with my show, and then try to get me fired, and I would feel this way even if it was for a different detail on how the KJ runs their show (besides KJ singing).

DR
Not to make this discussion about 1 singer ( because then every singer gets their feathers ruffled) but you are correct. This 1 particuliar singer is a blessing and a curse. If he likes your show he will come every week and come early, order food, buy drinks , bring friends. (lousy tipper from what I hear but hey ).
These are the type of singers/customers every bar wants ...HANDS DOWN

The curse is for the KJ ...VERY IMPATIENT , really doesn't want to wait his turn when the rotation gets big. Not a fan of filler music or dance music ( but what singers are) but for my type of show its how I run. I play to keep everyone as happy as can be. A few years back in error I skipped this guy. ( back when I used CDG and song slips) I misplaced his slip..MY BAD no arguing. After awhile I noticed this guy didn't sing in the rotation and I asked him where his next song was. DUH
He started getting in my face that I skipped him and he's not going to sing anymore. I asked him why he didn't just tell me ??????
Of course I apologized (once) and told him I would get him up NEXT. He then kept complaining to everyone in the place all the while refusing to sing. I then told him that NOW he can't sing ..tonight or any other night. He left and came back 3 weeks later as he didn't like any other shows in the area .

Because then you would have thought he was a PITA because he told you?

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

touche'

Damned if you do and damned if you don't

Can't win with you 2 idiots
Dr. Fred I apologize for attempting to respond to your post as I knew it would be taken the wrong way and the PITA group of singers and complainers would seize the opportunity to crawl from under the rocks and band togther. Thats life I guess ..in an open forum people can post whatever they want. They want to focus on one remark in the post and comment negatively.

And for the record you 2 XXXXXX XXXXXXX if this singer would have just mentioned to me that he was skipped I would have corrected the situation. BUT if you were there no doubt you would complain because the rotation got out of whack and now you don't know who you follow and your whole world would be upside down. You would have to go searching for another show to grace and complain about. ......

OH and whatever you say I am rubber and you are glue .........

Exactly how we all feel. I am one of the PITAs, sort of. I am definitely the squeaky wheel. But like most people, I usually vote with my feet and not my mouth. If the show works, and the crowds are good, you are winning the election.

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

update:

Finally received a call from the Manager at this bar. There was no talk about present KJ or any "problems" just a inquiry to see if I was available to host a show in 2 weeks. The manager said he had an open date and likes to "mix" things up by having alternating karaoke hosts. He did mention a referal from one of the regular singers. I accepted the 1 night with the expectation to let him know if I could do every other Saturday.

So, what changed?


In one post (above), you said that if you received a call from the Manager of this place, you wouldn't take the gig because of it's location (relative to where you live). Now, you have turned around and said that you did receive that (anticipated) call, and you have accepted. Not only that, you are planning to ask Management to let you work there every other week.

The impression I get (from the above) is that this KJ is currently hosting a regular weekly show at this place. Nowhere in your posts did you indicate otherwise... with the exception of the phone call you just received from the Manager of this place. That is the only mention you make of this place alternating their KJs. Do you know if this is true (or if the Manager is just handing you a line)? Have you discussed this with your "Friend," since it sounds like you may end up replacing her?

Cue

The gig at this place is "alternating" KJ's according to the manager. He wants to keep the entertainment "FRESH" his words not mine. The change of mind as far as location is two fold. The pay was MORE than expected for a small place and I'm going on vacation in a few months so the added income would be great. Just so you know I have not decided on if I can commit to every other week at this place.

I have not talked to my friend as I wasn't sure when she would get notice. I'm flip flopping back and forth if taking this gig even for 1 day was the right thing to do.

Yes... "His Words"... But do you know if that's true??? He could have just come up with that line because he wants to get rid of your friend (and fellow KJ). As far as your moral issue... I say you should take the gig, but tell your friend before you start. She'll probably B***h a fit, but at least she'll have a few days to simmer down (as versus making a major scene when you come in (if you decide) to do your show there.


I don't know these people, but I get a sneaky feeling in my gut that this Manager may not say anything to her until a few hours before she's supposed to do her next show.

yeah don't know --I'm trying to get a hold of her and see what's up

Twist

Spoke to KJ friend, seems she knows the bar contacted me to "replace" her.
She was upset with the SINGER who complained as she was told who and what the complaints were. The twist is she told me she was getting $25 more per night than I was offered . Now I'm thinking the owner is just trying to pull a fast one .

The story is there is a KJ who works there every other weekend due to the KJ's choice. SO the bar is forced to find a KJ to fill in the dates. The orginal KJ was the one who got my friend in the place and now after 1 night ..she was fired due to the complaints of what seems to be 1 singer. IDK ? I hate venues that have drama to them
KJ #1 I understand is getting $250 per night
KJ #2 Was getting $225 per night
KJ #3 (Me) was offered $200 per night. ( which before I knew the others was pretty good)

What do you do ????---- I'm thinking about doing the 1st night and if they LOVE my show ..ask for at least the $225. ( if I decide to make a commitment )

OK... I feel the need to hijack this thread now... although briefly.

I know that there is another topic thread on this, but since you brought it up here, how much do you normally ask for (for a 4 hour show)?

You said that you were offered more than expected ($200) for a small place. $200 is actually what I ask for for my shows (regardless of the size of the place or the night of the week). My only compromise is doing a 3 hour show for $150. If $200 is what you normally ask for on your other gigs, then I wouldn't ask for more from this place just because you now heard the other KJs were getting paid more. Just file that in the back of your mind for future gigs, and raise your price then.

I usually ask for $200 for a 4 hour show. Exactly what this place is offering.
Many times $150 is what is being offered.

The place is a bar in the back of a liguor store in a strip mall. I just "THOUGHT" they were going to offer less than $150. I was surprised that they offered me $200 and SHOCKED that according to hearsay paying another KJ $250 for a 4 hour gig.

My only thinking is this....If I am being reccomended as a GOOD KJ by the same regular singer and turn out to be ...a GOOD KJ in the owners eyes. I should get paid whatever he was paying the KJ I replaced ?

The Manager doesn't know you and hasn't seen how you operate. He came to you, not the other way around. What he is/was paying someone else is between him and that person. You may have to prove yourself over time before getting a raise. As you stated above, you usually command a $200 fee for your services, but you also said that many places are only willing to offer $150. So, in that light, I would not consider you to be an undercutter (as I know of several KJs who are). You're getting paid what you would have asked for on your own, so I would be happy with that (for now).

You said the PITA was an ex-singer at your show. What, if anything, did you do to piss him off. I'd go with telling the friend and let him try to save his show. After that, if it can't be saved, at least you still have a friend. And, hopefully, he won't be mad at you if you get the call and take the gig.

I would definitely have a conversation with the owner if you do get the call. I would want to put that kind of stuff on the table so that he comes to you first if someone has a beef.

Apologize 1st to the PITA singer ...

Seems after talking to people this is what happened ...

My KJ friend arrived about 7:30PM for an 8:00 start on her 1st and only night at this place. Then asked the owners for help getting the equipment in. Started the show about 10minutes late. According to the singers (and confirmed with the KJ) the lyrics and music were OUT OF SYNC as I think she was using some new program or something. Sang to many songs herself and with others and played too many filler songs. I think she hit every NOT TO DO thing you could.

anyway I decided to accept every other Saturday at this place as the gig went very well.

We have a nice little sign over the bar that says "The customer is always right! We will let you know if you're a customer."

You have to consiter your source when it comes to disgruntled employee and ex-employees. She says she made 250 a night but who knows if that is actually true. Maybe she is trying to put an issue between you and her ex employer that causes a rift. If she is, hey look, it's working.

A KJ telling me that it's their show and they'll do it like they want is like one of my bartenders telling me that it's their shift and they can drink what they want. It's stealing. Granted not something physical like booze but if I'm paying for my customers to sing then the time becomes very valuable. If your friend is running a show like that she will either learn the hard way or not have any gig's in the future. Don't let her drag you down with her.

Also the rotating schedual thing is baaaaaad.. Have a little chat with your boss and let him/her know that people that drink, especially the regulars, want to feel comfortable where they drink. Unless you are near a hotel/motel where the customers rotate regularly people like routein(sp).