Karaoke Forums

Well let's see! The drummer doesn't show up for every other practice because he doesn't really need to, The lead doesn't want to learn any new songs because he doesn't like them, the bass player shows up for practices and gigs drunk 80% of the time or proceeds to get drunk the other 20% and can't repeat the same line twice in a row because of it, both the drummer and keyboard player think they should get a bigger cut because they have bigger stuff to carry in, the leads singer thinks he should get a bigger cut because he is the front man that everyone really comes to hear, you practice to make the songs and transitions tight but on the night of a gig half of the band is drunk or drugged out of their minds and couldn't put two songs together with a hammer and nails. Every member of the band thinks they are irreplaceable and things should be done their way, everyone of them fancies themselves as a song writer and wants the band to do "their" song (no matter how bad it really is) All of them want to do "their own music" instead of covers (that people actually want to hear.

It's not as easy as 'don't like the rules, then you're out of the band' when you've got a full calendar booked.

Well, yeah, it is. Each of us is capable of holding down all or part of the night as a solo, or any combo of the five of us. Plus there's several subs we can use at short notice. People do get sick.

When discussing PRICING ......
Is this OVER THE TABLE ....meaning at the end of the year you get a 1099
OR
Under the table ... CASH NO 1099 and no Taxes ???

It depends on several things.

As already pointed out "the area" is one, although I believe that even in an area where the normal top money is $150 the right host can get $200 - $250 with a little talk.

Another would be an established following, of course this is going to be impossible for someone just starting out so it would have to be built up over time along with the pay rate. This is also dependent upon other things as well.

The charisma of the host,

Having a library that covers what the patrons want to sing,

Sound and knowing how to run it,

Running a show that the majority perceive as fair.

Achieving good money in your area is going to depend a lot on who your competition is and what kind of shows they are running.

One other way is to buy out an established host who has a good following and gets top money train under him/her for a few months and learn what works and why it works and then continue on with his/her established venues as you begin to add others.

There's a big difference when you work with professionals vs. amateurs. Such as:

Practice is for learning parts, and is done at home. As a group, you rehearse the show, not practice the songs.