Karaoke Forums

We recently did a private party. As much as I tried to keep the guest away from my equipment, and make my area a safe haven, a speaker was found nevertheless by a drunkard. To the extent it was knocked down onto the floor, stand and all.....6 foot drop....big fun. My question is, how do some of you handle keeping people away from your equipment?

I can tell you one thing "not" to do. I know of a gentleman in England that the exact same thing happened to him at his show. He got enraged and attacked the drunk and actually clubbed his so hard, it broke his jaw and the drunk wound up in a coma in the hospital. The KJ was sued and lost everything, and eventually went to jail (debtors prison I assume).

If that were to happen at one of my shows, I think I would do this: First have the offender (drunk) removed and/or arrested. Second, the show would NOT continue until the first issue was resolved. If after a short period of time (be reasonable of course), approach whoever contracted you and tell them that the contract is fulfilled, and demand to be paid in full, maybe also suggesting to have the speaker replaced.

Nobody has to put up with someone being irresponsible and damaging equipment. You should not have to absorb such type of damages,,,

That's my take on the matter. Others will have a difference of opinion of course.

Now, as far as a prevention issue. The first thing I do is to place speakers/equipment in spots "not" in the traffic area. Sometimes, that cannot be avoided, and maybe placing something (tables, chairs etc,) around the speaker stand, so it will re-direct traffic around the legs of the stand. Just a thought.

Making a safe haven is not an option - especially at a private party. If that speaker would have fallen and hit another guest - you would/could have been sued for negligence. You are not a the mercy of the people that hired you, even it they are the ones that are the drunkards. And you'll find that it's actually okay to tell someone "no!" at a private party.

Years ago, a karaoke company (not mine) placed a soundtech speaker on a wide shelf at a club. Speakers vibrate...... and the resulting lawsuit from the patron who was hit with the 32lb speaker falling on them was eventually settled for over $60,000.

The object of the exercise is for everyone to have fun, not create a dangerous situation.

In the case of a drunk for example that wants to sing with a microphone in one hand and a drink in the other, I've always approached it this way, by explaining to them:
"That these are wired mics and I wouldn't want you to be shocked if you accidentally spilled on the mic or the wire"...

It works pretty well and it makes them your friend instead of your enemy.

Accidents are accidents, but if someone is injured anywhere near your system, you'll most likely make the defendant's list.

My contracts for private parties state that the customer is responsible for any and all damage that results from negligence or willful destruction on the part of those who attend the event.

I have been asked about this clause only a couple times. I tell them that they have to be responsible, because I have had instances where my clients didn't care about imminent danger to my equipment (water balloon fight).

I tell them that I have no idea who their guests are, but if they help me track that person down for anything that gets damaged, then I will not hold them liable.

Never had anyone make me change it.

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I'm not a cheerleader, but I paid for my pom poms with my own money!

Violence is not an option, that's just ridiculous. My equipment was placed as safe as possible, even with "caution" tape around the area I was in. However, this person ran up, was to drunk, stumbled several feet before landing into my speaker pole and then the end . aside from a DJ booth constructed of lumber, no avoiding this guy. I did talk with he and his wife and explained if it was damaged they were responsible and asked that she keep an eye on him.

Contracts and clauses most likely will still not indemnify you (the kj company) of anything if it was found that something was placed in such a way that it was an accident waiting to happen.
Insurance is the answer! Make sure it covers any accident that may happen by/with/to your equipment.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Insurance and contract/service agreements. Only way to protect yourself from drunks!

Have you tried a cattle prod or carbolic enema?

Or use some Exlax to make some special chocolates for your drunken guest...he will be pretty distracted after a few minutes so the pain will be in his butt and not yours...

Just don't stand behind him if he breaks wind...

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Terryoke
Krazy Kanuck Karaokeist

Karaoke is the only social disease that you can get in public and not get arrested.