Karaoke Forums

There are two criteria there.

Me getting certified (that was an action I took voluntarily on my part)
Sound Choice listing me on their page (that was an action by Sound Choice)

There is of course other items in play with the lawsuits, papers being served at a venue, etc. It was a perfect confluence of events.

-Chris

_________________
-Chris

I know you weren't attacking.

I also know that I am NOT the best host. I am an adequate host. But I enjoy it and I have fun with it. That comes out in my shows and that is something I hope engages the audience.

-Chris

_________________
-Chris

Not that it's important or that you need them, but the statement above just got you a whole bunch of respect points from me. That's the way I work as well- no need to go after someone else's food money...

_________________
"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

A couple of weeks ago when I was on vacation, I went to at least a dozen bars that had no signage saying they had karaoke. I went in, found out they did, and left. I left business cards at a few but made it clear I wasn't looking to take someone else's gig from them.

I don't live on karaoke yet but I know others do. Times are tough enough without someone actively trying to take your job away from you.

-Chris

_________________
-Chris

There has to be a balance in there somewhere. I have purposely not gone after places that already have someone. Next thing you know they have switched and we had not put ourselves in the running. I still don't do it as we have people coming in to our show all of the time either trying to take singers or badmouthing us or trying to get a night and it's annoying. But I have given cards to singers who have asked if they can have one to give to another venue.

With this new gig, I am right in downtown Seattle. Walking distance from a couple of venues and several hosts that have been served by Sound Choice. I printed new books for this gig and I included my certs for the Big 3 in the front few pages along with a note to support legal shows. My phone number is clearly posted and I will have business cards out.

Once I have a couple of weeks under my belt I am going to start doing some additional reseach on the folks that were named and start canvassing the area to see if anyone is interested in picking up a certified legal host.

My day job is actually going to be keeping me VERY busy for the next two months so I will be limited in what I can do but I want to at least start getting the word out that I am there.

-Chris

_________________
-Chris

How would SC know your disc based?
Wouldn't that require an audit, marking of discs, and a payment to cover the cost of the certification program?

I agree with you, but this scenario is the same as 1:1 KJ's and HarringtonLaw has stated proof is required for certification and that means an audit and that costs them money.

_________________
My statements, opinions and conclusions are based on my own personal experiences, observations, research and/or just my own $.02. I'm not a "cheerleader", but that doesn't make me a Pirate.

I have heard that SC, at least, is trying to put together a way to certify disc hosts. I emailed last week to find out what hoops to jump through but haven't heard back yet.

As is, the "System" worked for Chris but if there was a legal disc host in his area who had been struggling against pirates for years and would have loved more opportunity, the "System" didn't work for them because right now there isn't a way for them to get in it. Even if it involves a fee to cover the cost of the employee verifying that we are disc, if people are going to actually check the SC site for people to hire, then it may well be worth it.

No It Doesn't. It means that the bar hired someone that had a ridicules amount of songs in their library (Not legal of course) and that probably worked cheap to boot.



Few Karaoke Singers (that spend money) are going to drive several miles to drink and party and then take the chance of driving home and being pulled over. Most of the time the karaoke customers that follow a KJ to a gig outside their area are soda and water drinkers. that is not going to help the bar much in sales and if the bar is filled with people like that it makes it look like the KJ Doesn't bring in the numbers to merit his/her pay. Bars need to advertise the karaoke in their own neighborhood and bring in the locals that will make the bar flourish financially.
That is NOT the KJ's responsibility.



I Totally agree with this.



This is a common problem these days and one of the downsides to computers in karaoke. It gave the ability to anyone that was looking for a (So Called) quick, easy job to anyone that has ever picked up a mic. 9 times out of 10, people like this don't know how to mix a room properly, run their equipment and utilize the abilities of it, deal with drunks to avoid bad situations, or know what type of equipment to buy.



No, They can't be blamed for it all. But yes, they can be blamed for a good chunk of it. after all, they did flood the market with KJ's (That could work cheaper because they didn't have the overhead) making it harder for the legit people to get jobs.

This is just my 2 cents on what you said Joe. Nothing personal.
=)

And Yes. Congrats Chris and good luck at the new venue.
=)

_________________
Sal "Kjmann" Esquivel
Karaoke With Sal - Website

@Jerry - Maybe you should change your profile pic to a parrot in front of a microphone.

-Chris

_________________
-Chris

Chris, I wish you the best of luck. It's just too bad you felt you had to bow down and kiss Karaoke butt to get it done. BTW, you have a little spot of poop......right......overrrrrr.....................................................there!! No, over there. No.....the LEFT side.. I'm messing with you, relax. No, really, I am.

_________________
I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

I am certified by Sound Choice as an Original Disc User and listed on their page as a certified KJ, possibly the first disc-user on there. (The letter also grants me permission to media-shift in the future.)
SC visited my show and knew I was disc-only and did not require an audit. When I requested one anyway, based on circumstances in my area, and explained why, SC came through quickly.

I had a similar situation at my new club here in Raleigh. I had worked there for about 7 years then my heart gave out. I had someone else take my place while I recovered from my heart transplant. He eventually bought me out, and continued to play there. This past month he got a big promotion at his day job, and he had to stop doing his show. The club specificity wanted a "Certified" karaoke host, and I was asked to be brought back to run the Friday show. If I had not been audited and certified by SC and CB, I might not have gotten the job. Yeah, certification does work.

_________________
My first choice IS Sound Choice.

Well The system works in Soundchoices favor. My ONLY karaoke Gig from the Commander at the Legion has SUSPENDED karaoke Until the lawsuits that are plaguing the industry are over( Over fear of being sued legal, certified, or just over with). We are now on a MUSIC only basis until further notice. Good Job James the word is out there.! If you are trying to destroy the Karaoke industry it worked.

Here's how it went down, This past weekend ( While KJ ing my only gig karaoke wise)I made a comment about wanting to get certified to a PATRON ( Who I talk to for hrs every week) due to the lawsuits etc.... He listened to what I said, He then had mentioned it later to another person( I had no idea it would have moved on as topic of conversation) who is Friends with the Commander at the Legion. I got the call last night at 8 pm Eastern time.

I can't tell you even if I get CERTIFIED that they want to risk ANYTHING to do with Karaoke. Read this real good James. I as a Long time DJ do Not think People at the American Legion Will Be wanting to dance and listen to top 40 or etc.Before karaoke they had a band play once a month.Karaoke brings a certain group of people to go out there. Your Plan of Destruction DR Evil is working as Planned. I have No use for you or your Manufacturer you represent. My Only singing gig is done. ( only real reason I KJ is to sing to people in public not just at home)


FYI James I have as Many SC disks as ANYONE on these forums even in triplicates in some disks. I also have Many other manu's .

Sorry to hear that. It makes you wonder what is worse for the industry, the Pirates or Sound Choice.

_________________
I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

Since I no longer need library, Tonight when I get home at My GF house, I will take Pics of My library in complete with a Date on Picture written in marker to show Proof of date . Just incase theres the "OH He must have been a Pirate" That's why he stopped comming by yadda yadda yadda .....

I sincerely believe if you were to appropriately educate your venue on what is really going on that you could get your gig back. There isn't a venue I have spoken to (except those that got burned by pirates who lied to them) that is wary of having karaoke because of the lawsuits.

I have also taken to associating it to them playing the jukebox without paying their industry fees. When it gets framed that way they understand perfectly.

-Chris

ps..... oh, if you won't be needing the library. Give me a ring and maybe I can take it off your hands 425-880-4118

_________________
-Chris