Karaoke Forums

I just received this (unsolicited) e-mail from someone as a result of me placing an ad in Craig's List for my Karaoke Services....


This is the greatest thing to happen to karaoke in 41 years.

KARAOKE SCHOOL

Enclosed you will find an information package. We are currently
putting together a team of karaoke jockeys to help promote our
school and instruct our students.



Richard Brown


The following was in an attachment:

Karaoke School

“START WITH AS LITTLE AS $70. EARN $1850 PER STUDENT.”
NO FRANCHISE FEES

The following information is provided as an outline of our Karaoke School program for Singing Instructors.

KARAOKE SCHOOL is considered the most well-known, reputable, global karaoke school and social network in the world. We are the only real karaoke school in the world. We have captured the entire market. Domain names: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

We are in the process of putting together a team of karaoke jockeys around the world to promote our school and instruct our students. Our company headquarters are in Brooklyn, New York, USA.
We offer our students professional instruction on how to perform karaoke better. They sign up for a Lifetime Membership which includes: Singing Lessons - Performance Evaluations - Access to Largest Karaoke Social Network - and Equipment.
Karaoke jockeys are the singing instructors in our school. They will meet privately with each student for 1 hour lessons. During these lessons the instructor is to follow a company directed curriculum and instruct the student on how to sing better.

For the most part this is not like formal lessons where just perfecting the use of the voice in concentrated on. In our lessons the student is also learning how to perform karaoke better. The instructor is to help the student learn and practice a different karaoke song at each lesson. By the time a student finishes their lessons they’ll have a full array of songs ready to confidently sing when they perform karaoke.

The students will have already received their enrollment packages by their first lesson. In their package, in addition to receiving a karaoke machine and songs, they also receive a DVD and handbook that is to teach them some of the more basic information about how to properly sing. The tuition for this is $789 which is reimbursed if they complete their singing lesson contract.

They can contract for 25, 50 or 100 lessons. Lessons are $150 per lesson hour. Students pay for their following month’s lessons in the preceding month so when you give a lesson you can be sure they have already paid. These payments are made directly to us and 1/2 of the money is sent to you after the lesson is given. (A 25 lesson program, for example, comes to $3750. Your share is $1850 if it was your promotional efforts that brought them to us and you give the lessons. You receive 1/3 of the $1850 if you don't give the lessons.)

The intent is to get 15 students for you each week. You can accept more or less. Any additional students you generate that you can’t personally teach because of time constraints or otherwise will be assigned to singing instructors that are part of us but are not conducting karaoke shows for us.

After the student has paid their tuition, you need to arrange a lesson schedule with them. This will include determining where to hold the lesson with the student. This may be your location or their location. It is your responsibility to be responsible. Meaning be professional and try to give the best lesson you can. Most students you will see once a month (25 lesson program).




The karaoke hosting program works like this. When you are doing karaoke shows, you are to promote us. This is done by wearing our shirts, using songbooks with our company Logo sticker attached to the cover, and handing out our business cards. The karaoke hosting items can be purchased from the following sources:

Zazzle.com Vista Print Vista Print [*Note: To purchase shirts click the zazzle.com link. To purchase stickers (Identification #: xxxxxxxxxxx) and business cards (Identification #: xxxxxxxxxxx) call Vista Print at 1-866-614-8002 and give them Account #: XXXX. (If you use computer and mobile for your songbooks then copy and paste our Logo or type “xxxxxxxxxxx” into footer or header of each page.)]

To get started you simply need to purchase the necessary items. After purchasing a few shirts and the songbook stickers and the business cards you need, and returned the enclosed contract, you may start immediately. All you have to do is put the shirt on and use the songbooks at your currently booked shows. The students that call as a result of your show and promotional efforts will be assigned to you to teach.

You may also utilize our promotional hosting program to do more shows. In our marketing to bars we state that we may be able to provide a free karaoke jockey for the evening if they'll let us conduct a "Karaoke School Night" in their establishment.

A bar is only allowed to do this once for free. If they wish for you to come back in the future (and you wish to do so), it is your decision on what to charge them next time. My suggestion is that you offer your services for less than normal (maybe even half) because your income is also based on promoting us.

By offering to do a free show you'll be able to get into a lot more establishments that you couldn't get into before. But it's your choice on whether you want to follow our suggestions.

Bars that call us and want a free karaoke jockey because of our marketing to them will be told to contact you. If you don’t want to do it for free then at least offer to do it at wholesale prices. Whatever the bar pays is yours to keep.

As you can see those that are karaoke jockeys have the most to gain from our success. This is an excellent way to supplement your income. Karaoke is a $10 billion a year industry and Karaoke School is about to take its share. You’re more than welcome to join us.

Qualification: Must currently have karaoke equipment and karaoke songs. Please fill out, sign and date enclosed contract and send to xxxxxx
Richard Brown

Karaoke School





INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT
SINGING INSTRUCTOR
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into this day of ____________, 20___ , by and between Karaoke School , with offices at xxxxxxxxxxx in the City of xxxx, and the State of xxxx, hereinafter referred to as the "Company", and ________________________________, whose address is_____________________________ , in the City of ________________ , and the State of __________ , _________, hereinafter referred to as the "Singing Instructor". Reference #: ______________
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

1. The Company shall retain the Singing Instructor and the Singing Instructor shall assist the Company upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

2. Term. The term of this Agreement shall continue until terminated by either party as set out hereinafter. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, with or without cause, by either party upon thirty (30) days written notice.

3. Duties of Singing Instructor. During the period of this Agreement, the Singing Instructor shall have the full and complete obligation and responsibility for the performance of the duties and/or work of a singing instructor to Karaoke School students and the Singing Instructor shall be obligated to the Company for the performance of all such duties and/or work. The duties include conducting singing lessons with the students on a scheduled basis. The Singing Instructor is to meet privately with each student for 1 hour lessons. During these lessons the Singing Instructor is to follow a Company directed curriculum and instruct the student on how to sing better. For the most part this is not like formal lessons where just perfecting the use of the voice in concentrated on. In our lessons the student is also learning how to perform karaoke better. The Singing Instructor is to help the student learn and practice a different karaoke song at each lesson. By the time a student finishes their lessons they’ll have a full array of songs ready to confidently sing when they perform karaoke. Within the limitations herein provided, the Singing Instructor will render such services of an advisory nature as may be requested from time to time by the Company.

4. Time Requirements. The Singing Instructor shall devote, during the term of this Agreement, such of his time, energy, and skill as is necessary in the performance of his duties hereunder and shall periodically, or at any time, upon the request of the Company, submit data as to the time requirements of work performed and to be performed by him for the Company in connection with this Agreement.

5. Fees to Singing Instructor. The Company shall pay the Singing Instructor on a "per lesson" basis for services in connection with this Agreement, the exact amount received for each lesson is half (1/2) the amount collected by the Company from the student. (Note: It is only a third 1/3 of that if the Singing Instructor does not actually give the lesson but only procures them for the Company and another Singing Instructor does the actual lessons.)

6. Relation of the Parties. The Singing Instructor is retained by the Company only for the purposes and to the extent set forth in this Agreement and the Singing Instructor's relationship to the Company shall, during the term of this Agreement, be that of an Independent Contractor. The Company shall not withhold, from sums becoming payable to the Singing Instructor hereunder, any amounts for State or Federal Income Tax, or for FICA (Social Security) Taxes, during the term of this Agreement. The Singing Instructor shall be free to dispose of such portions of his entire time, energy and skill as he is not obligated to devote hereunder to the Company in such manner as he deems advisable. The Singing Instructor shall not be considered as having an employee status or as being entitled to participate in any plans, arrangements or distributions by the Company pertaining to or in connection with any pension, stock, bonus, profit sharing or other benefit extended to the Company's employees.

7. Professional Responsibility. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to interfere with or otherwise affect the rendering of services by the Singing Instructor in accordance with his independent and professional judgment. The Singing Instructor shall perform his services substantially in accordance with generally accepted practices and principles of his trade. This Agreement shall be subject to the rules and regulations of any and all organizations and associations to which the Singing Instructor may from time to time belong and to the laws and regulations governing the practice of the Singing Instructor's trade in their State/Country.

8. Confidentiality Requirements. The Singing Instructor will maintain confidentiality and will not disclose, use or publish any information relating to the Company except in circumstances where prior written consent has been obtained from the Company to allow such disclosure, use or publishing. Information will include but not be limited to materials concerned with: trade secrets, pricing, commercial contracts, financial models, methods and data, key controls, technical data, product specific information, computer software, documentation and specification and any information concerned with the valuation or trading of any share or security.

9. Indemnity. The Company indemnifies the Singing Instructor against any loss or liability which the Singing Instructor may sustain by reason of any contract entered into by the Company with any principal, but this indemnity shall not extend to any loss which the Singing Instructor may incur by reason of the work performed by the Singing Instructor hereunder if any act or omission of the Singing Instructor, employees or subcontractors of the Singing Instructor is found to be negligent or unlawful. In such events the Singing Instructor will indemnify the Company, together with its officers, agents, subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates and employees, and hold them harmless from any damage, loss, expense or liability arising from all work and activities undertaken by the Singing Instructor in connection with this Agreement but not according to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Singing Instructor will, at its sole expense, defend any law suits or other actions brought against the Company, its officers, subcontractors, agents, subsidiaries, associate companies, affiliates or employees, on account of any said act or omission, and will pay all expenses and settle any and all judgments which may be rendered against them.

10. Notice. Any notice required to be given hereunder shall be deemed given on the third (3rd) business day following mailing of any such notice, postage paid, to the address set out herein above.

11. Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of XXX, USA.

12. Income Tax Designation. In the event that the Internal Revenue Service should determine that the Singing Instructor is, according to I.R.S. guidelines, an employee subject to withholding and social security contributions, the Singing Instructor shall acknowledge, as the Singing Instructor acknowledges herein, that all payments to the Singing Instructor are gross payments, and the Singing Instructor is responsible for all income taxes and social security payments thereon.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.

"COMPANY – KARAOKE SCHOOL"

______________________________

"SINGING INSTRUCTOR"

______________________________

I've never heard of them before. Who's heard of this?


Gee whiz... with all the Karaoke that's around, I didn't know that there were people willing to spend $3750 (let alone have that kind of money) just to learn how to sing Karaoke. At $150 per hour per lesson (based on the minimum package of 25 lessons), it's cheaper for you to find yourself a good Vocal Instructor.

And how many people do you know of in your area that are willing to throw out that kind of money on this??????

Footnote: I removed all references to contact names and phone numbers, so as not to offer free advertising here.

Sounds like a joke to me. Most of the kj's I know don't have the patience or know how to teach someone how to sing.
I don't know of a single person that would want to (or let alone could if they did want to) spend that kind of money to 'learn to sing karaoke'.

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

Sounds like somebody's serious to me... Probably a Scammer at that!!!



I absolutely agree!!!



Me neither.... But I just had to share this.

Gee when I saw Karaoke School I thought it meant they were doing to teach you about speakers, mixing, legalities, and other technical information, along with how to host, different methods, personas, etc, to be entertaining. I guess the owners of this "school" are descendents of P.T. Barnum.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

Wow! I'm in the wrong business. With that kind of money, I'd like to sign up - as an instructor

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To be fortunate enough to derive an income from a source as fulfilling as karaoke music has got to be as close to heaven as we can get here on earth!

Seriously. Ever watch an informercial? This is the same concept. Hoping to catch people that don't have a clue and get their "light bulb" to come on. They know most will catch on at some point but be too lazy to get their money back. Interesting though, wonder what Chip would say?

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

If I could teach people to sing, there have been a boatload of them that have stood beside me on the stage that I would have loved to help....

Hey, money for nothing and your chicks for free...

I've helped many singers for free. Guess I should have charged them $150 for the hour they sung......

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

hey now....i missed the part about the chicks.....

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Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens

Well.....

I took a chance and signed up....

-Chris

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-Chris

Your singing will improve greatly, I am sure!

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

I got the same email some time ago.

Like the Nigerian scams, it only takes one or two suckers and PT Barnum keeps making money.

I have this bridge for sale.......

LMFAOAPMP!!!!

Can't stop shaking my head! *the room's startin to spin*

OMG!! $175 for an hour singing lesson... from a KJ?? Once a month?? And they are supposed to learn one song per month with just the one lesson? *dammmnit my head started spinning again*

A professional vocal instructor couldn't teach someone to sing in one lesson per month... and expect them to learn a new song every month.

But ppl are stupid.. (ok, not all) but I'd really be curious to know how many fall for this big B S!

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SoundChoice Certification coming soon!

I've been telling my boss... who IS a professional vocal instructor... to raise his rates! He isn't charging near enough!

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SoundChoice Certification coming soon!

I have to admit as I was reading it I started thinking, what songs would I have them learn?

New York New York, yes
My Way, no "Sorry, My Way is not available in karaoke"
Turn the Page, yes
Devil Went Down to Georgia, yes
Please Release Me, no
Black Horse & the Cherry Tree, No
Boogie Shoes, yes
...

Lost me from the get-go; I would NEVER wear a T-shirt while hosting a show....

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

" Disc based and loving it..."