That's pretty much how it is here in NOVA. Get this, the owner of the Pizzeria that I do two shows a month, advertises my show as "Country Karaoke" Since the majority of my crowd does everything from Classic country to The Cosmo Pop Country. Need an avatar with a Cowboy hat! LOL

Russ, you're absolutely correct on people whom charge less and are cut-throat. They do make it harder for everyone else. The biggest issue is that they may "think" they're getting a better start this way... but when they realize the additional monies that are needed to invest to KEEP up with the business then it's too late to ask for more.

rate of pay less than 200
 

When Considering How Much To Charge You Need To Consider The Night Of The Week And Where You Are Playing, If You Are Playing In A Big Town That You Know The Bars Are Always Busy And Can Support It Yes 200 Plus Is Great, But In A Little Community In The Middle Of The Week Or Even On The Weekends It's Hard To Get That, I Do Charge 200 Or More When I Have To Drive More Than 1/2 Hour Away. But At The Same Time, In The Small Community Where I Live Charging 175 Is Fair And When They Have A Good Night They Give Extra, But If It's A Slow Night You Still Get The 175..i Don't Believe It's Undercutting At 175 If That Is The Average Of What The Others Are Charging. There Is One Kj Who Is Going Around Charging Nothing Because She Says She Doesn't Need The Money... Now That Isn't Fair And There Is Nothing That Can Be Done About It, I Say You Get What You Pay For.........

Rate Of Pay
 

The theory that everyone should charge the same price and those who charge less is hurting the rest of us is pure myth. Not everyone is worth the same. Some invest very little in their show, for varying reasons. Some can't afford it, some don't care. If anyone thinks someone who is just starting out can get what a well know performer gets, i certainly would like to know how. Many very good kj's start out making less just to get their foot in the door. The ones who just want a little money isn't going to be around very long anyway, so why concern yourself. Do You Show, forget what the other guy gets.
If you do your show and do it well, you can charge the bigger fee and get it. I personally don't care what someone else is getting. I have been playing quite a few years and i have found the system weeds itself of the ones who can't cut it.
muzicman

I couldnt have said it better
 

Not only that railmom but they are undermining those of us who have BEEN AT THIS FOR YRS. 16 to be exact and they keep cutting each others throats and ours every time they do it. bands cost 500 and up a night a good kj/dj should have a library that NO band could dream of, ergo no band can match, so getting 200 a night is not that much. And it hurts me when someone comes into my area and starts out at 75 $#!@^* dollars a night and my bar says well I can get this new guy ALOT cheaper, even though the new guy /girl doesnt have what I got much less better. but if your smart enought o find the going rate in an area then that is what you ask for. And your reading this and you think you cant then upgrade your karaoke or get a different JOB.
thank for for posting railmom

Jlee, I agree that where you're at and what day has a good part of the price. You will find ONE KJ in Aberdeen South Dakota (land of 27K people) that charges over 150 any given night.... but then again, he's the ONLY KJ that comes to Aberdeen, and he comes from afar. But, he's well worth his weight.

In Galesburg, IL, however, the average KJ charges about 150-200 (land of 36K people), and there's a couple that started out there about 3 years ago, that charge WAY less, litterally stealing customers from another KJ that she used to work for!! But, again, you do get what you pay for.

Small village in Alberta.
 

I run a Karaoke in the local bar every other week with the son of the owner working the opposite week, this village only as a population of 350. I use their equipment it's already set up and I get $100 plus the drinks for my wife and I all night, I only have a few beers at the end of the show, but my wife makes up for it, so you could say that I get about $130 / night.

I also have my own equipment and when I do a private show I charge between $250 - $350 depending on the amount of people.

I do it because I enjoy seeing people having a good time, and no matter what the level of singer they are I always try to make they feel like a star, after all it take a lot of gut's for some people to get up in front of a crowd of people and belt out a song. I call my company Funtime Karaoke because thats what it's all about.:)

That's sounds like a decent deal, and very similar to how it goes around here.

Not every show I do is always the same, I may get 175-200 for a straight Karaoke show, but if I am doing a wedding or a private party my rates are 350-550 for one show.

Usually, the Legion Posts and the VFW's I work have a straight 175-200 fee, no exceptions, however I am allowed to put out the tip jar and I will generate another 50-100 bucks on top of the 175-200, so it comes out in the wash. At least for me it does.http://forum.mtu.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

My wife does weekly vfw, keeps the equip. there, 4 hour show, gets free glasses of wine (3), they pay 150, gonna ask for 180 soon though.

Weddings we try to get 400 -600 but private parties around 300.