Are KJ's Professional?

[muzicman144]

I can appreciate your reference to the illegals. I was not referring to them. I was speaking of the ones who want to attempt to become "professionals". I simply tried to imply that water seeks its own level so to speak.
Again, "professional" is simply a word that one would like to describe the level of his or her ability. My point is the results of one's performance increase the choice of pay and job choice for performing above the level of ordinary, irregardless of competition

muzicman144

[peppe]

I am reading all of your conversations with each other and am just blown away. at the same time your all making me thankful that my business is in Italy and not the states!! I can't believe the level of compitition stateside...is it really THAT bad?? it sounds almost cut throat. Its interesting or Ironic I should say, just last night My husband and I got a call from an old bar we used to KJ at. They want us back now every saturday night. The interesting thing is that the bar owner about 2 months ago thought he could save money and do Karaoke on his own, HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! Well, he found out that there is a level of professionalism that MAKES IT WORK!!! not just anyone can get up there and do it, and he said he was going to possibly shut down if we were'nt going to come back and start up karaoke for him again. this is really funny because this scenario falls right in where we all are talking. people should have a chance to see if they can do it. BUT, like I said in my previous reply..its important to watch and listen for awhile before you go out and KJ like a professional. Professionalism comes from personality and experience and passion for the music!!! its like a good wine or scotch the more time you give the better it tastes!

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by muzicman144

I can appreciate your reference to the illegals. I was not referring to them. I was speaking of the ones who want to attempt to become "professionals". I simply tried to imply that water seeks its own level so to speak.
Again, "professional" is simply a word that one would like to describe the level of his or her ability. My point is the results of one's performance increase the choice of pay and job choice for performing above the level of ordinary, irregardless of competition

muzicman144

Their ability does not necessarily increase the choice of pay or job choice - it is completely dependent on the surrounding job market & what clubs are willing to pay. If the surrounding companies of now days are only charging $50 & the bars are used to paying that, there is no way they are going to pay someone $150, 200 or more even if their equipment, selection & personality is that good. Around here a GOOD company might be able to 'squeeze' $125 per night, but that's rare. $100 is average now because the clubs won't pay higher anymore - why, they don't have to. The cheesy companies that don't know how to run a good show can still draw a crowd (usually younger screamer crowds that don't know what good karaoke is) & the bars don't care if their karaoke is top notch - if they are coming in with crap equipment why bother paying more for good stuff?
I have a pretty good following - been in business 15 years, 6 years ago bought a complete system to do more mobile shows, not crap - the PA was stuff we used for running bands as I already had (JBL SR speakers tops & subs), Crown & QSC PLX series amps, Mackie mixer plus many processors), I just needed to purcahase discs which I did. Mostly Sound Choice, Chartbuster, THM, PHM - had about 5,000 songs (non dup) & the best price I could get was $125 (normally charge $175). I did a club that went from $200 per night to over $1000 per night, they wanted cheaper karaoke - they found a company that charged $100, didn't hook into any of the bar tvs, sat up their equipment on stage, 1 blown speaker. They went from the $1000 to less than what they were making. They dropped this company 2 weeks afterward. They had the gall to call me to see if I wanted to work for $100 per night, I told them no - I would go back for a minimum $150. They dropped music altogether.
Mine is not the only story, again, I have watched some VERY good companies fall or move out of clubs altogether - these were some of the most professional companies that I knew. Every one of them were booted out of their clubs for non-professional, undercutting & yes illegal systems that charge $100 or less per night.

[bryant]

Wow, Lonnie, I know the feeling , too. Around here even the good ones sometimes charge 100 bucks. Some of these other good ones just don't care how much they make, I guess.

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by bryant

Wow, Lonnie, I know the feeling , too. Around here even the good ones sometimes charge 100 bucks. Some of these other good ones just don't care how much they make, I guess.

It's only because they HAVE to charge that much if they want to keep working. Most would rather pack it up & get out of karaoke altogether rather than submit themselves to working for such a cheap wage per night.

[bryant]

I see. What area of the country are you in, Lon?
Just curious?

[Lonman]

Tacoma/Seattle area Washington.

[peppe]

well said....why play if your not going to be paid for your experience or professionalism. its just about not worth it. here in italy we're making $200.00 a night on the base for the troops, outside the base on the economy about 120 euros which is about 150.00 dollars.

[kilith]

One bar that our system was running at for 12 years wanted to stop paying us in cash (because we were going to raise our prices to $200/night) and wanted to give us gas gift cards and for the local grocery store. Well since I moved 200 miles away that would not help me much since the gas station they were going to get the cards from also are not in the location I live in.

I dropped that place like a hot potato.