rate of pay around the country.

[TraxMasterDJRob]

I like what I'm reading. Seems to me most of us KJ's/ DJ's got the general idea of what's going on. I live in SW Michigan, and all of your stories have rung true. keep up the good communication, Merry Christmas

[pelletmon]

Hi yall,For the last 2 plus yeas,my wife and I have been doing something a little different. I've been a one man band type singer /musician in the Gulf Shores al. area for 16 years. I must be honest,I was never a big fan of karaoke.My thoughts have always been "if I need a plumming job done in my house i'll call a pro right? If i'm gonna be entertained, and pay top doller for booze,I want the same.Not to mention over the years I've watched the karaoke trend put quite a lot of my musician friends out of work.(not me ,I was lucky).I began to wonder about my musical future with the stage now more and more becoming a place of public domain.Then it struck me.What If I could find a way to Fuse karaoke with live instraments together. After talking to my wife Delaine about it, we took the plunge. I bought all the stuff(with the help of MTU,)the sound system I already had.The big question was did I have the musicial knowhow to be able to learn 20,000 plus songs at the speed of music and would the singers like the concept? What do I charge for this prototype? What do I call it? One thing I knew for sure,it would do really well of it would really BOMB.Not much room for in between.Anyway its done well.Not well enough to retire anytime soon but we make 200$ a night 4 nights a week, 4 hours pr night with an extra 50 bucks for a fith hour.free food and drinks,and we get to leave the equipment.Pluse I still get to play my instruments witch is my first love (besides my wife).The down side is a lot of set up and tear down.But man you should see their faces when they sing devil went down to go.and they look behind them to see their KJ playing the fiddle parts.And I never know what song I'll be playing next,or what instament i'll be playing it on.Talk about streching excersises! It has made me a better player though ,and forced me to learn some things I never would have otherwise.Anyway if any of yall would like to check out my page go to mudbugsclub.com Thanks for letting me rant.Billy P.S. If anyone knows of anyone els doing this sort of thing could you please let me know.

[WDEWDAD7]

There was a band that did live karaoke in Spokane, Washington at a Chinese restaraunt/bar. The band played along with the karaoke music. They were the house band on weekends, and did this on the weeknights. They did this for a few years. It was ok, I guess. The place was usually busy, but, no one I know went there for that reason.

[pelletmon]

Thanks for the reply.Can you remember how many piece band it was? Its just hard to imagine a guitar player,bass player ,drummer, etc.. being able to seemlessly jump in with those hundreds/thousands of karaoke type arrangements and still be able to complement the singer.If they are that good,they should be recording in Nashville, not giggin at a Chinese restaurant.

[SteveWalker]

Originally Posted by pelletmon

If they are that good,they should be recording in Nashville, not giggin at a Chinese restaurant.

Very true! I see lots of problems with this idea: First, you have to divide the money with 3-4 people. Does this gig pay $400-$500 a night? Second, the band needs to know thousands of songs played in different keys. And what about doing key changes?

[muzicman144]

I was doing shows (not karaoke) using cassettes, moved up to mini disc tracks, then to karaoke disc and Hoster. We have been successful at this for over ten years up and down the east coast. Depending on the venue, the pay scale can go from $250 to $1,000. I don't do karaoke although i think it is wonderful entertainment. I have just done it this way so long i see no need to do karaoke. Sometimes i use instruments, but it depends on the venue.The best thing is that it doesn't matter whether you do karaoke, shows using the karaoke tracks, there is always room for a first class show. The biggest concern i have, and all kj, etc., should have is the people getting into the business with sub-standard equip, very limited ability or knowledge that are willing to do it basically for free. Now i realize everyone is free to do and charge what they please, and truly, there is still room for everyone to play somewhere. As always, first class shows will always play the best venues at the best pay rate. I welcome any and all to play and charge the rate they can live with or get, and would be the last to shut the door on anyone.

[WDEWDAD7]

First, it was at a Chinese restaurant, and they were the house band. Having a sit down gig in a fairly large towns means a lot. Second, they weren't paying the karaoke person THAT much. Spokane was a town where you could get undercut real bad. I don't know for sure what the KJ was getting paid, but; you had to fight and scrap to get $75.00 a night(house equipment). I know there were some KJ's working for $45.00 and even $25.00 a night. I haven't lived there for about 6 years, I hope it has improved. Hence, the only people who win in a karaoke pay war is the club owner, if you want to call that winning. Sorry, I digress. Anyway, the live band/karaoke thing. It was a thre piece...bass, guitar and drums. It was unique. I prefer having GOOD sound equipment/system. You can still make the singer sound like they are backed by a good band. Being a musician/karaoke KJ.

[STE4funguy]

It just blows my mind that people are willing to work so cheap. As a company, I have overhead ie: TAXES, INSURANCE, ADVERTISING, RENT, ETC... Let alone the cost of equipment, music, gas, employee's. Even if you are a hobbiest and are not paying taxes, you should have insurance and vehicle expenses. $200 is the lowest price for a 4 hour show and thats only on weekdays and if they book weekly for an entire year! Just think of the time you spend buying your music, importing it into your system, printing books, and all the other little things it takes to do this. So if you are only charging $100 - $150 for a show you end up working for $3.50 an hour after expenses... You can make more as a greeter at WalMart!

Yes, Karaoke is fun and it is a good time type job, but as a professional, stop selling yourself short.

[gotrich]

150 -175 a week day and 200-225 a weekend is it. mot bars wont pay more than that. i wont work for less than that..and where I am from som of the bars only make 400-500 a night on the register so when you pay 150 and only bring in 400 thats not much left to re buy booze or order more food... lots of small corn filed towns..ecinomics plays a big part

[bryant]

Originally Posted by STE4funguy

It just blows my mind that people are willing to work so cheap. As a company, I have overhead ie: TAXES, INSURANCE, ADVERTISING, RENT, ETC... Let alone the cost of equipment, music, gas, employee's. Even if you are a hobbiest and are not paying taxes, you should have insurance and vehicle expenses. $200 is the lowest price for a 4 hour show and thats only on weekdays and if they book weekly for an entire year! Just think of the time you spend buying your music, importing it into your system, printing books, and all the other little things it takes to do this. So if you are only charging $100 - $150 for a show you end up working for $3.50 an hour after expenses... You can make more as a greeter at WalMart!

Yes, Karaoke is fun and it is a good time type job, but as a professional, stop selling yourself short.

Yes, BUT,if you are working in the same place and guaranteed a gig or two every week in the same place and can store your stuff there, or even use their stuff,
you may NOT be working that cheap at all.
I think most of use do charge a bit more for one-time engagements for those special functions( 300 - 500 dollars). If you average this in, yes, my average price along with the 150 guaranteed on tue and wed added in most likely comes to a 200-250 dollar show.
So it all depends how we are answering the poll question, and which type ogigs we are figuring in.
For example, I have a gig on Sun, and wed. that both pay 150. Now is that cheap in a poor depressed area such as Central Maine, maybe, maybe not. Please keep in mind both places are within a mile from my home, I don't play after 12:30 am, one place I use all their equipment, and the other, I leave my stuff there, I get all their extra functions, all my wedding gig recommendations from all their clientele.

NOW THAT IS WORTH IT, ANYONE DISAGREE.
Also, in central Maine you can rent an apartment for 250-350 dollars, and get car insurance for less than 300 dollars a year. Just a measure of the relative cost of living.

I don't work cheap as I also have a regular job that pays a lot more than this, as well. Consider me a hobbyist.

[alanross]

The economics of an area is a great point. It's all relative, but there is definitely a ceiling that I don't see busting through any time soon.

[mindonstrike]

Originally Posted by STE4funguy

It just blows my mind that people are willing to work so cheap. As a company, I have overhead ie: TAXES, INSURANCE, ADVERTISING, RENT, ETC... Let alone the cost of equipment, music, gas, employee's. Even if you are a hobbiest and are not paying taxes, you should have insurance and vehicle expenses. $200 is the lowest price for a 4 hour show and thats only on weekdays and if they book weekly for an entire year! Just think of the time you spend buying your music, importing it into your system, printing books, and all the other little things it takes to do this. So if you are only charging $100 - $150 for a show you end up working for $3.50 an hour after expenses... You can make more as a greeter at WalMart!

Yes, Karaoke is fun and it is a good time type job, but as a professional, stop selling yourself short.

In a free market you charge what the market will bare. Kudos to you if you live in an area that will pay $200+ a night, but around here if you refused to work for less than $200 you'd soon be hungry and homeless.

It's all about supply and demand, with the smoking ban here driving many bars out of business, there's a glut of karaoke people willing to work if I don't want to.

Sam

[gduns - with the Lord]

Playing Karaoke in Bars is a looser here. I started out doing that about 8 years ago, But I have progressed into doing private parties only.

the way I figure it, i can do 5 nights at a bar @175.00 per night or $875 a week,

or I could do 3 parties a week @$400.00 each for $1200.00

I prefer the 3 parties a week.

If you have a regular bar gig, you are booked, and cant do the parties. I started the parties in November, and as of Now I am booked through February. Doctors, Corporate parties, weddings, and anniversaries.

Referals are a wonderful thing.

[gotrich]

In my way of doing it I have 4 ststems. We do 5 bar gigs a week ( we love our job) then private parties are bookd from our bar gigs and parties we get from our bar gigs. Mybe int he future but the more shows the more I profit and the more I can get. I am working on being the biggest Karaoke comnay in NW indiana and will doo all the bars and all the private parties...so far so good

[bryant]

gotrich: What do they pay you for your regular "bar gigs" that you tend to on a weekly basis?

What do you ask for weddings, How about anniversay parties?

I'll report back to you from Central Maine as well.

[alanross]

As gduns said, private parties really are the best way to maximize profit, but if you live in a very remote area, there are only so many cousins to marry off...

[sleflar]

I started doing Karaoke Shows since 8 Track Tape. Started at $100.00 per night. Since then I now do only private functions at major venues in No California. Our DJ & Karaoke Services are $975.00 for the first 4 hours & $150.00 per hour for each additional hour or part of an hour.

[bryant]

Well, to say the least, you're the topdog when it comes to pay, no doubt.

At private functions I try to get 450 dollars at minor venues, 650 at major ones. Sometimes settle for less.

No money in Central maine, but remember, you can rent a full size house for 600 dollars a month here, too, and a very nice full family apartment for 450 dollars.

Most places gasoline is still less than two bucks.

At clubs, weekly gigs less than a mile from my home and using most of their house equip., I get 150 -250 now, which I don't think is too bad for 4 hours.

You been at it a long time, how many unduplicated songs do you have?

[muzicman144]

I Guess Slefar Has My Vote For The Best Of The Best. I'm Kinda Old And Remember 8 Tracks, But Seriously Can't Remember A Karaoke 8 Track Recording, But I Will Not Say It Didn't Happen. $975 For A Regular Show Of Karaoke Is Fantastic And I Congratulate You For Getting It. I Don't Do Karaoke, But Do A One Man Shows Up And Down The East Coast, And, With The Lite Show, Fog, Smoke, Etc. At Private And Public Shows, We Are Lucky To Do The Same, And It Is Repeat Business. Once Again, The Only Karaoke Show I Have Seen In About Ten Years Worth The $250 He Gets, And He Should Do Better, Is Alan Ross In Nags Head, N.c., And Believe Me, He Doesn't Know Who I Am. I Travel The East Coast From New York City To Miami, Fla Doing Shows, Don't Have A Dog In The Fight. This Is Just An Opinion, And Only Meant That Way. No Reflection On Anyone. For Alan Ross' Info, I Stopped In Nags Head, N.c., On The Way To Meet Billy Joe Royal, Who Has A Home In Cape Hatteras, To Do A Show, Saw Your Show A Second Time. Alan, You Have Karaoke Right, But You Should Be A One Man Show On The Road.

Muzicman144

Have Used Hoster 4-5 Years, Never Had Even One Of The Failures You All Write About, Always Updated To The Newest Versions, And Just Wonder What It Is That Makes The Program You All Use Cause Problems So Bad And I Never Have A Problem?

Ps If I Ever Get Out To Skefar's Neighborhood, Can We Exchange Phone #s So I Can Negotiate Some Of That $975 Per Job.

[bryant]

Out of curiosity, what seems to make Alan Rosses show a whole lot different than the others who may be simply call up singers one at a time like everyone else.

What else does he do?