rate of pay around the country.

[alanross]

bryant,
Your specifics are exactly why it's almost impossible to compare rates around the country. Not only is every area unique, but each situation is unique.

My comments are always meant to be taken in the general sense. You obviously have a good relationship with this club owner and you are the only one who knows best if what he is offering is acceptable. You know the area and what the area will support, you know the competition and you seem to have a good grasp of the flow of human traffic through the bars in the different seasons. This is the crucial information that I recommend everyone investigates in their area and specific venues before haggling over price.

It would be wrong for me to give you my opinion of whether this fellow's offer is acceptable. You are the person who is there. You are the one interacting with him and you can "read" him far better than I. Go with your gut and you will be fine.

- Alan

[bryant]

Thanks Kilith and Alan. Really appreciate the input given here.

Kilith' The other DJ has a jvc triple deck with two lousy speakers, and two cheap mics, 200 songs, I got 9400, and blah, blah, blah. My equipment is superior all around, sound, show-running, and it is well known.

I do think he is being cheap. You're right there. I mean why quibble over 25 bucks for 8 weeks. Simply because he wants the money in his pocket. I know that. Do I lose out on 200 dollars to get what I ask later for as long as I want. Or delete 150 dollars a week forever instead?

Her's what I think I'm gonna do.

I think I'll ask for 350 now and accept it later if he absolutely refuses, only because it is a very nice place to play and I get a lot of publicity from a very respectable clientelle. Then, turn it all away in August, when I begin to teach again. My overall feeling is that he'll drop Mondays, and that's when I ask for a total of 150 per night for both Sun and Tue = 300. He may not agree then, but THAT will BE my final offer at that time.

Most KJ's around here pick up a used JVC triple deck, someones old 2000 song collection, and two wired 19 dollar mics at radio shack and still pack a place, it's really weird.

I'm gonna try to get a Thursday gig this Summer too, and see if I can operate at 7 days a week this summer (just to say I did it).

On another note, My g/f's parents who like the idea of getting her involved, is going to get her the entire Legends series collection for her Birthday coming up.

So you see, Kilith, I sorta have a plan B here.

Please comment.

[bryant]

sorry, 200 = 2000 songs for other DJ.

[Lonman]

Originally Posted by bryant

Most KJ's around here pick up a used JVC triple deck, someones old 2000 song collection, and two wired 19 dollar mics at radio shack and still pack a place, it's really weird.

I believed you mentioned it's more of a college crowd? This would be the main reason. These kids don't really care about good or bad karaoke (most wouldn't know good FROM bad), the club probably has decent drinks & close to the school (or so far off in the midst of nowhere) & it's probably loud?. I have watched some terrible shows/hosts in really good clubs (generally college age groups) - always packed, but crappy equipment & hosting skills.