rate of pay around the country.

[jleekaraoke]

in the area where i live there is only 3 kj's in the area... our rates average around $200 per show...I play 3 nights per week and yes I realize all that goes into a show, traveling etc. but that is seems to be the going rate.. This is how I make a living also, but I have found that when I have a good night at the bar.. the owner always gives me more at end of the night. The bar wants to make money and so do I, so it seems to average out quite nice.. I do charge more when there is an outside gig, or I have to travel at least an hour to a gig.. thanks for letting me share... I just bought the hostus program, so looking forward to using it soon, once i get all my cd's loaded. still trying to figure everything out... don't know how to change some of the cd's that came out unknown, but i guess i'll figure it out soon... God Bless to all my fello kj's

oh and by the way i also play in a small town area in wisconsin and i think charging anything over 250 is crazy even when you are worth it.. they know it and they will most generally pay ya extra at end of the night

[kilith]

Originally Posted by jleekaraoke

in the area where i live there is only 3 kj's in the area... our rates average around $200 per show...I play 3 nights per week and yes I realize all that goes into a show, traveling etc. but that is seems to be the going rate.. This is how I make a living also, but I have found that when I have a good night at the bar.. the owner always gives me more at end of the night. The bar wants to make money and so do I, so it seems to average out quite nice.. I do charge more when there is an outside gig, or I have to travel at least an hour to a gig.. thanks for letting me share... I just bought the hostus program, so looking forward to using it soon, once i get all my cd's loaded. still trying to figure everything out... don't know how to change some of the cd's that came out unknown, but i guess i'll figure it out soon... God Bless to all my fello kj's

oh and by the way i also play in a small town area in wisconsin and i think charging anything over 250 is crazy even when you are worth it.. they know it and they will most generally pay ya extra at end of the night

I travel over 400 miles to play there. Yeah I take milage off on taxes but 300 for what I travel plus free drinks they are getting a good deal :p Also not every owner if you are good or not will give you extra money at the end of the night. I have been doing this for 10+ years and only 1 bar out of 30 I have played in have given me extra but I also was only charging that bar 125 a night on Sundays and they always had packed crowds in that bar. The only nights I got a little extra was maybe Memorial day and Labor Day. I played there for well over 5 years. (not playing there anymore however because it is not worth the money anymore since I live 3hrs away from that bar now insted of 15 mins.)

[jleekaraoke]

yes i agree you need to have quality equipment, but being a kj requires more than sticking in a song and letting them sing.. there is showmanship, there's friendliness and reliability...and it's also running a fine line of being professional with a bunch of drunks... i've been a kj for 9 years.. just in the last year and 1/2 started adding a few dj tunes during the night... you're not just playing for the singers, you have to keep the "Whole" bar entertained and awake and involved.. so that's why these kj's are drawing in crowds... you also have to keep updated on all the songs people want to sing old and new.. when i'm ready to order new music i give everyone a heads up.. put out a pad of paper and they write down what they want me to get...every kj runs their show different and it's fantastic to see all the different styles of shows and equipment...i love it.. I don't feel i'm undercutting any other kj around because i feel my prices are fair to the area where I am playing.. i know in the bigger towns prices over 300 are perfect for them...but i have had some people come in and try to undercut me to the bar.. but because i know i have a good solid show and a huge following I never worry about it... I just do my best and the bar owners see that.,.. thanks for letting me vent

jackie lee karaoke

[bryant]

Good vent, Jackielee, I agree with you, and Kilith, too; finally, right, Kilith. I live in the area of "cheap" bartenders as well, never give any extra, even when I stay a little later because of a good crowd. I guess he just wants to keep the bread.

I have heard bar owners remarks before, such as, "Why should I pay this person 25 or 50 dollars more when the other person is gonna bring in approx. the same crowd.".

When there isn't that much to do in an area, no one wants to travel too far because of strict liquor laws anyway, ppl will go to the only place that's open and close by, regardless of who the Dj/kj is. I've heard ppl say, "Man, I hate that KJ at so and so's place, but they go and say "Bryant, you should be playing there". It doesn't matter, other guy charges less, and they still go.

Al-in-all, I've been kind of lucky I guess, I get 150 - 200 a night for regular weekday gigs and all four places are within a mile from my house, get free drinks and food, and either use most of their equip., or bring little of my own and leave it there. No set up, no travel, little wear-and-tear on my stuff.

All of my weddings come from these places by word of mouth, are also in the area of 5 miles from my home,
and I get 450 - 550 for these afternoon gigs. And I don't do it for a living.

But the credit all goes to MTU's "Hoster". This is how all these gigs just flew at me. I play 6 times a week now.

[bryant]

What I ended up doing is telling him that 350 should be started out instead of waiting for the 8 weeks. He agreed, and, as I expected, said "Business will slow down next fall and if we are up front with each other, you will understand that and be willing to accept 325 on those slow periods." I didn't comment on that part as I only plan to work this much through the summer anyway.

In essence, the intial thoughts and advice from Kilith and Alan was helpful, thanx.

In the fall, he will most likely put an ad in the paper or may ask me for suggestions as to who may be available. I know three others that have minimal equip., personality, and song selection, but still draw the same ole crowd that every one else does for 100 - 125 dollars.

He'll be happy, I'll get more sleep, and the world goes on.

[bryant]

Well, I finally gave my notice as I said I would at the above gig, now i am doing wed., fri. and sat., while my g/f DJ's Fri. and sat.

That's ok (I think) for part time as we both have fulltime jobs with kids all grown up.