Why Do You Host Karaoke For A Living

madjim- with the Lord · #1 June 12th, 2008, 05:02 PM

I entertained professionaly for years sitting on a stool, playing an acoutic guitar ansd singing until I started loosing rooms to karaoke. I added it to my show and it took off. I tried to start some bands but made more money as a single.

Jim

Lonman · #2 June 12th, 2008, 05:15 PM

Simply put, made more money at karaoke than doing any band/soloist & running sound for bands.

madjim- with the Lord · #3 June 12th, 2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lonman

Simply put, made more money at karaoke than doing any band/soloist & running sound for bands.

Dito

Jim

swany · #4 June 12th, 2008, 06:52 PM

The wife hosted for another company for a long time. When her and I got together I was going to work another eight years and retire. I started buying equiptment for one show to make some extra cash doing KJ and DJ weddings. Friend that was in the business decided to retire, called and asked if I would give him $8,000 for his show from the trailer hitch to tailgate. This included 10,000 songs on cdg disks. Enough equiptment to run two shows plus the one I had built. I bought that and started a KJ show the night I bought it. That was seven years ago. Five years later I had to retire as I was doing more work than necessary. That plus my company offered me $35,000 plus a pension and benifits if I would retire then. So I've been full time for two years now. I just finished building my fifth show.

marklwood · #5 June 12th, 2008, 08:00 PM

Am I the only idiot that owns the place?

bryant · #6 June 12th, 2008, 10:44 PM

Played in a band about 15 years ago, band broke up, we split equipment, I started DJ'ing that weekend, got into karaoke about 10 years after that, everything took off from there. Met G/F who was very adept at electronic stuff, starting hosting with me within a year after we met,
Things got even better.

I have a good day job as well, and so does she. I will retire in 4 years because I can afford to.

CerealKiller · #7 June 13th, 2008, 08:24 PM

I Too played guitar in bands until I got so hungry I needed a real job.
Then I became a karaoke junkie and was at the right place when another kj went to the hospital, so I took over and haven't looked back since.

capnvic · #8 June 17th, 2008, 04:57 PM

Same thing, Bands seem to have booking issues, bass guitarist falls out of favor, lead guitarist sucks, so make him a rhythm guitarist, but nothing works. Tried the live mike show to no avail. (I was the rhythm guitarist) So I picked up Karaoke as a KJ at an Karaoke bar. Did that stint for five years, but the pay was lousy, so there I was doing my own karaoke show, at first with a partner, then later solo...Still play lousy guitar, but I can run a good karaoke show...

Monolithent · #9 June 18th, 2008, 12:19 AM

I didn't start out in any other music profession. Never been in a band. Knew my way around sound equipment from when I was in high school.

Just went to a karaoke night a long time ago. Realized I could carry a tune. Started working with another KJ and wound up working on my own when I got sent to New Jersey. I already had enough gear and music to start my own company so I did.

I just kept doing it because I like entertaining people.

madjim- with the Lord · #10 June 18th, 2008, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marklwood

Am I the only idiot that owns the place?

Your the kind of idiot that I love, you guys (club owners) hire me and I get to pay my bills. By providing karaoke, you save money for sure. Hard to call someone who saves money an idiot.

Thanks for being a part of the poll.

Jim

bryant · #11 June 18th, 2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monolithent

I didn't start out in any other music profession. Never been in a band. Knew my way around sound equipment from when I was in high school.

Just went to a karaoke night a long time ago. Realized I could carry a tune. Started working with another KJ and wound up working on my own when I got sent to New Jersey. I already had enough gear and music to start my own company so I did.

I just kept doing it because I like entertaining people.

Can you carry a tune now?
I still can't, and I am always amazed by those
that breeze through notes just like the record.

bobcox- with the Lord · #12 June 18th, 2008, 04:51 PM

I was an Ironworker for 38yrs, and when i retired my girlfriend made me do it.
thought i was going to go fishin, Ha
gives me something to do, and the money is great.

capnvic · #13 June 18th, 2008, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobcox

I was an Ironworker for 38yrs, and when i retired my girlfriend made me do it.
thought i was going to go fishin, Ha
gives me something to do, and the money is great.

It's amazing to see the number of retirees that have adopted Karaoke and Hoster as their means of Hosting Karaoke. More power to all of you....Still have to keep my day job. (Computer Geek)

CerealKiller · #14 June 19th, 2008, 08:38 PM

When all else fails become a kj

It really only takes 3 things, a good ear, money, and more money

WDEWDAD7 · #15 June 19th, 2008, 09:27 PM

I too was a professioanl musician/singer. Played guitar and sang. Got tired of the road, tired of " bad " club owners, lazy musicians. Worked harder for less and less money. Took a day job, played in a band weekends, and started doing karaoke during the week. Sure caught the flak from my " fellow " musicians......taking their jobs, you know. I just saw the writing on the wall. Glad I did. I am responsible for myself, and I love music. Do miss playing with a live band now and again. Daryl.

Monolithent · #16 June 20th, 2008, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Can you carry a tune now?
I still can't, and I am always amazed by those
that breeze through notes just like the record.

I like to think I can still carry a tune but I am not the ultimate judge of that. I manage to sneak a little one man band work now and again so I guess I can't be too bad

You ever get your audio outputs working right? I've got another long drive to look forward to tomorrow night if you wanna gimme a call. Should be on the road well into Sunday.

bryant · #17 June 21st, 2008, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monolithent

You ever get your audio outputs working right? I've got another long drive to look forward to tomorrow night if you wanna gimme a call. Should be on the road well into Sunday.

Naw, I'm gonna have to call you.

bryant · #18 June 23rd, 2008, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monolithent

I like to think I can still carry a tune but I am not the ultimate judge of that. I manage to sneak a little one man band work now and again so I guess I can't be too bad

You ever get your audio outputs working right? I've got another long drive to look forward to tomorrow night if you wanna gimme a call. Should be on the road well into Sunday.

Who do I ask for when I call?

Monolithent · #19 June 24th, 2008, 08:36 PM

Ask for Jon.

I'm in South Carolina right now and you will probably have to leave a message. I will call when I get a break.

billyo · #20 June 25th, 2008, 07:23 AM

i too was in a 5 men band for a while, all the equipments are mine and still have to split our pay 5 ways, i went to see a friend who does karaoke this was before the cdg's came out ( we used to use cassette tapes ). and i decided i could do it and i don't have to split my pay with anyone.

View Poll Results: Why Do You Host Karaoke For A Living?
It's The Funnest Job In The World	6	17.65%
I'm A Pro Musician Turned Karaoke Host	9	26.47%
It's Better Than A Day Job	9	26.47%
I Can't Do Anything Else	1	2.94%
I Like The Drunks.	4	11.76%
Because I Can	10	29.41%
It's A Family Business	4	11.76%
I Own A Night Club	2	5.88%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 34. You may not vote on this poll

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