Karaoke Forums

I have been KJing at this one bar for a year and a half now and for a brief time I DJ'd for them on another night. Djing went on for about 6 months but stopped after the owner didnt like the type of crowd he was getting. The bar got packed but he felt nervous about the crowd. I would play anything the bar wanted it didnt matter to me but got the sense he blamed me for the type of crowd he got due to the music being played. Well there hasnt been any Djing there for about 5 months but recently he has mentioned to staff that he is going back to that on Thursday nights. A manager there that works on Karaoke night (Tuesdays) has a friend that is a local personality on a radio station in our area. He would come up on occasion and help judge contest and hang out which was cool. But now the manager approached me and ask what would I think about letting this radio guy use my equipment and Dj on Thursdays. I've gotten to know this guy and he seems really cool and down to earth but I'm leary about the situation. When I stopped djing for this owner he specifically said that it had nothing to do with me he just wanted to try something else for a while but I feel if it wasnt me why wouldnt contract me and I pay him. The manager during Karaoke is good friends with this guy and I feel if I dont make this happen then it will come back on me and I will lose Tuesdays as well. The manager left it up to me and this guy to work out a deal but I feel uncomfortable with putting my dj system in there knowing he didnt want me in the first place. The manager said if we cant make it happen he'll look for some else to come in. The manager indicated that the owner just wanted a different face in there and that he felt because of his on air personality it would bring in people for his 80's & 90's dance night. Would you pass on this or work out an agreement and set aside your personal pride? Also there is no way I would go into this unless he signed agreement that he is responsible for the condition of the equipment. Thanks sorry for the long explaination

I believe the latin phrase for this is CARPE DINERO!  Suuurrrre you can bring in this other guy to DJ using my equipment, but you'll have to rent it for X dollars a week...wear and tear and all that you know.  And YOU will have to replace anything that gets damaged in the process.  Get it al in writing and enjoy!

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Spreading the karaoke gospel

I like what Big Mike said. If it really bothers you I'd say make the rent on the equipment exactly what he'd have to pay you to be there. Make it hurt his pocket book to be so insensitive.

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[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

i totally agree wit mike and babs.  rental agreement, and make the $$ amount count!  make it worth your while to have someone else using your stuff.  another angle you can take is that while this other dude is using your stuff, you can't go out and get another gig on that night.

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All work and no play make Homer something something

All good advice...........Especially the part that addresses the fact your equipment would be tied up....Make sure to state that very clearly when the guy chokes at your rental rates...his only option is to rent elsewhere or buy his own stuff.

From the sound of it, the owner seems to be honest in that he wants to offer a different face and attract a different crowd....He wants to offer variety and attract a more mature crowd it seems....Can't blame him there cause his job is to pack the place and do it with as little liability as possible....so don't take it personal.

It's also an opportunity to be a member of the audience and witness your equipment in action....Besides that, you get free pro radio DJ lessons and perhaps Make a friend in the entertainment business who may later assist you getting bigger and better gigs....and don't forget this: Radio DJ's have access to the very lastest music!.

The only drawback i see is the possibility of the radio guy abusing your equipment out of ignorance cause he isn't familar with the operation of live sound reinforcement gear....It's easy to blow a subwoofer or clip the mains, huh?...Radio DJ's never have to worry about stuff like that, they just crank the knobs and scream all they want.

Thanks for everyones response. I think I'll work out an agreement with him and hope it opens other opportunities

Agree, you should put a "Rental" aggreement in place for them to use your equipment.  They'd have to lay out money to have equipment there anyway.  Plus you want to be covered in writing in case something gets messed up.  It's business.

That said, I don't agree that you should "gouge" him.  He may get p*ssed and you may lose your Tuesday.   If its business, its business-- charge the going rate plus maybe a small mark-up so you at least work out a "fair" deal.  One other consideration on what you charge is that if you were to get another gig on that night-- would you be able to do so w/out your equipment?  

I would also work out a "meet" with the radio DJ to walk-thru use of YOUR equpiment.  He may or may not take offense (e.g. he's a DJ, you don't need to show how to use it) but approach as a friendly situation to let him know of any things he needs to look out for.  Plus that'll give you the opportunity to maybe build a business relationship--  networking is good.

At the very least, get an agreement that states basically " you break it you bought it" kinda deal.

This could get your foot in the door for some air time ( think weekend garveyard) if you're a good dj with a nice voice. Ya never know.

The part about not being able to use the eq that night is most definitely a consideration.

They always try to leverage you by saying " someone else". Just try to make it win-win as much as possible for ALL. If you're not comfortable negotiate. Put on your brass you know whats... and talk.

The Radio dj actually got replace and is currently on a part time basis with the radio station. He has come in on numerous occassions and has worked with me on contest we have had.  :yes:

yeah, i say charge them rental and put a "you break it, you buy it" clause in the rental agreement.

Radio DJ's don't tend to know how to DJ live very well..... they put that "radio guy" voice on and all they know to do is fire a cart, and hit the start button on the automation system.  A Program director picks all their music plays from the chart rotations.

I am new to this forum but this is what I would do.  I If you do consider going through with it consider all the cons but at the same time. there are some pros to it as well. But I would get a rental agreement and the "Break it Buy it" Attached. But I would make sure he knows what he is doing first maybe go to  his first couple shows Where he is doing all the work. And observe what he is doing. Live is always better in This situation.

I had a similar situation a few months back where a friend of mine wanted to use my second KJ set and go find his own karaoke night with my equipment. I wrote out the replacement value of each and had him sign a thing saying he'd replace anything that broke during his use. He found a night paying him $125 and I took $50 a night off the top. We had it worked out that after 6 months I would drop that to $35, but the guy only lasted about 1.5 months at the place, so it never got that far.

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C Mc
KJ, FL