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Summertime woes
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Author:  mrscott [ Sat Aug 30, 2014 7:52 am ]
Post subject:  Summertime woes
Hi all,, I don't get on here much anymore,, but stopping now to drop a note (pun intended) about karaoke life here in the Inter-mountain West...

Ever since the economic decline back in 2008, things have not returned to normal in the bar life here. I cannot remember a summer that was so incredibly quiet when it comes to bar attendance and karaoke involvement. Normally summers here are typically slower than they are during the colder months. People are out camping, picnicking, bbqing,, vacations,,etc for summertime activities. Another blow to the bar business is the backyard and home parties which I see and hear of very frequently. I am in the opinion that bar life in general around these parts is critically in danger of ending,, which would make many church members happy indeed. But I say it will be a loss that will be felt for eons.

I have come to a final decision that if this winter does not come back "strong", then I will be hanging up my microphone for good come next Easter (typically the beginning of the slow months for bars). I will get back my life again. I will be spending time with grand babies and time at the lake,,, which is something that I really do not do enough of. I will be turning and walking away from the karaoke world and not looking back. Fourteen years of giving to someone else is far more than I had planned in the first place. So,, get ready "life", I am coming!!!

I have 3 entire sets of sound gear, cargo trailer, and a whole lot of extra stuff that will be no longer in use. I will probably keep the one small set to put together a little system for my "man-cave" and keeping all the music too. I can't wait for that day to come :D
Author:  Earl [ Sat Aug 30, 2014 11:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Summertime woes
It's strange how geography plays a big part in karaoke attendance... or perhaps it's a geo-political thing. At any rate, our shows here in southwestern Ontario have never been busier... and from what I've been told, other KJs in the area are having banner years as well.

Every once in a while, I get the "itch" to retire as well, but I just hit the couch for a "grandpa nap" till the mood passes.

Hopefully conditions will turn around for you... Good Luck in whatever you choose.
Author:  mckyj57 [ Sat Aug 30, 2014 12:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Summertime woes
Canada's economy is doing a lot better than most of the U.S.
Author:  michaeldiapers [ Sat Aug 30, 2014 1:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Summertime woes
I think it's wise to keep one setup mrscott. If you ever get the itch again, or someone wants karaoke for a private party, you'll be ready. Good luck!
Author:  chrisavis [ Sat Aug 30, 2014 6:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Summertime woes
A lot of things about karaoke are geographical. Customers bringing in discs or not, lawsuits, pay scales, how busy, preference for particular brands and more. I just picked up two more venues and now have to buy more gear and more music.
Author:  mrmarog [ Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Summertime woes
With Florida having surpassed New York in population (we are number 3 now behind CA. and TX.) things have never been busier here too. My gig is nearly at capacity now (100+ seating) and the snow birds aren't any where to be found yet! We have reservations for tables for every show and charge a 3 dollars cover charge during season (Thanksgiving to Easter). Life is good :)

My show goes from 7 to 10, but I start my show early if I get 15 people signed up to sing. So far my latest early start time has been 6:50, and most of the time it is 6:35.
Author:  rumbolt [ Mon Sep 01, 2014 5:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Summertime woes
mrscott wrote:
Hi all,, I don't get on here much anymore,, but stopping now to drop a note (pun intended) about karaoke life here in the Inter-mountain West...

Ever since the economic decline back in 2008, things have not returned to normal in the bar life here. I cannot remember a summer that was so incredibly quiet when it comes to bar attendance and karaoke involvement. Normally summers here are typically slower than they are during the colder months. People are out camping, picnicking, bbqing,, vacations,,etc for summertime activities. Another blow to the bar business is the backyard and home parties which I see and hear of very frequently. I am in the opinion that bar life in general around these parts is critically in danger of ending,, which would make many church members happy indeed. But I say it will be a loss that will be felt for eons.

I have come to a final decision that if this winter does not come back "strong", then I will be hanging up my microphone for good come next Easter (typically the beginning of the slow months for bars). I will get back my life again. I will be spending time with grand babies and time at the lake,,, which is something that I really do not do enough of. I will be turning and walking away from the karaoke world and not looking back. Fourteen years of giving to someone else is far more than I had planned in the first place. So,, get ready "life", I am coming!!!

I have 3 entire sets of sound gear, cargo trailer, and a whole lot of extra stuff that will be no longer in use. I will probably keep the one small set to put together a little system for my "man-cave" and keeping all the music too. I can't wait for that day to come :D


I think that in our market as summer comes to a close (and our slowest time of the year for the bar business), we have had a better summer than previous years in my main venue but several of the secondary venues the business pattern has been a bit slower in years past. Not really a rhyme or reason, however I do think that the summer we are having (not as hot and humid) is keeping more people outside and away.

If I were in your shoes, I would at the very least keep one complete system to fall back on. I am also putting myself into a position that will (hopefully) allow me to step away the for the month of January (because I seem to never take vacations during the rest of the year) and snowbird to somewhere in the Florida Keys. Fingers crossed :biggrinthumb:
Author:  mrscott [ Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Summertime woes
What I have for the 3 different set-ups are,, one that is a permanent set up,, one that is portable, but I leave it at one venue,, and my third one that is a small set up that I can put in my car if I ever had to do a wedding or the like... The system I would keep is the small portable one,, the rest is going to get sold,, trailer, racks, lighting,, extra gear.. ALL OF IT will be sold. The only reason I would keep the small set is to have something in my house and to drive my wife crazy.

Bar life and karaoke in my part of the country just doesn't seem to draw the crowds anymore. Good bar owners are almost extinct now, and people just seem to be doing more partying at home.. Plus the fact I want my own life back.. I don't need the extra money any more,, so it's time to me to get my own life back.
Author:  leopard lizard [ Mon Sep 01, 2014 11:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Summertime woes
You've been fighting this one a long time, Mr. Scott. Hope your new incarnation brings you a little relaxation and fun.

Things took a bit of a hit out here, too. The drought caused some of the farms to curtail their operations which meant a lot of out of work people in an already depressed area. Summer may be the party season but there is a lot of competition from sports, outside events, fairs, festivals, free concerts, car rallies, etc. I actually had more nights booked in advance for Sept. and Oct. than I did in July. But the core of regulars have been rallying and pulling it out of the fire, knock on wood.

Enjoy your new freedom.
Author:  Alan B [ Tue Sep 09, 2014 5:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Summertime woes
Best wishes in whatever you decide to do, mr scott.
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