Karaoke Forums

yes/no

Most used to be able to years ago - not so much today thanks to undercutters & pirates going in & doing shows for next to nothing.  Clubs get the impression that ALL shows can cost that little & don't pay the higher wages anymore - some will because they do realize the value & benefit, but many have had bad experiences in the past & won't pay higher wages.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Thanks LM,

So can folks do better renting themselves out for weddings/parties as opposed to clubs/bars?

Newbie, CL

Have you ever heard the saying, "Don't quit your day job"?

Depending on your local, your rig, and your ability, you might be able to make a living at it...And it also depends on what you consider "living".

I think most KJ's end up doing it for extra money and because it's fun, but they seek/keep a regular day job and many strive for an actual career.

Karaoke would have to pay me 100K/year before I could quit my day job...I'm used to health insurance, 401K and all the other nice things that go with it....My cuz is in the same boat...He only does KJ cause it's fun and grants him a tax write off each year....

I was lucky to have nuff sense when I was 18 to embark on a career in the Navy....It now pays me 20K/year retirement, and my day job pays just over 65K plus free health care and big 401K plan AND fat social security check someday....Now you know why karaoke is so much fun for me....It's fun cause I don't have to depend on it.....If you are young, neither should you....It would be a very bad choice.

One can get a higher wage for a private function mainly because it is a one time shot & most people hiring you usually expect a higher price so you can charge them more.  When I did private shows, my prices usually were a minimum $300 with an avg $500 per show.  Club work I won't touch a show for less than $150 anymore.  But club work is generally steady weekly work - when you can get it, market is flooded with the pirates & undercutters here.  The ones that just do it for fun also hurt the ones that try to make a living out of it as well.  When I started in '92 I WAS able to make a living out of it, $250 per show 7 nights per week, now it's hard pressed to find a club willing to pay my minimum.  I finally sold off my mobile systems & started a new business - coffe house & tanning.  Still run my main show, but if I ever lose that, i'm done - not worth it anymore!!!!!  
Karaoke prices should never have dropped to the point they are today, they should have raised a bit over the years....nope!

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

It depends on a few factors.  How many shows you do a week, if you do bar work, and what you charge.  Your style of living, do you want a big fancy home, flashy cars and clothes.  How much you reinvest in your show.  So the answer to the question is how you want to live and how much work you want to do to achieve it.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

If you live alone and don't have a need for too many toys...yes.  Otherwise no.  But it's lots of fun!

I would guess that depends on many factors... Cost of living in certain areas, quality of living one requires for their lifestyle, saturation of the market, demand for the product you are offering.   I think that for a 4 hour show @ 4 nights a week should net about $$500-600.00 in most areas.  Can ya live off that?  Most adults can't...especially if ya have a wife and kids.

I couldn't do it with karaoke. Karaoke is just an upsale to the DJ business.

As far as a DJ Yes.

I live very comfortable. There are things I hold back on but I can live, take 2 vactions a year, and buy a new car every 3 years. We plan to buy a house in the next year or so.

You have to see what the demand is in your area . Usually it makes a nice 2nd income. In my area Long Island NY.  it would be a struggle to live here If I had to depend solely on KJ pay.

can you make a living as a KJ?

I think "diversification" is the answer - You need to be more than JUST a kj .

DJ - Sound Engineer - Party Planner - Photographer

If I had to start over from scratch I would probably not try it.  Fortunantly I have and had a full time job when I got into KJing.  I had   the money to by top equipment  and all is paid for.  There is an on going cost to purchase music and put a little away for replacement equipment.  I could quit my full time job and go full time.  But I would be a fool to do so presently.  I'll be able to retire from my chief's position in 10 years if I choose too.

As many have said, there are a lot of (illegal) kj's out there.  they have caused the rate to drop.  I would say the average around here is $100 -$125 per 4 hours.  I won't do a bar for less than $200.00.  The sports bar I am at now; Im there Mon, Wed, & Sat.  $185 per night plus $50 if we go an hour over.  I've been there going on my 5th year.  This is the only place I work at.  I do private parties but they go from $300 - $500.

As someone else said, I think IF I were to start again I would also do DJ work to compliment it.  You can raise your price.  But you have to have good equipment, good selection and run a tight, fair honest show.

Kelly

One marriage, three systems and five guys working for me ago, there were some ten thousand dollar months. Now I'm down to $50,000 a year. D-I-V-O-R-C-E go figure.

Cheaper to Keep her   or if you can sit it out for 7 years theres another way:)

Each of my steady jobs is worth around $9,000 a year.  I have consistently made more money every year from karaoke than my full time union steel mill job.  That has been the last 13 years.  But I also lost a lot of sleep.  How many 9's will it take to feed you?  Don't forget you won't have health care.  We could be making a whole lot more if it weren't for the fly-by-night karaoke wannabes.  Years ago DJs made $3-400 per night on week nights.  WE have more invested than a DJ.  Our discs cost double.  Also they don't have to worry about clowns dropping their microphones.  I have 5 people that use to work for me or were related to me, through marriage that are now my direct competition.  That doesn't count the wannbes that have started with their Walmart systems in the last few years.   I have heard of a guy that does it in one of my old bars for dinner and drinks.  I just heard of another guy that will do a night for $25.  These jerks are kiling us.  The bar owners love 'em.   I know it's illegal to talk about standard rates for fear of being accused of price fixing, but we need to do something.  One person that was a regular at my shows went into business for $1200.  I have that much in two cordless microphones.  My dolly was $300.  It could haul his entire system in one load, with room to spare.  I know my show is worth at least $300 per night.  Trouble is if I asked that much I'd sit at home every night.  And the $25 guy would get rich.   There is one consolation, they play the places I don't want to play.  It keeps them tied up so I can get the better jobs.

I think I'd need about seven 9K jobs to keep up my present lifestyle...

Good thing I have a good real jobby job!!

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C Mc
KJ, FL