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how did you get your first gig?
https://mail.karaokescene.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8058		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  elgintow [ Sun Sep 24, 2006 3:24 am ]
Post subject:  how did you get your first gig?
free , low ball , free drinks , etc
Author:  knightshow [ Sun Sep 24, 2006 4:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: how did you get your first gig?
actually, my first one on my own (was with a partner for two years before that, so I had a good introduction into the business... and quickly found out what I liked about Dave's way of doing business, and what I hated about it) wasn't a lowball at all, but it was on a sunday. I did go lower than my rates were, but it was a smaller venue (used to be a pizza hut!), so knowing from the start how slow it would be for me, I did go with what the owner's suggested.

Never regretted it. And I had multiple gigs from other retailers happen as a result of that.
Author:  MorganLeFey [ Sun Sep 24, 2006 5:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: how did you get your first gig?
The local bar had its own kinda primitive karaoke setup. The resident kj was leaving the town and I was asked if I wanted to do it. The job was a life saver for me I was having all kinds of probs in my day job. I did friday and Sat nights at the bar and it brought some enjoyment back into my life and enabled me to cope with the weekly crap I was experiencing.
Its the only time I have been a kj. Met my husband shortly after and moved. From there I bought my own PA and my husband and I formed a singing duo first using midi file backing, then we started to use cdg. We have been gigging for ummm bout 7 years I guess. This year is really the best year we have experienced and Murphy's Law means it comes at a time when we both have full time day jobs and would prefer to go back to doing just the odd one or two gigs instead of every week.
Author:  Lonman [ Sun Sep 24, 2006 4:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: how did you get your first gig?
My first gig I got by someone overbooking & offering it to me.  It was a 1 night deal.  $350 - 4 hours on Valentines Day at a Dennys lounge.
Author:  Babs [ Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: how did you get your first gig?
Years ago I went to a bar to sing karaoke on a regular basis.
The KJ asked me to fill in for him. After he asked me for the
10th time he finally convinced me. About a year later I was on my own.
Author:  lyquiddye [ Mon Sep 25, 2006 7:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: how did you get your first gig?
My 1st DJ gig I was bartending and Djing at the same time because I was tired of bands playing the same cd inbetween sets. I did it for tips. Worked quite well I would make $200+ a night from song request, I asked for $5 a song.

Karaoke, I replaced my High School English teacher as he couldn't handle making it to work after being in a bar until 2am. The bar owner came to me, she overheard me talking to a friend in the bar that I was starting karaoke. I worked ther 2 years on Wednesday and Fridays
Author:  Guest [ Mon Sep 25, 2006 7:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: how did you get your first gig?
I helped a guy use my new equipment at a party he had booked.   I did it for very little money.  I wanted the experience.   Next gig came for a cheap price too.   Getting the feet wet.    I booked a towns Centennial party, through a guy from another person.    Paid big money.   He took a cut for getting me the gig.     I don't remember too much after that.   I can't remember being here now. LMAO
Author:  Guest [ Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: how did you get your first gig?
LMAO You need to get Babs to loosen the collar! :whistle:
Author:  Guest [ Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: how did you get your first gig?
She has really good taste in animals. :yes:  :hug:  LMAO
Author:  twansenne [ Tue Sep 26, 2006 12:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: how did you get your first gig?
Well, technically I didn't have a "first gig", I married into the business.  

But, after some trials and tribulations, and a lot of arguing (not with my wife).  The "original" SSKARAOKE split up, and the wife and I maintained the business.

THe first gig that the wife and I got, was by poiunding the pavment, and affering a discount on the first 2 gigs (1/2 price).  Now going on almost 3 years that gig still makes us money from it, plus from colleratal business from getting weddings, anniversarys, birthdays, from people that come to that gig.

$$$ lost from two 1/2 priced gigs... $300
$$$ made from that regular booked gig... $9,000
$$$ made from collaratal business... $5,000
Rubbing it in the noses of the "competion"....PRICELESS

Other than pounding the pavement in the "new beginning" (since I joid SSKARAOKE), we are now getting most of our gigs from word-of-mouth.
Author:  Babs [ Tue Sep 26, 2006 12:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: how did you get your first gig?
You married into the business - now that is priceless!  :hug:

If I may say so myself you picked the perfect spouse.
Author:  Chuck2 [ Tue Sep 26, 2006 1:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: how did you get your first gig?
I was a regular at the club. When the owner got his second system so he could run two shows he trained me on one of them.

Everyone there already knew me so it was a lot like usual except that I didn't drink until after the club closed.
Author:  TopherM [ Wed Sep 27, 2006 6:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: how did you get your first gig?
I sang in a band for a little under 2 years and owned most of my band's PA equipment. We broke up because my guitarist and bassist were laid off and basically deported back to Canada once their work visas expired.

I was at this karaoke bar where I went as a patron and heard that the karaoke chica there was leaving to take a gig for more money at a gay bar downtown. I BSed the owner and told him I had done karaoke before. He offered me $100 for the first 3 nights and would make a decision to keep me or not after that.

I had 6 days to come up with enough CDGs to run a show and pruint books. I already had a JVC 303 that I used for home use. I next-dayed a SGB, Backstage, SuperCore, and a few updated Chartbuster yearly compilation sets. My system was two Yamaha BR12s, a yamaha EMX500 mixing amp, 2 samson R21 mics, and the JVC 303 CDG player. I burned about 50 recognizable filler songs (mostly classic rock) onto an MP3 disc and played them on shuffle on a DVD player and just faded them in while the new singers were coming up.

I was shaking and nervous the entire time, but made it through. After three weeks the guy bumped me up to $125 plus a bar tab. I worked at that bar for 7 months then took an opening at the bar I am at now making $175 a night and have been there for 2 years now (an MASSIVELY upgraded my system along the way :) !!
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