Karaoke Forums

well Lone we have...if we had not we would not still be in business. Florida has been one of the hardest hit states.Both the economy and the piracy have hit and caused the "perfect storm" that I mentioned. Our only other option would be to fold up shop and after so many years in a business that we spent so much time and money building that is not a viable option. Having been in the military didn't they also teach you not to give up ?

ok Lone Ranger let me see if I understand this you....
1.You think that what SC is doing is not working and think they should change tactics.
2.When those effected tell you it IS working you refuse to listen to them because it is not happening in your area.
3.As you stated in another thread you do not use a computer.
4. You think every host should pay a yearly fee and be able to use any karaoke song they get legally or illegally.(and do not see how this would end up with nobody creating new music...who would continue to work for free?)
Did I miss anything ?

What do they do in the military with those soldiers who want to be called soldiers yet don't want to carry their own pack? What if they are also stealing rations?

Maybe the new strategy is to eliminate the dead weight rather than just trying to march faster and faster while trying to carry two extra packs.

It is just that I have seen several hosts with computers, crash, and then there is no show. That works to my advantage because of back up systems, I have never had a show cancelled, knock on wood.

Those hosts are foolish for not having a backup plan. Proper backup systems and preparation has nothing to do with Disc vs Computer. Just as you have backup CD+G players (I hope), I have a backup laptop I carry to all gigs. If the KJ you saw was disc based and his players or amp crapped out, he would be in the same boat without a "Plan B".

Does this mean you carry extra amps, speakers, television, cables, stands etc?

Some choice be shields for the pirates, or be cheerleaders, and be shields for the manus. Like I have said before the pirates have done nothing to me and my business has never been better. This has been the case because I have carefully built up my business for many years. I do not fear others in the market, because I have developed my own specialty, much like a doctor that goes into a particular type of medicine. I don't really hate the pirates and I don't particularly like the manus. I don't want their turf wars spilling into my business activities. That is why I chose to stay neutral and support neither side.

Your answer here seems to be "it's all about me" yet your question was about the industry as a whole.


My take - you are right, it's not just one thing, it's not just pirates, the economy has taken a bite out of bar receipts. If you looked at a % of all businesses lost revenue due to the econony, I would bet that bars % of lost revenue is less than the average. I say this because in my experiences in life, those I have worked with over the years who go to the bars will cut out other luxuries before they cut out their bar activity.

All of your posts seem to have a common theme. Karaoke manus (and especially Sound Choice) suck. I've said it before, I will say it again, I don't care what their motive are, if they put a dent in the number of pirates out there, that opens up opportunities for legit hosts. Period. Whether I agree with their methods or not is a different story for my point here.

I hope that someday Sound Choice gets back to making music, beginning to have my doubts.

Does this mean you carry extra amps

speakers

television

cables

stands

i feel you Athena. i think there is a bit more to it as well. people don't give a $hit about anything anymore. as long as they get to sing a lot, they dont care if the host is legal, has their songs, has a home stereo system, is a complete a$$ hole, as long as they get a lot of turns on the mic. people have become so fickle and flaky in the "need it right now" world that even a small 15 singer rotation is too big. pirates do not need a specific brand of discs, they do not need a good system, they do not need to have anybody's song that they sing, they do not need to be a good host or nice guy, all they need to be successful and thrive is to be somewhere near a successful show with a rotation over 30 minutes. now mind you, i had a 36 singer rotation last wednesday in an 86 cap bar, but my owner mentioned to me that the other bar owner was saying about how his karaoke shows have gone up and he knows many of the singers are from my bar. i am growing the competitions show by doing well myself. i have reported him (160,000 songs), but just like with my old employer, no one gives a $<span style=font-size:10px><i>(@$%&#!)</i></span>. i said on another thread that i gave her to Kurt on a silver platter and what do i get.......she adds another system and is not even listed on the suit from that investigation time. it is more than just the economy and piracy, those factors work together, add in flaky people and it is a disaster.

Let me see if I understand you.

1. If what Sound Choice is working why haven't they got one legal precedent established to help them get the ball rolling as you say? They are afraid to let one of these suits go to a jury verdict on the chance they may lose.

Let me see if I understand you.

1. If what Sound Choice is working why haven't they got one legal precedent established to help them get the ball rolling as you say? They are afraid to let one of these suits go to a jury verdict on the chance they may lose. It would only take one loss to bring down this whole card house of theirs. As you have admitted they might have run off some pirates, but others still take their place, so they really haven't made any long term changes. The reason for that is you cannot legislate morality, that is why prohibition doesn't work as a long term solution, if someone wants a product, or service they will figure out a way to get it.
It takes time for our legal system to work...it took the over 4 years to just complete the investigation of "The karaoke candy store"
2. I don't live in a vacuum there are people I suspect of being pirates in my area. The reason I say I suspect they are, is I will not accuse anyone of anything, It is not my business to be law enforcement, it is entertainment. It doesn't effect me because like Joe I have been able to show that my service is superior to pirates in every way, and that I'm worth the money the venues pay me. Since I have many times improved the bottom line of the venues dramatically. I can do this without having to rely on Sound Choice product, since I have carefully developed my target market over many years, and have built up a loyal customer base. Remember the pirates only have power over you if you let them. The pirates are basically, lazy and only are interested in the quick buck. There are a few exceptions that do everything right and they are the real competition, but they are very few.

I am happy for you that in your area you have been able to keep your footing so far but given time unchecked it will get as bad where you are also/ Please keep in mind when I refer to "pirates" I am speaking of those that have admitted to me that they are or have admitted in writing they are only

3. I don't use a computer, because as you know this is not my strong suit, I started out the old fashioned way and it is not easy to teach an old dog new tricks. I don't see if a person wants to use one in the show why they shouldn't. It is just that I have seen several hosts with computers, crash, and then there is no show. That works to my advantage because of back up systems, I have never had a show cancelled, knock on wood.

In over 17 years we have never had a show cancelled...we carry enough equipment to replace any wire or component if needed

4.Yes I feel that a solution to the whole problem would be the purchase of one operator's license to cover all the different concerned parties about getting their just compensation. It would make more sense than the piecemeal approach the manus are trying to employ. I don't think from what I have read on this forum that the clear copyright can be established on all material, and that rather than play cops and robbers, it would be better to license all. It would be more effective in recovering monies for the various manus and others, and it would let the market forces decide who wins and loses in this industry. It would be keeping with the manus plan of making the pirates their new good customers, and still be in competition with the legal hosts. After all isn't what the manus are going to let happen is the market forces in the end? If you have and idea other than letting the manus come up with all the solutions, I would LOVE to hear it. Where's the beef, where's your plan?