Karaoke Forums

You all remember the one speaker KJ.  (used loosely)

This story is a perfect illustration of what I have been talking about, that nobody seems to understand.

I know exactly who she is now.   I worked with her about 10-12 years ago.  WE co-hosted a karaoke contest finals.   It was her gig and my system.

Here are some interesting facts.  

1. She has KJed for the last 15 years.     More than almost everyone here, including me.

2. She uses one speaker, if she can get away with it.   She is now using two tops.   One is on a speaker stand and the other one is on the floor.  That makes the one on the floor just about useless.

3. Her system does sound crappy.

4. There is a big delay between her songs.   One machine.

5. Her rotation is nonexistent.     She is the girl that puts a box down for people to put there slips in.   Then she goes through them.  She picks out the songs she wants to play, when she wants to play them, if at all.     No set order at all.

6. She has 3 total song books.    2 by artist 1 by title.


She is still doing everything exactly the same as she did over 10 years ago.    

She has 15 years karaoke experience.


Now to my point.    

1. I do not consider her a good KJ.    Sub par at best.  

2. Anyone that thinks this is how karaoke should be done, is in her boat. (It's sinking.)

3. In all of her 15 years, she thinks she is doing everything OK.    This is what I brought up before.     In her eyes she is not doing anything wrong.    She doesn't have a clue that she sucks.    It worked for 15 years.

4. She has not learned about a fair rotation.

5. She has not upgraded to two machines.

6. 3 song books is simply not enough to have singers in any numbers.     They have to fight for a book.

7. Playing with one speaker is the height of laziness.  Period.


Conclusion:

You can think you have it all figured out in your mind.   When in reality you don't have a clue.    She is a perfect example of this.    This is not how any decent KJ should be operating their business.    I don't care how much you think you know.    Or how perfect you think your business is.    This is what I meant by self examination.     Obviously she has never done one of herself.      

I can almost bet she is not nor has she ever received top money for a gig.

She is definately not in my class.     No decent KJ should want to copy anything she does.    If you are doing things like her, you need to re-evalute some of the finer points of a successful karaoke business.      I know what you are going to say.   She has worked for 15 years.   She mave have worked by the skin of her teeth for 15  years.    For money much less than I or most of her competition get.     Is that working?     Is that your goal?   To work for cheap, just to say you are working.   Does your business plan include working for less than everyone else?     Does it include being a settle-for KJ.    Just do what is necessary to get some little bit of a pay check.     Do you want a reputation like hers?      She isn't even doing "Karaoke 101."

Personally, I do not consider what she does remotely close to what I do.    People like her give good KJs a bad rap.    People like her cause you to work for less because bar owners thing her fee is the norm.     They see her and think that's all I'll get from every other KJ.

She is on her last leg at this bar.   She is soon to be replaced by KJs that are not in her league, not settle-fors.    KJs that take pride in what they do.    KJs that have made a quality investment in their business.    KJs that will get more money for doing her job.    Quality pays for itself.

So if this makes me a ghost, a know nothing troll, or somehow not relevent, then you show your true colors.     I hurt your feeling because what I just described is you and you have all the answers.  You are doing it right, in your mind, only.

in my mind, you'll still be a blabbermouth that refuses to show us any concrete evidence of your company.

ANYONE can talk a good game. To use your own example, the kj doesn't know that she's doing something wrong. Well, that goes both ways. Someone who yapps up a great game, but refuses to tell us where to see them play... in my mind and many others, that's a blow-hard.

You might know EXACTLY how to run it, but until you show concrete evidence, you just TALK a good game!

Another wannabe!

The kj here in the town I live does a roaring trade. She plays 2 nights in town every week (frid & sun) a third nite in the main centre (thurs) and that leaves sat for private functions which she gets plenty of. Now realistically she should be dead in the water
1. I judged a karaoke comp that she hosted and he system was so muddy sounding it was hard to hear
2. she has no fold back at all, doesnt believe in it so singers are constantly moving to the front of the stage to try and hear themselves in FOH speaker and causing feedback.
3. and this is the absolute worst....she has one songbook only and she chains this to the leg of a table and people have to go to that table if they wish to peruse it and submit a slip
4. she plays dj music

Go figure

_________________
"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

No matter how bad your system is.........just turn up the echo, flash a few strobe lights into their eyes, and everybody will be happy. Every once in awhile, the lights cause someone to go into a seisure.....and then the real excitement starts....only in America.....

IF she's been working steady for 15 years getting the money she wants to get, I'd call that a successful KJ.  If she can keep people coming back week after week despite all her shortcomings, when the people in this town could be attending your fictional show, with no breaks for applause and a host who feels the need to be the focal point of the show then I gotta say she must be doing SOMETHING right.

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Spreading the karaoke gospel

BD - I don't understand how telling us she is a bad KJ, and has been for 14 yrs, is
telling us anything about you. If a bad karaoke host can stay in business in your area for 14 yrs. That just means there is plenty of business there and not enough KJs. How do you know your way is the right way when even a KJ as bad as her can get that many jobs for that many years? Bad example BD.

I know it bugs you that people don't think you're legit. Obviously you have karaoke knowledge. If you don't feel comfortable posting where you work, just drop it and get back to just posting when you think you can offer something of value. Continuing
post topics like this is just perpetuating the argument. If you are that confident in your abilities you have no need to prove anything - move on with this and offer your opinion when you think helpful.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

All industries have "levels" of service, obviously as described this KJ would be at the lower end of the ladder.  But she is working and must be doing SOMETHING someone likes.  You can be a GREAT KJ and play filler music, you can be a GREAT KJ and have a $2000 sound system and you can be a GREAT KJ working part-time.

You don't need 4000 watts , 6 speakers, 3 equipment racks, 50,000 songs, 42 songbooks and $500 wireless mics to be successful.  Thats just the truth !!!!

It seems 15 years ago what  that KJ was doing was FINE, It seems she refused to change, or adapt.  15 years ago 1 speaker might have been FINE , 3 songbooks might have been sufficient, No formal rotation the NORM.  
She refused to adapt to the CHANGES in the industry and there fore now known as a "SINKING SHIP"  KJ.

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

5 years from now it will be the egotistical KJ refusing to adapt to the needs of masses , The KJ who thinks that by offering ONLY karaoke will save them a place in KJ the Hall Of Fame who will be considered a SINKING SHIP .

Again I raise a Toast to the ultimate KJ - Willing to spend within their budgets to produce a pro level sound, Offering a decent selection of songs from both the here and then genres. The KJ whose head is not that big that they can be open minded, and listen to OTHER pro's and realize that there are more than 1 way to do business and be a success.  CUSTOMER SERVICE is a KJ's utmost GOAL , providing an entertainment atomposhere at their respected GIGS so people want to stay and spend MONEY , not for them but for the VENUE , ( the real reason we are employed)

Here's to KARAOKE  and the KJ - using Karaoke as a platform to entertain the masses, MUCH BETTER THAN A DJ, MUCH BETTER THAN A JUKE BOX, MUCH BETTER THAN A BAND OR DUET. THE ULTIMATE FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT PROVIDING THE BEST OF THEM ALL  :grouphug:  :angel:

Here here!  

15 years of bad kj'ing AND still working, Babs laid it out pretty plain.  Either there is more work than kj's, or people besides you actually like what shes doing and don't consider her a bad kj just because you think she is.

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Jeez, I would consider her a good business person.  She has been in business for 15 years, despite you calling her a bad KJ.  Obviously she must be doing something right to still be a KJ.  I agrre with Babs and Lonman!

Yes I know I should remain neutral on threads like this, but sometimes, you just gotta get it out of your system.

Okay BD, so you guys worked together for a contest. Now according to your statement, your  words not mine, I see the following. She's worked 15 years without training:
1. You had the perfect opportunity to be a stand up kind of person and you failed to do so. Instead of doing the right thing and being a mentor, like so many here have, and showing her the proper way to do things, you just let it go. That's speaks volumes about your lack of concern for others and a very poor work ethic on your part, which really surprises me, I would have expected a lot more of you. I have to say that I'm somewhat disappointed.
2. She's still working, doing the same terrible show, but yet she's still working, in other words, she's still your competition????  
If that's the most competition you have, then no wonder you are doing well in your own area. Does it come down to is your show really that much better, or is her show that bad, and if that's the case, how can she be working so much. I think there might have been some things left out of the story. Because as it reads, you don't really make that much of a case for yourself as you appear to be threatened by her. She can put on a horrible show and be working as much if not more than you.

So I have to admit, I'm somewhat confused, and it bothers me, cos I'm not one to really bash anyone just for the heck of it. I take everything that everyone says with a grain of salt. I learn from the best and I toss the rest. And admittedly, I've learned quite a bit from you in the short time I've been here. But rants like these don't really provide anything except for another imposed opportunity for you to flex your ego.
When you go on and on about things, the same ole things, I really have to ask myself......who's he/she trying to convince me or him/herself.

Coming from a management background, the first thing you learn in sales is not to oversell an item. Give as much information as is needed to close the sale, anything after that is an excuse.

I personally have nothing against you and I hope you know that, but as someone I would like to consider as a possible friend, I gotta tell ya, climb down off the soapbox for a while. I get the point, no need to keep hammering it in.

James the Lion Hearted
Maninblack
White Trash Philosopher
Humble Karaoke Host

_________________
I serve no man and am loyal to only one God.

Being critical of a person's success in any respect speaks volumes about the lack of your own.

Love as though you've never been hurt, Dance as though no one's watching, Sing as though God Himself were listening.

There are some shows that don't use books at all, they use computer kiosks set-up in a couple locations.  I've seen other shows that have been using the one book chained to a central table as well & this show is by no means hurting for business.  College crowd & they are packed nightly.

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

Something I learned long ago..........

Judge not success by the position one has reached in life, but by the obstacles they have overcome in getting there.  

Kelly

Oh, and Bigdog,...stop down in Jackson , TN on a Wed or Sat night at Jimmy D's.  You can maybe give me a few pointers.  I don't claim to be the best.  But I am REAL.

Would the one speaker gal kindly get in touch with me...I have another speaker and perhaps we could get together and form a kickass system...

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1. I wouldn't help her even if I could.   She is a direct competition.    We did a karaoke contest finals, not an instructional day of Karaoke 101.     I would help anyone on here.   Just not someone that can effect my pay day.
   I am not going to tell someone in direct competition how to out do me.

2. She is not a direct threat because I can out perform her total show.    System,  selection, etc.

3. Contrary to what you speculate, I am not, nor do I try to be the center of attention at my shows.     I do not make anyone sound bad or worse than me, by messing with the effects.     I know that I have many, many people at my shows that have much more talent.   I want to showcase them.    I want them to return.

4. She is about to lose a job to a better KJ.    Because of the way she choses to run her business.  Because of her lack of knowledge, investment, uncaringness or laziness.

5. Working for peanuts, is not my idea of success.    Yea it's work, but not my idea of steady work.  

6. We all know how stupid bar owners are.     If I had my choice I would probably hire a girl first.    SEX sell.   But they also look at the price.   If she's giving it away I would try her out too.    Doesn't make her good at it.    

7. Her reputation can not be that good.     Her price is good.   There is a big difference.   She was every week at the example bar.   Now she is every other week.  Soon she will be out in the street.     This is what she deserves.

8. So you agree that there could be many brain dead KJs out there, that think they are doing everything perfect, in reality they suck.  But just haven't figured it out yet.

9. Many people fall for unscupulous peoples bull.   If the price is right.   I'm quite sure she has duped many an unsuspecting bar owner.   But they got what they deserved.    For not taking quality in to account and making it part of the equation.    They are not considering the damage a jerk KJ can do to their business.

10. She indeed has very much hurt the potential income of the bar she currently works at.     I'm talking about right now by 2-300 a week.     That adds up pretty quickly to some serious cash.    

11.  Losing potential money for a bar is not my intention.   I run my business to achieve that result.    My reputation proves it.   Hers proves how detrimental she can be to your bottom line.      SHE SUCKS.  And she has done so consistantly for 15 years.     Quite an acheivement.    I'm in amazement.    

12. She, nor anyone that works like her, is anyone I would ever want to work at my business.

13. A working hack, is a working hack.   She just has a very good bottom line.    Her price, that is.

14.  She does represent the quality of the majority of my competition.    Thank God.

15. Stop by at any of the listed jobs for an eye opener.    #&^%*&^()($%$#&%*(^(^^(^(^^$##$#^%*(*^$@##^%&^%&^^.       Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.     Gotta go to work.

Wait one minute here.......just how big is that speaker?..

anyway doesn't matter....an average female drink fetcher, can make double that in tips on a friday or saturday night, and she just has to carry her little a$$ into the place...

Or to restate what many have said in words my grandpa once used:

"The horse is dead and we don't need hamburger so quit beatin' it!"

Yet you do not advertise to obtain better results?    

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How did you know I was beatin' it...you must be phsycic.........dsharrow seriously, what name do you go by here?....I never see a name besides your login....jj

BD,
I stand corrected.
Yes you have better equipment.
yes you have a better song selection.
Yes you make more money than I do.
Yes you work more than I do.
Yes, Yes, Yes.

Now about me.
yes sometimes there's deadspace between songs.
Yes sometimes I even que up the wrong song and embarrass myself.
My equipment is bargain basement, budget oriented.
I only have close to 5000 songs in my roster.
I'm a rookie and will never achieve pro status.

But with this forum as my witness, I'll boldly stand before any crowd that on any given night, and say that I am a better Karaoke Host.
And the reason is: I know how to have fun.
In all of your rants, in all of your constant putdown of others here at this board, in all of your constant raves about how superior you are to every other person out there trying to make their mark in the Karaoke world, never once have you said how much fun folks have at your show.

The folks at my shows have fun...stupid, amateur, silly me. What was I thinking?
 
You started out just like everyone else here, lots of questions and not a clue as to what you were doing. And look at you now. The king of your kingdom, the best at what you do, and still, you're as unhappy as you were before you even started this line of work. All I see is insecurity when I read your post of late. Nothing positive to say, nothing of worth to learn from, nothing but you talking about you. How boring, how trite, how sad.

Who am I to say all this, I'm nothing, I'm a nobody, just a guy living in Tennessee who does a show at a boat dock. But I have fun. It's worth the long hours that I spend each work, researching, worrying over what I need to buy to make my show better. Every penny that I earn goes back into my show. Every night I step up to the mic, I say a little prayer and all I ask for is to let me do my job to the best of my ability. Let me help these people forget about all the crap in their lives for just a moment. Help them forget about the job they hate, their screwed up marriage, their kids whom they've lost touch with. I know in reality that I can't do anything to help them with their personal lives, but if for just a brief moment, just give me three minutes, and I'll let them step up and be someone different. That's all I ask.
I'm gonna make them feel good, I'm gonna make them smile, they're gonna laugh, they're gonna tell their friends, their gonna walk away with a memory. Now how great of a job is that? Sure I hope that the pays good, I'm not totally naive. But as I've said before, sometimes you pick the job and sometimes the job picks you.
At the end of the night, who knows if I've really made a difference, but at least I've tried. I do something that gives me purpose a reason for lugging all this equipment around day after day. I can't claim that the job is any kind of spiritual revelation, but it feels dayum good when folks come up afterwards and you see a smile on their face and a thank you.

What I'm saying probably escapes you, I understand, it's something that I feel from the heart and it's hard to convey on a forum. It's something you would have to witness in person.

So yeah, I'm a better Karaoke Host, because I still care about my customers, I still value my friends, I still respect the opinions of others. Am I the best, nope, never will be, but that's not my goal. You list your successes by the amount of money you make, or how many jobs you've supposedly taken over from hack KJ's. I measure my success by the number of folks who show up each and every week and put their faith in me to show them a good time. Yeah, I think I'm better, not better than, just better at what I do.

You should try it sometime, it feels pretty good to be honest.

My only really bragging point is how many Karaoke cherrys I've popped. In the short amount of time, it's been well over a hundred. That's a hundred plus folks who have never experienced the fun of singing on stage before coming to one of my shows.
Yeah it could have been anyone, could have been any show, but thank goodness it was mine. I take pride in that.

The day I stop having fun, is the day I call it quits. Life is way too short to sweat the small stuff.
My apologies for getting so long winded folks. I just get tired of everything being so negative and one sided.

James the Lion Hearted
Maninblack
White Trash Philosopher
Humble but Happy Karaoke Host

_________________
I serve no man and am loyal to only one God.

Being critical of a person's success in any respect speaks volumes about the lack of your own.

Love as though you've never been hurt, Dance as though no one's watching, Sing as though God Himself were listening.

Good post James.  Everything else I just typed I erased.  Best for me is to just not post in any posts he starts.  That will be my stand.

Kelly