Karaoke Forums

Years ago I met the best karoke host He had that enthusiasm of a carney barker a fish monger on a pier an auctioneer at a farm sale,,  he is A dj radio personanlity type
he knows  how to get a crowd going,,

I gave him deal of 50/50 and hit the road with my system Am I wrong? With a talent like that $30/hr is out the window...I have finally married the best karaoke host with the best system that ever was.  Opinions? Is half appropriate?

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I’m not sure I understand.  

You want to start a business with your system and him as the host?

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Hate is like taking poison, hoping the other guy gets sick

Ollie,   What do you have planned ?    You accompanying this person and engineering for him, or just loaning your equipment to him and taking a 50% cut per hour ?   It's not clear as to what extent you'd personally be involved.

You two would go out as a duo entertaining taking home 15/hour each ?

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

“With a talent like that $30/hr is out the window…”
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Might mean that together they’ll make way-more than $30 per hour.  

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Hate is like taking poison, hoping the other guy gets sick

 LMAO  LMAO

Already everybody has missed the questioin? WHOULD I give him half?

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For what ?   Would he be accompanying you, or would you only be letting him use your equipment without your presence ?   What would you be doing ?  Does the gig you are talking about require a "carny" "barker" type ?   It depends on whether you benefit in this particular venue from him.   Depending on what night of the week it is, you might not need him.   Is this YOUR gig, or his gig using your equipment ?  Give him half and you'd do what ?





This is what isn't clear.   You AND him would hit the road ?  Or he'd pay you half to hit the road ALONE using your equipment ?

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

I actually think if you have talked him into a 50/50 split, you ar actually getting the better of the deal. Most agency karaoke around here pays their hosts about 60-65% of the negotiated rate and takes home 35-40% for their services. I think one of the main things to worry about is if he is THAT GOOD, how long is he going to put up with only getting half the income. Though you are providing the system, he is still doing the majority of the work. It doesn't take a brainiac to figure out that he should start saving his pennies and buy his own system ASAP. Again, if he is THAT GOOD, he'll be able to get by with a lesser system until he can upgrade, and if it means he makes an extra $100 a night, he'll be looking into that option REALLY quickly.

I think you should most definately sign him to a contract of some sorts, not only to avoid him ditching you, but also with some disclaimers about his financial responsibilities for your equipment shoudl anything get lost/stolen/broken, or if he just decides to jump state with your multi-thousand dollar rig.

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C Mc
KJ, FL

Is it me ?  I am missing something in the original question?
 :whistle:  :whistle:  :whistle:

[quote="karyoker @ Sun Apr 22, 2007 10:09 pm"]LMAO  LMAO  LMAO

Since you won't make clear what the situation is...


Figure out how much $$ you want for whatever it is you're doing

Find out how much $$ he wants for whatever he's doing

Add the two together

Send Mr. Personality out to get gigs that will pay that amount.

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Hate is like taking poison, hoping the other guy gets sick

Not the most well-constructed questions I’ve ever read.

We don’t know if he’s just renting the system, or if they’re working together.  

If he would kindly answer that question…

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Hate is like taking poison, hoping the other guy gets sick

well,   yes and no.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

I would say definately, absolutely, don't pass up that opportunity. You'd be a fool to not take advantage of it.


~ ~


????

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

 LMAO

I dont know kappy... I thought I could get some sage advice from kj's here that have been down that road... But whatever happens It will be a good ride and we will have fun doin it..And if the kid does make enough to get his own system then I extended my hand out to someone that needs help.

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10-15 years back this would've been a great potential for earning power in the Karaoke area, in those days location wasn't as much of a factor regarding payout, today how many small local bars need this ?   Even in those days, I'd want more than 30/hour for a duo.  How much per week ?  Set up time, and travel time, gas prices just don't make a few hours at that sum of money reasonable.



Ollie,   First off,  you've been in the business world, and entertainment area longer than most.  The answer of course EVEN if you were to accompany him would depend on many factors.  First-off,  does the type venue you two would be working benefit from a vibrant initiator of activity (such as this guy), and this depends on the setting, night, numbers of folks in the bar so-on.  

Personally,  I'd have enough faith in myself (assuming I owned the equipment and was hungry enough) to go out and get the gig ALONE.  If this would be a 50/50 split on 30/hour total,  how many hours ?     Is a bar going to pay out close to $450 or $500 a week (2007) for two Karaoke hosts ?   Can they afford that for 3-4 nights a week ?   15 per hour a piece isn't really that much.  Additionally,  a top notch entertainer will do well EVEN without "the best" equipment in smaller venues.  Would he want to work the gig paying you half when he can buy or rent equipment of his own that would pay itself off in two weeks at that rate. This depends on various other factors.  Getting steady gig's on "the road", and having your plate filled in todays age I doubt would be easy assuming you are "the best entertainment duo out there" unless you two hit a larger city hotel lounge, or large known venue that really pays well, and that's VERY competitive.  When you factor in gas, travel time, expenses, having to buy food, depending on how far you travel to a gig brings into play "How practical is it" ?, Also, what I did at 21, isn't worth it to do at 51, it's just too much of a headache..  I can't lift like I used to be able to. I can't handle the rigors of the road, that type crowd,  it gets really depressing.  

A LOT comes into play, a 50/50 split on $30 per hour today ($15 per hour) isn't that much today.  I doubt he'd want to do it for that.

Yes,  it certainly can be fun for "awhile".  I agree.  But also consider that assuming he is THAT good,  and likes this area of entertainment, in several weeks the amount he pays you to use your equipment, could be better spent to purchase his own.  Assuming he WILL do this,  how long would YOUR half be needed ?  The days of DJ's having a soundman or engineer given the bar economy today aren't as common in most smaller bars.  These are one man gigs.  Main reason,  money

JMO.[/quote]

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Besides, when the people start singing, they become the entertainment; nobody cares to be interrupted/entertained by a “personality”.


If you’re a decent guy who can speak, who’s nice to people, how much personality do ya need?

I'd say just pay attention to what he does, maybe pick up a few pointers on his technique, and improve where you feel you need improvement.

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Hate is like taking poison, hoping the other guy gets sick

This sound like it could be an interesting thread, and I'd love to comment, but I can't figure out what's going on. Can ANYONE translate the original question, or dumb it down to my level?

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

 LMAO

A guy I have known for years whom I trust completely wants to kj again and use my system Im totally for it and it would behoove us both. As much time and money and sweat and tears Ive put into this system I dont think Id ever reach the point to give him th key to the storage shed but I do have it in the back of ind to sell it to him..

And I dont remember this being discussed here before and would like some comments from those that done this. Or even if you havnt what would your policy be concerning taking the necessary steps that would be fair and equitable to both?

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Gotcha now....


That is actually how I started. I helped a friend of mine for a while doing roadie stuff, and changing discs sometimes while he MC'd. Then one day he went on vacation and asked me to substitute. The bars knew me, and said sure, and I had a blast. For those shows we did a 60/40 split. I got the 60%....

A few months later, he got into a bad motorcycle wreck. I took over his shows and we continued the 60/40. After a few months, when he was well enough to come back I still wanted to host. He told me if I found a show he would still honor the 60/40.

Well a few months went by and he told me to go out and get my own stuff- because it would be cheaper in the long run for me. I originally worried about us bumping heads for venues and customers, but to this day it has not happenned, and I am still welcome at his show as he is at mine. Heck, he still throws me behind the booth if I'm at his show and he has to become the bouncer....

Point is, I had a similar situation and it all worked out. I would say if you want to do 50/50 split, fine- just do 50% of the work- run the order, change the songs, do the sound. Have him MC and schmooze and help with set-up and tear down. That way you both earn the $$....

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Let's Kick the Tires and Light the Fires!

Since he would be doing all the work, he should get a bigger cut - especially if he's booking the gig as well.  Take 30-40%, or whatever you feel is fair.  I wouldn't sell the system personally, until you are absolutely ready & know you no longer want to host in any capacity (either clubs or private shows on occasion).

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Thats sort of how I figured it 50/50 now and teach him the computer aspect and the system . Then when he really wants to go with it and start booking gigs give him a bigger percentage..Lon I am getting too old for this I had a big crowd and good rotation It is supposed to go from 7:30 until midnight. I have always made it a practice if I have 2 or 3 singers left in rotation I will go over time and let them sing. By the time I got all the stuff tore down and loaded up I was tired tired.. So I got one hell of a system for sale


EDIT I appreciate all the comments and as far as imitating him he is currently working on getting a former gig back on a thur nite $375 a night.. That is the difference between intrducing drunk singers and putting on a show..

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