Karaoke Forums

So I've got this gig, right?  Wed and Fri 9-1am.  I get paid more on my Friday gig then I do on my Wed gig.  I've been at this venue for 1.5 years and don't do karaoke anywhere else.

There've been a couple of bars open up recently in town and one has done a fabulous job and just completed the coolest 'roadhouse' looking place that has tons of seating (unlike the place I'm at now).  It's designed for sound (unlike the place I'm at now).  Only thing it's missing is the chicken wire around the stage.  He asked me last night if I'd be willing to do Thursday nights for him for almost 3x what I'm getting at my Wed night gig.  I'll only do one week day night gig because of my day job.

I'm torn between loyalty (although I know the same crowd would congregate at the new place ... it's too cool).  

3x what I'm making, cool venue, tons of seating, dance, stage ... VERSUS loyalty to the bartenders/owner at the other joint.  I don't need the money but I want to work in this new joint.  Tons of positives ... it's awesome.  

I already know what I'm going to do ... I'm going to take it, but I'm going to feel like poop by skipping out on the Wed gig at my current place.  It's business right?

How about talking to your bar owner now and explaining you'd love to stay with him, but you were offered a lot more money to go to the new place. Explain your loyalty is with him first, so you'd like to give him the opportunity to match it. That way there are no bridges burnt. It is his decision if you stay or go. Of course it doesn't sound like he could swing the extra money that many nights a week, so you are free to go.

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Very well said Babs- excellent advice.

May i add that perhaps when you take the other venue on thurdays , try to refer a replacement karaoke company/host to take over your wednesday night, that way when you go in friday you won't get any flack that "wednesday was slow and we lost money because you left us."

But the BEST thing you can do is to give them the opportunity to match prices or at least come close.

Why don't you do ALL 3 nights at first, then decide in a month or so if you really like the new place, managers, staff, etc....?

by the sound of things Babs its not a matter of money...its a matter of being the one to take advantage of the cool new surroundings and accoustics. We strike the same thing here when we open a new property. There is generally a mass exodus of staff from an established property as they rush to be employed by the cool new place.
The public are easily that fickle as well. They will be falling over themselves to be seen at the cool new place also. Consequently if you dont take the thursday you may find you lose wed anyway

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

I'd go along with doing all 3 nights initially - And I have a feeling, like someone else said, the Wed crowd will congregate at the new place on Thur - maybe some of them don't go out more than one week night?  Nice of the guy to offer you that tidy sum...but I understand that it isn't about the $$.

I think in this case, business should trump loyalty in the end.  On the other hand, I have left a place thinking I was going to something better and sometimes things just aren't as they appear. Don't envy you this 'moral' decision. Hey, but in the end I'd walk - right over to the new place, enjoy the ambience, and make it the only place to go!

It's not about the money .

I would suggest that you try to do BOTH WEEKNIGHTS  for a couple of weeks.
This NEW place on paper might have all the positives you are looking for in a karaoke gig but you really won't KNOW if you like it until you've tried it.

That being said if you give up your WED night gig will it jeopardize your FRIDAY NIGHT  gig????

I'd go for both shows as well.  If you really feel you can't do both night, train & hire a host.  You can find good people out there, you just need to know what to look for, you may have some of your singers that may be possibles, that's how i've found all of my hosts.

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One should establish a relationship with the owner and staff in a few months where everybody knows whats going on . If we are looking for a gig on another night I always mention it to the owner and mngr. Everything above board. At this point I would be able to approach James and tell him exactly what you said in your initial post. I would explain to him it is an opportunity that you cant pass up (or at least try for awhile) Would he object to a sub on Wed? The fact that the new owner asked for thur and not a night you are obligated to gives me a little respect for him. If possible I  would have a meeting with all involved at lest all intensions should be known so as not create friction between the bars. Karaoke is no different from any other business When pros have relationships with "competitors" and have mutual understanding they prosper..  We will not work for anybody that doesnt.

Owners sometimes dont understand that If I sing  or host in another bar I bring others to their bar.

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It's hard not to take the $ and sing away, but there is something to be said about loyalty and respect.  I believe if you use the methods described here by some of the others, you get the best of both worlds.  No burned bridges and you get to try the other gig.  Keeps all options *open*, which is the big one.  Let us know, how this new place turns out....

MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
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I also would try to find a "host" for wed nights being that it is the lowest paying of the three, and most likely the least buisy also. then it remains "your" show. being on the up and up with everyone involved is ALWAYS the ONLY way to go. if at all possible do both shows and choose a host. if they dont have to setup wed night it is not all that hard to train somebody to run the basic show, especialy if you have them help with shows three nights in a row for a couple weeks.
   sometimes that new guy with the really nice bar, thats just throwing money around ends up being a total jerk once you get to know him. he ends up with help problems and unhappy patrons. and basicly runs himself out of buisness. sometimes this type doesnt even realise that theyre a jerk he just thinks he wants everything done right.

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the voices arent real, but they have some good ideas

I never understand this level of loyalty.  Why would anybody even consider passing up the job that pays triple of what you're getting?  It's not like it's that hard to replace a KJ, you'd hardly be leaving them in a lurch.  Business is business, guilt should only be felt when you're doing something wrong.

Having said that, I definitely agree with doing both nights for a month or two.  Make sure that it looks like the karaoke night will be successful at the new place and that you like working there before giving up the old job.  Then give 2 weeks notice to the old place, and if possible give them some recommendations for somebody to take over for you on Wednesday nights.  Be honest with them about the pay situation (I'd say give them a chance to match it but realistically I'd be shocked if they were willing to triple what they're already paying you) and there should be no problems.

You can bet that if they figured out a way to make triple the money on Wednesday nights that they're making now, they'd get rid of karaoke in a split second.  They'd be foolish not to.

As an old man I do!!! And I appreciate the number of younguns on here that do too. I have been in many professional vocations and try to advise accordingly.. Whoever you deal with you will see them 5+ years down the the road.. Your reputation will determine your future.. And future gigs...

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I would work both weeknights for a month or so and see how the new gig goes. I agree that Wednesdays may end up being a loser for you. I know it will put a strain on the work situation but you can do anything for 30-90 days and it will be worth your effort.

Loyalty is important so maintain your relationship with you regular gig.

Hey everyone is saying it's not about the money, but TRIPLE is GOOD

I SAY DO IT!

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

I have to agree with this.  There are KJs under every rock these days.  If you feel guilty, find him one that you respect to replace you.

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Okay, who took my pants?

Well I said that he should give 2 weeks notice and be honest about why he's leaving.  How exactly will that reflect negatively on his reputation?

I didn't say that I didn't understand having ANY loyalty, I said I didn't understand THAT LEVEL of loyalty.  Meaning, the level of loyalty that would cause somebody to pass up an offer that pays triple what they're currently making when the only rationale for doing so is somebody's feelings.

What's the dilemma?  You're at one place two nights a week, and another place on another night.  There's no disloyalty at all.  Now if the second place wanted you to a day you're already booked, then that may be another question.  We play three different venues six nights a week and there are no conflicts.  You're fretting over nothing.  Take it and enjoy it.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

I'm big on not burning bridges. I agree with most above that you may want to consider doing both places for a while. Then explain your dilema to the owner if your decide to leave.

What happens if the new place is not as wonderful as you think or they let you go after 2 months. You'll want the option of your old job back.

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[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

That's the sticking point Babs.  Wednesday night is already established.  I don't know if there is an established Thursday crowd or if it would be as big a hit as Wednesday.

I work a day job and I've committed to myself to only do one week night gig a week.  I own all my own equipment and it's computerized, so finding a replacement is a little hard in my neck of the woods.  The KJ next door is an option, he only KJs on weekends, but has filled in on a crappy system on a Wednesday before.

I don't know what I'm going to do yet, but I'll let you all know how it turns out.  The owner of the new place is just as interested in not burning bridges as I am ... we've talked about it already.  The owner where I do my gigs now is a little bit of a hot head.  If she ups even a little I may just stay on on the Wednesday as it affords me many conveniences.

I do dig the new joint though.  I imagine bar brawls and hot chicks dancing half naked on the tables.  It's got that look and feel to it.

You may be surprised, I had 2 hosts - one COMPLETELY computer illiterate, didn't even have one & she picked up on the program (MTU Hoster) within a few days, the other picked up on it in a couple days.  Training for the computer isn't as hard as teaching the system & rotation methods and hoping they have a good ear sound, but for a triple the pay, i'd go for it - you pay your host maybe 1/3 - 1/2 depending on what you feel is fair & still get a cut - you set up & tear down (which you can sometimes set up early & tear down the next day), just have the host take the computer or have it locked up in managers office at night, keep your current gigs, your name on the new one & if it don't last, you still have your other two.

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So uncommit yourself for a few weeks, it won't kill you.  It's much better to make an informed choice than it is to just hope for the best and go into a new gig blindly.