Karaoke Forums

Does anyone have any stories about getting along with club owners? I've got one place where you just never know what kind of mood this person's going to be in. She will come up one minute and tell you to turn the music down, then the next minute she'll tell you to turn it back up...Then she will come up in the middle of the room, right in front of the patrons, and make a "cut" gesture across her neck, if she doesn't like a song! Then she will apologize later on. She just started having karaoke recently there, and I don't think she realizes what it's all about.

Any other stories or suggestions? Not sure how to take this person; not sure if I can keep doing this gig.

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"Life is the song, Love is the music"

Well it does not seem that she is the approachable type. Is there a co-owner or another employee who has a rapport with her that can help explain the repercussions of her behavior? You may just have to look for another gig. No KJ or customer should have to consider her musical preferences. Now if the song was filled with profanity and it was a family restaurant or upsetting the customers, I can see her approaching the KJ after the song and expressing discontent. However, those concerns should have been discussed beforehand if it applies to this venue.

Also remember that if the atmosphere is not conducive to promoting fun karaoke, it may reflect on your reputation. She either has to be hands off and let you do the job she's paying you for or look for someone else. Eventually, she will get the message.

My problem with this situation is, we are acquainted with the whole family. Yes, she does have a control issue, from what I hear. But she is also a cook, not a KJ, and since she just started having karaoke at her place every week, she doesn't understand what it's all about.

It's a restaurant, more than anything. One waitress told me they don't usually do any bar business, other than when I'm there Friday nights..The rest of the week, they are closed by 10:00! She wants us to play 3 hrs., then when I get there, there are people still sitting at the table where I set up, eating...So, I'll load in and do what I can without having the table to work with yet, and then when the patrons get their check and leave, I'll finish setting up...Meanwhile, she is over there, looking at her watch! But this is where she wants me to set up, right at one of the tables where people eat. (The way the room is, there is really no other place for me to work from - it's a small room)

One night when my husband was still with me, we used the TV in the wall, so everyone could see the words, maybe sing along, and maybe even make them wanna sign up for a song...The week after that night, I went alone, and when I started hooking up the TV in the wall again, she came over and told me, "You don't TOUCH that TV", and I said, "We used it last week, with your permission," and she shook her head and said, "NU uh...NO ONE touches that TV".

So I went back again last Friday, and that's when she started the volume, neck-cutting thing. I was pi***d! But I just sucked it up, because that's what my husband says I should do because she has good "pull".

And, Big Jimmy C, as for being professional, I'm trying. I'm new at this. But I LOVE it, and I think I've done a pretty good job at it so far...And StevieB, yeah, I worry about my reputation as a new KJ. The other job I do on Saturdays is GREAT! The BEST fun..I wish the Friday club owner would go to other karaoke bars and see what it's all about. I guess what counts is that the patrons are having a good time. Hopefully the owner's personality traits don't rub off on them!

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"Life is the song, Love is the music"

Okay, I would like to point one one thing...

You're trying to be professional, yet also trying to save face because you know the whole family.

There comes a fine line when you walk with being a BUSINESS professional, and some lackey working for a friend, or friend of the family. I'm not trying to be cruel here, but if you want professional courtesy, you must also dole it out.

Place your complaints down on paper. Give them a summary of what it is that you do. You're there for the customers. If they're having a good time, and no other complaints are forthcoming (i.e. sound ordances, etc.), tell them that you are DOING the job you were hired for. Personal tastes such as individual songs or singers are NOT negotiable. You are an entertainment professional that serves the public. This isn't a band in a bar... this is some singer putting in a song for "Let's Go Crazy" by Prince, and despite the fact that they CAN'T sing it, it's what we provide.

Do you tell them how to run the bar?
Do you tell them how to dress, or behave around your customers?
Do you tell them to put out complimentary chips or peanuts, or first drink is free??

Most likely, you don't... or you shouldn't. Because THAT's THEIR business.

Likewise, they don't have the right to cuckold you in any way... unless you have customers that are complaining. And even then, it's more that they should approach you, and say something privately like "It's a bit loud for the old couple there."

So ... (and again, this isn't meant as a slam), you have some hard choices ahead of you. You can either continue to put up with someone of this magnatude, or you can not. If you choose not to, then approach it with professionality... be kind, but be firm.

Matt

Knightshow had some good ideas there. I'd follow that track, then if it doesn't work out - leave. If that doesn't patch things up, nothing ever will. It will then be their problem, not yours. Knowing the family or not really has nothing to do with it, other than maybe to make it a little sticky. You can always find another gig. I wouldn't bad mouth the place, but I also wouldn't continue to take that kind of treatment either. If you do leave, don't burn any bridges, its just not a good practice.

I agree with Knightshow and Ron. Just sit down with this person, one-on one, and talk it out. Maybe being acquainted with the family will make it easier. She probably thinks that she is helping you do your job better, not realizing that she is actually an obstacle to making the karaoke thing work in her place. If you are still worlds apart after talking, move along and find another gig. And don't feel that you've failed in any way.

You don't need frustration in your life......karaoke is supposed to be fun for you too! Good Luck!

Hey dpk, I think I know EXACTLY what u are going thru. If you are a new KJ, like I am, and this is your first "real" show, bar owners take some liberties they wouldn't dare with an "experienced" KJ/DJ. I know that I am experiencing this with my Wed nite show. The owner has a differrent host on Sat that has been doing this for years, and he never says word one to her. I however get phone calls, "Why don't u play some soft music till the pool players are done", "Cut the volume", "Don't let that guy sing again", etc.

He feels since I'm new, he's "helping" me. Funny thing is, all he is doing is wrecking the show. My solution is probably going to be leaving. Maybe if I knew him better, he wouldn't act this way. I am also on the young side (28) for a KJ in this area. I don't know how old you are, but that sometimes adds to the feeling of bar owners wanting to "help" you!

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Let's Kick the Tires and Light the Fires!

yeah dbk, I think we might be in the same boat here. haha! Only thing with my situation is, and as I mentioned before, she has never had karaoke at her club before...Just for about 2 or 3 months, she had another girl doing it, and for some reason she quit. hmm... Anyway, I'm going to try again this Friday and my husband said he is going to stop in on me and if she's still psycho, he's going to say something to her, and if she doesn't like it then, we're gone.

I don't think it matters how old we are, just the quality of our show, ya know? I'm 37 (I can say that; I look younger !!) And I think I do a d*** good job!! I don't have one bit of a problem with any of the patrons there; they all smile at me and seem to be enjoying themselves.



So I'm just going to see what happens this Friday, and take it from there.

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"Life is the song, Love is the music"

I'd quit. No karaoke job is worth that crap. I've only been doing it for 3 years, but, I have never had an owner be as bad as what you have said.

Time to find another gig. Too bad they are family friends. Im sure there is a place "across the street" that is dying for a good show.



Tim

Check this out - There was a place that I USED to do karaoke at. The bar had it's own PA system for playing tunes on nights when they didn't have karaoke. Well, the owner of the bar was ego-crazed. She liked attention. She would get up on the bar alot and dance and welcome others up also. The problem was, she would grab a mic that was hooked up through her PA and start talking about something to get everyone's attention while someone was singing karaoke through my system. There were even occurances where she would start playing some dance tunes through her system while she had some dancers on the bar - when someone was singing through my system. WHAT A RUDE B*!@*. I talked to others that did karaoke there and she would do the same things during their shows. The last time it happened, I quit, packed up my stuff in the middle of the show and left!!! The bar closed it's doors about 2 months later. Not because of me leaving, because no one could stand her anymore.

Working for family and friends has it's problems, you have to seperate biz form personal



2 ways to fix this......
- 1 you should be using your own tables...... i feel using a table at the venue is just the same as asking them if they have an amp you can use cause you don't own one....... 4' X 2' Lifetime poly tables are about $30, and do hold up well, i own two
- 2 arrive earlier, and request that you eat at that table. or tell her to NOT SEAT people there

If she was looking at her watch, then that means you were running short on time..... I am a freak for beign ready... if the sign says starts at 7:30, that is what time the singin should start; so I tend to arrive sometimes 2 hours early to get setup, eat and be ready to go




Offer her a solution..... most places don't like the hooking and unhooking of the TV... so offer to buy the parts needed to install an A/B switchbox that you can plug into, then you just plug your RF wire into the switchbox and flip the switch, no wear and tear on the TV.... Yes i have seen back of big screens where the F connector iss about to fall off from all the on and off of the cable wire..... what do i do, once i get the cable wire off, i grab a push-on adapter and place it on their cable line, it is easier on the TV.... explain the purpose of using the other TV ; it increases the ability to interact more

I hate it when i am doing a good interactive song, but cannot leave the stage cause i don't know all the words


With the other stuff, offer to sit down and discuss it all with her on a non-busy weekday afternoon..... be business about it

let her know that
- you are a professional and do know what you are doing, and if she will trust in you, you will help her build up the revenues on karaoke night

- let her know that the hand gestures make her look un-professional.... let her know all communication between you during the show should be made in a professional, no screaming manner......... the outbursts and stuff can be seen by your guests/audience, and body language is read too