Karaoke Forums

When I first posted on these forums almost exactly 2 years ago, I was working one karaoke show, by myself, with one seriously crappy rig. I had a full time day job that I had been working at for 14 years.

Fast forward to today and I have left the day job (scary!) and I now have 5 karaoke hosts running 21 shows a week with 5 sets of PA gear and two more making their way to the house as I type.

I have more work that I can do, and am actually turning away gigs just so I can settle things down a little. But I am expanding to offer trivia soon, and I am talking to some DJ's about bringing them on to do other types of events.

When I first came to the forums, I had a 3 year plan. I am actually 1 year ahead of schedule, but I almost gave up on it a few months ago thinking karaoke was not going to be something I wanted to do with all of the turmoil and drama. But my wife, of all people, convinced me to stay involved and keep pushing through.

Even with all of the growing pains, and having worked harder than I have ever worked in the last 6 weeks, I am also happier than I have ever been.

For that I offer a heartfelt thanks to the folks here that have offered suggestions, support and guidance.
Thank you to my lovely wife for my non-stop work (literally) at making this a successful venture.
Thank you to the venues and singers for letting us do what we love to you.

Thanks!

-Chris

_________________
-Chris

Chris,

Congrats it looks like all of your hard work is paying off. From your first posts on this forum you have always been looking to learn and improve yourself. I guess Karaoke is not dead afterall.....

Keep up the good work....

As Thomas Edison said "90 percent perspiration and 10 percent inspiration" was the key to his success. Great job Chris and keep on trucking ahead and keeping karaoke alive and profitable. The American capitalist philosophy made it possible.

Wow, almost 2 years ago you say, it feels like yesterday Times really fly

Congratulations Chris. I'm always happy to see someone who is in the entertainment business to build a business and not just create a job for themselves. I know you have worked more hours than you wanted to but it is paying off for you now, and will continue to grow.

What, exactly, is wrong with making a job for yourself?? I have a nice little thing going, that is also growing, little by little. Just made a new contact tonight. If I could get five nights a week, steady karaoke work, I would be quite happy with that.

I'm not looking to become some Karaoke magnate. I'm not looking to build and maintain 10 systems. I am looking to put together a second system for bigger venues, and as a back up for the first system, or to replace the first system, which I would then use as a back up. That's that. What's the problem with that??

_________________
I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

Smooth, didn't say anything was wrong with karaoke just being a job for yourself, I just appreciate someone who can create a business from it. Although we do trivia and other game shows, my small company provides part-time jobs for 20 people who work for us as independent contractor hosts.

These folks make 3 times the minimum wage and they get to do work they enjoy every night they work. That's a good thing as far as I'm concerned. Capitalism is a good thing.

Congrats as well Chris! I've had my own licensed business for nearly 18 years now. It has taken care of the family well. Good Luck to you! -john

Smoothe, I call that "making a business. Where you are in control of your own destiny....not in the control of an employer as in "a job". Even now you have a business at 2 of your weekly shows. Capitalism is not a dirty word, it is what has made us free and strong, and innovative. My former son in law is from Venezuela and his mother and father's businesses where both taken over by Chavez.

Embrace your independence and call your job a business.

I know what you mean. I am just used to having a job, I guess. I am also a bit wary of unfettered capitalism. I think too much is too much. When you have 30, 40, 60 times more money than you will ever need, you have too much. That is pure greed, IMHO.

_________________
I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

This is how I feel about it as well. I have 5 people hosting for me that make well over minimum wage on a part time basis. For a few it is their only source of income. For others, it is supplementing their day jobs. I feel I am doing good work for the karaoke community and for the local economy by employing people and working them as much as I can and as much as they want.

But I have to admit, being my own boss has been a dream for a LONG time. I was home-officed in my day job for the last 13 years and I knew less than a year into it I would never be able to work a desk job ever again. Even though my desk is now in my basement, I have a lot of flexibility to do what I want when I want that I have never had in my working life. That is a fantastic feeling.

-Chris

_________________
-Chris

My congrats go out to you as well, Chris. It's nice to see someone as dedicated as yourself succeed. I have also dove in and am enjoying the trivia side of our business. We are up to 6 trivia nights a week and thoroughly enjoy creating the questions and formatting the event.
It's a nice break from weddings, karaoke, etc. and I'm usually home by 10pm:) Good luck!

_________________
Sound Choice and Chartbuster Certified

I am going to add trivia after the first of the year. Too much karaoke work and the holidays keeping me busy. I need to line out all the existing gigs and do some rig updates/maintenance to ensure everything is smooth before I expand any further.

-Chris

_________________
-Chris

Personally Chris, WAY TO GO! I think you are an inspiration. If I still lived in the Kent aria I'd be asking for a hosting job from you instead of tiring to find jobs on my own.

I have a good friend that is an absolutely perfect host for karaoke shows, BUT he has very little computer and organizational skills. At one point 10 years ago he had six rigs all plying original CD's with six pack cartridges. Then he decided to go computerized and that is where his trouble started, because of computer problems and theft of his converted music. He is a great singer and entertainer & host, but if something goes wrong he is a basket case.

Chris, getting bigger is not always better and not always more profitable. With your advanced computer skill set I'm sure you will be able to talk most of your hosts through those problems. I do wish you the very best on a very successful growth of your "karaoke business".

Thank you, mrmarog.

I encrypt my drives and I monitor file access weekly. All laptops are secured to the rigs with chain locks and only my wife and I have the keys.

We are going to move to rack mount system in the coming year and I will be beta testing my process for encrypting and limiting access to the music (mentioned in another thread).

I am feeling growing pains even now. With the sudden growth I experienced I ended up being short on gear, music, and hosts. But I was very fortunate (and lucky) that everything has landed right side up. We have ceased expansion and begun turning sown opportunities until after the first of the year.

-Chris

_________________
-Chris

Well congrats and good luck. Hey if you ever decide to expand into canada, give me a call. I was an awesome host, but a TERRIBLE business person.

It makes a nice change to read something really positive regarding hosting karaoke gigs. Don't get me wrong, I'm not insinuating that all you ladies and gentlemen on here are constantly moaning, but it would seem there is plenty to dishearten the KJ be it legalities, financial climate etc. This thread demonstrates that it's not all doom and gloom in the world of karaoke and I'm glad Chris has shared his good news with us here on the Forum.