Karaoke Forums

Are you going to have to do the same things Jim if your insurance company wants to settle and you want to fight it out? Do you and Kurt carry any insurance? If not then I guess you would have to fight it out, you couldn't afford to settle, unless someone else was paying for the party, could you?

He has his reasons for that disdain, and if you look at where he had been and where he ended up having to go, it's not surprising that he would lash out.

I said at the time of both of his bannings from this site that I would have preferred that he be allowed to stay. The simple reason for that--aside from the fact that I would prefer to win arguments on merits, not by default--is that for all his bluster, he made my job easier. Most of the time, the advice he gave to KJs was poor and easily countered. If he ever made a valid point, he made it possible for me to anticipate the attack and modify my strategy to counter it. Based on some documents I've seen, I believe he's been in contact with the attorney for EMI, which not only doesn't augur well for EMI's case but also makes it more likely he will get subpoenaed for a deposition.

I will be the first to admit I have taken my pot shots and I will also admit that "he who shall not be named" is not on my "friends" list, but I don't hate him. I just don't like they way he way he operates.

Go back and look at his posting history just on KS from December 2011 until he was removed. He had virtually nothing positive to say about anyone or anything related to karaoke. If you can't recognize that, then you are just one of the blind following the blind.

-Chris

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-Chris

Ohhh... I'm getting the popcorn ready!

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-- Mark

At the time of his most recent banning, I believe I said I would rather he be allowed to stay. Since then, I have changed my mind. It may have made your job easier, but I think the overall drag on the forums exceeded any predictive analysis that could be made.

Of course, anytime there is a void, someone fills it. The Lone Ranger has done a fine job of walking in his shoes thus far.

-Chris

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-Chris

now i will really be watching. if EMI wins it may not show that Chip has been talking to their attorney (why would this attorney for a major music publisher even converse with him and take his advice?) but show that maybe Chip was actually right and the other attorney and judge came to the same conclusion he did.

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Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens

Agreed on all counts. I would also add that he was one of the very few to consistantly include documentation to back up his statements.

Tell you what, Sal- I'm pretty vocal and share many of his opinions. I am also here to defend myself. Why not shoot at me instead? I'm here for ya...

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

Because he's one of those guat "cowards" that were mentioned Joe....

Of course ancient astronaut theorists, JFK conspiracy theorists, 9/11 theorists, and the ilk, all cite "sources", show "evidence", etc, then spin them to their own devices. But under scrutiny, are proven wrong.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

To understand why, you would have to understand precisely who is handling this case for EMI. He's not a typical "attorney for a major music publisher."

Not a typical lawyer like you right Jim? The type of lawyer that let's a KJ slip through the net without even legal counsel like Bob did in Florida, in the Panama City suit. I hope you are up on your game, for EMI is represented and their case must be strong, or KTS's insurance company would not have decided to settle. Even though KTS wanted to duke it out in court.

Don't be so fast to celebrate the anticipated victory, you might just be eating crow instead of popcorn.

Lone, I had agreed with you on few of your waaaaay earlier ideas and thought paths before you went off the deep end, but you have given up this trade/job and you no longer have any skin in the game. Why are you persisting in your quest to bring your form of justice to something that has no effect on you any more? I have to agree with those that thought it was a better place at KS when you weren't posting last month. Try to post when you have something to contribute that is beneficial to someone other than your own not for gain benefit.

It didn't affect him before, remember he never used the product to begin with.

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

I know, but I am hoping that as someone that has never taken a shot at him I might get through.

Why does tim post? He is in Canada and not effected by what happens here in this country. Nobody seems to have a problem with him voicing his opinion. Comments have been made by Insane KJ who doesn't reveal anything about himself, yet I have been asked why I'm not out in the open? I think that some of what I have posted has made some hosts think about some of the questions involving this issue of karaoke piracy. Unlike Insane I have posted on other matters besides piracy, indicating I'm the real deal as far as a host. I'm still not sure if he really is.

While it is true I no longer work in the industry, does that mean once you retire, you are supposed to not be interested in something you spent 19 years of your life living? I naturally have a distrust of large companies, especially ones that tell customers they have to prove they bought a product from them to avoid being sued. That is implying the customer is a thief, not exactly the best way to build customer loyalty.

My opposition to SC is looked on as I hate them. I don't, not supporting their policies is not hatred of the company, it is an
opposition to their methods in trying to reach their goals. I feel that their approach to this whole problem is wrong. Not only wrong but having a negative effect on karaoke in general. I have no ax to grind. I'm not setting up any large scale karaoke operation, hoping that the manus will clear the field for me so that I can fill the void left behind. I'm no longer competing with other hosts for gigs. If I had never hosted you would have told me I don't know anything about your problems. I have walked more than a mile in your shoes, and I am well aware of the problems facing anyone that would want to be a host.

I feel we should be making things easier not more complicated as far as hosting is concerned. Maybe get back some way to hosting and not worry so much about all of this legal process that many think will solve problems.
I have always felt a simple operator's license was the answer to this legality problem. This doesn't set well with others that have made a business of the manu legal process. Of course if all hosts want to do is agree with the SC's and PR's of the world, who am I to invade their comfort space. Like you said I have no skin in the game anymore, just an interest.

Well said Lone

at least you care about the integrity of this industry...what little that's left.

When the "integrity" of the manus, or the manner in which they conduct business is questioned, people want 1,000 pieces of proof and don't want to buy it.

Tell someone such-and-such is a pirate or up to no good then it's believed without proof and spreads like wildfire...even when it's disproved, people still choose to believe the worst in others.

The Lone Ranger - Perhaps Tim receives less grief because he doesn't post essentially the same thing multiple times a day like you do. You have not said anything new in a very long time now.

...and for the record, I am a big fan of transparency in the forums (ie; not hiding behind an alias). I am also an strong privacy advocate. I would rather see people who have strong opinions (especially those that wish to be taken seriously) not mask their identity, but I also understand the reasons why some do. Sometimes, those reasons outweigh the need of transparency.



You had a great run. I can only assume you had a great time doing it. I say "assume" because I don't recall you every posting anything positive about karaoke.....ever. If I make it another 16 years, I hope I feel the same way about it then as I do now. When I retire from karaoke I don't want to spend the last few months of it anonymously counting down on a forum full of people that have never been to my karaoke program while bitching about a single karaoke company that I feel is ruining the karaoke industry (when it is obvious that karaoke is doing just fine). I want to make a long heartfelt post to all those that helped me along the way, and all those that supported the shows. I want to express how much I loved doing what I did for so long and hope that I had a positive impact on the industry and the people I met over the course of two decades.

I look at folks like Brian A. and mrmarog and just pray I have the same level of enthusiasm about karaoke when I am their (young) age as I do now.

I don't get that feeling from you at all. Unfortunately, my picture of you is that of a bitter old man that has nothing better to do with his time than complain about how the karaoke industry isn't what it was back in the old days.



How in the world can you say "I have no ax to grind." (sic) !?!?!? You counter everything anyone posts that is positive about Sound Choice. You turn every mention of Sound Choice in a thread into a "Sound Choice is killing the industry!" campaign.

If you don't support their policies, so be it. But to confront anyone and everyone that buys their music, uses their music, and might even follow their policies is over the top.

You say pulled the product from your library long ago. In reality, that is about all the recourse you actually have against Sound Choice policies. For years, many people have been complaining on this forum about Sound Choice policies and they haven't budged. Do you really think that you are going to get anywhere? Especially in the manner with which you post about it?

I have said many, many times that I also do not agree with how Sound Choice manages their anti-piracy efforts. But I also know that stomping my feet and repeating my arguments against them like an obsessive, compulsive parrot absolutely will not have any impact. Instead, I reached out to Kurt and I have had civil conversation with him about the policies. I have expressed my opinions and offered suggestions. He hasn't budged, but I don't hold it against him. Instead I made other suggestions including the most recent offer of the free audits in an effort to bridge the gap with some of the folks that are wary of Sound Choice. I didn't achieve that by telling everyone to pull Sound Choice, stop using their product or you will get sued, or by slinging mud every opportunity I could.

If you really want to try to make a change or have a positive impact, try having a conversation instead of arguing against something at every turn.



I have already setup large scale operations. No one cleared the way for me. Every week I have someone trying to take one of my gigs from me.

You may have walked a mile in one pair of my shoes, but I have 20 other pair that I am sprinting in non-stop. That's like saying you understand how Target operates because you ran the family general store for two decades.

I don't believe you do know anything about **my particular problems** because you have never operated at scale. I respect your longevity and experience, but, with all due respect, you don't have any idea what it is like to manage payroll, accounts receivable, marketing, inventory, logistics, maintenance, acquisitions, 5 rigs, 6 hosts, 6 venues, 9 owners, 12 computers, 21 shows a week, 30+ rotating bartenders and staff, 50+ songbooks, 300+ miles a week, 8000+ discs, and.....a wife.

And keep in mind.....I did some level of the above for 2 years while maintaining an 80+ hour a week day job with extensive travel.

Have you ever had 4 other hosts call you in a 30 minute window with tech issues? While you are running a show of your own?

You DO NOT know.

I got 99 problems and you got none.....



I chose to operate at scale, so for me, karaoke will never be "easier". But I don't worry about the legal aspects of what I do. Ever. because I also chose to follow the rules set forth by the karaoke companies. In that respect, it has been "easy".



Then do it. Make it happen. Put an end to the tyranny of Sound Choice and PR.

One of the most valuable things I learned in my career at Microsoft was this - Do not come to the table with a problem unless you have a solution you are willing to implement yourself. Otherwise you are just complaining and accomplishing nothing. The problem will continue to exist or someone else will resolve it and take the rewards and recognition. At which point all you get to is say "Hey! I thought of that first!" and no one will care.

-Chris

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-Chris

So your solution to everything is if you can't effect meaningful change just ignore the current situation? A version of just embrace the suck. No one individual just like no one company can solve the problem of piracy it will take everyone working together, on the same page. No reason for me to be bitter I realized all of my goals Chris you still have to achieve yours.

The reason I keep hammering on points is because unless I do so it won't change opinion. Just for the longest time you didn't want to accept the fact SC's licensing is a form of amnesty for a payoff without even an audit conducted. The very same idea I put forward and was roundly attacked for even suggesting. Just like this idea of yours that there should be a special set of justice for the corporate pirate as opposed the the single rig mom and pop pirate. All should be treated equally under the law, and if one is a scum bag they both are. Really all this inflammatory rhetoric is just baloney. This is a civil matter establishing fault and determining just compensation.

My solution is exactly what I said in the last paragraph. Implement a solution or don't. You can (@$%&#!) about it all day long but if you choose to take no action, nothing will ever change. All you are doing is complaining and hoping for someone else to implement your ideas so you can say "That was my idea!!" and "I told you so!!".

The whole idea that you think repeating over and over and over and over again the same "inflammatory rhetoric" will change opinions enough for there to be a sea change is utterly ridiculous. It is no more your job to get people to drop Sound Choice than it is mine to get everyone certified. However, I have been more successful with far less effort and much less backlash than you.

People complained about the cost of the Sound Choice audits for a long time. I went to Kurt and proposed a solution. It was implemented. People took advantage of the offer. How many people have you gotten to drop Sound Choice? To stop buying their product? What solutions have you put into effect that have benefitted anyone?

You say "I have always felt a simple operator's license was the answer to this legality problem." - Do it. Make it happen. Or help someone else make it happen. Or realize that it isn't as simple as you think and may even be completely unrealistic. Either way, (@$%&#!) of get off the pot.

I repeat - Do not come to the table with a problem unless you have a solution you are willing to implement yourself. Otherwise you are just complaining and accomplishing nothing. The problem will continue to exist or someone else will resolve it and take the rewards and recognition. At which point all you get to is say "Hey! I thought of that first!" and no one will care.

-Chris

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-Chris