Karaoke Forums

sorry

_________________
[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

monitor help I'm an idiot

_________________
[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

sorry

_________________
[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Ill tip you $5.00 to stop triple posting.... J/k

Why are you working for less than scale?  Is it because of the multiple nights at the same club?
Does this mean nothing comes with it but being the next to sing?
Isn't having a tip jar the same as asking for tips?

BTW, what suburb?  I've been to Chicago twice this year and would love to karaoke while there..  If I could use the excuse of another forum member running a show and a desire to meet this person I might be able to wrangle a few family members to come with...

Susie

_________________
You do it in the shower,
you do it in the car,
Ccome do it with us,
and be a star!!!!

Karaoke with Full House Entertainment

[scroll]Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean...... [/scroll]

I work for less because it is at the same place 3 nights a week. No tear down and set up time.  Plus,  it doesn't hurt that it is less than a mile from my house. I can run in 10 minutes before I start.

You definitely have a point - putting out a tip jar is asking for tips. But I think it is in poor taste to outrightly ask for them.

It started like I said people started handing me money because they appreciated having a good time. At first I didn't take the money, but the bartender told me I was nuts and made a tip jar out of one of the bar pitchers.

I'm sure you've all been to a karaoke show where all the KJ does is announce the next singer and put on the next song. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that, I just like to do more.

PS - SO SORRY ABOUT THE REPEATING POSTS   I got a big chuckle out of the $5 offer - Thank you for finding humor in it


The bar is open until 3am. I am paid until 2am. People will tip me to stay longer.

_________________
[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

I have no problem with a KJ accepting TIPS rendered for good service.  I most certainly have a problem with those who take BRIBES.  What I mean by a "bribe" is a tip given to the KJ by a singer in order to bump the singer ahead in the rotation.  Some KJ's think that "no one will know the difference".  I've got news for them - the singers are well aware of the rotation.  The singers know when there are "rotation shenanigans" going on.  Under NO CIRCUMSTANCE WHATSOEVER should a KJ EVER take a bribe.  First of all, it is harmful to a KJ's most valuable asset - his reputation.  When you consider the value of a professional mobile KJ business is that $100 bribe really worth it in the long run?  The next problem with taking bribes is that you turn control of your show to the drunks who have lots of money to throw around.  It no longer is YOUR show when the money "runs" it.  Furthermore, if you have a briber with lots of money to throw around who is unable to remotely carry a tune is it really fair to the others to let him sing and sing and sing???

I've been involved in karaoke about 12 years now and I can honestly say that those KJ's who adhere religiously to concept of "fair singer rotation" are those who tend to last a long time in this business.  Those who pull "rotation shenanigans" don't.  

Also, I have no problem with a KJ having a tip jar as long as it is for "tips" and not for "bribes".

Hi, new guy here, but I'm not a KJ, just a singing drunk.  :newlol:

I have a scenario that is a bit relevant to the topic.
The place where I do most of my karaoke seems to run a fair game....when the proprietor KJ is present atleast. She has a couple fill-ins a night or two a week that I've noticed are definitely catering to friends that hang around the KJ booth, and I've noticed lack of fair rotation, but, what the hell, it's just a bunch of people trying to have fun, it doesn't bother me all that much, but I could see where it might bother someone else. I get my fair share......I think?  :crying2:  

Anyhow, as far as tipping goes, yes, I tip the owner KJ a $20.00 at the "end of the night" just to avoid any misconception that I want a favor. But I don't think it's allowed by the bar owners. I once mentioned that she should have a tip jar, and she informed me of the bar rule. So, I'm not sure if I'm making her uncomfortable by imposing this tip everytime. And the only reason I do is because she's wonderful, sexy, sings like an angel, and I think I'm out of my mind..............yeah, in my dreams.

But, I also tip the bartenders $1-$1.50 for every $2.50 beer....way more than a standard 15% tip. Not that I have all kinds of money to throw around, I only go in there when I'm in town on karaoke nights, and that may be only twice a month.

As far as the tipping goes for all of you KJs out there, I think you shouldn't feel uncomfortable about accepting tips, as long as it doesn't involve bribery. Make a rule that tips are accepted at the end of the night, and see how that goes.  :wink:

But if you're a female KJ, and a patron is in love with you, I can't advise you on that, I need advice myself in that department.  :newlol:

Definitely food for thought on the bribery. I have only taken a few bribes in over 1000 shows. I think I will stop that now. I guess it has never caused me a problem, so I didn't think much of it.
Ex: It is hard to resist a nice person that hands me a twenty who says I want to sing one song to my wife can you get me in soon. I'm a sucker for romance.

Drunk singing tipper - You sound like a nice person. I would appreciate a patron like you. Just don't start leaving her notes and gifts. And never ever wait for her outside. That's when I get creeped out.

_________________
[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

the scenareo you mentioned Babs is tempting... and I feel your pain.

But what I would do in such a situation is say to the person "I'm terribly sorry, but I run a straight rotation. If you have a message for your wife, then you can say it when your turn comes up. I run a rotation like a line in the bank. Nobody cuts in front of you there. Do they?"

If they persist, I get a bit tougher. "That $20 is fine for me, but what about the rest of the people in rotation?? Why is it fair for you to pay me, when they are here spending their money TO the bar?? And your $20 can't top their combined money by any means."

Now the sheer fact that you've taken such incentives and may or may not have had a problem with the regs is your business... here, I'd have been lynched, because I DO run a regular rotation.

Scenerio - unlikely but.....
You have 20 people in rotation.  These people know that you are one of these types that can "sell" their integrity for a small chunk of change.  You get ALL 20 people come up to you at the same time with a $20 in their hand to "be the next singer", what do you do now.  Start asking for more money?  Drop taking bribes & run a fair rotation?

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

I love your comments

How about this scenerio (knowing I do not have a reputation for taking bribes)
True story
I have announced the show is soon over and the last singer is coming up. Someone comes up with a $10 bill and asks to sing one last song. Someone hears him and runs up with a $20 for one last song. They are buying my time at this point because I am no longer being paid by the bar owner. There are only a few people left in the bar. I have to get up the next day for my full time job and really want to go home. What do you do?

_________________
[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

I go home.  In my case, the bar has me shut down at a certain time & I explain to the customer to that effect & if they have a problem with it, they can take it up with the manager.  But if your venue allows it & you want to work "AFTER" the show for a few bucks, then that's perfectly acceptable in my opinion.

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

Some states, and counties, have a set time to shut down a show, in that case, the law rules. Here where we live, The bars can run 24 hrs a day. I have played a 12 hr gig....... with patrons taking a collection up to pay the $75.00 an hr I get to play after the 4 hr min. show. Bars don't seem to mind as long as people are buying their drinks.

_________________
______________________________________
I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

What I like is when they bribe you and their next in the rotation anyway.

_________________
You can be strange but not a stranger

Yep!  Have had that happen once a few years back.  Guy was just BUGGING me every couple minutes.  He had maybe 10 songs to wait.  Kept coming up with money to get him up next - every song!  Well he finally did it in HIS spot in the round, so I took it!  People were actually watching & started laughing - they KNEW it was not a bribe because they could see exactly where everyone was singing on the computer monitor.

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

Oh.....it's not even like that....he he he. I think I gave TMI.  :shock:
But thanks for the compliment, I am a nice person. Most people can't believe it.  :newlol:

had no idea that this would be such a fiery topic!  as to the above scenario, i let all of my customers know as soon as i've reached my limit of songs that i can get to in a night.  i generally don't have more than 15-20 singers in the rotation so it's not too hard to gauge how long their songs will take.  once i have enough songs to take me till i have to shut down (Texas has this silly law about drinking after 2am), i tell everyone so they know no matter how much teh beg, plead, bribe, strip (yes it's happend before!) i cannot move them ahead of another singer.  the drawback is that folks start leaving as soon as they've sung thier last song.

I think KJ's ought to have a tip jar but not solicit tips.  

In some places I've tipped because the KJ was cool with me and put on a good show.  Sometimes I feel like I'm bugging them when I put in a slip.

In one place recently, I wanted to use my own disk because they didn't have songs I wanted to sing.   If a place does, I just use song number from the book.  I know some KJ's hate this-- but why should I settle if I'm buying drinks and food in the bar.  Anyway, they guy said, sure I'll sue your disk and rattled his tip jar in front of me.  He was basically ok and did talk to us so I did tip him a few bucks (no biggie).

In another place, the KJ remembers me even though I don't go there too often.  Last week, I asked to sing one and she thru me in right before a break.  

Net of all this babbling is that some KJ's are cool to you (regardless of rotation fairness etc.) and its nice to tip them occasionally.

walking around with tip jar is not cool.

btw- there are places (NYC, Honnolulu) that you pay $1-2 to sing per song.

_________________
You do it in the shower,
you do it in the car,
Ccome do it with us,
and be a star!!!!

Karaoke with Full House Entertainment

[scroll]Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean...... [/scroll]