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Just getting started and curious as to the current average price for a night gig in bar/bar-resturant is running. I've heard ranges all over the place.
Located in Va Beach.
Thanks, Derry
Posts: 5 | From: Va Beach, Va | Registered: Sep 2011
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Just depends on what your market area is paying. A good experienced host can usually make more than someone just starting out with no following or anything. Some areas that don't have a lot of karaoke to choose from on every corner will tend to pay a little more than a place that has nothing around for miles. In our area $150 is a higher scale that bars are willing to pay with $100-125 being an avg. I've heard of gigs paying as low as $75 - $250 throughout the country.
quote:Some areas that don't have a lot of karaoke to choose from on every corner will tend to pay a little more than a place that has nothing around for miles.
Sorry, I made a blunder in the wee hours of the morn. Should have read Areas that don't have a lot of karaoke to choose from on every corner will tend to pay a little more than a place that does.
This is Brian from years on this forum. I have a business trip coming up to Seattle. I am hoping to come see you on Thursday 9/29. If old(er) guys will fit in with your crowd.
Nothing to do on Friday but fly back to Phil.
Is it a long drive from a Seattle airport area hotel to your bar?
Posts: 790 | From: Audubon, Pa. | Registered: Jan 2000
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I am also in Va (c-ville area) but have worked from Roanoke to VB. Established shows that are good can easily get $250+ per show (in large venues) but small venues and untried host can struggle to get even $75 to $100 per show.
My advice is get your foot in the door on a smaller venue that wishes to offer karaoke get as many people as you can to come out every gig you do there and put on as outstanding show as you can. This will build your reputation and place you in a position of other venues wanting you at a much higher value.
The bad news is that piracy has really put an extrodinary amount of puesdo KJs on the street and this drives down prices for every legit KJ working. The good news is that SC and CB are beginning to make a dent in the pirates by the lawsuits they are bringing and I am looking forward to an increase in SC lawsuits as it continues to either put pirates out of business or cost them enough money in settlements that they can't afford to work for beer money for very long. In Virginia (one of the states where venues are sued for contributory piracy) the venues are now beginning to seek proof that the KJs are legit either by certification or being disc based.
Don't hesitate to drop a dime on anyone that you are sure is running a pirate system, this will speed up the process as it gives the manus an idea of where to look.
I wish you luck in your endeavor.
-------------------- Cheerleader for the efforts of Sound Choice Chartbuster and Stellar. Posts: 162 | From: Virginia | Registered: Nov 2010
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Don't let these hacks fool you, they're the ones driving down the prices. We need the money more than they do, otherwise why would we be pirating to begin with?
If you have your own equipment (good equipment) and can reasonably entertain and run sound, you can charge $150 out the gate. If you have experience, you can charge $200+. If you really want to make money, look for house parties, weddings and private gigs and score $400+.
-------------------- I'm proud to be a pirate. At least I know I'm free. No one cares what you think music should cost. We're working class heroes. Posts: 5 | From: Pirate Land | Registered: Sep 2011
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We wanted to throw our hat in the ring on this one. Every state ranges in pricing based upon many factors. To include some: Area, population, popularity of karaoke, level of competition between bars, and then the one harmful factor of how many PIRATES surround you.
Typically a newbe in our area would make on an average of 125-150 weekdays and 150-200 weekends. Depends upon the calibur of karaoke host as well or even the economy.
That one factor that keeps driving down the prices is: And allow us to give you an example; Customer calls us to purchase a laptop for karaoke for his new business. We offer a really nice laptop and a legit music pack of about 2,300 songs to 3,800 songs for just under $3,000. Then the consumer calls around and finds another vendor that is willing to give them 15,000-20,000 karaoke songs, and 35,000 dj songs and the laptop for the same price. 1. We lose the customer, and 2. That kj is now able to undercut the hard working HONEST kjs out there that paid their dues! A vicious circle.
In our opinion: A REAL laptop with all that music should cost THOUSANDS! And in our opinion. ALL kj's that care and buy what they feel is legit and do not try to kill the market should be paid NO LESS than $150-175 a weeknight and maybe even more depending upon where they live! God Bless to all those kj's and dj's that do right in this world. Trust that Karma will reward you somewhere down the line.
Posts: 5 | From: Ohio | Registered: Jun 2012
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