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OK KARAOKE

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Posts posted by OK KARAOKE

  1. Starting Karaoke

    in Getting Started

    Posted

    Hello oggi.

    I don't DJ any more and just visited the forum today out of curiosity. However, the KJs I see nowadays all seem to use a laptop connected to the Internet and just download tracks as they need them. If you ask around next time you're at a Karoake night someone will probably tell you the best sites.

    Good luck.

  2. How The Mighty Have Fallen

    in The DJ's United Arms

    Posted

    My first log in for over a decade. Quite surprised I'm still registered.

     

    I stopped DJ-ing through health problems, mine and my wife's.

    After that I decided that as a musician of many years I preferred making my own music live rather than playing someone else's off disc / other media.

     

    I enjoyed my spell as a mobile DJ (apart from the back-ache) and came to respect the skills required of a good DJ, which was a change of heart for me as I used to say that "anyone can put a record on". Haha - lessons were learned very quickly.

     

    I am now enjoying a new lease of life as a singer/songwriter and on-demand lead guitarist. I produced a CD a year ago and have a semi-regular slot on BBC local radio.

    Old habits die hard . . . . . I've done a few gigs where I've been hosting the night and couldn't resist making up a few mixes at home to bring along, and they seem to go down well.

    Being a septegenarian I don't knock myself out nowadays but still want to keep my hand in.

     

    Anyway . . . . I only logged in today out of curiosity as I found an old T-bar stand in the shed and couldn't for the life of me set it up. I now believe there is a part missing. But that got me thinking and here I am.

    Dunno when I'll be back.

    Keep well.

    Ian

    • Like 1

  4. Music on cassettes ?

    in The DJ's United Arms

    Posted

    I still have my Spectrum 48K, and it still works. I loaded Manic Miner a few weeks ago. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif I also still have the modem but sadly I don`t know how to get it to access modern ISPs. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/014.gif But it was a lot of fun "back then" http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif

  7. Jealousy, and the DJ

    in D.J and Karaoke Chat

    Posted · Edited by OK KARAOKE

    I used to feel a bit jealous of some guys who had a better power amp than me - I was only running a McGreggor 200 x 200. But I just got a Nexus 1.5k so I`m happy

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Now I just need some speakers to do it justice

     

     

    GARY. DON`T EDIT MY POSTS. I AM OLD ENOUGH TO DECIDE WHAT IS FORUM ETTIQUETTE. THERE IS MUCH MORE JUNK GOES ON HERE THAN I POSTED.

     

    DO N-O-T DO IT AGAIN!!!!

     

     

  8. Let's talk about agents!!

    in D.J and Karaoke Chat

    Posted · Edited by OK KARAOKE

    As you`re probably aware by now I`m cutting down (or out) disco / karaoke work in favour of singing and playing like I used to in the last Century http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif

    I`ve DJ`d for 6 years and never used an agent - and wouldn`t.

    But I`ve used agents extensively in my band and solo singing career for 40+ years. Not through choice but because clubs prefer to work via agents most of the time, and then try it on with; "Can we book you for next Octember the 32nd... we`ll book you direct so you don`t have to pay the agent`s fee . . .err, of course we`ll pay you less as well http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/sad.gif

    I am already in touch with a local agent who heard I`m going back "gigging". The fees he`s offering are less than I`ve been getting with Disco, and are indeed less than I have managed to wangle for a couple of self-booked venues.. Here`s where experience and stubbornness come in handy... His normal commission rate is 15%. I have got him to agree to take only 10% if he wants to book me out, my reasons being;

    1/ "I didn`t call you, you called me"

    2/ "I can get more for a 2 hour kids` party round the corner than you`re offering me to travel 75 miles! - and the kids` party is cash in hand http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif"

    3/ "I`m trying to earn a crust, not finance your next new BMW"

    ---------

    Although it often doesn`t appear so, the agent is there to WORK FOR YOU - not the other way round. If you are good at what you do then you can call the tune (groan). If you`re not good then take what you can get.

    ------

    I`m just glad that I didn`t sell of my CDs as it looks like I`ll be doing a bit more DJ-ing for a while http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/rolleyes.gif

  9. Estate cars

    in The DJ's United Arms

    Posted · Edited by OK KARAOKE

    I had a Montego Countryman for three years, then my (present) Volvo 240 Estate for four years. This is now ready for the knackers yard and I have lined up a nice VW Golf CL Estate as my next vehicle. This isn`t quite as big as the Volvo but as I`m about to jack in DJ/Karaoke this won`t really matter.

    For my future gigs I`ll still be carrying a PA, but no lights, and no cases of CDs, so the reduced space won`t really matter.

  10. Smoking Ban

    in D.J and Karaoke Chat

    Posted

    Almost every addict will self-excuse his/her addiction usually along the lines of "Freedom of Choice", "it`s my right", "it`s the only pleasure I get" etc... but what they really mean is; "I can`t get along without it/them and if it means you gotta suffer, then so beit".

    When I smoked (40 to 60 a day) I NEVER smoked in cafes or restuarants where people were eating. And I wouldn`t tolerate someone smoking next to me when I was eating - to the extent that on a couple of occasions I stubbed out the person`s cigarette in their tea / coffee.

    I smoked for 44 years and have to say that I spent more than 20 of those years desperately trying to pack `em in.

    Now I`ve done it I don`t want to breathe someone else`s stink so yes, I will give a 10% discount for a booking at a non-smoking venue.

    ---

    Go to a smoker`s house (or the local pub/club). What colour is the ceiling?? It ain`t white, is it? (unless it`s just been painted). It`s yellow or brown - that`s the smoke. And that`s what your lungs are like.

     

  12. Hello

    in Introduce Yourself Here

    Posted · Edited by OK KARAOKE

    <edit>

    lol. I just had a go at you for competing with Chris, but have now found out that Chris has retired and changed the forum rules so.... Welcome. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif

  15. Was I too Harsh and General Gripes for all

    in D.J and Karaoke Chat

    Posted

    I think you were right to do what you did.

    As the author of the letter made it clear to you that he was a DJ I got the impression that his inital "percentage" suggestion was the thin end of the wedge. This is upheld by his saying that he would get back to you with "specific band names".

    I can`t help feeling that you would have been plagued by this person for the whole gig continually telling you; "well, I would have played this now" and ;"I don`t think that`s a good choice of music at the moment - didn`t you read my list?"

     

    I had a gig the other week that was Hell.

    A 30th birthday - that`s fine, no probs.. Except.... the Birthday Boy is singer in a heavy rock band and he had his band members an hangers-on with him. (No gear so they weren`t playing at the gig).

    All they wanted all night was rock and more rock. This was to placate about twenty people. The sad thing was, there were about 150 people in the room and a lot of them were aged 50+ (some into their 70s+).

    Consequently 75% of the audience didn`t get any of their music.

    There were times I had to physically remove six or seven people from behind my gear as they were searching through lists & CDs and pestering the life outta me.

    If I had been told of this in advance I would not have taken the gig.

    I knew it was going to be a bad night when the guy`s sister came up to me at the beginning of the night, looked at my grey hair and said; "Do you play any new stuff? You haven`t even heard of The Libertines and White Stripes, have you?"

    http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/mad.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/oops.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/wallbash.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/188.gif

  16. nursing homes ?

    in D.J and Karaoke Chat

    Posted

    QUOTE (robbiedj @ Feb 21 2005, 02:31 PM)
    But, please remember OAP's are over 60/65 and were possibly rockers in their time! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/oops.gif

    You ain`t kiddin!

    I am 60 next year (oh Christ no!!) http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/014.gif but if somone thought I should be entertained all night by...

     

    Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Jimmy Dorsey etc. Look for the tracks that have the Andrews Sisters, The Beverly Sisters, Bing crosby singing on them.

    Flanigan and Allen, Vera Lynn Frankie Vaughan, Frank Ifield, Shirley Bassey, Petula clark.[unquote]

     

    I`d make them eat my latest Prodisc!!

     

    Don`t get me wrong - I like that kind of music, but it`s really the stuff of the generation before me (honest). Either that or I`m young for me age http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

     

    Age 60 / 65 is not nowadays classes as "really old" - except by young whippersnappers barely out of their pampers... you can always tell them - they carnt speel http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

     

    Ask them what they want to hear - you may be surprised.

    Good luck with the gigs.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    now get back to CK ;)

  18. Very professional !!!

    in The DJ's United Arms

    Posted

    Aah, but to foget a wedding would be difficult as it would be (probably) your only engagement that day. The guy could be PAT testing many items for many customers any day of the week.

    It`s still bad show though - buy him a clip-board and a pen. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

  19. Here we go again.. . . .

    in D.J and Karaoke Chat

    Posted

    QUOTE (paula @ Feb 4 2005, 11:27 AM)
    Anyway, my memory has lapsed!! wern't it you that bought a mini mountain of discs off me http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif....it's hard work selling off a karaoke http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/sad.gif

    Yes Paula I did buy some discs off you, 17 I think, mainly DKs. There`s no real problem there. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

    It wasn`t till I became an "ex-performer" that I discovered the quality backing available on some cdg discs. I`m quite happy to hang onto a load of these to use on stage. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif

    The Shadows stuff is sorted, I`m buying tracks made in Hank Marvins "NIVRAM" studio in Australia. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/cool.gif

    Anyway I`ve realised that I don`t have to jack in DJ/Karaoke just cos I`m gonna start playing again, I can do both. That way I should be able to get as much work as I want (which ain`t an awful lot), and even do some cherry-picking http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif

    Ta everyone for the support. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/thanks.gif

    And if you`re interested in hiring the £30 disco you`re welcome to PM me for the phone number. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/whistling.gif

  20. Here we go again.. . . .

    in D.J and Karaoke Chat

    Posted

    Opened my local paper today and in the Disco section there`s an ad....

     

    "DISCOS £30 - WE WON`T BE BEATEN ON PRICE"

     

    Couple of weeks ago I did my first singing gig for five years.

    Took the missus and 18-year-old Grand-daughter with me.

    It was a Thursday night.

    Arrived 8.30. Did 2x 45 min spots and finished at 11.15. Was home at 11.50

    I got £100, could have drunk what I wanted and stayed overnight (no point, only 10 mins from home).

    I also got a lot more thanks and appreciation than I do on Disco nights, and I carry less than a quarter of the gear.

    So is it really any wonder that I`m now working on honing my singing/playing skills again.

    I can`t compete with nobheads who are prepared to go out for £30, but as a musician and vocalist I can hold my own against the vast majority in the area.

    I maybe long in the tooth but I proved I can still cut the mustard.

    Once I`ve perfected my various sets (including a Hank Marvin tribute set), I`ll likely be flogging off my lights and CDs (including 450+ karaokes), and you guys will be the first to know.

    http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif

  21. Broken Amp

    in D.J and Karaoke Chat

    Posted

    My thoughts on this are as follows:

     

    If this guy is even suggesting such a cockamamy modification then he`s a cowboy!

    Don`t let him do it - in fact don`t even let him touch it. Take it to a reputable repairer and make sure he`s qualified to work on the gear.

     

    I personally know a number of dealers who, because they`ve been in the (selling) game for a long time, think they are engineers or technicians, and therefore are quite happy to "have a go" at fixing stuff. Luckily most faults fall into set categories and with the help and support of distributors and manufacturers can usually effect fairly decent repairs. But now and then they hit a sticky one and think that they can just stick in any old modification to suit themselves. Some mods I`ve seen have been positively life-threatening.

     

    http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/1106.gif

  22. Agencies

    in D.J and Karaoke Chat

    Posted

    My biggest gripe with agents is this:

    Years ago agents were known as "Mister Ten Percent". That`s because they took 10% of your fee as Agent`s Commission. (Unlike management where they take anything from 20% to 50%).

    This was great from the 1950s through the 60s and into the 70s when Working Men`s Clubs were flourishing, pubs were getting in on the act, and even bingo halls were hiring entertainers.

    Then things cooled off. There was less money around, less clubs but more people were trying to break into entertainment . . . . and agencies.

    Artists and agencies saw their income beginning to dwindle. So what did 90% of the agents do? Did they get off their bums and try and get their entertainer clients higher fees? Did they balls!! They increased their commission from 10% to 15%.

    In my book, that stinks.

    If I wasn`t so long in the tooth I`d have a go at setting up and Entertaiment Agency and I`d charge 10%, like they used to. That would raise a few eyebrows I`m sure http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

    ----

    Ahhhh another one of me soapboxes http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif

  25. First Week(end) of 2005

    in How was it for you?

    Posted

    @ Tonsk - thanks for that m8 - you`ve done me a power of good.

     

    Thanks all for the good wishes (and the ones via PM), but now let`s get back to the topic of the thread - what do you all have lined up??

    I have two in Feb and one in May so far, but I`ve just bought a new Fender Strat guitar and a Spirit FX8 mixer and I`m gonna work them hard later in the year.

     

     

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