Madison Karaoke Presents:
🧠 Beginner’s Guide to Hosting Karaoke
Welcome, future KJs and curious DJs. Whether you're already spinning tracks or just now thinking, “Hey, maybe I could do this,” — you're in the right place.
This section is for anyone who's ready to start their journey into the world of Karaoke hosting. Maybe you're looking to add something new to your DJ setup, or maybe you’ve just been to a few shows and thought, “I’d love to run something like this myself.”
This isn’t fluff. This is the real stuff — based on years of live shows, packed nights, broken mic stands, and those unforgettable moments when someone shouts, “Hey DJ!” and they’re talking to you.
Let’s walk through the essentials — one step at a time. You don’t need to know everything today. You just need to start.
🎙️ MY STORY
My Karaoke story starts back in the early 2000s. I was in a cover band, and we were booked to play a charity gig at a popular bowling alley with a big music following, a nice-sized stage, and a real dance floor.
While we were setting up, I noticed a DJ already working. He had a folding table, a small PA, and a laptop playing low-volume music for the early crowd. I was curious — about his setup, what he was playing, how he worked. So I walked over and introduced myself.
Turned out, he was a Karaoke host too. He ran mobile DJ and Karaoke shows, plus a steady in-house gig at a bar with their system. We got talking. I asked if he didn’t mind sharing what he was being paid for the day — four hours of music.
He told me: $200.
That hit me. After I paid my band, sound guy, and light guy that night, I walked out with $40.
That was the moment I started rethinking cover bands.
Since the PA was mine and I was already managing the band, I figured — why not run my own Karaoke shows? But do it my way.
Since then, I’ve trained 16 DJs and KJs. A lot of them stuck with me for 10+ years. (Most of the rest were lost to girlfriends and new wives — the great KJ vanishing act.)
Now I’m here, writing this — hoping to pass along what I’ve learned over nearly two decades of packed shows, tough nights, big crowds, and bigger lessons.
You can do this!
My Karaoke story starts back in the early 2000s. I was in a cover band, and we were booked to play a charity gig at a popular bowling alley with a big music following, a nice-sized stage, and a real dance floor.
While we were setting up, I noticed a DJ already working. He had a folding table, a small PA, and a laptop playing low-volume music for the early crowd. I was curious — about his setup, what he was playing, how he worked. So I walked over and introduced myself.
Turned out, he was a Karaoke host too. He ran mobile DJ and Karaoke shows, plus a steady in-house gig at a bar with their system. We got talking. I asked if he didn’t mind sharing what he was being paid for the day — four hours of music.
He told me: $200.
That hit me. After I paid my band, sound guy, and light guy that night, I walked out with $40.
That was the moment I started rethinking cover bands.
Since the PA was mine and I was already managing the band, I figured — why not run my own Karaoke shows? But do it my way.
Since then, I’ve trained 16 DJs and KJs. A lot of them stuck with me for 10+ years. (Most of the rest were lost to girlfriends and new wives — the great KJ vanishing act.)
Now I’m here, writing this — hoping to pass along what I’ve learned over nearly two decades of packed shows, tough nights, big crowds, and bigger lessons.
You can do this!
🧠That First Time They Call You “The DJ”
One thing I didn’t expect when I started hosting shows was how people would treat me differently. People always want to know what you do, as in work, and for some reason, being a DJ carries with it a little thing I like to call "Respect". It's a nice feeling.
When I was in a band, I was just “one of the guys.” Just a singer in a Rock N Roll band. Even when I ran the whole thing, most people didn’t notice. But when I stepped behind the mic as a DJ — something changed.
People started calling me “the DJ.” And it stuck.
There’s a kind of respect that comes with it. You're running the room. You're setting the tone. You're in control of the music, the vibe, the experience.
It’s a title people recognize. And when someone shouts it across the room — “Hey DJ!” — and they mean you?
It feels good.
You don’t need to be famous. You don’t need a massive setup.
But when you’ve got the gear, the knowledge, and the right attitude — that title becomes yours.
And the best part? You earned it.
One thing I didn’t expect when I started hosting shows was how people would treat me differently. People always want to know what you do, as in work, and for some reason, being a DJ carries with it a little thing I like to call "Respect". It's a nice feeling.
When I was in a band, I was just “one of the guys.” Just a singer in a Rock N Roll band. Even when I ran the whole thing, most people didn’t notice. But when I stepped behind the mic as a DJ — something changed.
People started calling me “the DJ.” And it stuck.
There’s a kind of respect that comes with it. You're running the room. You're setting the tone. You're in control of the music, the vibe, the experience.
It’s a title people recognize. And when someone shouts it across the room — “Hey DJ!” — and they mean you?
It feels good.
You don’t need to be famous. You don’t need a massive setup.
But when you’ve got the gear, the knowledge, and the right attitude — that title becomes yours.
And the best part? You earned it.
🎬 So You Wanna Be a KJ?
“KJ” stands for Karaoke Jockey for those who were unsure. Most people will call you “DJ” — and that’s just fine. You’re the one running the music, lifting people up, and keeping the energy going.
Whether you're doing this as a side hustle or planning to build a full-time business, the truth is:
You don’t need to spend thousands. You just need the right gear, the right songs, and the right mindset.
🎵 Song Libraries: Streaming vs. Owning
There are two ways to run a Karaoke show:
🔌 Streaming
✅ Big song access
❌ Internet required
❌ Monthly fees
❌ Risky mid-song buffering (YouTube = 🚫)
💽 Owning Your Collection
✅ Always works — even without Wi-Fi
✅ No monthly payments
✅ Full control over your library
If you’re serious about hosting shows — even casual ones — skip the streaming. Owning your own drive keeps you in control and protects your show from tech failures. You want conrol over your music. If you are doing a backyard party and the router has 25 people on it, you're speeds might be slow. Mobile "hot spots" can be iffy depending on your location. Be flexible, prepare for the worst and you'll be fine.
🏠 Home Shows vs 🎉 Bar Gigs
Ask yourself:
Where will you host?
💻 Your Gear: Start Smart
Laptop:
🔹 Use a modern laptop with 8GB+ RAM and an SSD
🔹 Older laptops can work — but slower song searching can kill your flow. You will have customers who want to watch you type in your queries. The longer it takes to search or enter the song, the longer the people will be waiting at your table. Faster is always better.
Mixer:
🔹 Non-powered, 4+ channels
🔹 Built-in vocal effects are a must
💡 Behringer = great value mixers
Speakers:
🔹 Powered speakers only
🔹 Subwoofers? Not needed for Karaoke
🔹 My pick: Mackie 12" Thump — light, durable, loud enough
Microphones:
🎤 Start with Shure SM58 wired mics
✅ Tough
✅ Great sound
✅ Feedback-resistant
Cables:
🔌 Laptop ➡ Mixer
🔌 Mixer ➡ Speakers
Label everything and always carry backups.
📚 Books, Slips & Pencils
Yes — printed books still matter.
✅ Big books = more songs
✅ Put New Releases & Greatest Hits right at the front
✅ Design your own slips — 8 per sheet, with your logo
✅ Bring a cup of sharpened pencils — you'll look like a pro
🔊 Venue Sound vs Your Mobile P.A.
🎛️ If the Venue lets you plug into their system — great!
Just know:
🎙️ Mic Etiquette + Singer Support
🚫 No mic drops — ever
🗣️ Teach singers how to hold the mic right
🎶 Lower the music first, then boost vocals
🎵 Dead air? Avoid it — always have filler music ready
Your job is to make everyone sound their best — and feel like a star.
🧾 Going Pro? A Few Business Tips💼
If you’re getting paid:
“KJ” stands for Karaoke Jockey for those who were unsure. Most people will call you “DJ” — and that’s just fine. You’re the one running the music, lifting people up, and keeping the energy going.
Whether you're doing this as a side hustle or planning to build a full-time business, the truth is:
You don’t need to spend thousands. You just need the right gear, the right songs, and the right mindset.
🎵 Song Libraries: Streaming vs. Owning
There are two ways to run a Karaoke show:
🔌 Streaming
✅ Big song access
❌ Internet required
❌ Monthly fees
❌ Risky mid-song buffering (YouTube = 🚫)
💽 Owning Your Collection
✅ Always works — even without Wi-Fi
✅ No monthly payments
✅ Full control over your library
If you’re serious about hosting shows — even casual ones — skip the streaming. Owning your own drive keeps you in control and protects your show from tech failures. You want conrol over your music. If you are doing a backyard party and the router has 25 people on it, you're speeds might be slow. Mobile "hot spots" can be iffy depending on your location. Be flexible, prepare for the worst and you'll be fine.
🏠 Home Shows vs 🎉 Bar Gigs
Ask yourself:
Where will you host?
- At home? Keep it simple: one speaker, one mic, basic drive.
- Going mobile? You’ll need dual speakers, a solid mic, a mixer, an updated library, and at least one display monitor.
💻 Your Gear: Start Smart
Laptop:
🔹 Use a modern laptop with 8GB+ RAM and an SSD
🔹 Older laptops can work — but slower song searching can kill your flow. You will have customers who want to watch you type in your queries. The longer it takes to search or enter the song, the longer the people will be waiting at your table. Faster is always better.
Mixer:
🔹 Non-powered, 4+ channels
🔹 Built-in vocal effects are a must
💡 Behringer = great value mixers
Speakers:
🔹 Powered speakers only
🔹 Subwoofers? Not needed for Karaoke
🔹 My pick: Mackie 12" Thump — light, durable, loud enough
Microphones:
🎤 Start with Shure SM58 wired mics
✅ Tough
✅ Great sound
✅ Feedback-resistant
Cables:
🔌 Laptop ➡ Mixer
🔌 Mixer ➡ Speakers
Label everything and always carry backups.
📚 Books, Slips & Pencils
Yes — printed books still matter.
✅ Big books = more songs
✅ Put New Releases & Greatest Hits right at the front
✅ Design your own slips — 8 per sheet, with your logo
✅ Bring a cup of sharpened pencils — you'll look like a pro
🔊 Venue Sound vs Your Mobile P.A.
🎛️ If the Venue lets you plug into their system — great!
Just know:
- You’ll have less control over sound levels
- Always bring your own PA gear just in case if you can. Back up everything that you can. Having to drive back to where you're other gear is can leave a bad impression or worse. Prepare in advance. Keep a list.
🎙️ Mic Etiquette + Singer Support
🚫 No mic drops — ever
🗣️ Teach singers how to hold the mic right
🎶 Lower the music first, then boost vocals
🎵 Dead air? Avoid it — always have filler music ready
Your job is to make everyone sound their best — and feel like a star.
🧾 Going Pro? A Few Business Tips💼
If you’re getting paid:
- Follow your state’s rules
- Build a one-page Promo Pack with your logo, photo, and show info
- Visit venues. Network. Be real. Be consistent.
- 🚫 Don’t fund Karaoke contests prizes out of pocket
- 🚫 Don’t judge your own contests
- ✅ Always grow with lessons from each show
PRO TIPS🎯 Want More Real-World Advice?
The tips on this page are just the start.
If you're already booking shows — or thinking about it — don’t miss the Pro Tips section.
It covers things like:
It’s not about doing everything perfectly — it’s about learning from someone who’s already been through it.
The tips on this page are just the start.
If you're already booking shows — or thinking about it — don’t miss the Pro Tips section.
It covers things like:
- 🎗️ Handling charity events without hurting your rep
- 💵 Dealing with low-ballers and “exposure gigs”
- 🎤 Protecting your rate and your time like a pro
It’s not about doing everything perfectly — it’s about learning from someone who’s already been through it.
💡 Ready to Start with the Best?
If you’re just getting into Karaoke and want to skip the learning curve — take a serious look at the MK Pro Series.
✅ 4TB Hard Drive
✅ 520,000+ Selections
✅ Lifetime Monthly Updates
✅ Plug-and-play simplicity
Perfect for bars, parties, or building your own weekly show. If you're ready to go all in, the MK Pro Book Series adds a fully built, water-resistant book — gig-tested and custom made for you.
🎯 No downloads. No setup headaches. Just power it on and press play.
Learn more about the MK Pro Series
Get the full MK Pro Book Bundle
If you’re just getting into Karaoke and want to skip the learning curve — take a serious look at the MK Pro Series.
✅ 4TB Hard Drive
✅ 520,000+ Selections
✅ Lifetime Monthly Updates
✅ Plug-and-play simplicity
Perfect for bars, parties, or building your own weekly show. If you're ready to go all in, the MK Pro Book Series adds a fully built, water-resistant book — gig-tested and custom made for you.
🎯 No downloads. No setup headaches. Just power it on and press play.
Learn more about the MK Pro Series
Get the full MK Pro Book Bundle
Karaoke Player
Sax & Dotty Show Presenter Pro🎯
I’ve used this for 19+ years. It just works.
💵 Under $50
🔁 Regular updates
🧪 Free trial (15 days)
🇬🇧 Comes from the UK — check spam for your license email
This is my pro tool of choice. No fluff — just results.
🧠 Rich’s Real Talk🔥 Don’t chase perfection. Chase progress.
🚀 Start small. Grow smart.
🎤 Focus on the singer.
🧩 Great shows come from experience, not gear.
Got questions? I’m always happy to help.📧 [email protected]
🎉 Welcome to the show.
Sax & Dotty Show Presenter Pro🎯
I’ve used this for 19+ years. It just works.
💵 Under $50
🔁 Regular updates
🧪 Free trial (15 days)
🇬🇧 Comes from the UK — check spam for your license email
This is my pro tool of choice. No fluff — just results.
🧠 Rich’s Real Talk🔥 Don’t chase perfection. Chase progress.
🚀 Start small. Grow smart.
🎤 Focus on the singer.
🧩 Great shows come from experience, not gear.
Got questions? I’m always happy to help.📧 [email protected]
🎉 Welcome to the show.
