Sit-down with Tim Archer, ibDJ Mobile Media

By Steven, the Singing Geek

Hey kids, it’s Stephen the singing geek coming at you with an interview I recently conducted with the owner of ibDJ Mobile Media, Tim Archer. He is a newer host to the Whatcom County area and I have now been to a number of his shows recently and they have just been a blast! Without further ado I bring you the interview.

 (Stephen): Tell us who you are and what made you want to get into the karaoke biz?  

 (Tim Archer): I’m from Bellingham, and have lived here most of my life. Over the years I have been involved in the local music scene with other artists, in one cover-act, and two original ensembles. I have written lyrics to 70 or 80-some songs, most of which remain unpublished, and many of which have been all but lost to time. My choice to become involved in the karaoke business, in fact, was semi-accidental! My last band had split in early 2002, and in the summer of 2006 I learned of the Evergreen Country Idol contest. I thought it sounded like it would be a fun way to get behind the microphone again, and maybe even win a little money.

I actually made it to the Semi-Finals at the State Fair in Monroe, that year, and again in 2007. Even though I turned in strong performances at the semis, I did not make it to the final round either year. Between 2006 and 2007, I had a great job as a contract salesman for a company that marketed its home-karaoke systems through Costco locations. That kept me traveling almost constantly, for a full 12 months. I completed ten-day assignments at locations throughout Washington State, and in Oregon and Montana.

In 2008 I happened to have the opportunity to do some fill-in work as a substitute karaoke host at a couple of establishments where I was working as a cook. I had a couple of one-night only hosting jobs at the one place, and then worked for about four or five months, several nights a week at the other establishment. Soon after, I got together everything I needed to start my own operation. Not long before that I had been laid off from my cooking position at the one establishment, so suddenly, I found myself in need of a job. A friend helped me work out a trade for my old Buick, and we found the van that I currently drive, and it turned out to be perfect for the business, so that gave me what I needed to get started.

 (Stephen): Why should a karaoke fan come to a ibDJ Mobile Media show?

 (Tim Archer): They should come to an ibDJ Mobile Media show, because overall it’s the best one around. I hope that people will understand that this is a full-time profession for me, and not a part-time job or a hobby. Every week, my focus is on providing a better production and presentation than the week before. All week long, every week, I am busy in my studio day and night, working on developing this business, and have been from the beginning.

For example, in the first two weeks of doing business at the Pioneer Sports Lounge in Ferndale, WA, I have already upgraded my collection twice, and made substantial investments of my time and modest income, to get the venue set up as well as possible to accommodate my productions.

I started out in January 2009, with a catalog and collection of about 6,500 songs. Since then I have increased the number of tracks in my collection as often as possible, and in fact was so busy playing shows in my first year, that I was never able to publish those updates in the catalog. I estimate my current track-count at about 9,500.

In fact, it was only recently, when I published the first of two updates to the catalog, that I was finally able to include the listings for all of the material that I had before starting the business, and all that I had acquired throughout my first year of operation. In order to be able to put on the best shows possible, I work all week long to be sure that everything is in top condition. Nearly every penny of my earnings from each show is re-invested into the company every week. But I continue to deliver that level of commitment, because I believe in myself and in my company, and I know that eventually, all of the hard work, patience and dedication will pay off, and in time, I will be busy enough to have to turn away business.

 (Stephen): What nights and where do you run shows?

 (Tim Archer): At present the Pioneer in Ferndale is my one and only venue. ibDJ throws down the beat, then turns up the heat there on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from 9:00pm to 1:30am!

 (Stephen): Any closing words for the sing-a-holics out there??

 (Tim Archer): Sure, in closing, I would like to welcome one and all to come to my shows, and I hope that all who come will like my company and my production. I run my rotation a bit differently than most other hosts. At the beginning of each show I try to group people who are seated together in position on the rotation sheet, so that more or less, they will always sing one after the other. I leave a couple of spaces between each group or individual, to allow room to insert new singers here and there throughout the night. That way the people who come early all get to sing at least three or four times, or more if they stay late, and newcomers don’t have to wait an hour or more to sing one song, if they get to sing at all. Nobody should have to wait that long to sing, if it can be helped, but there times when it just can’t be.

Most evenings there are singers who come and leave early, which opens up other spots in the rotation for new singers. In general, I find that to be the most fair and sensible way to approach it and most folks seem to be okay with that.

 I want to thank Tim Archer of ibDJ Mobile Media for taking time out of his busy schedule for an interview. If any of you karaoke goers out there are looking for a fun show with good times and great singers then come check Tim out at the Pioneer Sports Lounge 2023 Main St, Ferndale, WA every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday and tell ’em the singing geek sent ya!