Dave The Karaoke Guy

Top Performer

Rockville, MD

Rentals $170-$200 + tax / karaoke dj $375 + up

Travels up to 60 miles

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Gallery photo 1 of Dave The Karaoke Guy

Formal event - full setup with Chauvet DJ Bank LED light

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Formal event - my view

Gallery photo 3 of Dave The Karaoke Guy

Small PA setup for bars, restaurants, and other venues where space is tight

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Outdoor PA setup for amphitheaters, festivals, block parties, etc.

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Hotel PA setup with small subwoofer

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Office holiday party lobby setup

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STANDARD rental system

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MINI rental system

Overview

David Gaines (a.k.a. Dave The Karaoke Guy) is a classically trained musician with over 40 years of experience in all aspects of music and audio and degrees in music from Northwestern, American, and Johns Hopkins universities. A recipient of multiple GigSalad Top Performer and Thumbtack BEST OF awards, as well as Thumbtack's exclusive Top Pro designation for 2019, he has been hosting karaoke with his unique blend of humor, encouragement, and friendly banter at all types of private events around the Washington and Baltimore areas since 2009. He's also served as the regular karaoke host at a variety of local venues, most recently at Vine Alley Bistro in Gaithersburg, Maryland.


Reviews

18 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Ford B.

Ford B.

January 21, 2026
Verified review

Great DJ for Event

Dave was great, met me in the space a few days before the event to strategize, was on time, and my guests really enjoyed the karaoke. Dave didn't try to narrate the event, which I appreciated, just seamless karaoke, great sound. Also sanitized the mics between acts, which was awesome. Thanks, Dave!

Hired as: Karaoke DJ


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Durriyyah L.

Durriyyah L.

October 23, 2025
Verified review

Great Karaoke DJ

Dave did a fantastic job for our corporate reception karaoke event. He is very pleasant to work with and maintained excellent communication throughout the entire process (from start to finish). He also had an amazing (and huge) song library also! We would definitely recommend his services.

Hired as: Karaoke DJ

Small thumbnail image for Dave The Karaoke Guy

Dave The Karaoke Guy

Thanks so much, Durriyyah, it was great fun! I hope to work with you all again next time.


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Brian B.

Brian B.

September 22, 2025
Verified review

Great Event with Dave!

Dave was a pro from start to finish and rolled with the changes when our event didn't go exactly as hoped. We will be using him again in the future for sure!

Hired as: Karaoke DJ


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Allison P.

Allison P.

July 22, 2025
Verified review

Great party!

Dave was very pleasant and led a fun party for everyone. Very professional and detail oriented, too

Hired as: Karaoke DJ


Small thumbnail image for reviewer L. S.

L. S.

February 19, 2025

Dave was the best!

Dave KJ'd our sales meeting and we were more than impressed. Dave was professional, punctual, and overall a great guy. The music selection was great, as was his entire setup. We can't wait to book Dave for our next event!

Hired as: Karaoke DJ

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Booking information

Price range: Rentals $170-$200 + tax / karaoke dj $375 + up

Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, Esperanto

Gig length: 120 - 360 minutes

Insurance: $1,000,000 - Standard DJ/KJ liability coverage - will provide a Certificate of Insurance on request

What to expect

A karaoke DJ is a cross between a game show host, a master of ceremonies, a disc jockey, and a ringleader! I introduce singers, perhaps ask them a couple of questions to put them at ease, occasionally walk through the crowd to break the ice, announce the song, and keep the music going as smoothly as possible in between singers. I might also suggest songs to people based on their musical interests or what kind of voice they have. Overall, the more people who participate (singing talent NOT required) and the more they and I interact with each other, the more fun everyone will have.

About

MEET DAVE THE KARAOKE GUY!

David Gaines (a.k.a. Dave The Karaoke Guy) is a classically trained musician with over 40 years of experience in all aspects of music and audio and degrees in music from Northwestern, American, and Johns Hopkins universities. He has been hosting karaoke with his unique blend of humor, encouragement, and friendly banter at all types of private events around the Washington and Baltimore areas since 2009.

Dave has also served as the regular karaoke host at a variety of local venues including D.C.'s Uptown Tap House and Sign Of The Whale, the American Tap Room in Rockville, Sugo Osteria in Potomac, the Olney Winery, Vine Alley Bistro in Gaithersburg, Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood restaurant in Montgomery Village, and Charlie’s Bar at Mangia Italian Bar & Grill in Annapolis.

WHY HIRE DAVE?

• Solid reputation as a reliable and ethical music professional - also super friendly & easy to work with
• 14 years of karaoke experience in nearly all types of venues and with all age groups
• KJ bookings carry full liability insurance (COI provided to clients on request)
• Many thousands of songs from all genres and time periods -- 1940s standards to this year's top 40 hits -- with more added regularly....special requests are no problem!
• All songs purchased as downloads from reputable commercial karaoke distributors or as original CD+G discs - no pirating or illegal copying
• My KJ services are built around a professional, computer-based PA system custom designed by me specifically for high quality karaoke audio and video
• My rentals feature pro quality machines packed with features but very easy to use — delivery**
and setup included!
• I provide karaoke exclusively - not as a sideline or add-on to a DJ business

** rentals provided ONLY within 20 miles of Zip code 20851

Additional booking notes

I have a complete PA system designed by me specifically for karaoke audio/video. It includes a professional, laptop-based karaoke hosting program, stand-mounted 24" flatscreen TV with HDMI inputs, and various small accent lights. I can configure the PA system either on the small side (for private homes, bars, apartment complex community rooms, small conference rooms) or the larger side (for corporate cafeterias, hotel ballrooms and large conference rooms, outdoor events, etc.). I also have a 2nd video output available by way of an HDMI splitter in case your venue has a TV for the audience to view. I'll bring the appropriate system for your needs after consulting with you.

Upcoming booked events

July 2026

23

Thursday

Corporate Event

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Washington, DC

Past booked events

March 2026

22

Sunday

Teen Birthday Party

4:00pm - 7:00pm

Great Falls, VA

January 2026

16

Friday

Corporate Event

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Vienna, VA

December 2025

04

Thursday

Christmas Party

5:00pm - 8:00pm

Washington, DC

November 2025

20

Thursday

Corporate Event

6:30pm - 11:30pm

Leesburg, VA

October 2025

21

Tuesday

Corporate Event

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Washington, DC

September 2025

27

Saturday

Personal Occasion

10:30pm - 1:30am (Sun)

Elkridge, MD

17

Wednesday

Cultural Event

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Washington, DC

July 2025

19

Saturday

Personal Occasion

3:00pm - 5:00pm

Bethesda, MD

December 2024

18

Wednesday

Denizens Karaoke Night

All-day event

12

Thursday

Corporate Event

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Catonsville, MD

November 2024

23

Saturday

Private Event

All-day event

October 2024

29

Tuesday

Private Event

All-day event

12

Saturday

Cocktail Party

7:00pm - 10:00pm

Chevy Chase, MD

August 2024

16

Friday

Nonprofit Event

7:30pm - 11:30pm

Columbia, MD

02

Friday

Nonprofit Event

10:00pm - 12:00am (Sat)

Leesburg, VA

June 2024

08

Saturday

Birthday Party

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Annapolis, MD

March 2024

08

Friday

Birthday Party

7:30pm - 10:00pm

Baltimore, MD

February 2024

24

Saturday

Corporate Event

8:00pm - 12:00am (Sun)

Linthicum Heights, MD

January 2024

27

Saturday

Children’s Birthday Party

12:00pm - 2:00pm

Silver Spring, MD

December 2023

31

Sunday

Festival

7:00pm - 10:30pm

Falls Church, VA

23

Saturday

Festival

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Hampstead, MD

16

Saturday

Christmas Party

7:30pm - 10:30pm

Severna Park, MD

03

Sunday

Corporate Event

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Washington, DC

June 2023

10

Saturday

House Party

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Washington, DC

March 2023

11

Saturday

Birthday Party

9:00pm - 11:00pm

Rockville, MD

December 2022

10

Saturday

Birthday Party

6:00pm - 10:00pm

Bethesda, MD

June 2022

03

Friday

Retirement Community Event

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Annapolis, MD

May 2022

07

Saturday

Children’s Birthday Party

5:00pm - 7:00pm

Potomac, MD

February 2022

19

Saturday

Birthday Party

4:30pm - 6:30pm

Chevy Chase, MD

February 2019

16

Saturday

Birthday Party

6:30pm - 9:30pm

Washington, DC

October 2017

05

Thursday

Corporate Event

1:00pm - 5:00pm

Edgewood, MD

July 2017

09

Sunday

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Party

11:00am - 12:30pm

Wheaton-Glenmont, MD

January 2016

15

Friday

American Tap Room, Rockville Town Center, Rockville, MD

7:00pm - 8:00pm

08

Friday

American Tap Room, Rockville Town Center, Rockville, MD

7:00pm - 8:00pm

December 2015

18

Friday

Rockville, MD

7:00pm - 8:00pm

16

Wednesday

Damascus, MD

7:00pm - 8:00pm

16

Wednesday

Holiday Party (Christmas)

1:00pm - 5:00pm

Damascus, MD

13

Sunday

Washington, DC

7:00pm - 8:00pm

12

Saturday

Gaithersburg, MD

7:00pm - 8:00pm

10

Thursday

Potomac, MD

7:00pm - 8:00pm

09

Wednesday

Gaithersburg, MD

7:00pm - 8:00pm

05

Saturday

Chantilly, VA

7:00pm - 8:00pm

04

Friday

Washington, DC

7:00pm - 8:00pm

July 2015

28

Tuesday

Birthday (Child)

4:30pm - 7:30pm

Chevy Chase, MD

04

Saturday

Birthday (Adult)

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Rockville, MD

December 2013

30

Monday

Private Party

3:00pm - 5:30pm

Fort Meade, MD

Setup requirements

I need at LEAST two hours, and frequently three hours, prior to start time for loading in, parking, setting up, and doing a soundcheck. If there's no elevator or lift and I have to load in up a stairway to an upper floor, that requires even more time (and

I carry a handcart with me but if you or your venue have a large dolly or luggage cart available, that is always helpful.

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