Help NightStar (Lady DJ for 21yrs)
After graduating from Cornell University and working in coporate sales, I became involved in DJing and running Karaoke Events as a hobby in 1993. Eventually, it became my main occupation. 21 years later I am proud to be the biggest such service in the Tri-State area, with several DJs that work with me at NightStar Video Entertainment. (Www.nightstardj.com)
In 2010, one of the biggest companies that manufactures karaoke music (which is different from the original music that it aims to sound like) went out of business. Since then, this manufacturer has been finding karaoke DJs and suing them if it is found that they do not possess the original CDs or that they copied the CD's onto hard drives, which is against their protocol. I understand their position because there are many new DJ's out there who download their karaoke music without ever paying a penny, but that it is not what I've done.
Although I purchased my karaoke music on CDs and Laser discs many years ago, this sued me and my DJs, and since I resisted, they proceeded to sue many of the venues where we host shows, to try to force me to pay. In order for me to get the court actions to stop, I have had to agree to a very large settlement. I have spent every penny of my savings, and some of my family's savings, on lawyer's fees thus far.
Their action has caused me to lose a good portion of my shows and my income, despite the fact that I own their original cds outright. This case was begun the same week that I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, which affects every aspect of my nervous system. I am in constant pain and in immediate need of a knee replacement, brought on by years of carrying DJ equipment (both of my hips have already been replaced).
I was the first female and first African-Americam female to own my own DJ/karaoke company in the Tri-State area back in 1993. I have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years on original karaoke CDs and DJ equipment. Now my business is threatened because if I do not pay this settlement, this defunct karaoke manufacturer will continue to sue all of my venues until they are forced to fire me. The reason they are suing is simply because I copied CD's that I own into computers.
The money I am raising goes toward the settlement that I agreed to. I will have to pay a large monthly payment for the next three years or they can shut me down. As soon as I can pay it in full, this will be considered closed. I am also in need of funds to have my knee replaced and address my multiple sclerosis without worrying about how I will pay my other bills. The stress of the legal threats has caused my symptoms, including heart issues, to get worse.
Every attorney I have consulted has advised that paying this settlement is the best way out.
My only brother passed away very suddenly from pancreatic cancer last year the month before this started. Any money donated over the goal will go to research against pancreatic cancer. Thank you for helping, music lovers. I look forward to many more years of bringing joy to everyone I reach. Feel free to email me with questions.