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[ahoustondj]

Did anyone remember this Thread?

How Would You Have Reacted - Our DJ Talk - DJ Help and Resources Chat!

How Would You Have Reacted - Our DJ Talk - DJ Help and Resources Chat!

Well the owner of that Club came by and spoke with me at my other Club this past Wednesday. The guys who he has been using have taken advantage of him and just recently stole his hard drive with music and his Mixer.

He wants me to play there on Thursdays and Saturdays. I have a tentative agreement with him based on Price vs what I would be bringing as equipment. I went by there today on my way home from an Art Install and not much has changed with the equipment that he owns.

I then told him, I will bring and use my own equipment and help him to build a good club system so he won't have to depend on anyone. Tomorrow during the day I will go by and rewire everything to see what actually needs to be repaired, replaced and purchased.

Many of you thought I had burnt my bridge with him last year. I knew at that time I didn't. He told me today that he appreciates my directness and trust me to do right by him.

The point here is that, one has to find a way of dealing with people when there are problems to be solved. One has to be able to make demands without being pushy. One has to be professional and demand respect for that professionalism.
I'll keep you all updated. I restart there this coming Thursday.

[ahoustondj]

I went by the place last night. I can summarize a report in one word, "Pitiful!"
This is a club that is strangely designed. Two 2 story buildings that are connected with covered patio upstairs and downstairs. One side downstairs is the main club. Other side downstairs is a supplementary dance floor/club. Both of the upstairs areas are utilized as Lounges and "Social Areas".
There was a DJ there and I could not believe that this guy was actually playing on the system there. (I am not going to make comments about his expertise )

Things were worse than the last time I saw it last year. Wires pigtailed with no insulation behind the speakers, connected to the terminal plate that was unscrewed. The speakers were distorting badly because what was not fully blown was probably busted. Sounded like music coming out from a cardboard box.
I told the owner that I would definitely be using my own equipment and that for Karaoke on Thursday he would need to install two TVs. One large screen on the wall for Customers to see and one for the singer if needed, depending on where the one on the wall is mounted. I will also assist him in trying to get a decent system(s) for all the areas that require music. If he will listen and follow advise is left to be seen. I am not holding my breath.

I am half tempted to just turn down the Gig, it will be Thursdays and Saturdays. I would rather keep my Saturdays free for Private Events. We will see how it goes because I will not be there the third week of the month since I will be traveling to Boston.
More updates to follow.

[ahoustondj]

I declined doing the gig there tonight. He still has issues with which I am not comfortable. 1 16 gauge extension cord coming down from somewhere in the ceiling via a home use strip to his Pyle Amp, Computer, monitor and who knows what else. He tells me to unplug something and plug mine in! LOL. I told him I'll pass.
In the meantime he tells me he is looking for a mixer because the "other guy" stole his. I noticed that the DBX 1231 EQ and Furman PL-Plus-C was not even plugged in. I asked him why not and he says he does not use it. He bought those two on my recommendation last year.
I then offered to swap his Furman

Amazon.com: Furman PL-PLUS C 15 Amp, Advanced Level Power Conditioning, SMP, EVS, LiFT, 9 Outlets, LED Voltmeter…

Amazon.com: Furman PL-PLUS C 15 Amp, Advanced Level Power Conditioning, SMP, EVS, LiFT, 9 Outlets, LED Voltmeter…
Amazon.com: Furman PL-PLUS C 15 Amp, Advanced Level Power Conditioning, SMP, EVS, LiFT, 9 Outlets, LED Voltmeter…

for my Numark mixer http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CDoQ8gIwAg#
that I had sitting for years under my bed. So now he is happy and I am extremely happy because this was on my list for the new Amp Rack I am now building.
This tells you how this guy regards equipment! LOL
I am going to offer to buy back the DBX 1231 from him next week or exchange him an amp for it. LOL

[ahoustondj]

I went and did Saturday night. I used my own gear and had the owner re arrange the club so I could set up my gear and speakers in a different configuration.
Everyone agreed it was the best way to be setup as the sound was able to travel the "L" shaped area with no acoustical loss. The turnout was not as expected but the jammin was wicked. I used two scoops coupled together with the amp bridged plus my two Bose.
Yesterday I went to pick up my money. (I usually get my money from Clubs at the end of the night or the very next day) The owner complained that he has to pay me twice as much and that he did not make much money. I replied that attendance was not my problem and that he needs to do his part to increase attendance. I also told him that Reliant (The Electric Company) does not care either and he has to pay their bill whether or not anyone attends.
He wants me to do Karaoke there on Thursday but I am not sure that I want to do that. Last week there was another guy there doing Karaoke and just a handful of people in attendance (The guy was not paid). He can't afford me plain and simple. I don't want to have to listen to his whining. When I work I expect to get paid!
BTW I think his Pyle Pro Amp finally gave up. It is no wonder because of the way he wires/hooks up all kinds of mismatch speakers to it in a shoddy way.

[KjAthena]

DH has a bar owner that is a PITA simalar to this situation, worked for him for 3 years 1st time, 4 years 2nd time, and now wants him back again....was SOOOOO happy to tell him we are booked for the nights he wanted

[JoeChartreuse]

Originally Posted by ahoustondj

.......I replied that attendance was not my problem and that he needs to do his part to increase attendance. .

First, let me say that the owner does sound like a bit of a PITA, especially when waffling and complaining about a fee tht was previously agreed upon. I remember the original thread, and still think you were best out of there.

Now, I'd like to touch on the above, because I have been an owner as well as a Karaoke Host. My thoughts are not just directed at you specifically, because I've heard other hosts make similar statements.

Yes, it attendance IS the problem of the DJ. Why? Because the bottom line is that our value to a bar venue is based on how much income we GENERATE.

If the bar has the same people there whether you are or not, you're not generating anything and actually become a liability to the business.

Yes, bars should advertise like any other business. Yes, they should be passing word of mouth as much as possible as well.

However, any DJ that depends strictly on the bar to make THEIR show successful is in for a HUGE letdown.

When I start a new show, the e-mails go out, the texts ( after getting cell numbers and permission to text) go out, and in the very beginning I list on some sites as well. I spread word of mouth as I work, and my regulars are usually kind enough to at least give the new venue a try, especially the first night when it's important to get the ball rolling and make a splash.

Anyone can get a venue. KEEPING it requires doing the work. Pretend that every bar you ever work for won't advertise, hates entertainment, and it's up to you to prove them wrong- then do it.

[ahoustondj]

Originally Posted by JoeChartreuse

First, let me say that the owner does sound like a bit of a PITA, especially when waffling and complaining about a fee tht was previously agreed upon. I remember the original thread, and still think you were best out of there.

Now, I'd like to touch on the above, because I have been an owner as well as a Karaoke Host. My thoughts are not just directed at you specifically, because I've heard other hosts make similar statements.

Yes, it attendance IS the problem of the DJ. Why? Because the bottom line is that our value to a bar venue is based on how much income we GENERATE.

If the bar has the same people there whether you are or not, you're not generating anything and actually become a liability to the business.

Yes, bars should advertise like any other business. Yes, they should be passing word of mouth as much as possible as well.

However, any DJ that depends strictly on the bar to make THEIR show successful is in for a HUGE letdown.

When I start a new show, the e-mails go out, the texts ( after getting cell numbers and permission to text) go out, and in the very beginning I list on some sites as well. I spread word of mouth as I work, and my regulars are usually kind enough to at least give the new venue a try, especially the first night when it's important to get the ball rolling and make a splash.

Anyone can get a venue. KEEPING it requires doing the work. Pretend that every bar you ever work for won't advertise, hates entertainment, and it's up to you to prove them wrong- then do it.

I did not go there to do a Karaoke Show. It was strictly Club Music all night long. I was hired to entertain no different than going to any other place tro entertain.

[JoeChartreuse]

Originally Posted by ahoustondj

I did not go there to do a Karaoke Show. It was strictly Club Music all night long. I was hired to entertain no different than going to any other place tro entertain.

Who said anything about a karaoke show? Not I.

Yes, you were hired to entertain. However, my understanding from your post was that they wanted to hire you Thursdays and Saturdays on a regular basis.

I guess if you were going in for a one shot, technically attendance doesn't matter because at the end of the night you wave goodbye and head someplace else.

However, for work on a regular basis, there has to be a monetary reason for them to hire you- they are a business. If they have only regular customers that would be there anyway, what do they need to pay YOU for? What do they gain from it?

Hate to break it to you, but bar owners, like DJs, are running a business for profit, not charity. Your own comments about the owner you dealt with should make that clear to you.

Bars hire DJs, Bands, Karaoke Hosts, or even Trivia MCs in hopes of bring in more customers, who will spend more money, which will up the till, which would make hiring you worthwhile.

You spoke of the other DJ, and the crappy sound system, etc... Sure, the combination sucked, but do you really think the owner cared about the DJs skills or the system? In all liklihood, he never knew or appreciated the difference. What he DID know was that no one was coming in for the other guy. He DID notice no growth in income, and DID notice that there was no reason to keep the other guy on.

If you're primarily an event DJ, this concept may be new to you, because you really DO only have to entertain at a private party, and never have to worry about attendance, only doing a good job. The clients aren't there to make money, and the event is a financial write off for them.

Not so with a public venue. They are not in business to write off anything, but to bring money in. They hire you for that purpose only. They don't care how you do it. If you are the universe's best DJ, working on the universe's best system, and you don't generate income, you're history.

[ahoustondj]

Originally Posted by JoeChartreuse

Who said anything about a karaoke show? Not I.

Yes, you were hired to entertain. However, my understanding from your post was that they wanted to hire you Thursdays and Saturdays on a regular basis.

I guess if you were going in for a one shot, technically attendance doesn't matter because at the end of the night you wave goodbye and head someplace else.

However, for work on a regular basis, there has to be a monetary reason for them to hire you- they are a business. If they have only regular customers that would be there anyway, what do they need to pay YOU for? What do they gain from it?

Hate to break it to you, but bar owners, like DJs, are running a business for profit, not charity. Your own comments about the owner you dealt with should make that clear to you.

Bars hire DJs, Bands, Karaoke Hosts, or even Trivia MCs in hopes of bring in more customers, who will spend more money, which will up the till, which would make hiring you worthwhile.

You spoke of the other DJ, and the crappy sound system, etc... Sure, the combination sucked, but do you really think the owner cared about the DJs skills or the system? In all liklihood, he never knew or appreciated the difference. What he DID know was that no one was coming in for the other guy. He DID notice no growth in income, and DID notice that there was no reason to keep the other guy on.

If you're primarily an event DJ, this concept may be new to you, because you really DO only have to entertain at a private party, and never have to worry about attendance, only doing a good job. The clients aren't there to make money, and the event is a financial write off for them.

Not so with a public venue. They are not in business to write off anything, but to bring money in. They hire you for that purpose only. They don't care how you do it. If you are the universe's best DJ, working on the universe's best system, and you don't generate income, you're history.

In this case, it is a combination of both. It also has to do with good entertainment to attract more customers and followers. He really does not have a sound system of which to speak. anymore. BTW do you know how they hooked up the mixer I sold him? He was too cheap to buy two XLR Cables to go from the mixer to the EQ and two more from the EQ to the amp. He got two skinny RCA cables and hooked up from the Record Outputs of the Mixer to the amp's inputs! He bypassed the EQ completely. LOL