Did a Open House Event today, and heard a story I thought I should share

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DJ Ricky B

DJ Ricky B

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Mar 9, 2015
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I just got back from doing an open house event today up at Cloisters when is the venue that the Medieval themed wedding I did on October 29th was at. I have done at least 5 or 6 weddings there over the years now. Anyway, the turn out of couples was not great. Maybe 18 to 20 couples, and many brought their parents with them. MOST were just starting to browse venues, and no where near ready to book a DJ. So I don't expect to get anything out of this one. However, I did chat with the other 2 DJs that were there for roughly 1 hour.

Here's the story I thought I would share:

A DJ with a prominent multi op in the area was working an event down at 1840s ballroom in Baltimore City. It's a very nice venue, and the load in there sucks. It is also in a "bad" area of Baltimore City. Anyway, the DJ went out to his car to grab some gear he forgot, and ended up getting jumped and beaten up pretty bad. People at the wedding were wondering where the DJ went. The venue staff couldn't find him. They contacted the DJ company. Someone at the DJ company called his phone with no answer. The DJ Company owner/Manager had to go to the event to finish it up and load the gear out. After not finding the DJ, he decided to call local hospitals looking for him, and that was hard to do with no luck. It turns out that the DJ was beaten up so bad that was his partially paralyzed. He had no identification on him because the thugs took everything out of his pockets, and stole whatever they could out of his van. Someone found him laying lifeless near his van and called an ambulance and had him taken to the hospital. It was over 24 hours before people figured out where he was! Apparently it took the guy months to heal from the beating, and he still has some cognitive problems.


You know, that story really makes me think about bothering to take events in downtown Baltimore City...That could have happened to any DJ that might be performing down there.
 
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Very sad to hear. Hope the guy recovers. While bad things can happen anywhere, I too am glad I'm able to live and work in an area where safety is typically not an issue
 
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I remember one DJ on here telling the story about how a guest became overly aggressive towards him and his gear. He said he was considering keeping a gun on him during an event. I have never owned a gun. If I feel that I need to have a gun on me while doing an event, it's time to retire as a DJ.

I pray that DJ is doing well now. We used to do any event for anybody anywhere. We don't do that anymore. I have turned down an event if I don't feel we're the right DJs for the event or if I feel the event might not be a safe event to do.
 
Best wishes to the guy. Like Scott I live in a pretty safe area it's too bad things like this happen
 
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Jeff Romard said:
Best wishes to the guy. Like Scott I live in a pretty safe area it's too bad things like this happen
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It's not just about you living in a safe area. It's about where you're doing an event is it a safe area? Certain areas and crowds I avoid today. Making money is nice but not worth my life.

What I find is when a client picks a really nice venue that cost some good money to have an event there usually you don't worry about such issues happening or a fight breaking out at the event.
 
I will add that much of the conversation we had was about Events that we won't take any more, and venues we won't ever go to again. That included areas they won't go to. Both of them said they refuse to drive into DC for weddings. One of them use to do DC weddings but stopped bothering with DC about 5 or 6 years ago. They were both older than I am although they both started deejaying about the same year I did. They also mentioned not working with particular prospects they felt would not be a good fit at all

I guess the older you get, and the longer you DJ for, generally speaking the pickier you become about what type of clients you will perform for, what venues you will and will not DJ at, and what specific areas you will bother to travel to for an event.
 
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MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
It's not just about you living in a safe area. It's about where you're doing an event is it a safe area? Certain areas and crowds I avoid today. Making money is nice but not worth my life.

What I find is when a client picks a really nice venue that cost some good money to have an event there usually you don't worry about such issues happening or a fight breaking out at the event.
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I can go anywhere in a 200 mile radius and not have this problem
 
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"Most places," I don't know about. But if you didn't get it already in NY or California, you are probably too late to the party.


GJ
 
Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming have "Permitless Carry". Anyone who can legally possess a firearm may carry in these states without a Permit/License.Jan 1, 2023
 
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sonic-vision said:
Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming have "Permitless Carry". Anyone who can legally possess a firearm may carry in these states without a Permit/License.Jan 1, 2023
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Which is most certainly awesome! It would be up to individual DJ's to decide, whether a side arm in a holster is a good look at a formal event. CCL does allow you to carry unobtrusively, but again, check local laws in your state of the union. Canadians, it seems like you are in a boat headed in a direction similar to that of NY & Cali.


GJ
 
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When it come to some locations & areas the smart thing to do is not to load/unload by yourself. whether it’s someone from the venue or a second person you bring with you its the smart thing to do. When I work in NYC it’s automatic that there is two persons working the event. Certain areas yes I don’t go to but mainly because my clients have events there. What I’m surprised is the venue didn’t have multiple cameras in the area especially if the area was sketchy. But things can happen in any area so it’s always best keep a eye out.
 
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adj2ent said:
But things can happen in any area so it’s always best keep a eye out.
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It doesn't matter what city , state , venue , area I keep my head on a swivel. Opportunity is kept to a min.
 
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rhythmgj said:
Canadians, it seems like you are in a boat headed in a direction similar to that of NY & Cali.
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I haven't really followed close because I don't have a reason to but as of a couple of years ago you could get a CCP here in Canada but you needed a reason...Law enforcement, security and I believe imminent danger, I'm not anti gun I believe in sensible gun laws. I personally feel we are taking it a little far up here there are some guns being taken off the market that have obvious use
 
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That's a terrible story. I'm always a little worried about leaving my late night DC gigs (like 3am late). I walk with intention, try to park close, and be as aware of my surroundings as possible. But up against a gang of dudes who intended to jump me, I'd have no real shot.

I don't typically think about that sort of thing with respect to load in/out at a wedding very often. Very scary to hear it happening in that environment.
 
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