Event Pacing - The key to the "Magic" (blog)

[oldschooldj]

For what the market supports in my area (DJ payment) I make no bones about it, I AM NOT THE PLANNER!! If my market supported more than a couple wedding over $1K a year, I might be willing to to act as the cheif of staff for the weding couple. My market supports $300.00 to $800.00 weddings (most of them 300.00-500.00), with a bunch of DJ's, some of which come up here from Nashville (not Rick) for $300.00- $400.00. I have been to alot of weddings and the guys do a surprisingly good job for this payment. They are a couple powered speakers on a stick DJ's, but they play good music and keep everything on track, though to me the sound quality is very lacking, and folks I know that have been to one of my dances and one of these weddings always ask what i do different. I tell them I spend thousands of dollars more on equipment and never play without subs.

I supply much better sound equipment and lighting, I make all the annuoncments and provide a wirless mic. for the party. Unless they are willing to pay a higher price, I do not keep anything flowing in the event accept the music and announcements. I take all cues from the wedding planner and let the couple and the planner know that from first meeting. No matter how good or bad things go, I NEVER approach the couple during the wedding, only the planner/coordinator.

Ray J.

 

[Ausumm]

I am not evading the question, I said I won't answer it! I don't have to prove anything to anyone here. I am not out looking for a pat on the back like some. If some DJs are hired to do one thing and they want to go out and do a bunch of other stuff just to get brownie points from their clients then let them knock themselves out. Go back and read a few of my Gig postings and you all may get the answer if you are so obsessed.

Step 1. Dodge the issue by taking the conversation in a completely different direction.
Step 2. Somehow imply that you're offended because someone wants an answer to a simple question.
Step 3. Talk about how bad other DJ's are to further distract attention to yourself.
Step 4. Rather than coming clean, require someone to search thru the archives to get the answer themselves.
Step 5. If you have no valid response, call people "childish"
Step 6. Never EVER admit you may be wrong, or answer a question that may make you look bad.

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I can tell that you did not read the whole thread. I can also tell that you are oblivious to what goes on outside your little world where you are relegated to being put in Corners. I don't have to answer your petty questions because none of them hold any relevance to me. Carry on!

Thanks for proving my point.

 

[rickryan.com]

For what the market supports in my area (DJ payment) I make no bones about it, I AM NOT THE PLANNER!! If my market supported more than a couple wedding over $1K a year, I might be willing to to act as the cheif of staff for the weding couple. My market supports $300.00 to $800.00 weddings (most of them 300.00-500.00), with a bunch of DJ's, some of which come up here from Nashville (not Rick) for $300.00- $400.00. I have been to alot of weddings and the guys do a surprisingly good job for this payment. They are a couple powered speakers on a stick DJ's, but they play good music and keep everything on track, though to me the sound quality is very lacking, and folks I know that have been to one of my dances and one of these weddings always ask what i do different. I tell them I spend thousands of dollars more on equipment and never play without subs.

I supply much better sound equipment and lighting, I make all the annuoncments and provide a wirless mic. for the party. Unless they are willing to pay a higher price, I do not keep anything flowing in the event accept the music and announcements. I take all cues from the wedding planner and let the couple and the planner know that from first meeting. No matter how good or bad things go, I NEVER approach the couple during the wedding, only the planner/coordinator.

Ray J.

Ray, with sincere respect, I think you're under-shooting the market price. I know you work a lot north of Ft. Campbell but I've done a bunch of events in and around the military base and they won't flinch at $600-$800 for basic DJ service, without the fixins. I've had a number of events in that area just north of $1k. Here's a list of things that (I think) are in your area which are on my books:

9-14/13, clarksville, $900 (basic)
9/14/13, clarksville, $1600 (w/uplighting)
3/22/14, oak grove, ky $950 (small uplighting)
10/19/13, oak grove, ky $850

 

[ahoustondj]

Step 1. Dodge the issue by taking the conversation in a completely different direction. The Conversation was just about over, you arrived late!
Step 2. Somehow imply that you're offended because someone wants an answer to a simple question. Y'all can't offend me! I ain't that thin skinned.
Step 3. Talk about how bad other DJ's are to further distract attention to yourself. I was not talking bad about anyone. I was only saying you won't find me doing what they are doing.
Step 4. Rather than coming clean, require someone to search thru the archives to get the answer themselves. Again I don't have to prove anything to anyone. Whether I did a Wedding last week or 100 years ago has nothing to do with my behavior vs theirs. I don't have to act the way they do.
Step 5. If you have no valid response, call people "childish". You won't understand a valid response if it came up and bit you. You only want to read what you want to read.
Step 6. Never EVER admit you may be wrong, or answer a question that may make you look bad. I never knew this conversation was a fight between who was wrong and who was right! Where did you manufacture that thought?

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Thanks for proving my point.

You can read your answers above in red. You are very welcome!

 

[ahoustondj]

Faith

​

 

[oldschooldj]

Rick,

Some of the issue is I stay so busy with school dances and private parties, that I probably don't chase the wedding events enough, even though I seem to go to a lot of them Weddings are time consumming and people are usually wound way to tight, so when I get calls and the budget is hard set at $500.00 dollars, I pass quickly. If I had more time on my hands, (I only book 26 gigs max a year), I might try harder in the wedding market. Untill recently I did not have the proper uplights to compete in the market above the basic music/effect light gig. I just purchased 16 battery/wirless DMX uplights, so I now have the proper equipment to compete a little better.

You have folks that work for you and run mutli ops, I don't want to go there yet. Our family income is less than 5K from the next tax bracket (the last step on the tax bracket) with my current DJ income. If I pick up a bunch more gigs, I step over that bracket but not enough for the income to make a difference in my life, but the extra work would take away. In 4-5 years, I retire again and my wife will retire after 37 years of teaching in DOD schools. I will then go full time, multi ops (my brother and sister in law/ next door neighbors retire also). He was both a radio and mobile DJ for 10 years, he works with me now.

I guess to summerize the above, I play School Dances, Private Patries, Class Reuinions, Sweet 16's, etc. They are easy money, with minimum planning and headaches compared to weddings. I easily make $100.00-$125.00 per hour of work investeded in them (including transport, set up, tear down, music prep and DJ time). The few weddings I have done pay about the same, but require 2-3 times the palnning and headaches. I would have to make a minimum of $1,200.00 to $1,500.00 a wedding to make the same per hour as the parties I currently play.

Ray J.

 

[Firehousedj]

In my area it is not often that I have to deal with a wedding planner and for that I am happy.I feel it is part of the DJs job to make things run smoothly for the sake of the couple and their guests. If that means that I have to help clear a table that is close to or even on the dance floor (common in smaller venues around here) so we can get the dancing going then I will most certainly do it. I am not a janitor but as I replyed in post a month or so ago it is not my job to clean up spills on the dance floor but I carry towels with my gear and mop them up so no one slips and brings a premature end to the party. It does not cost me anything to do but earns props from everyone there when they see you go above and beyond. Most brides have no idea of how a wedding should flow so it is up to us to guide them so all planned events for the reception get done before the party is over. I like to get all the formalities done early on in the reception so we can get to the open dance portion because that is what people remember most about the DJ and produces future leads.If it does not cost me anything but some of my time I am more than willing to do whatever it takes to make the reception a memorable one because in my opinion that is what I was hired for. If all your are gonna do is stand there, play music and wait for someone else to origanize then events then the couple could have just used an Ipod and got bthe same results

 

[ahoustondj]

In my area it is not often that I have to deal with a wedding planner and for that I am happy.I feel it is part of the DJs job to make things run smoothly for the sake of the couple and their guests. If that means that I have to help clear a table that is close to or even on the dance floor (common in smaller venues around here) so we can get the dancing going then I will most certainly do it. I am not a janitor but as I replyed in post a month or so ago it is not my job to clean up spills on the dance floor but I carry towels with my gear and mop them up so no one slips and brings a premature end to the party. It does not cost me anything to do but earns props from everyone there when they see you go above and beyond. Most brides have no idea of how a wedding should flow so it is up to us to guide them so all planned events for the reception get done before the party is over. I like to get all the formalities done early on in the reception so we can get to the open dance portion because that is what people remember most about the DJ and produces future leads.If it does not cost me anything but some of my time I am more than willing to do whatever it takes to make the reception a memorable one because in my opinion that is what I was hired for. If all your are gonna do is stand there, play music and wait for someone else to origanize then events then the couple could have just used an Ipod and got bthe same results

I am glad your first three words were "In my area..". I never said I won't help out but I don't make it part of my business the way I read about how some are doing. I get hired to do one thing and thats what I do. Play music and make announcements as necessary. I am glad you are not a House Painter because maybe while you are doing that you might feel the need to lay down the carpet at no extra cost! So keep on doing what you do if it makes you happy. Thank God you are not in my area!

 

[mikemerlin]

Houston cannot admit he is wrong and deflects BUT I'm not mad at him, he has every right to his opinion. Even if it is wrong lol. I will go so far as to even say he makes this board interesting after all if we all are how much fun is that? Until the next great debate sirs, I have a wedding to prep for!

 

[ahoustondj]

Houston cannot admit he is wrong and deflects BUT I'm not mad at him, he has every right to his opinion. Even if it is wrong lol. I will go so far as to even say he makes this board interesting after all if we all are how much fun is that? Until the next great debate sirs, I have a wedding to prep for!

Wrong about what? Please explain. The conversation is that some of you run around doing all sorts of things and I don't. Whats wrong about that? Are you trying to tell me that because I don't subscribe to that silliness that I am wrong?

 

[mikemerlin]

Wrong about what? Please explain. The conversation is that some of you run around doing all sorts of things and I don't. Whats wrong about that? Are you trying to tell me that because I don't subscribe to that silliness that I am wrong?

^^^^^^button pusher

 

[ahoustondj]

^^^^^^button pusher

​

 

[Scott Hanna]

Wrong about what? Please explain. The conversation is that some of you run around doing all sorts of things and I don't. Whats wrong about that? Are you trying to tell me that because I don't subscribe to that silliness that I am wrong?

I don't think you are wrong by not doing lots of things.

I think it's wrong for you to put others down that do. Just as it's wrong for someone to put you down for choosing not to.

Some people here seems to have very little empathy for anyone who doesn't do things exactly the way they do it.

 

[ahoustondj]

I don't think you are wrong by not doing lots of things.

I think it's wrong for you to put others down that do. Just as it's wrong for someone to put you down for choosing not to.

Some people here seems to have very little empathy for anyone who doesn't do things exactly the way they do it.

See, this is where things go off the cliff. Where was I putting down anyone? I started off by saying I don't do all those things those chaps are talking about and then they started telling me that I was the one in the wrong that it is part of my job. So now the tables have turned and I am the one getting attacked just because I don't do the things they do. I also was never saying to any of those folks that they need to do what I do.

Seriously speaking I don't think you all fully comprehend the dialogue. I really would like for you or anyone to go back in this thread and find a post where I was telling anyone to do things my way. I can find many parts of this same thread where THEY were the ones telling ME that I was wrong for doing what I do. Please put the blame where it belongs. Sheesh!

 

[djsarge]

I guess we now know why he doesn't do many Weddings.

 

[Proformance]

I don't think you are wrong by not doing lots of things.

I think it's wrong for you to put others down that do. Just as it's wrong for someone to put you down for choosing not to.

Some people here seems to have very little empathy for anyone who doesn't do things exactly the way they do it.

Grow a pair.
If anyone felt put down then it is not for what they do - rather for the claims they make about it. PLEASE stop presenting remedial competence as "magical DJ powers." I think Canute (and myself for sure) could care less what anyone does or doesn't want to take on at a wedding but, just stop claiming to be something special because you can tie your own shoes and not trip over yourself while doing it. Then please stop whining every time a wedding planner comes along and threatens that little part of your magical powers.

Good grief!

 

[Scott Hanna]

^^^^^^button pusher

See, this is where things go off the cliff. Where was I putting down anyone? I started off by saying I don't do all those things those chaps are talking about and then they started telling me that I was the one in the wrong that it is part of my job. So now the tables have turned and I am the one getting attacked just because I don't do the things they do. I also was never saying to any of those folks that they need to do what I do.

Seriously speaking I don't think you all fully comprehend the dialogue. I really would like for you or anyone to go back in this thread and find a post where I was telling anyone to do things my way. I can find many parts of this same thread where THEY were the ones telling ME that I was wrong for doing what I do. Please put the blame where it belongs. Sheesh!

scalling it silliness is putting it down

 

[redhotdj]

Grow a pair.
If anyone felt put down then it is not for what they do - rather for the claims they make about it. PLEASE stop presenting remedial competence as "magical DJ powers." I think Canute (and myself for sure) could care less what anyone does or doesn't want to take on at a wedding but, just stop claiming to be something special because you can tie your own shoes and not trip over yourself while doing it. Then please stop whining every time a wedding planner comes along and threatens that little part of your magical powers.

Good grief!

why should you care less, lets put the shoe on the other foot. Say you arrive at the venue and its some distance to the room that you are to perform in and one of the staff employees ask you if you need any help. the same goes for this, the dj is not gonna set tables for the whole room but if asked i will always lend a helping hand its call being a professional. I once helped the person who made the cake set it up. why cause i see she was having a small problem and i asked if i could help her. Am i superman NO. Maybe some of you guys should stop and smell the roses every now and then. Maybe i was brought up differently than most. but respect goes a very long way.

 

[Scott Hanna]

Grow a pair.
If anyone felt put down then it is not for what they do - rather for the claims they make about it. PLEASE stop presenting remedial competence as "magical DJ powers." I think Canute (and myself for sure) could care less what anyone does or doesn't want to take on at a wedding but, just stop claiming to be something special because you can tie your own shoes and not trip over yourself while doing it. Then please stop whining every time a wedding planner comes along and threatens that little part of your magical powers.

Good grief!

Bob, you seem to think that being obnoxious is a badge of honor. It's not. It simply makes you look like a jerk.

Dan started this site to get away from goofs like you over at another site. But you found it and now seem determined to make this just another "I'm bigger than you" site.

I know this will shock you,but there actually is people out there that would like to discuss Djing without constantly getting in petty arguements.

It may be time to find another forum that you don't know about.....until you spread your nonsense there too

 

[ahoustondj]

why should you care less, lets put the shoe on the other foot. Say you arrive at the venue and its some distance to the room that you are to perform in and one of the staff employees ask you if you need any help. the same goes for this, the dj is not gonna set tables for the whole room but if asked i will always lend a helping hand its call being a professional. I once helped the person who made the cake set it up. why cause i see she was having a small problem and i asked if i could help her. Am i superman NO. Maybe some of you guys should stop and smell the roses every now and then. Maybe i was brought up differently than most. but respect goes a very long way.

That picture you are painting is far removed from the original conversation at hand. What you have just posted is what any one with any sense of cooperation would do including myself. Again, there is a severe lack of comprehension here. Giving a helping hand is far different than trying to be and do things for which you were not hired. If the agreement was made beforehand that I would do certain things like hunt down everyone when it was time for a certain phase in the Event, sure, I would do it. If my agreement is just to play the music and make the Announcements at a prescribed time or when asked then that is what I would do. In how many ways do I have to explain to you all that maybe we operate differently? I don't run with a pack.