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Tuck,

The discussion evolved. From how Tom and others may elect to do things to a discussion on the appropriateness or, for even more debate, professionalism of dressing in a specific way for specific circumstances.

No one, at least not that I can read, has said Tom or Patrick or any one is evil or reprehensible for their choice of attire.

Some, however, have chosen to point out that there are consequences to any decision.

Like it or not, our appearance communicates to those that see us and for most, it is the only communication they receive.

If you need any evidence as to the degradation and near destruction of appropriateness of attire, simply spend 30 seconds in any major metropolitan American city, and witness the asinine and disrespectful display of young men with their ridiculously loose pants, so ignorantly ill fitted that they have to hold them up by hand, with their under ware in full view. What is you impression of those choices?

No standards leads to no standing.

dunlopj said:

While I don't wear a tux suit jacket, I still wear tux pants. a formal shirt, black vest and Jerry Garcia tie that comes close to the colors of the event.

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How about the groom (wish I had a shot of his dirty work boots)?


I kid you not, he was smoking a cig, surrounded by hound dogs, as she was walking towards the ceremony site.

Oh, and speaking tux pants, black vest, shirt/tie

Jon Tuck said:

Were you the only one remotely dressed as such?

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So he looked like the most respectful, professional, well-dressed adult in attendance.

OH MY GAWD, Imagine how horrible that might be.:triwink:

Jon Tuck said:

What were the band members at this event wearing? Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo with hound dogs milling around is what fit this client. Did your attire fit the event?:triwink:

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His clothes appear to fit rather well.

Jon Tuck said:

Rox, LeBlanc,
I dont think anyone said they were wearing unkempt or heel dragging jeans held up by hand either. Again I say if the individual chooses neat clean clothing and is okay with that and they book as many gigs as they hoped then its really a moot point attempting to tell them they are achieving that which they are hoping to gain.

Telling them that they are providing less than what is expected cause its their standard is irrelevant to the thread topic. Had Tom said I keep getting turned down for gigs at the Hall of choice one would be correct in mentioning that perhaps the attire was a detriment to the success of said plan.

Patrick has been successful booking gigs within his plan and so again he is achieving that level of success he wishes to gain. Considering he just began selling his product 6 months ago or less I would say he is gaining more work than some who have been doing this for yrs.

Mentioning unkempt, dirty, untidy and ass dragger jeans is not pertinenet to either two targeted cases in this thread.

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Jon - I could get 100 gigs a year at $199 if I were so inclined; to me, that's not success....

...and since when was this about Patrick?

You're not getting it......the issue is about the perception of the clients, guests and venue's.....

Again we crap on the so-called bottom feeders as a detriment to this industry (they give us legitimate pro's a bad rep); I guess your viewpoint is there is no industry.

Jon Tuck said:

Did your attire fit the event?:triwink:

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He presented himself as a professional who takes pride in his work and his presentation. :tricool:

Steve LeBlanc said:

Jon - I could get 100 gigs a year at $199 if I were so inclined; to me, that's not success....

...and since when was this about Patrick?

You're not getting it......the issue is about the perception of the clients, guests and venue's.....

Again we crap on the so-called bottom feeders as a detriment to this industry (they give us legitimate pro's a bad rep); I guess your viewpoint is there is no industry.

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We don't charge 199 dude, we start at $525 and in 6 months have put over $15,000 on the books. So I guess some clients like unprofessional slobs huh?

Tom, I'm a hobbyist.....that doesn't make me any less of a professional....

patrickrlewis said:

We don't charge 199 dude, we start at $525 and in 6 months have put over $15,000 on the books. So I guess some clients like unprofessional slobs huh?

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What part of "this isn't about Patrick" didn't you get?

..and you're not getting it either :tricool:

let's leave it at that....

The more things change the more they stay the same.

Steve LeBlanc said:

Tom, I'm a hobbyist.....that doesn't make me any less of a professional....

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This statement makes no sense to me. You are either a hobbyist or a professional.:triconfused:

Steve LeBlanc said:

I don't know TJ...what's you're point. Just because you're "robust" in the middle doesn't mean you can't present youirself professionnally.

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You are trying to make the point that how you dress says something about how good you are. So if you are fat, then you must be lazy, unhealthy and probably wont do much but sit behind a table all night with your face in a bag of cheesy poofs.

While I agree you should dress for the moment, a button shirt and dress pants at least, I also dress for the theme. How many of you dress up for your consults? I know most DJs I know, and the friends who live too far away for me to DJ for their events tell me more DJs show up in jeans and a T-shirt or some leasure suit larry looking outfit. Most don't show up in a suit and tie etc.

Your image is more than just the clothes you wear, it's your own fitness level, it's how clean your gear looks. How polished your presentation is etc.

Now I personally do think a buttion shirt and dress pants should be a minimum. But I am not in this business to be a personal image consultant. If someone thinks I am a better Dj simply because I show up with a tie on, that is a choice they make. If you want to dress in a polo shirt you will most likely get the clients that might feel I am stuffy.

Someone might not like the idea of a fat sweaty DJ who can't catch his breath after a set up. (on avg skinny people are just as unhealthy as over weight people but it is an IMAGE thing). So they hire a skinny looking dj who can't lift his speakers and ends up sitting them on chairs or on the floor when they should be on stands. It's all about what the client sees, what they want, and what they are comfortable with. It all depends on how well we sell ourselves and how the client compares our sales with another DJ.

There is more than enough work for all of us, so nit picking about a shirt seems pointless when there are so many other variables that go into what we do, how we do it and why.

If you think how you dress is sooo vital to your business, make sure you make it at least a 3 minute point in your sales pitch. My consults cover it in 30 seconds or less. "I dress appropriately for the event and the theme if there is one. If there is no theme or special dress, I prefer a Jacket/tie and dress pants unless you have a preference."

MIXSIRS said:

This statement makes no sense to me. You are either a hobbyist or a professional.:triconfused:

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Ah shoot..you just had to draw me into this. :tribiggrin:

I'm a hobbyist and I'm a professional.

I swear...remarks like yours should all be collected and then voted on for the best of the best BS. :tritongue:

Jon Tuck said:

Rick was well dressed but in a barn dance a outfit like that would be a bit overdressed.

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Rick was decently dressed (and drenched with sweat in that pic - during setup) but honestly, I was grossly over-dressed for the event. At the time, I struggled with "maintaining my professional appearance" and fitting in. I made the wrong choice in attire and was seriously out of place. I was never so glad as to be pulling away from that one.

Fit the gig, always.

Randy A said:

Ah shoot..you just had to draw me into this. :tribiggrin:

I'm a hobbyist and I'm a professional.

I swear...remarks like yours should all be collected and then voted on for the best of the best BS. :tritongue:

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Thank you :tribiggrin:

I was answering according to the definition of the two words:

hobby: An activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure.

profession: An occupation or career