Drinking While At A Gig

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If you don't mind me being honest (that statement alone will probably piss off half the people here)...

Half of you folks are on presription drugs, with more side effects than even the best beer on the market could ever do on a good day, and the other half are lying outright.

I haven't met somebody, who wasn't doing something, in the last 40 years. ;)

Stop lying to yourself, and accept what you are, then learn to manage it properly. It's not that hard to do. For example, I love beer, but I know I can only have one per hour or so, without getting buzzed too much, or falling asleep.

It's not all that hard to type, spell, drive, or DJ, if you're reasonably sober, and over 13... ;)
 
SoftJock Rick said:
If you don't mind me being honest (that statement alone will probably piss off half the people here)...

Half of you folks are on presription drugs, with more side effects than even the best beer on the market could ever do on a good day, and the other half are lying outright.

I haven't met somebody, who wasn't doing something, in the last 40 years. ;)

Stop lying to yourself, and accept what you are, then learn to manage it properly. It's not that hard to do. For example, I love beer, but I know I can only have one per hour or so, without getting buzzed too much, or falling asleep.

It's not all that hard to type, spell, drive, or DJ, if you're reasonably sober, and over 13... ;)
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Rick, It is called Self Imposed DJ Restrictions!
 
I think I would probably have to agree with Rick's post. Granted some of you probably don't touch a drink at a gig.

I just want to set the record straight. I don't ask for a drink except at a Bar/Club gig. If I do drink I limit myself to no more than two drinks. The rest of the time I'm passing drinks out to the crowd off of my contracted tab.

I've probably only done 1 shot at a wedding that's because the groom came over. This was his last week in the states before going to Afghanistan. After the shot his mother wanted me to play God Bless the U.S.A. I'm very patriotic and I was in the situation where it would have been very rude of me to not take the shot with him and the wedding party since it was already poured and the groom had it in my face.

I've also been involved with a toast. When the father of the bride, who paid me, comes over with a glass and demands you will be involved with this toast because our family insists. Do you simply say "No thanks"? I for one will take the glass, raise it and take a sip. It can always be placed on the floor behind my system out of sight and I don't have to touch it again.

I'm mature and old enough to know my limitations and responsibilities. I know everyone else is here as well. However I sense fingers are about to start being pointed at others because someone disagrees.

My thoughts....to each their own. We are all adults and professionals. I believe we are all capable of making sound decisions or most of us would still not be in business.

Just my little half a cent rant!
 
Well, I think on this topic, there is and must be room for disagreement. Some of you can tolerate it and some of you can't / won't. While you are correct that none of your guests really know what you are drinking, it should matter to you. Mind you, I do not drink alcohol (for personal reasons). I have had an alcoholic drink before but I've never been buzzed or drunk and really have no desire to.

I was talking to a fellow DJ at a restaurant one night and was informed by said DJ that his favorite part of the job is the free drinks. I said, I don't mind the drinks as I'm usually drinking a soda or something. This discussion went on and on and ended with this DJ saying that he couldn't remember the end of any show. He would start with 1 drink, which turned into 2, which turned into 3, etc, etc. Sometimes, this was the bridal party egging him on, etc. My response - funny, I can't NOT remember the end of any show. That's a scary thought - to not know if you left the show on good terms / bad terms and what impression you had on the guests. It's just as scary how that guy got to his home / room. I advertise professional service - why would I not deliver that (by allowing a substance to degrade my performance)?

I've also seen other DJ's in person get sloshed (same way - toasts, etc). Some are brazen enough to go get drunk on their own right at the bar. I've seen the druggy DJ and I've also seen the rare alcoholic / druggy DJ. IMO, none are good. As previously stated by others, if you work one of my contracts, no alcohol. I shall not babysit you but if I get word of it, you're done with me.

My $0.02 cents worth.
 
Never have drunk Alcohol at a job (father and uncle being an alcoholic, maybe turned me off that at a young age)

I also impose the same rule for all employees that no Alcohol is to be consumed at a job
like it or not thats the rules here

a cool drink like coke, fanta, lemon is fine but if caught with any alcohol they lose their job an its part of our OH&S we have

Occupational Health and Safety laws we have locally
of which you can be fined over $1000 per offence
(this isnt issued by me either thats why we have laws)


so you can say all you like here its a no no

have a nice day
 
I quit drinking at gigs in 1995 just a personal choice. I've never had a problem with alcohol but I tend to drink to get drunk not stay the same. Pre 1995 there are alot of nights I don't remember. I generally don't drink a helluva lot these days anyway.

It's still accepted practice around here to buy the DJ a drink happens all the time though most ask these days and don't just deliver like in the old days.
 
As with most things, it's not always black and white. I don't drink at events that I'm hired to work..generally. But I have when a client has asked me to have a drink with them.
Personally, I don't think there's anything wrong with having A drink, but I don' see much benefit in letting a client or guest see a drink at a table and think I've been drinking all night, so I don't.

To me, there is a big difference between having a drink...and getting drunk. Some are not able to just have a drink.
 
I had to give up drinking a few years ago due to health problems. Even before that I never drank more than coke or ice water at a paid gig. I feel it is very unprofessional. To each their own.....I've built a good reputation and I plan to keep it that way.

In years past Ive been to some weekend parties that friends have held and played for free......it was open season on the sauce for these gigs. :)

Everyone is different. Gail and I get asked a lot at weddings to partake in the toast for the wedding couple. We will partake.....but that is it. On the FAQ page of my website I tell prospective clients if they would like to buy us a drink a soda would be good or ice water with a slice of lime. We cannot help what guests may think when they see us with a glass of ice water or Coke, that's not my problem....I know I'm sober at our gigs.

It is what it is.......we don't drink alcohol at gigs beyond a toast if invited to partake. I really don't care what other DJ's do at their gigs.

Best,

Paul
 
Thank you USDJ for your Like. It is indeed a shame when a DJ is involved in a entire Wedding Reception from the beginning of the ceremony to the last song but the Officiant, Photographer, Florist or Event coordinator will be shown more respect by the B/G or Venue then the DJ will be shown.
 
Cesar said:
As a profession we should care what other DJs do.
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I agree to a point. However I also fully believe in something I call: "Making your own luck". Here's an example: DJ "A" had six or seven drinks at his gig. It all went well, however on the way home DJ "A" was stopped by the police and arrested for drunk driving. DJ B "USDJ Services", got stopped on the way home from their gig too. The cop checked out the license and registration, and DJ B "USDJ Services" was along their merry way home with license intact and sober, leaving a satisfied client at the party earlier.

We cannot police ourselves. It just won't happen. When you develop a good reputation and satisfied clients who refer you, you're golden. If not, perhaps it's time to rethink the business plan AND the drinking at gigs.

Best,

Paul
 
Yours is a one of many excellent reasons why this subject is not a gray area as some pose it to be. The disadvantages far outweigh the advantages so you would think any reasonable business man would always go with the better odds to help his business. I forget though that I am sometimes talking to people who are not.
 
Cesar said:
Thank you USDJ for your Like. It is indeed a shame when a DJ is involved in a entire Wedding Reception from the beginning of the ceremony to the last song but the Officiant, Photographer, Florist or Event coordinator will be shown more respect by the B/G or Venue then the DJ will be shown.
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Is that ever the truth! I have been an avid photographer for many years. Last year USDJ made a sizeable investment in pro-quality Nikon Bodies, lenses and peripherals. We are going to transition towards the Photography, and slowly ramp down the DJ end I'm sad to say. I'm sneaking up on 60, my wife and partner in the business will be 59 at the end of this month. I believe we'll have far more credibility going forward as 60 year old wedding shooters than a 60 year old DJ team, even though we can rock the joint as well as anyone. Sometimes you cannot undo a first impression. I know for certain last year our age cost us 3 decent wedding gigs at quality venues. I plan to recapture some of this on the photography end.

Best,

Paul
 
First impressions...........A mine field every DJ has to survive with every booked client

Did they like your personality

Did they think you were knowledgeable enough as a DJ

Did they approve of your nationality

Did they think you were to young or to old

Were you computer based or CD based as your style of operating\

And the list of mines you have to not step on is extensive.....LOL

How do you know you lost the vent because of your age. Not saying you didn't but did they tell you, was it a gut feeling or did you hear it from someone else.
 
Cesar said:
First impressions...........A mine field every DJ has to survive with every booked client

Did they like your personality

I'm sure all 3 couples did.

Did they think you were knowledgeable enough as a DJ

I was told by all 3 couples that our musical knowledge was great, and we had the music they were after.

Did they approve of your nationality

Gail and I are white middle class. So were two of the couples. The third couple was high-dollar. I can play to my audience. The client's income level does not put me off, or make me ill-at-ease.

Did they think you were to young or to old

I had the gut feeling all three couples thought we were too old. I'm usually right with this better than 90% of the time.

Were you computer based or CD based as your style of operating\

Computer based, we can run with Serato Scratch Live, Serato ITCH and OTSAVPro. I've got better equipment than anyone I know in a 50 mile radius. We can handle very large events. I'm not puttin' my local competition down, I just know what I've got. If needed, I can make their pant legs flap and sound super-clean doing it.

And the list of mines you have to not step on is extensive.....LOL I hear ya...you always have to navigate that minefield, with every client!

How do you know you lost the vent because of your age. Not saying you didn't but did they tell you, was it a gut feeling or did you hear it from someone else.
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It was gut feeling. Our track record with a face to face averages damn close to 100% except for these 3 in the last few years. If I can sit down with them, I can close.

Best,

Paul
 
Yeah I have experienced all of the above with the latest being online planning system for Brides out of state to plan their events.

Haven't decided if I want to go that route yet or just let those Brides go.

I heard that was the reason because the Wedding Coordinator who set up the interviews between me and another DJ expressed that to me. She said the Bride really liked me but the online planning ability swayed her in the other DJs direction.
 
Cesar, I will meet with a client anytime. In fact it is something I very much like to do. With that said it can't always happen. Meaning distance etc etc, having the tools to allow them to plan their wedding or even the local ones has saved them and myself a ton of time. Many times I will give a client the option for a personal planning session or just a phone call. I would say 90 percent after having met us to book are great with a phone call for their session. I love it when sometimes I'm sitting around and maybe a bride for 6 months from now is working on her planner.

Adding songs and names, I just start working on it early it has helped me quite a bit. Given my day job situation it has even allowed me to take a laptop to work and on my breaks and lunch can work on a wedding that I would not be able to if I did not have a system like I do. I personally use DJ Intelligence but there are other programs out there. In fact if you are I believe a silver member with WEDJ you get Gigbuilders for free. Again these are just tools that allow you and your clients more freedom. )
 
USDJ said:
It was gut feeling. Our track record with a face to face averages damn close to 100% except for these 3 in the last few years. If I can sit down with them, I can close.

Best,

Paul
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I believe one of the only clients we did not get after a face to face was a client that was just a little older than myself (50) and I think it was because the client wanted more control of the music than I allow. They wanted complete control and I won't do that.
 
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