I can't compete with the Miami Heat.

Last night I covered the bar again in Orange, NJ as my friend who plays there had a private gig to do. In the beginning nobody would dance to the music I played. It seem they were more into watching the basketball game instead of dancing. After that game went off then they decided to party hard and they did. I guess it also has to do with they had to get enough drinks in them to loosen up.

The night went very well. Too well in fact. A lady who said her cousin was the barmaid came up to me as she was getting ready to soon leave told me she liked me better then another DJ that plays there. As it turns out it's the guy who I was taking his place that night. I told her he is very good. She said he talks to much and she loves club music. Nice for hher to say that but I didn't really like her saying that.

I was just there for that night because he couldn't be there. He's a very good friend of mine that has refered other jobs to me when he can't do something himself. He's a really good guy and damn good DJ. We're not in competition with each other. He always tells me he has to watch out for me as he's worried about me stealing his job. He just says that as a compliment. He's the one that kept begging the manager there to get me to play in the bar when he can't be there.

Now she wasn't the only one who complimented me on the job I did. When the owner was leaving she said I did a great job. Nice to hear but I don't step on my friends toes. Now my friend won't be there on the 31st. He wants me to cover that night too but I have to wait and see. See if the other DJ that plays there on Saturday wants to cover that night or not. If not and I don't have a private gig myself I'll do it.

My friend I'm talking about has been playing in that same bar for over 20 years. So he has nothing to fear. When I told the owner how I felt about what that lady said she told me some people have told her the exact same thing.

This place you must bring your own gear. I like it that way because some places will buy cheap crap because they don't know any better.

The bars around here on average pay $150.00. That's what I get paid when I play there. John I'm not totally against playing in bar when I have a free night. I do it there because I like the place. I didn't have a private gig so why not go make some money instead of the gear sitting in the basement making me nothing.

Dennis where am I complaining at? It was a good night and I rocked the bar. Now who said I wanted anything? If they want me back again and I'm free I'll play there again. It's just that simple.

redhotdj said:

Mix if the other guy has been there for 20 years maybe he has done the same thing for 20 years, you come in do your thing which is different than what he does and people like

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He's been there over 20 years and he's damn good. I don't say that about another DJ unless I mean it.

Here's a kick in the head. I saw my friend last night and he told me the DJ who plays on Saturday will cover Friday the 31st. He's upset it's not going to be me. I'm cool with it as this other DJ works there regularly. My attitude is I get in where I fit in at. I'm pretty sure I'll get to play there again. Unless I find a Study gig in a bar myself. Now before I get beat up I haven't been looking. It's just a thought for now.

Bill Kexel said:

I haven't DJd bars in about 10 yrs, the pay wasn't that great for the amount of hours & the hassle, BUT...we were getting more than that 15 yrs ago. How many hours do you DJ?

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4 1/2 hours and around here that is what the going rate is when it comes to bars. If you get paid say $200.00 to DJ in a bar you would be the exception and not the rule.

Now to clarify things. Around he DJ's come a dime a dozen. S

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Bill Kexel said:

I haven't DJd bars in about 10 yrs, the pay wasn't that great for the amount of hours & the hassle, BUT...we were getting more than that 15 yrs ago. How many hours do you DJ?

Click to expand...

4 1/2 hours and around here that is what the going rate is when it comes to bars. If you get paid say $200.00 to DJ in a bar you would be the exception and not the rule.

Now to clarify things. Around he DJ's come a dime a dozen. So if you're not willing to work for that then there's always another DJ around the corner that will. Like i said when it comes to bars for me it's not about doing it for the money. Even if they paid the $200.00 for the night I still wouldn't be there for that. Most bars around here you have to supply your own gear. For me it's about keeping myself exposed and just doing what I love to do. Sometimes it gets annoying playing in a bar dealing with drunks but in this bar I'm better able to deal with them.

Now if it's a big club then the pay most times is a lot more. My friend plays in a club on Friday's for 3 hours and gets paid $450.00. He got fired from that club and the owner was hurting so bad that he hired him back again because of how he could bring the crowd back that he lost. When he first hired him back he was getting paid $350.00 which of course was a lot more then before. Now 2 reasons he gets paid that much and that is 1 it's a club and not a bar. 2 he's super well know all over the Northern, NJ area and is having his own party in a place this coming Saturday that can hold up to 600 people. It should be a sold out as he's only doing ticket sales. So you can't come to the door and pay. I'm going to support my friend. Me and my lady friend are supposed to be going.

Then the following Saturday I'm having my birthday party in a restaurant/bar in Union, NJ.