I just received this "Entertainer Contract". Do you see anything wrong?

That has happened to me ONCE, a venue captain came up and jerked the plug out of the wall at 10:58 Ending time was 11:00 and we were in the middle of the last song "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" which was only a 3 minute song.

I shouted "OH MY GOD" and went around to the back of my player box reached inside and and unpluged the controller from the CD units on my duals. I called the guy back over and asked him why he had just done this? He responded that the gig ends at 11:00 and the manager instructed him to make sure it ended at that time! So I had him call the manager who got there in less than 10 minutes, we hooked the system back up and I fired it up but the controller wouldn't even light up!

The venue manager purchased a Brand New Numark for me that night! Then I had two!

Thunder said:

That has happened to me ONCE, a venue captain came up and jerked the plug out of the wall at 10:58 Ending time was 11:00 and we were in the middle of the last song "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" which was only a 3 minute song.

I shouted "OH MY GOD" and went around to the back of my player box reached inside and and unpluged the controller from the CD units on my duals. I called the guy back over and asked him why he had just done this? He responded that the gig ends at 11:00 and the manager instructed him to make sure it ended at that time! So I had him call the manager who got there in less than 10 minutes, we hooked the system back up and I fired it up but the controller wouldn't even light up!

The venue manager purchased a Brand New Numark for me that night! Then I had two!

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I would have shut off my conditioner and pretended everything was blown. That would teach them a lessson.

ahoustondj said:

I would have shut off my conditioner and pretended everything was blown. That would teach them a lessson.

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That might have been pushing it, I think the lesson was learned anyway!

I just hope it came out of El-capitain's pay that week!

Thunder said:

The venue manager purchased a Brand New Numark for me that night! Then I had two!

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and I bet he never handled it THAT way again!

Ruben Mora said:

I had no problem with the venue staff but I can't say that for the people who hired me.

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LOL.

There you go, sometimes these things the venues do are just CYA on their part. Who knows, maybe they'll recommend you.

Ruben Mora said:

Well, I showed up already dressed for the event. Nice dress pants & shirt w/ my favorite Jerry Garcia tie. I still used my very yellow extension cord which was against the "Entertainer Contract". I used the gaffer tape to cover the cord. I did not have ANY problem with the venue. One of the servers ask me if I would like to drink and I responded with diet coke. She brought me a full pitcher of soda. When it was half empty it would automatically get refilled. It was a very successful charity event that benefited homeless families in the area. I guess I was worried for nothing.

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That's great Ruben - I knew that venue was alright - I've never had issues there. Always done right by me - glad to hear they're consistent in their treatment of professionals that work there!

Jon Tuck said:

policy is a good thing it keeps the scumbags out.

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Oh man, what I could do with that...

Note the wink Jon, just pulling your lariat.

That's not really a contract - it's a policy statement. Without a meeting of the minds or the exchange of consideration it's known as an "adhesion agreement."

For example, what is the penalty if you fail to adhere to one of these policies AFTER the event is already underway? The answer is nothing - because there is nothing exchanged and to terminate your performance would create a liability for the venue with respect to the mutual client being served.

There is nothing wrong with the facility making known it's expectations and policies, and you should of course respect them. Where there is a conflict, discuss it with them from a point of mutual interst in the client's best outcome - and not as a demonstration of your ego.

I typically will acknowledge receipt of these statements, but I will not sign and return them. It's simply not necessary. The signature that is required would be that of the client - they are the one's leasing the space, not me. The client should protect their own interest by requesting these policies be referenced in their own contract with me. Thus, the venue informs the client of their requirements - and the client requests that I incorporate them into our agreement.

The legal relationship here is like a triangle with no bottom connection. The client resides at the top and the entertainer and venue are connected only through this third party. Your direct assent to an agreement drafted directly with the venue without the client's participation creates a potential conflict of interest.

Ruben Mora said:

The person who hired me kept on trying to get me something to "drink". She did have a problem with that part of the entertainer contract. I said "No, Thank you" I hated saying those words.

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That part of the policy is not enforceable and over-reaches. Not only are you not an employee, you ARE in fact a GUEST of the client who hired you. The work you are performing is not on behalf of the venue - it is a privilaged agreement between you and the client. Being the entertainer does not by itself create any legal basis for whcih you can be denied liquor service. The venue is not a party to the contract you have with the client. If the client prefers their DJ "liquidated" they should expect him/her to be treated as any other guest.

I've done a number of weddings for friends and family where I was in fact a "guest" and even seated with my own family. The fact that I was also DJing (with or without a contract ) does not grant the venue the right to deny me liquor or the proper menu. If you remove the family connection - nothing changes. You are still there as a guest of the client whether you are paid or not.