Mid Night Poll! Which Event would you rather do?

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Pick one of these events, or stay at home on a Saturday night!

  • Fire Hall Wedding 4 hours under 5 miles away for $550

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • High End Wedding Venue Down Town. Horrible load in. Up Lights/Mono, paid assistant for 7 hours $2650

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    9
Man, that makes me tired just looking at your map. The past couple of years I've noticed a real drop in my personal energy. I think this is a part of the motivation of building out a venue, to eliminate humping a thousand pounds of gear in and out every night (plus driving 100 miles). One thing that has always puzzled me and I'm curious if you guys see the same thing, particular venues/gigs seem to come in clumps. I'll pickup 2 or 3 gigs in a row in a particular venue or area then, I may not be back at that venue(s) for 2 or 3 years.

I mean.. I'd love it if gigs were closer. But I'm willing to go where I need to go to make what I want to make. It's all a tradeoff I guess.
 
There isnt thousands of pounds of equipment anymore. Everything is so much lighter. Yes, sometimes events come in groups in area but most of the time they do not. So in a given week I could be doing events in three or four different states. Given what I’ve seen over just the last 20 years I do not want to be locked into economics or purchasing Habits of just one area. Constant Change is the key Element running through all of my of years in business and I’m approaching 50 years soon. Many clients, companies, locations I used work with or play at the no longer there. Traveling isn’t as difficult once you prepare & have the correct personnel and equipment. What makes it difficult is when you have back to back events which are not close together or you have to rush back because you have a 9 to 5. If not you enjoy the trip, sightsee, visit friends and family, Take a advantage of the amenities at the hotel & so on. I see it as a paid way to see the county. I only go 7/8 hrs max but I have a friend who is the comedian, he really travels. He lives is LA and always bounces between the East/West coasts, Alaska & the Cruise lines. Now, I like the idea but not all the flying. I Will stick to driving but the last trip from Buffalo hurt some but this photo made it worth it.1D49B276-0F3D-45CE-B21E-698F343A4669.jpeg
 
This thread got me thinking about 2 questions I have and taking away from the amount of money a client wanted to book a DJ to do an event for them.

First Taso got me thinking about something he said a while ago and that is he has certain venues that he would never do an event at ever again. Is there a venue that you would never do an event at again regardless of the amount of money the job paid?

The other question is this. Is there a event that you wouldn't do regardless of the pay?

Let me answer the first question this way. I had a bad experience once in the Galloping Hill Inn with a worker there. Don't know if he was a matradee or manager at the venue. I was asked by my GF at the time to do her sister's 60th birthday celebration and of course I said yes.

Get there and this person treated us horribly. Mainly me. We saw the room the event was to take place in. It was there largest room and we saw a door that made the load in super easy. We had the door open while we loaded in and this guy complained that the AC was on and yelled at us for having the door open. It was only going to take a few minutes for us to bring the gear in. Then he snapped for us not to damage anything coming in. Of course we didn't. I think he had an issue with the music being too loud. I'm not sure of that one because this was some years back when I was using CDs. I do remember him coming up to me and shouting loudly that the music had to be shut off exactly at 11pm which was the time the event was to end. I had no problem with that. I just didn't like the way he was talking to me. I just had to remember to keep my professionalism while dealing with this rude guy.

No need to get into a shouting match with this guy and possibly lose my cool. Not easy with this guy. I probably at that time been a DJ longer than he had been working in that venue. I know to shut the music off when it's time for the event to end because you still have work to do before you leave. You and the rest of the staff. I have worked there since then but thankfully never ran across another person working there treating us like that and by the way I did the entire event myself.

The event that I would never do again was not the event itself but where the event took place and the fact that the event was real ghetto. It was a sweet 16 that my partner (which we weren't partners back then I was just helping him out because he needed transportation to and from the event) and the father picked this community room because he didn't want to spend any real money for a nice venue to have the event in.

The birthday girl came in wearing a nice blouse with high heel shoes and jeans. When I saw that I knew this wasn't going to be good. The people attending the event most of them had on their hood wear like they would wear on the block. I didn't find this out until after the event was well over which had to end abruptly. At one point the birthday girl said for DJ to play some gangster rap because the people were leaving.

Now the reason it ended suddenly is because I was in the bathroom when I heard shots being fired outside. I got on my phone and called for the police. I had to go in the front to get the van I had at the time to bring it around the back to get the gear out of there so we can quickly leave. The sad part is the kids said what was the issue they were shooting up in the air. So that's why I'm careful today where I do an event and who it's for.
 
This thread got me thinking about 2 questions I have and taking away from the amount of money a client wanted to book a DJ to do an event for them.

First Taso got me thinking about something he said a while ago and that is he has certain venues that he would never do an event at ever again. Is there a venue that you would never do an event at again regardless of the amount of money the job paid?

The other question is this. Is there a event that you wouldn't do regardless of the pay?

Let me answer the first question this way. I had a bad experience once in the Galloping Hill Inn with a worker there. Don't know if he was a matradee or manager at the venue. I was asked by my GF at the time to do her sister's 60th birthday celebration and of course I said yes.

Get there and this person treated us horribly. Mainly me. We saw the room the event was to take place in. It was there largest room and we saw a door that made the load in super easy. We had the door open while we loaded in and this guy complained that the AC was on and yelled at us for having the door open. It was only going to take a few minutes for us to bring the gear in. Then he snapped for us not to damage anything coming in. Of course we didn't. I think he had an issue with the music being too loud. I'm not sure of that one because this was some years back when I was using CDs. I do remember him coming up to me and shouting loudly that the music had to be shut off exactly at 11pm which was the time the event was to end. I had no problem with that. I just didn't like the way he was talking to me. I just had to remember to keep my professionalism while dealing with this rude guy.

No need to get into a shouting match with this guy and possibly lose my cool. Not easy with this guy. I probably at that time been a DJ longer than he had been working in that venue. I know to shut the music off when it's time for the event to end because you still have work to do before you leave. You and the rest of the staff. I have worked there since then but thankfully never ran across another person working there treating us like that and by the way I did the entire event myself.

The event that I would never do again was not the event itself but where the event took place and the fact that the event was real ghetto. It was a sweet 16 that my partner (which we weren't partners back then I was just helping him out because he needed transportation to and from the event) and the father picked this community room because he didn't want to spend any real money for a nice venue to have the event in.

The birthday girl came in wearing a nice blouse with high heel shoes and jeans. When I saw that I knew this wasn't going to be good. The people attending the event most of them had on their hood wear like they would wear on the block. I didn't find this out until after the event was well over which had to end abruptly. At one point the birthday girl said for DJ to play some gangster rap because the people were leaving.

Now the reason it ended suddenly is because I was in the bathroom when I heard shots being fired outside. I got on my phone and called for the police. I had to go in the front to get the van I had at the time to bring it around the back to get the gear out of there so we can quickly leave. The sad part is the kids said what was the issue they were shooting up in the air. So that's why I'm careful today where I do an event and who it's for.
FUNNY... about a year or two ago you were the on saying how you have an event at the galloping hill and that you consider it an upscale venue in your mind. You even posted photos from the event bc you thought it was vry impressive. Either way... that's just one of the venues I stay away from and as you can see, for good reason.

Just don't get how he was yelling at you because in your mind, he had an issue with music being too loud... when you weren't even set up yet.
 
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Now the reason it ended suddenly is because I was in the bathroom when I heard shots being fired outside. I got on my phone and called for the police. I had to go in the front to get the van I had at the time to bring it around the back to get the gear out of there so we can quickly leave. The sad part is the kids said what was the issue they were shooting up in the air. So that's why I'm careful today where I do an event and who it's for.

You do realize that no one else here has likely EVER had this experience or anything close to it?
 
FUNNY... about a year or two ago you were the on saying how you have an event at the galloping hill and that you consider it an upscale venue in your mind. You even posted photos from the event bc you thought it was vry impressive. Either way... that's just one of the venues I stay away from and as you can see, for good reason.

Just don't get how he was yelling at you because in your mind, he had an issue with music being too loud... when you weren't even set up yet.
Taso I was playing music for the event at that time. I get that you don't like the Galloping Hill Inn. I don't totally understand why? I guess because you're restricted as to what you're allowed to do there.

For me it's a nice venue. It's above a VFW Hall. My experience is they are selective as to who they allow to have an event there. I did at least 2 events for the school where I worked at the time and things were fine. I don't have an issue with coming there to do another event for a client.
 
Jeff,
I don’t think he does. Look on ourdjtalk and see how many of his Posts deal with fights, issues or guns. Amazing.
No not me. That was my partner who would chase after crazy places and events to do because all he was looking at was him making money. I would try to talk him out of doing certain things in certain places for certain people. Eventually he started to learn to listen to me and when I said for him not to do something he listened. Like I said I'm very careful when it comes to do events anywhere. No amount of money is worth risking your life.
 
You posted It, mentioned it numerous times, were there, it’s your partner therefore it’s all associated with you. Do a search on ourdjtalk. Sometimes it’s just better to keep things to yourself. Have you heard of guilt by association?
 
Taso I was playing music for the event at that time. I get that you don't like the Galloping Hill Inn. I don't totally understand why? I guess because you're restricted as to what you're allowed to do there.

For me it's a nice venue. It's above a VFW Hall. My experience is they are selective as to who they allow to have an event there. I did at least 2 events for the school where I worked at the time and things were fine. I don't have an issue with coming there to do another event for a client.
Well it seems like you mentioned just a few issues already with staffing. By the way... there aren't any major restrictions... it's more or less they don't allow enough time for the setups of my size... they're also completely disorganized, lie to clients and yes them about eveyrthing, but on the day of act as if they don't know what the client is talking about. I'm very detailed with my clients and I don't just show up without having a conversation at least 1hr long going over all the details (unlike you), so I know their expectations on everything taking place, and anything I discuss they need to get confirmed with the venue to know that it's doable.

And I'm having a hard time following you... you just spent one post bashing it... and the very next saying its a nice venue.
 
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Well it seems like you mentioned just a few issues already with staffing. By the way... there aren't any major restrictions... it's more or less they don't allow enough time for the setups of my size... they're also completely disorganized, lie to clients and yes them about eveyrthing, but on the day of act as if they don't know what the client is talking about. I'm very detailed with my clients and I don't just show up without having a conversation at least 1hr long going over all the details (unlike you), so I know their expectations on everything taking place, and anything I discuss they need to get confirmed with the venue to know that it's doable.

And I'm having a hard time following you... you just spent one post bashing it... and the very next saying its a nice venue.
I didn't bash the venue. I was talking about one person that treated me poorly and I didn't do a thing to deserve that kind of treatment. Now I understand you having an issue with not being given enough time to do the kind of setup that you do. What you do from what I've seen is not your typical ordinary setup. You have to have plenty of time to set all the stuff up that you provide.

My guess is they are not used to a DJ like you offering clients what you do. With some places you are only given a small amount of time to setup. We did an event in a venue that gave us 3 hours for our setup we used for that event. That's unusual in a lot of places. Normally you get 2 hours at most. Some setups take a little more time than that. That means you have to play beat the clock. For me before I do an event I like a little time to relax before having to start working.
 
You posted It, mentioned it numerous times, were there, it’s your partner therefore it’s all associated with you. Do a search on ourdjtalk. Sometimes it’s just better to keep things to yourself. Have you heard of guilt by association?
I have to agree because against my better judgment I've allowed him to in the past to talk me into showing up with him in situations I knew we should stay away from. He would beg me and then I would give in. Only to regret I didn't follow my own instincts. Basically it would be him at that time agreeing to play in a hole in the wall bar that is too cheap to hire security and allowing all kinds of mess to come in the place. His thing at that time was this was his job and he had to get the money they were paying to survive. He's learned to stop just accepting to play somewhere just because there's money to be made. He used to say to me such things happening didn't bother him. I guess as he got older he began to see it wasn't worth it to risk his life for a few dollars.

Now to add I remember a DJ on here talking about playing in a place that every other Saturday a fight breaking out in the place. They talked about it like it's normal and I said if that were me I would be long gone and they can keep the money they owe me for that night never to return again.

I remember being invited to a birthday celebration at a bar in Jersey City. It was a lady I used to work with and the family (mainly their kids) who picked a place to have their father's birthday celebration. It cost $5 to get in the place and it was a mess. The DJ that was playing which I think there were 2 in the booth playing music with nobody dancing. Guys standing on the walls holding it up with white tees and boots on. Eventually a fight broke out and the DJ got on the mic and said if you don't cut this out we will have to stop playing here. It wasn't a big fight but it was a fight. The thing is their kids picked a place where the DJ played the kind of music they like to listen to and not think of their parents.

The music the DJ was playing was that hardcore ghetto music that they like to listen to. Right after that I left. I came back the next night which was Sunday to talk to the lady who owned the place and said how I could clean the place up so there wasn't those kind of issues happening because of changing the kind of music that the DJ plays and in turn getting a different kind of people coming in the place so the place don't have those issues. I never went back. I changed my mind. There was no guarantee I could clean this place up and if I could it would take time. Time that the owner may not want to invest because she needs money coming in right now to keep up with the bills for the place.
 
No not me. That was my partner who would chase after crazy places and events to do because all he was looking at was him making money. I would try to talk him out of doing certain things in certain places for certain people. Eventually he started to learn to listen to me and when I said for him not to do something he listened. Like I said I'm very careful when it comes to do events anywhere. No amount of money is worth risking your life.

I've had partners in several different business I've been involved with and in your situation I'd have a policy...First time in a bad situation we talk...Second time you're no longer my partner.

While were on the subject why do you have a partner? You own the gear and the wheels and you pay the bills...What exactly does your partner put in to this deal?
 
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I've had partners in several different business I've been involved with and in your situation I'd have a policy...First time in a bad situation we talk...Second time you're no longer my partner.

While were on the subject why do you have a partner? You own the gear and the wheels and you pay the bills...What exactly does your partner put in to this deal?
Apparently, the partner is the one who actually DJs .. :)
 
Apparently, the partner is the one who actually DJs .. :)
I know you're trying to be funny and in this case unlike Chris you are funny. We both DJ. Some events it's strictly me, sometimes it's him and other times it's both of us. He pays for some things and he's great for moving gear and setting it up depending on the setup needed for the event.
 
He pays for some things ...
Such as what??? You seem to have the van, pay for the cell phones and all the gear? He seems to have his own controller and laptop and not much else. As we have said, you're more a roadie or the bus driver than a partner ..