Need your input on adding a clause for an outdoor event........

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I'm surprised that the homeowner didn't deduct the $250 from the DJs pay. LOL!

On a similar subject, I know a couple of outdoor wedding venues where the venue monitors your db level. You get 2 chances, the third time they put it on the client to make you keep it down...plus you as the DJ get blacklisted from that venue.
 
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I remember an outdoor venue in South Portland, ME where Wedding Receptions were held. I couldn't believe how low the music level was dictated. Two on-site staff would walk around the outside perimeter of the venue and monitor. Apparently, the local neighbor was the insistent complainer, so the venue had to maintain sound levels. I wasn't called on to lower the volume, but was very cautious. The Bride & Groom were good sports. Yes, violate and you become black-listed.
 
Bill Kexel said:
On a similar subject, I know a couple of outdoor wedding venues where the venue monitors your db level. You get 2 chances, the third time they put it on the client to make you keep it down...plus you as the DJ get blacklisted from that venue.
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Same here - there's a place in my area that monitors it too and if you blow the 1 chance, you will be blacklisted.
 
Bill Kexel said:
I'm surprised that the homeowner didn't deduct the $250 from the DJs pay. LOL!

On a similar subject, I know a couple of outdoor wedding venues where the venue monitors your db level. You get 2 chances, the third time they put it on the client to make you keep it down...plus you as the DJ get blacklisted from that venue.
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Explain this to me, maybe Texas is different, if one is not dealing directly with a venue, in other words if the Venue is not your client/the one who is paying you, how can someone get blacklisted. Lets suppose a site visit was not done and the DJ shows up on the day of a Wedding, if he happens to be on their so called Blacklist, are you telling me that they would not allow him to setup and thus cause no music for the Bride and Groom? How do they go about Blacklisting someone in your area? Do they give a list of all the Blacklisted Vendors to the person renting the facilities before they sign the contract?
 
ahoustondj said:
Explain this to me, maybe Texas is different, if one is not dealing directly with a venue, in other words if the Venue is not your client/the one who is paying you, how can someone get blacklisted. Lets suppose a site visit was not done and the DJ shows up on the day of a Wedding, if he happens to be on their so called Blacklist, are you telling me that they would not allow him to setup and thus cause no music for the Bride and Groom? How do they go about Blacklisting someone in your area? Do they give a list of all the Blacklisted Vendors to the person renting the facilities before they sign the contract?
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Here, in our area, I have heard that the venue informs brides when they book the venue the names of the vendors they deemed "Difficult to work with" & are not welcomed. Many all of the venues I perform weddings at, know in advance who the enterainment is (clients are required to provide it to them) There are several venues where if you are not on their "preferred list" you are not allowed.

It happened to me, a bride wanted to hire me & suggested I talk to them because I was not on their list/thinking I could sweet talk them. I called the venue to try & introduce myself, etc. I was told that I was not on their list. (I guess the other DJs pay kickbacks?)

Needless to say I did not get that gig.
 
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Bill Kexel said:
Here, in our area, I have heard that the venue informs brides when they book the venue the names of the vendors they deemed "Difficult to work with" & are not welcomed. Many all of the venues I perform weddings at, know in advance who the enterainment is (clients are required to provide it to them) There are several venues where if you are not on their "preferred list" you are not allowed.

It happened to me, a bride wanted to hire me & suggested I talk to them because I was not on their list/thinking I could sweet talk them. I called the venue to try & introduce myself, etc. I was told that I was not on their list. (I guess the other DJs pay kickbacks?)

Needless to say I did not get that gig.
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Good post Bill. :)

Up here in NY, it's a bit weirder. If your name doesn't end in a vowel, there's a very fair chance you will not get the gig. It's a Family thing, and I suspect it's similar in Detroit and Chicago.
 
TwinSpinDJ said:
I remember an outdoor venue in South Portland, ME where Wedding Receptions were held. I couldn't believe how low the music level was dictated. Two on-site staff would walk around the outside perimeter of the venue and monitor. Apparently, the local neighbor was the insistent complainer, so the venue had to maintain sound levels. I wasn't called on to lower the volume, but was very cautious. The Bride & Groom were good sports. Yes, violate and you become black-listed.
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The irony is that the venue is the one with the "difficult work conditions" and they want to blacklist the DJs for being too loud?

Many venues with these sound restrictions can be disingenuous and are already off my list of places I want to play. I mean really - would you advertise BBQ's in a venue where cooking on a flame is prohibited? So where do these places get off letting brides believe they can have dancing/entertainment and also be quiet about it? I have more respect for the venues that can admit right up front that they are best suited to cocktail receptions (jazz trios, background music, etc) as opposed to selling the idea of a dance party and then having your sound police run around all night with dB meters.
 
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Bill Kexel said:
There are several venues where if you are not on their "preferred list" you are not allowed.

It happened to me, a bride wanted to hire me & suggested I talk to them because I was not on their list/thinking I could sweet talk them. I called the venue to try & introduce myself, etc. I was told that I was not on their list. (I guess the other DJs pay kickbacks?)

Needless to say I did not get that gig.
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This is not blaming you. I don't see how they can prevent you from playing if you are not on their preferred list. To me that is not fair trade but a Monopoly. You are supposed to be part of the Wedding Party and they are just discriminating against you. The Venue is open to the public for rent and therefore they should have no say in who the Client chooses for entertainment. I would bet anything that they have never been challenged in Court. Did you already sign a contract with your client? What if you had a family member that wanted to do a function there and they wanted to use you as the DJ? If it was me I would look into it to see if it was legal. Ask a business Attorney. This is why it is good to belong to Associations such as the Chamber of Commerce.

I would start an online Blog on the Internet myself and blacklist them as well. Just as how people give online reviews of places, I would review them as a place not recommended to go because of the restrictions they have on your (The Client's) choices.

Now I know why some of you chaps are scared to ask venues for anything and just do as told. Hmmm
 
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The venue simply will not allow you to come on to their property and perform - and said facility will not contract (or may revoke contract) if blacklisted company is coming. It really is that simple Canute.
 
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ittigger said:
The venue simply will not allow you to come on to their property and perform - and said facility will not contract (or may revoke contract) if blacklisted company is coming. It really is that simple Canute.
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Thats left to be seen! Show me proof where someone was turned away!
 
I can't show you any proof as I'm not blacklisted .. but I do know venues that will not allow 'xxx' vendor to come in.
 
ittigger said:
I can't show you any proof as I'm not blacklisted .. but I do know venues that will not allow 'xxx' vendor to come in.
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Has any of those Vendors contested it in a Court of Law? Have you ever considered that what the Venue is doing may be an illegal business practice and a form of Discrimination , especially in the part of not being on the "Preferred List"?
 
ahoustondj said:
Has any of those Vendors contested it in a Court of Law? Have you ever considered that what the Venue is doing may be an illegal business practice and a form of Discrimination , especially in the part of not being on the "Preferred List"?
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Canute - I have no evidence, proof nor data to back up any of this. All I said was that I know it happens. Others here obviously know of it too. I'm not saying it's right or wrong. All I'm saying is it happens.
 
ittigger said:
Canute - I have no evidence, proof nor data to back up any of this. All I said was that I know it happens. Others here obviously know of it too. I'm not saying it's right or wrong. All I'm saying is it happens.
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And all I have said is that maybe it has never been challenged. That is like a Shopping Mall trying to exclude a new tenant. If they are offering spaces to the Public Businesses then as long as the Business can meet the qualifications required of the others, the Mall has to accept said business. DJs are allowing themselves to be pushed around too much. However, that is to be expected as most DJs are Hobbyists anyways. If they really had a Business they would know their rights.
 
Do you believe that if a mall does not want to do business with 'x' store, that they have to allow them in anyways? I don't believe so - and I'm fairly certain that this has been challenged, most likely on many levels. I also don't believe this applies only to DJ's - as you seem to be aiming.

ahoustondj said:
DJs are allowing themselves to be pushed around too much. However, that is to be expected as most DJs are Hobbyists anyways. If they really had a Business they would know their rights.
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Are there 'hobbyist DJ's'? Absolutely. You're definition of 'most' may be inaccurate though as 'most' here are not hobbyists. I'd like to think that this ratio represents the real world too.
 
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ittigger said:
Do you believe that if a mall does not want to do business with 'x' store, that they have to allow them in anyways? I don't believe so - and I'm fairly certain that this has been challenged, most likely on many levels. I also don't believe this applies only to DJ's - as you seem to be aiming.



Are there 'hobbyist DJ's'? Absolutely. You're definition of 'most' may be inaccurate though as 'most' here are not hobbyists. I'd like to think that this ratio represents the real world too.
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I never said it applies only to DJs. On the second count,you need to get out more often.
 
Canute, things are different in places other than yours.

For example, let's say I'm doing a gig in Manhattan. I'm not allowed to carry my own gear in many places -- it has to be done by union folks. They bring it in, and they bring it out. The venue usually covers that cost.

If you don't comply with the venue/union rules -- you get blacklisted. That means you can no longer work there.

You can argue all you like with these folks, but more than likely your kneecaps will get broken with a baseball bat.
 
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SoftJock Rick said:
Canute, things are different in places other than yours.

For example, let's say I'm doing a gig in Manhattan. I'm not allowed to carry my own gear in many places -- it has to be done by union folks. They bring it in, and they bring it out. The venue usually covers that cost.

If you don't comply with the venue/union rules -- you get blacklisted. That means you can no longer work there.

You can argue all you like with these folks, but more than likely your kneecaps will get broken with a baseball bat.
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You like to sensationalize things don't you? I still stand by what I say, I would challenge them. Ever seen those signs at the Toll Booths that read "Not responsible for arm damage"? Lots of people take that as something that cannot be contested if damage was to occur. Wrong! That would be like putting a sign in your grocery store that reads "Not responsible if you slip and fall on the wet floors". My point being that some people take things lying down. I was not trying to circumvent Union Rules or rules where EVERYONE has to conform. I was referring to those who were being unfairly excluded. Your analogy has no relevance.
 
ahoustondj said:
You like to sensationalize things don't you?
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Of course I do -- I'm an entertainer. I'm not here to tell people how far their speakers should be spread. I'll leave that job to you.
 
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