Never any love for the DJ

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Hank Davidson

Hank Davidson

Affordable, yet priceless.
ODJT Supporter
Nov 15, 2006
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Boston, MA
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I have done and will continue to do many public events sponsored by local towns and organizations. They range from senior citizen dances, community events and charity benefits. These events are most always covered by the local paper and community access channel. Photos, articles and other media covering these events usually follow.

The sad thing is that I rarely see any mention of the DJ (regardless if it's me or not). Unless the DJ happens to be a radio personality, they are hardly ever recognized or photographed. Even when their services are donated along side of local eateries, banks, etc., they are overlooked. This is a large reason and argument for why I no longer will provide anything for free.

I did a very large five hour outdoor event this past Sunday and although the media was there, no one approached my tent. I had a great time and received lots compliments from the public and had the kids and families dancing and bopping the whole time.

Not so much sour grapes as it is a sad realization that although people care about the music, they don't care where it's coming from.

PHOTOS FROM SUNDAY
 
But if you mess up the mix, they will notice you, so if you want a little notice, mix up a song and watch the media and camera focus on you.
 
Hank Davidson said:
The sad thing is that I rarely see any mention of the DJ
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Thats because you did not spread yer speakers far enough!!!yorofl:yorofl:yorofl:yorofl:
 
Hank Davidson said:
I have done and will continue to do many public events sponsored by local towns and organizations. They range from senior citizen dances, community events and charity benefits. These events are most always covered by the local paper and community access channel. Photos, articles and other media covering these events usually follow. The sad thing is that I rarely see any mention of the DJ (regardless if it's me or not). Unless the DJ happens to be a radio personality, they are hardly ever recognized or photographed.
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Hank, I too have volunteered for various events and see the media circus. You're absolutely right that the DJ, regardless of who it is, is hardly ever mentioned for anything, unless he / she completely sucks.

Hank Davidson said:
Even when their services are donated along side of local eateries, banks, etc., they are overlooked. This is a large reason and argument for why I no longer will provide anything for free.
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Agreed and agreed. I met with our local chamber of commerce who verbally stated that the whole idea was that if any business in the chamber needed a service, they would look at the chamber members first to see if it was something they could provide. Fast forward a bit, they were having a local party for the members and wanted some music. I gave a price. They said "what? we have to pay?". This sourly tainted my relationship with them as they clearly understood that you would have to pay for anyone else's services. Fast forward a bit more, they had a halloween party and had a DJ. I inqured who this DJ was as I am the only local DJ business. Their first question - could I do it for free, because this guy is. I said, I know of no for profit business that can give away shows like you're asking for. He then tells me that this guy is a hobbyist with professional gear. My question - then how are you supporting the Chamber, as you are so ready to state - supporting business to business - if you're using a hobbyist and NOT a professional business?

Don't get me wrong, I do charity / give breaks where I see fit - but using these people's logic, how can it be a business if you're not making any money? How can a Chamber call itself that if it does nothing for its members? Let's also not forget that you have to pay to be a member - so in essence, if I took it, you're paying them for the opportunity to play their parties - in addition to all your other normal operating costs. I do very little for free / discount work.

Hank Davidson said:
I did a very large five hour outdoor event this past Sunday and although the media was there, no one approached my tent. I had a great time and received lots compliments from the public and had the kids and families dancing and bopping the whole time.
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Agreed.

Hank Davidson said:
Not so much sour grapes as it is a sad realization that although people care about the music, they don't care where it's coming from.
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Agreed.
 
Hank Davidson said:
. . . although the media was there, no one approached my tent.
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It's a two-way street. Did you approach them?

If it was a radio DJ, the station probably had a PR person send info, with a head shot, to the media prior to the event. The media may not have approached the radio DJ either, but the radio DJ, and station, got coverage.
 
Dave Miller said:
It's a two-way street. Did you approach them?
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I disagree. Nobody they approached needed to chase after them first. The clown making balloon animals didn't have to stop what he was doing. If what I was (we are) doing was perceived as noteworthy, they would have come over. That's exactly the point I'm making. The fact is that the DJ is considered to be a given facet to an event like this. Just like the tables, chairs and trash barrels.

It's not really a big surprise that the general public has this mindset. We hear music in just about every public place we visit. We become immune to it and take it for granted. However, I would expect a little more from someone covering an event.
 
Dave Miller said:
It's a two-way street. Did you approach them?

If it was a radio DJ, the station probably had a PR person send info, with a head shot, to the media prior to the event. The media may not have approached the radio DJ either, but the radio DJ, and station, got coverage.
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I haven't seen many write ups for a radio DJ with a head shot sent to the media / printed in the paper, etc. Most of these types of pictures are of the person at the event. Also, because they have their own coverage, they would lit this on their website, not on the media's website as an article.
 
Hank Davidson said:
I disagree. Nobody they approached needed to chase after them first. The clown making balloon animals didn't have to stop what he was doing. If what I was (we are) doing was perceived as noteworthy, they would have come over. That's exactly the point I'm making. The fact is that the DJ is considered to be a given facet to an event like this. Just like the tables, chairs and trash barrels.

It's not really a big surprise that the general public has this mindset. We hear music in just about every public place we visit. We become immune to it and take it for granted. However, I would expect a little more from someone covering an event.
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Completely agree with you again Hanky.
 
Its the opposit for me I do a few charity benefits and here in Canada they treat the dj well. I even got good billing on some printed ads.

logozi7.jpg


This was for a fashion show at a historical department store owned by the Mirvishes. Even got front seat tickets to the then hottest play Dirty Dancing.
 
You just need to change the way you are looking at this. I made this same mistake for years.

By your own admission, your are: "in your tent" waiting for someone to come over and notice you.

You need to walk over to the photographer and ask to have your photo taken with whatever key people happen to be present. Request a photo with your client in front of something that identifies the event. Talk to the press and tell them why you are there and why you chose to take this job.

The press can't print what they don't know, and like anyone else they are usually looking for the easiest way to get their job done. Your photo can't show up in online photo blogs or local magazines and newspapers unless you step forward to be photographed.

Be your own advocate.
 
I think it's because many times The DJ that is doing it for free is usually some no-name kid/newbie DJ or does it as a hobby, and generally nobody cares who he is. (human jukebox) I've been to these events & many times the guy looks like a slob, or it's a relative or friend of someone that is just playing music. (human jukebox)

These days, everyone's a DJ or has some type of DJ gear, it's no big deal anymore/not as impressive.
 
Hank Davidson said:
I disagree. Nobody they approached needed to chase after them first. The clown making balloon animals didn't have to stop what he was doing. If what I was (we are) doing was perceived as noteworthy, they would have come over. That's exactly the point I'm making. The fact is that the DJ is considered to be a given facet to an event like this. Just like the tables, chairs and trash barrels.

It's not really a big surprise that the general public has this mindset. We hear music in just about every public place we visit. We become immune to it and take it for granted. However, I would expect a little more from someone covering an event.
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Agsin, the clown making balloons is working the crowd - you are not. Therein lies the difference. You're correct that the music is not enough and that DJs are common place. This is why you need to claim a place of your own.
 
Proformance said:
Again, the clown making balloons is working the crowd - you are not. Therein lies the difference. You're correct that the music is not enough and that DJs are common place. This is why you need to claim a place of your own.
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I didn't think I needed to say it, but yes I was. To elaborate, I was the MC for the day. I made all the announcements in regard to general goings on, contests, games etc., had people dancing, taking cards, conversing with me, etc. I also made it a point to acknowledge other vendors, sponsors and local politicians throughout the day. In case you didn't notice from my history here, I have a big personality and am not shy about being noticed. I stand by my above claims.

So, to be perfectly clear...It was solely the media that snubbed me that day and times before. I have seen it as a pattern and it applies to my peers in the area as well. The DJ is just not news.

Did I make a shameless plug for myself over the PA? No, because that's not my style.

Proformance said:
You need to walk over to the photographer and ask to have your photo taken with whatever key people happen to be present. Request a photo with your client in front of something that identifies the event. Talk to the press and tell them why you are there and why you chose to take this job.
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If you have to do all that, then you only prove my argument. We should be significant with having to club someone over the head.
 
All this is the simple reason i dont do"FREE" anymore, its just gives you a feeling like being used, the press should come to your tent and give you some coverage, and beleive I have done my fair share for free, but when they hire someone, they call so n so's friend that they know ,, there has to be a fine line for this type stuff, do it at a discount price or stay home on the porch,,
 
Sometimes we make the newspaper pictures sometimes we don't. Sometimes we make the news footage too! We ALWAYS make promo materials. Hank I was going to say I am pretty sure you have the personality to get some attention.

The plug, Make them! Often!

We were doing an event one time and a local radio station was doing a live spot during the event the GM ran over and asked if we could turn our music down. I said, "sure", waited for them start their broadcast and promptly announced who we were and what was coming up. Afterwards the GM stormed over and said, "I asked you to turn it down". I said, " what's your name? he answered I said, "funny didn't see that on the check. Oh and for the record you asked, if I could turn the music down next time you do your job and I will do mine, plan it out asshole"

As a side note the GM ran over to the person who's name was on the check and complained only to find out that we were only doing what we were paid to do.

Paul
 
Hank Davidson said:
I didn't think I needed to say it, but yes I was. To elaborate, I was the MC for the day. I made all the announcements in regard to general goings on, contests, games etc., had people dancing, taking cards, conversing with me, etc. I also made it a point to acknowledge other vendors, sponsors and local politicians throughout the day. In case you didn't notice from my history here, I have a big personality and am not shy about being noticed. I stand by my above claims.

So, to be perfectly clear...It was solely the media that snubbed me that day and times before. I have seen it as a pattern and it applies to my peers in the area as well. The DJ is just not news.

Did I make a shameless plug for myself over the PA? No, because that's not my style.

If you have to do all that, then you only prove my argument. We should be significant with having to club someone over the head.
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I'm totally with Hank on this one fella's.
 
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