retirement

To many ads? Support ODJT and see no ads!

redhotdj

Its 5 O'clock somewhere
Mar 21, 2008
2,091
2,345
69
Richfield Springs n.y.
Hi all as it says yes I retired a year ago Dec. 31st 2018 was my last day, had 35 years in one place ( automotive trade ) and 5 years in another. Oh I still keep busy, stopped doing schools, its a young man thing and my equipment gained weight hard to pick up. Weddings ah that's where the money is at but starting to get tired of kissing ass ( when you guys get older you'll know what I mean and it's a young mans thing ). Getting heavy into doing car shows lots of fun met some very nice people ( mostly retired and are sick of kissing ass also ) and see some Great cars and seeing what people have done to them. They say age is only a number Bullshit when you get older it may take a little time but you come to a point when you find out there are things you used to do you can't do anymore ( that sucks ). Everyday is a new thrill in pain so you guys got that to look forward to Ha Ha. All in all life is good you learn to adapt and adjust. I will never regret becoming a DJ had some Great times a few not so good. Look at life and events like this




Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming WOW! What a Ride
Good Times with Good Friends make the Best Memories
 
Your body ages, not much you can do. Exercise can help with that and will help you live better, but not necessarily longer. I think the most important thing is to not get old in your head - and I'm not talking dementia or alzheimers - I'm talking turning into an old grouch who no longer enjoys life, like Steve. Act like a kid, and Dance!!
 
thank you all, in my head am 25 my body says 80 its hard that you know you could do this and should be able to do this but the body says I don't think so
I really do have a best friend Dave - and I'm afraid with the crazy crap we still do, someday I'm going to hear him yell across the bar room "Hey Buddy, how about a helping hand"! I'm gonna send Steve over instead!!

Remember, a friend bails you out of jail. A true friend is sitting next to you in jail, saying "Dam, that was fun!".
 
Last edited:
Approaching 70 and not even thinking about retirement. Can still rock a teen dance and happily do weddings. Equipment set up and tear down, still not an issue. However I am listing my business for sale and will hopefully find a buyer that I can dj events for, maybe 30 to 40 times a year....so slowing down is in my plans.

I definitely want to say "wow what a ride" when it's done....just not quite ready to jump off the juggernaut yet.

Finding a buyer is another thread, but yeah, an opportunity for someone to instantly be making 100K a year.

https://www.videoanddj.com/
 
Approaching 70 and not even thinking about retirement. Can still rock a teen dance and happily do weddings. Equipment set up and tear down, still not an issue.

Good for you Bob. However, you don't seem to wear that badge of honor on your website. It's pretty deceiving actually. Especially the gallery section which is stuffed with "stock photos". Maybe you could wish the OP (your peer) good health and a happy retirement rather than tooting your own horn?
 
  • Like
Reactions: ittigger
its all good, when car show season starts up i'll put up some pics. I make awards for some of the shows and I have a website ( jdcarshows.com ) check it out , 100_4061.jpg100_4062.jpg100_4096.jpg100_4098.jpg100_4083.jpg100_4087.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: ittigger
This year makes 33 years for me being a DJ. I don't feel I'm ready to hang up the headphones. I'm planning on a birthday celebration in Wheequeaway Park on May 31st and got another job to do possibly on July 18th. I still find myself enjoying what I do most times. The one thing I think nobody likes is moving gear to do the job. Of course there are times when things happen sometimes beyond our control. Overall at 61 I'm not ready to retire. I do agree with the OP that certain events may not be ideal for me now. Yet I find certain events are just right for me.
 
...speaking of picking on, admonishing, berating and attacking those who are not here to defend themselves - a policy I wholeheartadly endorse - where the heck is Steve?
 
  • Like
Reactions: ittigger
Is it true that women are like a fine wine, and get better with age? ...Asking for a Friend.
 
...speaking of picking on, admonishing, berating and attacking those who are not here to defend themselves - a policy I wholeheartadly endorse - where the heck is Steve?
Steve went through a double-ender (colonoscopy and panendoscopy) yesterday, so I've been out of commission. And I only admonish and berate those here that deserve it .. usually.
 
I hear you but am inclined to disagree in part. Unless the physical aspects of everyday living are also hindering being able to perform, there are several potential career extenders that might help, although they cost money and therefore will more than likely go ignored.

1) Get an Event Production Assistant (formerly called a roadie) to do all the loading, packing, lifting, setup, etc. They don't stay at the gig. Once set up, they go away and then return 10 minutes before the scheduled end time. Pay them well, from the time they leave home to the gig, the setup, and then the clock starts again when they come back, break down, and get back home.

2) Get high-quality floor mats, top of the line shoes, real arch inserts, and up-to-the-knee mild compression socks.

3) Raise your rates to cover these additional expenses as well as reduce the number of low paying overdemanding price shopping events.

4) As long as you're in the biz and making money, you can continue to itemize all those deductions.

5) Keep going forward with the same attention to event prep as when you were doing a hundred events a year. Keeps your mind and soul in the game.

I'm not the oldest fossil in this here DJ hardware store, but I simply cannot see walking away from this passion.

Best of good thoughts your way for whichever fork you choose.
 
Cap all your advise is good and right buttttttt, I am old school # 1 roadie would be nice but I never ask anyone to do something that I can do myself. #2 I've had problems with my feet just learn to live with it. #3 in and around this area ( little money ) I'm priced about the same as others, some higher some lower. I used to play at bar, started at 9 got done at 2, by the time we said goodbye and picked up the equipment and packed it away was about 2:45, get home 3:15 - 3:30 do that today would probably kill me. As for music today's music SUCKS, it has for the last couple of years ( that's one of the reasons I stopped doing schools and the kids must think Who's grandpa is here ) Don't get me wrong I love DJing and entertaining people but those years and some events are behind me and I am going in a different direction. Schools for a younger man, weddings for a younger man, I am still very active but some of the energy I used to have is GONE. I am on the final journey of my life I'm not getting younger and every day is one step closer to the last. I certainly don't want to die but I'm not afraid either. You must remember everyone is different when I was younger I beat my body up NOW i'm paying for it. Its ok I take what life throws at me and go on to the next
 
Okay, RedHotDJ, I kinda get your picture and it makes me sad to read between the lines and see your journey coming to an end. I'm glad to read that fear of the inevitable isn't making you twirl in the opposite direction of a just beyond a midlife crisis.

I do know everyone is different and perhaps someday we'll swap life experience sea stories, health issues, what meds we're taking, and what preparations have been made for the lid closing.

I agree with being beyond (not liking) clubs, schools, mitzvahs, and quinceaneras. Not because it's for young DJ guys or gals, but because I don't like the atmosphere, the clientele, and purpose. Music? It's just part of the tool bag along with personality, delivery, timing, appearance, voice, and sound systems.

I'm 76 and have 19 events on the books for this year. What a blessing, honor, and privilege it is to still be recognized and receive calls based on street cred with no advertising or up-to-date promotion.

Yes, we are different and I was I had an igniter to rekindle that energy and passion. Love ya, brother. Be well. Stay well.