So, my lack of knowledge, and stance on hip hop probably just cost me a LOT of money.

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Papa:
If I had to rely on DJ money, I probably would have to suck it up and learn it.
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Thank you for your blunt and direct honesty. This specific ideology is perhaps the most basic bottom line fork in the mobile DJ structure.

My commentary is almost always based on sole income or full time view point and there's a reluctance to mention it as it always starts "that" war [FT/PT]. While this biz has been very very good to me in the 25 years of being full-time, there are times of sheer envy of those who DJ as a hobby/side income in being able to be very choosy (except I can play golf during the day, Monday through Thursday...neener neener LOL)

Thanks again, Papa.
 
Papa,
I applaud you...
You discussed the event and knew it wasn't for you....
You may have been miserable at the party, with the music choice. (this may pay off for you in the long run ) You knew your limitations and therefore went with it.. Most ppl are not honest enough with themselves to make a decision like that.
If I cannot talk the talk, and walk the walk, I don't do the event.
As for the 45 yr old golfer party...
I did a few parties for a well publicized golfer. His Millennium party had more drugs floating around than some frat parties I have done.
 
Cap Capello said:
Papa: Thank you for your blunt and direct honesty. This specific ideology is perhaps the most basic bottom line fork in the mobile DJ structure.

My commentary is almost always based on sole income or full time view point and there's a reluctance to mention it as it always starts "that" war [FT/PT]. While this biz has been very very good to me in the 25 years of being full-time, there are times of sheer envy of those who DJ as a hobby/side income in being able to be very choosy (except I can play golf during the day, Monday through Thursday...neener neener LOL)

Thanks again, Papa.
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You are welcome... And while I wouldn't be golfing, I would love to enjoy the afternoons once in a while.
 
Papa,
From what I read, there is no way you would have fit yourself comfortably into the mold that was cast for that party.
You done good and even though it may seem that an opportunity has flown, you'll be happier for it.
 
You should follow my lead, Papa. Be a sell out. Cave in to everything others say, especially DJs who are not near you and do not know the entire situation, yet still speak as though their words are gospel--they are always right, ya know.
 
Yeah, he couldn't call me, right??? The connections, the $$$$, the networking, the $$$$$...

But I guess you stuck to your principals..:sqbiggrin:

I DJ'd for a radio station that I HAD to play Jazz...I hated Jazz back then...Kinda like you hate Hip Hop...Now I love Jazz...:sqwink:

Good analyogy (sp) ?? I thought.
 
Papa Deuce said:
If I had to rely on DJ money, I probably would have to suck it up and learn it [hip hop/rap/RnB]
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very wise indeed.

I learned the hard way......my initial stance was similar to Papa's (in my early days of 1986-1992).

While my contract (back then) said "No Rap or Heavy Metal"

NOW my contract says: "No Hardcore Rap or "Thrash" Metal"

I will do frat parties and HS events, but will NEVER go into the "'hood" because they want Hardcore Bay Area Rap.

Its easy to tell whether a party is too Ghetto for my @$$: when they ask for "hyphy" or "Mac Dre" (a type of hardcore Bay Area rap)-- I know immediately that I'm the wrong person for the job.
 
I can't believe all the money I've left on the table because I don't know much about dentistry.....

WINK!

Dave

You did the right thing to keep your long term relationship with this person intact.
 
If my client wants me to play all Hip-Hop event on a New years gig I would pass also! I work on NYE to take my wife and kids, make money, and enjoy the event, in that order! In now way will I enjoy myself if I have to play Hip Hop all night! I too would pass the event but would of subcontracted it to one of my DJs. I work NYE to enjoy myself, also, I pick and choose what event I want to play and if it is not for me, I subcontract it until the right one comes along! If none do, I just enjoy the time with family!
 
Papa,
I certainly don't think it was the wrong approach for you. If you are not comfortable doing a gig, then you shouldn't do it. It shows great integrity.

However, for me, I don't find it uncomfortable to do a gig with genres I am not totally familiar with. I have found that when a client wants music that I am not familiar with, it gives me an opportunity to do research and find out things about different types of music that I didn't know before. I've found by doing concentrated research, I can find out more than I need to know about any genre.

My Sirius radio is an excellent tool to listen to an genre I want to get a good feel for what they may like. After I listened, I can go back to the website and get a list of the songs that were played...or I use my verizon phone to do a song ID to remember the song.

with all of the research tools available today, I find the research not only valuable, but very interesting and fun as well.

Also, my taste in music never comes into play. If I played music I really liked, we'd all be sitting around listening to Led Zeppelin, the stones, the who, tom petty, ELO etc
 
Scott are we brothers from a different mother? I too take the challenge and do mass research often times going beyond and shocking my client with songs they had forgotten or hadnt considered but loved. If I feel a good vibe I take the challenge but then I totally earn my keep with the research etc. These days it is at our fingertips and if you know what research to gain the most knowledge you can accomplish success in nearly every area even Dentistry.
 
I had an assistant once that hated Sinatra and Martin. She only liked Rap and Hip-Hop. I told her that if she wanted to be a more well rounded DJ she needed to even deal with music she hated. She didn't want to deal with it so she's not an assistant anymore.

Chuck, your business is just that, your business. I hate most hip hop as well but I choose to tolerate it and work with it. Plus, sometimes you can work around it. Then again, since I do mostly weddings, rap and hip hop are not really an issue.
 
Scott Hanna said:
Papa,
I certainly don't think it was the wrong approach for you. If you are not comfortable doing a gig, then you shouldn't do it. It shows great integrity.

However, for me, I don't find it uncomfortable to do a gig with genres I am not totally familiar with. I have found that when a client wants music that I am not familiar with, it gives me an opportunity to do research and find out things about different types of music that I didn't know before. I've found by doing concentrated research, I can find out more than I need to know about any genre.

....
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Thanks, Scott... I don't like a few genres, but I am morally opposed to hip hop / gangsta rap.... so I will not make the effort to learn it. Buy as I always tell my clients that I don't play this music, it is never an issue.

Every DJ plays music that they don't like to some degree, or they wouldn't be a DJ for very long, I am guessing.

In this instance, of him being a co-worker, and eventually, maybe someone I would call a friend, I would rather not pretend I am something I am not. I think he actually appreciated hearing me tell him the truth rather than fake it, anyway.

Plus, like I said, I most likely will be working my FT job that night anyway.

Thanks, all.
 
GoodKnightDJ said:
I had an assistant once that hated Sinatra and Martin. She only liked Rap and Hip-Hop. I told her that if she wanted to be a more well rounded DJ she needed to even deal with music she hated. She didn't want to deal with it so she's not an assistant anymore.

Chuck, your business is just that, your business. I hate most hip hop as well but I choose to tolerate it and work with it. Plus, sometimes you can work around it. Then again, since I do mostly weddings, rap and hip hop are not really an issue.
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Given that In Cali most of our brides are between 20 and 30 if I didn't have a good handle on hip hop I would be screwed. I like the look of the youngsters about 15 and 16 when they look at me like "Hey whats gramps gonna play." And fast forward 1/2 hour and they are a sweaty mess. :sqbiggrin: Yeeeeehhhhh whatz up boyyyyyyyy
 
nextgen1 said:
Given that In Cali most of our brides are between 20 and 30 if I didn't have a good handle on hip hop I would be screwed. I like the look of the youngsters about 15 and 16 when they look at me like "Hey whats gramps gonna play."
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I know you're just kidding about the "gramps" thing.....but I generally ignore teenager requests at weddings (per B/G orders!)

My average B/G is slightly older (25-35) and they seem to be more interested in pleasing the Baby Boomer guests (aunts, uncles, parents, etc) than the kiddies!
 
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