I had a middle school dance on Friday night. I did not play any Chris Brown that night because he is a women beater. I think its very low to beat up on women. I had no problem with playing Michael Jackson’s Thriller. I was thinking about this on Friday night. Maybe it would be different if Jackson’s actions were still in the news. Do you find yourself not playing music because of criminal past, politics, or anything else?
Do you censor yourself when you play music?
- Thread starter Ruben Mora
- Start date
I am going to simplify this, and you brought up a great point with Michael Jackson.
Its is not up to you or I to judge anyone. People are going to hate be being so outright on this issue. Deep down we all judge each other, but in reality you only hurt yourself by doing as such. I am guilty as well. I have my feelings on CB and what he did, but it really doesn't matter what I truly think, its not my issue.
Will I continue to play music from MJ, CB...etc etc...
100% Absolutely!
Its is not up to you or I to judge anyone. People are going to hate be being so outright on this issue. Deep down we all judge each other, but in reality you only hurt yourself by doing as such. I am guilty as well. I have my feelings on CB and what he did, but it really doesn't matter what I truly think, its not my issue.
Will I continue to play music from MJ, CB...etc etc...
100% Absolutely!
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
Not really. If I started limiting my playlist by the actions of the musicians, I probably wouldn't have much left to play.
I'm with you on the domestic violence though and neither gender should be attacking the other for any reason.
I'm with you on the domestic violence though and neither gender should be attacking the other for any reason.
There are plenty of lifestyles that I don't approve of especially in my beloved Country Music genre but I do approve of good music.
I figure that's what I'm paid to do is play good music.
No censorship here, as you have defined it.
I figure that's what I'm paid to do is play good music.
No censorship here, as you have defined it.
Thanks, Ruben. 
I'm prob'ly gonna catch flack for this but it's just my thoughts ~ We play what the audiences want to dance to.
We played Chris Brown before this latest incident. We'll play his tracks when asked.
We played the Dixie Chicks before everyone else hated Dubya. We played Michael Jackson while he was sweating it out in the courthouse. We played Strokin' when it became a line dance and pissed off the church ladies. Oh, I'd just push that slider up a litle bit more, just to mess with 'em. Had a full floor... and one bitchin' church lady wasn't gonna stop it.
Way I figure.... as DJs, we're expected to play the music people want to hear. That's what we're paid to do. It's not our place to censor music for audiences over 18 years of age.
If they're younger, yes. Something that is known to cause mischief on the dance floor, we'd rather not spin it. I had to be careful with the head-banging stuff back in the '90s.
If they're over 18, the music shouldn't need no censoring on the part of the DJ.
I'm prob'ly gonna catch flack for this but it's just my thoughts ~ We play what the audiences want to dance to.
We played Chris Brown before this latest incident. We'll play his tracks when asked.
We played the Dixie Chicks before everyone else hated Dubya. We played Michael Jackson while he was sweating it out in the courthouse. We played Strokin' when it became a line dance and pissed off the church ladies. Oh, I'd just push that slider up a litle bit more, just to mess with 'em. Had a full floor... and one bitchin' church lady wasn't gonna stop it.
Way I figure.... as DJs, we're expected to play the music people want to hear. That's what we're paid to do. It's not our place to censor music for audiences over 18 years of age.
If they're younger, yes. Something that is known to cause mischief on the dance floor, we'd rather not spin it. I had to be careful with the head-banging stuff back in the '90s.
If they're over 18, the music shouldn't need no censoring on the part of the DJ.
not really. If i started limiting my playlist by the actions of the musicians, i probably wouldn't have much left to play.
I can definitely see where you're coming from, but I think we have to try to separate the art from the artist.
If a song is outright hateful of others or displayed a bent towards intolerance or violence - then I probably wouldn't play it under ANY circumstance at ANY gig...
But as for someone's "regular" stuff, I feel no need to censor it based on principle.
If a song is outright hateful of others or displayed a bent towards intolerance or violence - then I probably wouldn't play it under ANY circumstance at ANY gig...
But as for someone's "regular" stuff, I feel no need to censor it based on principle.
Let's see if you would censor this.
I should put this under weddings. I wasn't even going to say anything but this is just to crazy.
Story: Yesterday, members of my family were attending a wedding as friends of the groom (no family relation to the couple). During some part of the wedding the aunt of the groom was going around looking for male volunteers to get up on the dance floor to help with a family joke. I'm not sure if the DJ was even part of this or knew what was happening. This aunt had told my nephews what was going to happen. They would not participate, but the aunt did get a few guys up.
When the music started (Living In America by James Brown) the line of guys with the groom as well were instructed to hold their arm out straight like a German salute. Behind the guys were two other family members. In their hands they unrolled (I still can't believe they did this) a Nazi Swastika Flag. The DJ continued to play the song all the way through.
Needless to say many people were BS. A female cop in attendance went after the aunt. Many people were appalled. I'm appalled just relaying this grotesque story.
The facility were the wedding was held is a nice place. I do a few wedding there and I know that the venue staff had no idea this was going to happen.
So, you as the DJ, would you sensor this act as it unfolded (no pun intended)?
The minute I caught any wind of what was happening I would have stopped all music and cleared everyone from the dance floor. I know I wouldn't have continued with the music, and I probably would have left altogether.
This is so amazing I know it's unbelievable but my adult nephews told me about it, every sick step of the way as it went on. One of my nephews called me as soon as it happens, then further explained it to me face to face later that day.
I should put this under weddings. I wasn't even going to say anything but this is just to crazy.
Story: Yesterday, members of my family were attending a wedding as friends of the groom (no family relation to the couple). During some part of the wedding the aunt of the groom was going around looking for male volunteers to get up on the dance floor to help with a family joke. I'm not sure if the DJ was even part of this or knew what was happening. This aunt had told my nephews what was going to happen. They would not participate, but the aunt did get a few guys up.
When the music started (Living In America by James Brown) the line of guys with the groom as well were instructed to hold their arm out straight like a German salute. Behind the guys were two other family members. In their hands they unrolled (I still can't believe they did this) a Nazi Swastika Flag. The DJ continued to play the song all the way through.
Needless to say many people were BS. A female cop in attendance went after the aunt. Many people were appalled. I'm appalled just relaying this grotesque story.
The facility were the wedding was held is a nice place. I do a few wedding there and I know that the venue staff had no idea this was going to happen.
So, you as the DJ, would you sensor this act as it unfolded (no pun intended)?
The minute I caught any wind of what was happening I would have stopped all music and cleared everyone from the dance floor. I know I wouldn't have continued with the music, and I probably would have left altogether.
This is so amazing I know it's unbelievable but my adult nephews told me about it, every sick step of the way as it went on. One of my nephews called me as soon as it happens, then further explained it to me face to face later that day.
Wow. This is a tough one. I don't think anyone here could REALLY say what they would've done with this as a hypothetical. That's just crazy. There would have to be so many intangibles taken into account right there on the spot and up-to-that point in the dj's working the event that we can't begin to comprehend. I know I can't say WHAT I would have decided to do.
It would depend in part on the crowd present. If the groomsmen were all shaven and sporting tat-sleeves peeking out from under their tux sleeves, and a good many rowdy friends present were the same, for example, I might be less inclined to make some sort of warm and fuzzy stand on principle.
Hmmm.... go with it for another hour or get jumped and get my gear stolen/trashed in the parking lot while I'm loading out?
I'm not saying that is the scenario that was described originally above, or even close, but just driving home the point that it's not at all as clear-cut and black and white as we like to think it is sitting behind our monitors
I can't say I fault the DJ for playing the song through just given the above, no. If he was truly clueless as to the events that were about to unfold and simply knew the song they wanted played, I feel sorry for him!
I find myself in agreement with most of what you guys have said. Ron, just indicates what I've always felt. There doesn't seem to be any bottom to the barrel of bad taste anymore. You used to be able to say the bad taste was the barrel bottom but it fell out long ago.
As far as weddings go my advice has always been, if you're going to have some class on any day of your life, it should be on the day you get married. My very close friend while removing his wife's garter, had his whole head up his bride's dress. I mean the man was no longer visible. This was in front of his friends, parents, in-laws and boss. I don't think it tops the Nazi thing but you ain't got no couth when you defecate where you eat and in front of family and friends.
Honorable mention to Kirby and Fred too. We have to fulfill our purpose for being there and then what would be left? Then again you don't play the Internationale (socialist / communist anthem) to a right wing crowd either.
I almost forgot. I don't like drugs but does that mean I can't play Willie anymore?
As far as weddings go my advice has always been, if you're going to have some class on any day of your life, it should be on the day you get married. My very close friend while removing his wife's garter, had his whole head up his bride's dress. I mean the man was no longer visible. This was in front of his friends, parents, in-laws and boss. I don't think it tops the Nazi thing but you ain't got no couth when you defecate where you eat and in front of family and friends.
Honorable mention to Kirby and Fred too. We have to fulfill our purpose for being there and then what would be left? Then again you don't play the Internationale (socialist / communist anthem) to a right wing crowd either.
I almost forgot. I don't like drugs but does that mean I can't play Willie anymore?
Just off the top of my wooden head, Ron.
Since I wasn't there I can't call judgement either way.
But for the sake of arguement, if I was the DJ and saw that the guests were shocked by this stunt I'd pull the slider down and let silence reign. Abrupt silence has a way of getting peoples' attention.
Silence will also cause people to look at the DJ. If the DJ is giving the pranksters the evil eye while walking toward them (and I would be in this scenario), everyone else will notice.
The mic is the bully pulpit. If this kind of disturbance arose I think I'd use the bully pulpit to call Jane and Joe (B&G) over for a conference. Then, holding the mic I'd walk toward the pranksters and shoo them out the door. I'm an old guy and don't take no guff from misguided youngsters. When they see Wolfie coming at 'em with that look in my eye, they'll move on.
Thoughts?
Kind of eerie, Fred, the way your sig seems to have been put in-place for this very hypothetical situation that has played out over the last few posts:
""All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)
Bravo!
Has Chris Brown even been indited?
A local radio station in KC has banned Chris Brown.
FlocKing FOOLS! Chris Brown is one of the brightest talented stars out there right now and pays that stations bills! Guilty until proven innocent. Dumb business model.
We'd be out of jobs if we adhered to those poor standards.
A local radio station in KC has banned Chris Brown.
FlocKing FOOLS! Chris Brown is one of the brightest talented stars out there right now and pays that stations bills! Guilty until proven innocent. Dumb business model.
We'd be out of jobs if we adhered to those poor standards.
Got that right.
Local radio once banned "black" (not gonna use the N word) music. Motown Records sold like hotcakes anyway.
Local radio refused to play Elvis' records because the station owners thought he was black. His records sold anyhow.
Local radio blackballed Jerry Lee Lewis' music when he married his 13-year old cousin. He sold records, just the same
Local radio blackballed Elton John's music when he said he was gay. Jukeboxes were playing The Bitch is Back anyway.
Ronald Reagan's bone-headed interior secretary, James "I have a black, a woman, two Jews and a cripple" Watt blackballed the Beach Boys from playing on the National Mall. They kept on selling out concerts, just the same.
What did the Beach Boys sing?
"Yeah the critics kept a knockin'
But the stars kept a rockin'
And the choppin didn't get very far."
How about that?
Normally I don't censor anything but in the case Ron described if I had previous knowledge it wouldn't have happened...at least not with me there and if I didn't know it was going to happen I think I would have been there with a stunned look on my face to think anyone could be this stupid.
Once I came around I would do something similar to Fred and we would be having a conference to see if this event was still on
Once I came around I would do something similar to Fred and we would be having a conference to see if this event was still on
G
Guest
Guest
Actually, you could say I am out of job because I adhered to these (great) standards. The main reason I stopped DJing was because I no longer wanted to support an industry whose main product was pushing the merchandise of these thugs.
I want you all to step back and think about it one time. You say you play what the music that the people want to hear. This is the core of the problem. Rap and R&B artists are counting on people not caring what their actions are because they know the more outrageous their actions, the more sales and airplay they will get.
Maybe if more stations like the one in KC would start banning these jackasses, then they would realize they can not just go around doing whatever they want without consequences.
JT also brought up another good point. Brown has not been indicted of anything, that is correct, but tell me, what crime did the Dixie Chicks commit? Speaking their minds got them banned to music Siberia while Kayne West said something that was far worse about Bush and got applauded by his audience. Perhaps it has more to do with the followers of these artists than the actual actions of the artist themselves?
I understand what everyone is saying but Patrick is on to something. Is there no room to stand up to nonsense anymore? There are songs I won't play, but for the most part it isn't artist based.
We all need to take stands against what is wrong. How we do that is our own choice.
Way to go Ruben. You followed your convictions. I bet you play CB again soon. But you made your point. I wish more people would follow their convictions about right and wrong.
We all need to take stands against what is wrong. How we do that is our own choice.
Way to go Ruben. You followed your convictions. I bet you play CB again soon. But you made your point. I wish more people would follow their convictions about right and wrong.
Direct answer to Ruben's question: No, I have no problems playing a track from a current negatively addressed news figure.
I might make something of it before or after playing it. A great presentation can make even the worst hamburger look good.
She probably had it coming.
I might make something of it before or after playing it. A great presentation can make even the worst hamburger look good.
She probably had it coming.
G