So, where am I now???

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SemiRetired DJ

SemiRetired DJ

Mac Daddy DJ
Nov 22, 2010
1,189
155
67
Abingdon, MD 21009
www.goodknightentertainment.com
Yes, this post is all about me, LOL.

I am doing Karaoke for the veterans at Perry Point VA Hospital the third Saturday of each month on behalf of my Elks lodge.

I haven't DJed at the lodge for close to two months now. I probably won't DJ again there again till New Year's Eve and then I have a 21st birthday party on January 7th for a young man the lodge helped out a few years back. After the party on the 7th, nothing I have planned till February 18th.

When I first closed the business I was DJing every Friday, then it got down to maybe once or twice a month, and now it is down to hardly ever. Why? Well, I guess I really don't have the motivation to DJ anymore but I am also involved with other things at the lodge.

I reformatted the lodge iPod and I plug that into the stereo system on Friday nights. Honestly, that's good enough for background music for dinner.
 
I did the NYE party at the lodge. We had fifteen people. Oh well. Next year I'll spend NYE at home.

I have a gig Saturday the 7th. It is a 21st birthday party for a special kid. He love C/W so that is what I'll play. He especially loves Red Solo Cup by Toby Keith.

I suspect that this will be my last DJ event ever. I'll keep doing the Karaoke at Perry Point VA but I really think that I'll be letting others learn how to use the gear at the lodge.
 
I think it would be pretty hard to derive long term enjoyment from DJing at a lodge. Unlike a dance club, the lodge has a closed membership...the guest list never changes - just minor differences in who decides to show up. Eventually every event becomes a too familiar routine and people lose interest.

If you want to DJ for the fun of it then you have to land a residency in a place where the crowd has something they can give back to you! To get a meanigful psychological payoff you need to be working in a place and with people who really appreciate what it is you do. By appreciate I don't mean hearing "thank you" and other compliments.

By "appreciate" I mean a crowd of people who specifically seek out places to dance and come to seriously get their groove on. People who come for the chicken wings and a classic hand clapper or foot stompin' favorite simply can't provide the kind of positive reinforcement a DJ is looking for.
 
Sounds like you are ready to let go. At this point in my DJ career I am looking more at the end then the beginning,,,, I still have the flame, but I lost some of it when I moved to Maui simply because of the size of the crowds.

It is nice to do more personal events where you have 20 - 35 people, but the excitement just isn't there. I am hoping moving back to CA will re-energize me. Maybe that is what you need, a new space and a new crowd so you remember why you dug this stuff in the first place... or, maybe it is just time to hang up the headphones. Only you know for sure....
 
Sounds like you are ready to let go. At this point in my DJ career I am looking more at the end then the beginning,,,, I still have the flame, but I lost some of it when I moved to Maui simply because of the size of the crowds.

It is nice to do more personal events where you have 20 - 35 people, but the excitement just isn't there. I am hoping moving back to CA will re-energize me. Maybe that is what you need, a new space and a new crowd so you remember why you dug this stuff in the first place... or, maybe it is just time to hang up the headphones. Only you know for sure....
 
I have an event for our Jr. Elks on 2/18. After that, the headphones are on the shelf.

The gig on Saturday went very well. I even learned a new (for me) line dance called The Wobble.

I got a request to DJ a wedding at the lodge. I turned it down but I gave them some numbers of local DJs I still know.
 
I just looked at the history on the DJ laptop.

I donated the gear to the lodge in May. I DJed three times in June, twice in July, once in August and once in September. I did not DJ at all again until NYE and then this past Saturday. I won't DJ again until 2/18 and then have no future plans.

Bob, thanks for the words of encouragement but there is really nothing left to encourage. I enjoyed it while I did it for the most part but now it is over. I still enjoy music and I hope that will never leave me.
 
Well, did the Jr. Elks gig on Saturday.

I had a few requests for songs that I would not play and I made it clear that I wasn't going to play them. The kids respected that.

I wasn't planning on games but it seems that the Mummy Wrap and Hula Hoop games I played in the past were a hit so I sent somebody out to get TP and the Hula Hoops were in the back room. Both games went over well. We also did freeze dance.

It looks like I'm their DJ. Not really a problem for me. They respect it when I tell them I won't play their song and why. Their next dance will probably be in a few months.

Next time I will do the bubble pop. I should also put together a new "Guitar Riff" game. I'll take suggestions for songs that can be included. Gotta find some blow up guitars for it. I'll probably sneak in some oldies too.
 
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