Are you a DJ or a jukebox?

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

I' making this thread because of something Caunute said in another thread about being canned when doing weddings. He said he doesn't do many weddings because of this.

I get what he's saying and I agree with him. I won't do an event where someone has a list of every song they want played from start to finish.

I don't know if he has a wedding planner form or not but we do. I set it up so we can the specific details of what they want us to provide the client at their wedding. It ask if they want the DJ to provide ceremony music and what songs do they want?

Then what song they want the wedding party to enter the room on and then what song the couple want to enter the room on?

I go on to find out what songs they want for the participation dances and the other formalities. Then I ask what style of music do they want for their cocktail hour.

Then there are 2 parts for the styles of music they want and don't want. Then I give the 2 list to pick the songs they want played and don't want played. I made each one for 10 songs. For me 20 on either list is my limit. Once they want to go beyond that then I feel they can just look for themselves another DJ?

I feel that a client that books us needs to have the confidence that we're the right company to do their event. Anybody that wants to give us a list of every song they want played at their event is a client I care not to deal with.

Also I shouldn't take a gig I don't feel comfortable with or I feel I won't do my best for the client I'm working for. Not every client looking to book a DJ is a client I want to work with and just because I'm a mobile doesn't mean I'm the right DJ for any gig.

 

[rickryan.com]

I'm sure the brides in your area just let out a collective groan at their loss.

 

[ahoustondj]

I' making this thread because of something Caunute said in another thread about being canned when doing weddings. He said he doesn't do many weddings because of this.

I get what he's saying and I agree with him. I won't do an event where someone has a list of every song they want played from start to finish.

I don't know if he has a wedding planner form or not but we do. I set it up so we can the specific details of what they want us to provide the client at their wedding. It ask if they want the DJ to provide ceremony music and what songs do they want?

Then what song they want the wedding party to enter the room on and then what song the couple want to enter the room on?

I go on to find out what songs they want for the participation dances and the other formalities. Then I ask what style of music do they want for their cocktail hour.

Then there are 2 parts for the styles of music they want and don't want. Then I give the 2 list to pick the songs they want played and don't want played. I made each one for 10 songs. For me 20 on either list is my limit. Once they want to go beyond that then I feel they can just look for themselves another DJ?

I feel that a client that books us needs to have the confidence that we're the right company to do their event. Anybody that wants to give us a list of every song they want played at their event is a client I care not to deal with.

Also I shouldn't take a gig I don't feel comfortable with or I feel I won't do my best for the client I'm working for. Not every client looking to book a DJ is a client I want to work with and just because I'm a mobile doesn't mean I'm the right DJ for any gig.

Allow me to clarify. I don't chase Wedding Gigs because some of the headaches and time consumptions that they entail. Client has a right to choose special songs for the different Events in the Wedding, such as Bride & Groom Dance etc. When it comes to Cocktail Hour or General Dancing all I require is a general guidance not a Playlist of Songs. This is where the Jukebox thing comes in. I want the ability to be able to change the mood, tempo etc on the fly depending on the crowds response. I need that flexibility from the beginning.
Lastly I am there to do my job and I don't need planners and other vendors getting in my face or space. They are not hiring me nor are they paying me. I also don't want to waste the time to go to the venue and arrange for speaker placement only to find out that someone changed the whole arrangement and forgot to notify me beforehand.

 

[B-Sharp]

Mix, how many weddings have you done this year?

 

[DJCC]

A jukebox is an electronic machine that plugs into the wall outlet and plays records, cds, or via internet connection, and requires a cash payment for each selection.


A DJ is a living human person that uses records, cds, or digital media to play music selections on a sound system and requires payment based on a number of factors.


Since I am a living human, I can not be a jukebox. I am a DJ, not matter if I select the music or the client does.


And yes, I have done an event where the client selected all the music. At the begining of the "dance" I simply stated that the bride and groom had pre-selected the evenings music and that we would not be accepting any request. I was paid well for the event and lost no sleep over it. My clients and thier guest were happy and had a good time. That is what matters, not a DJ's ego.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

I've done 4 and one wedding anniversary. I know for most on here that's not a lot. It really isn't for those who their specialty is weddings.

With that said I didn't mean for this thread to be just about weddings. I was talking about events as a whole.

Canute I got you. Just do try to remember that a lot of times some of those vendors are meeting you for the first time and don't know the true professional that you are. So some of them maybe going on their past experience with other vendors/DJ's that were very unprofessional. So they will treat you the same way till they really get to know you.

I remember on djchat one member posted about 3 horrible DJ's! One had 12 bottles of beer sitting on his table. Then another DJ doing a wedding kept going outside to smoke weed and the last one was playing songs with curse words in them. Not my idea of a truly professional DJ any one of them.

A true professional will make sure they are dressed appropriately, their setup is professional and they carry themselves like a professional.

 

[ahoustondj]

I've done 4 and one wedding anniversary. I know for most on here that's not a lot. It really isn't for those who their specialty is weddings.

With that said I didn't mean for this thread to be just about weddings. I was talking about events as a whole.

Canute I got you. Just do try to remember that a lot of times some of those vendors are meeting you for the first time and don't know the true professional that you are. So some of them maybe going on their past experience with other vendors/DJ's that were very unprofessional. So they will treat you the same way till they really get to know you.

I remember on djchat one member posted about 3 horrible DJ's! One had 12 bottles of beer sitting on his table. Then another DJ doing a wedding kept going outside to smoke weed and the last one was playing songs with curse words in them. Not my idea of a truly professional DJ any one of them.

A true professional will make sure they are dressed appropriately, their setup is professional and they carry themselves like a professional.

I treat everyone with respect even if I don't know them or meeting them for the first time. I don't take shyt from ANYONE lest alone a Vendor. I will put them in their place there and then.

 

[ittigger]

With that said I didn't mean for this thread to be just about weddings. I was talking about events as a whole.

Funny - the first two sentences in the thread specifically state weddings - and then you go on to elaborate about different parts of a wedding. I'm not sure how 'events as a whole' fits into that.

I' making this thread because of something Caunute said in another thread about being canned when doing weddings. He said he doesn't do many weddings because of this.

 

[Ausumm]

Apart from the specialty dances, I usually get about 6 to 10 song requests from my brides...
and maybe a few DO NOT PLAY songs. Not what I would call a "jukebox" situation.

If I have an issue with songs on either list, I simply state my case to the client and we discuss it.
I have only had ONE bride who wanted me to be a jukebox, and didn't want to change her mind.
I warned her how it was going to end up...and I was right.
Still got paid full price...and didn't lose sleep over it.

If you properly explain yourself to your clients...
you can reach a nice balance between their requests and your experience.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

Apart from the specialty dances, I usually get about 6 to 10 song requests from my brides...
and maybe a few DO NOT PLAY songs. Not what I would call a "jukebox" situation.

If I have an issue with songs on either list, I simply state my case to the client and we discuss it.
I have only had ONE bride who wanted me to be a jukebox, and didn't want to change her mind.
I warned her how it was going to end up...and I was right.
Still got paid full price...and didn't lose sleep over it.

If you properly explain yourself to your clients...
you can reach a nice balance between their requests and your experience.

See that's it. It's not about a DJ's ego but more about what others will perceive and who's fault it is that the reception is a bust. You can make the announcement all you want that all the selections tonight are the couples. In the end people will still look at you as the reason the reception tanked because isn't your job to make people have fun?

To the DJ that it worked out great for them. That's not the norm. You just got lucky with that one. I suspect only because you knew what to play and when. Most I've seen on these forums that got forced to play only the songs the bride wanted for her reception turned out to be real ugly! Some DJ's were able to recover after having a talk with the bride asking for them to take control of the reception so people will begin to have fun. Once that they saw no one was having fun including them, then that's when they decided to let the DJ have his way. Most said after that the reception rocked.

If a potential client wanted to give me strict list to play by i would simply wish them well. Why should they pay someone to do what they want and spend a ton of money? They can save themselves some money and just rent some gear, load up an I pod with the songs in the order they want them played and just have a friend at the wedding man the I pod.

 

[ahoustondj]

See that's it. It's not about a DJ's ego but more about what others will perceive and who's fault it is that the reception is a bust. You can make the announcement all you want that all the selections tonight are the couples. In the end people will still look at you as the reason the reception tanked because isn't your job to make people have fun?

To the DJ that it worked out great for them. That's not the norm. You just got lucky with that one. I suspect only because you knew what to play and when. Most I've seen on these forums that got forced to play only the songs the bride wanted for her reception turned out to be real ugly! Some DJ's were able to recover after having a talk with the bride asking for them to take control of the reception so people will begin to have fun. Once that they saw no one was having fun including them, then that's when they decided to let the DJ have his way. Most said after that the reception rocked.

If a potential client wanted to give me strict list to play by i would simply wish them well. Why should they pay someone to do what they want and spend a ton of money? They can save themselves some money and just rent some gear, load up an I pod with the songs in the order they want them played and just have a friend at the wedding man the I pod.

Mix, Did you give your Secretary a raise!!!!! Thats good! I am proud of yer!

 

[Thomas]

I must live in DJ heaven. I don't have near the problems around here at weddings that I see most of you posting. I have had a few problems in the past....usually involving too much alcohol with the guests.. Now I just keep a laid back attitude and enjoy the night. I don't drink while working, I do my best to get the must plays on from the B&G's list, but sometimes it just doesn't work out, I play requests with discretion depending on the crowd. Most importantly I am confident and proficient at my vocation. I keep the crowd happy, entertained, and the evening flowing smoothly to the best of my ability. Whether I am wearing jeans and a polo shirt or a tux...same scenario. Professional, curteous, and prepared. Just makes life easy.

 

[ahoustondj]

I' making this thread because of something Caunute said in another thread about being canned when doing weddings. He said he doesn't do many weddings because of this.

I get what he's saying and I agree with him. I won't do an event where someone has a list of every song they want played from start to finish.

I don't know if he has a wedding planner form or not but we do. I set it up so we can the specific details of what they want us to provide the client at their wedding. It ask if they want the DJ to provide ceremony music and what songs do they want?

Then what song they want the wedding party to enter the room on and then what song the couple want to enter the room on?

I go on to find out what songs they want for the participation dances and the other formalities. Then I ask what style of music do they want for their cocktail hour.

Then there are 2 parts for the styles of music they want and don't want. Then I give the 2 list to pick the songs they want played and don't want played. I made each one for 10 songs. For me 20 on either list is my limit. Once they want to go beyond that then I feel they can just look for themselves another DJ?

I feel that a client that books us needs to have the confidence that we're the right company to do their event. Anybody that wants to give us a list of every song they want played at their event is a client I care not to deal with.

Also I shouldn't take a gig I don't feel comfortable with or I feel I won't do my best for the client I'm working for. Not every client looking to book a DJ is a client I want to work with and just because I'm a mobile doesn't mean I'm the right DJ for any gig.

Hey You! Tell yer damn Sexetary to quit butchering up my name before i put on my Cowboy boots and come up thar in Joisey and kick some azz!

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

I must live in DJ heaven. I don't have near the problems around here at weddings that I see most of you posting. I have had a few problems in the past....usually involving too much alcohol with the guests.. Now I just keep a laid back attitude and enjoy the night. I don't drink while working, I do my best to get the must plays on from the B&G's list, but sometimes it just doesn't work out, I play requests with discretion depending on the crowd. Most importantly I am confident and proficient at my vocation. I keep the crowd happy, entertained, and the evening flowing smoothly to the best of my ability. Whether I am wearing jeans and a polo shirt or a tux...same scenario. Professional, curteous, and prepared. Just makes life easy.

This is for me. I would never come to DJ a wedding wearing a polo shirt and jeans. That to me is very umprofessional. I would come in with at least a suit and nice shirt. I never know who might be there looking for a DJ to do an event for them and if they see me looking tacky they just might say they'll pass because of how i'm dressed. No matter how great I'm playing.

 

[Audio One]

This is for me. I would never come to DJ a wedding wearing a polo shirt and jeans. That to me is very umprofessional. I would come in with at least a suit and nice shirt. I never know who might be there looking for a DJ to do an event for them and if they see me looking tacky they just might say they'll pass because of how i'm dressed. No matter how great I'm playing.

Yes, very umprofessional.

 

[Precisionpower]

Me and my partner had this wedding booked through a friend of this crackhead that comes to my partners partys that doesnt want to pay the cover charge to get in which makes me mad. I then ate some cake...I like cake. But anyhow, My partner showed up to work the wedding in his underware! I was so mad..really really really mad. It was so terrible people forgot to eat and how to dance even though i had my speakers on the floor and the ice machine.My thong wearing partner said not to but i did it anyways. Have i told you how much i like cake? nom nom nom Camute said not to do it like that too but o well I had a really nice time

 

[ahoustondj]

Me and my partner had this wedding booked through a friend of this crackhead that comes to my partners partys that doesnt want to pay the cover charge to get in which makes me mad. I then ate some cake...I like cake. But anyhow, My partner showed up to work the wedding in his underware! I was so mad..really really really mad. It was so terrible people forgot to eat and how to dance even though i had my speakers on the floor and the ice machine.My thong wearing partner said not to but i did it anyways. Have i told you how much i like cake? nom nom nom Camute said not to do it like that too but o well I had a really nice time

You need to hire Mix's secretary! You sho' ain't makin' no sense!

 

[Proformance]

I can be a jukebox, albeit a really smart one.

I get request lists all the time. I've even have the occasional client who ONLY wants music from their list - and yes.. I've even had a few who only wanted their songs played in the exact order they listed them.

The more requests I get the easier it is to start reading the crowd with samples of music I know the client appreciates. If they want to stay within their own familiar boundaries then that's their prerogative and I can still make a good mix of things they like. When it comes to an exact playlist - sometimes they hit it well and sometimes they miss. It's still the same money.

You have to ask your self are you in the service business or are you just creative? Are you willing to be both or does your ego get in the way of either?

 

[Ausumm]

You have to ask your self are you in the service business or are you just creative? Are you willing to be both or does your ego get in the way of either?

We are in the be business of creatively playing music.
But if that is not what the client wants
and they are not interested in hearing rational thoughts about it's success...
and they are not willing to chnage their mind, even after their plan is not working...
then we are simply providing a service.
(and getting paid for it)

 

[DjDennis]

Your either a Dj or tour NOT - get the work, do your job and dont rock the boat

but some always complain, when they cant have it done their way
these so called djs should be doing something else as a job!

have a nice day!!