VFW, Elks .... and the like... I'm guessing here...

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Papa Deuce

Mac Daddy DJ
Aug 8, 2006
19,843
594
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Valley Forge Area
but if they hold oldies dances, or whatever they choose to call them, do they generally expect to pay a lot less than YOU usually work for?

I would LOVE to do these,as I could play more of the music I enjoy, but my GUESS is that they don't pay very much... would I be correct?
 
Generally VFW's, American Legion, and other Fraternal type places pay a lot less than even what bars are willing to pay... in fact one of the VFW posts in my area don't pay at all... you work for tips and tips alone. These places are usually govenmentally subsidised and work as non-profits there for they try to operate at a loss.

Your best bet might be places like the Elks, Moose, Kwanis, Masons, and these such places.
 
jokerswild said:
Generally yes.... they pay a lot less than even what bars are willing to pay... in fact one of the VFW posts in my area don't pay at all... you work for tips and tips alone.
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So, there are actually DJ's who would schlep all that stuff to an event... and HOPEFULLY make $50? :sqerr:
 
Papa Deuce said:
So, there are actually DJ's who would schlep all that stuff to an event... and HOPEFULLY make $50? :sqerr:
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Yes, but I never did it for less than $150 when I was starting out... wont touch the places now... see my edited post.

Funny part is I use to frequent one particular VFW before I went into DJn for myself and that's why I decieded to be a DJ not because of how wonderful a job the guy did but because I knew I could do it better.
 
I'm glad you asked, Papa. :)

This was my main market for DJ shows for many years. They will pay more for a DJ company that plays the songs they like when they like 'em. These folks are like family. Treat 'em like family and they'll keep you busy, trust me on this. I left Virginny in 2000 and am still getting calls from old clients I got through the VFW and Moose. :)

They don't like it loud. If it's too loud you won't get an invite back. Start at low volume and inch it up just a touch if asked. Then keep it at the acceptible level.

The bigger the membership base, the better. Back home, the VFW was smaller than the Moose. Yet, most of the VFW members were also in with the Moose anyhow. They'd go where the party was. Heck, I was the first DJ company ever booked by the C-ville Moose. They liked bands. But my buddy pulled some strings and got me in there for a Sunday picnic. I was in like Flynn.

Bear in mind that many of these folks like some older, obscure Country tunes. If you don't have it, get it and play it the next time you're out there. A NYE party at the VFW or Legion is the best ever.

I don't like to post price numbers because there's such a difference in market areas. But I will say that the fraternal houses pay better than your average bar gig and usually less than your average wedding rate.

In my opinion, these over-21 shows are the greatest. It's all members and guests only. No annoying pups to pester yas for rap. They don't care if you wear a monkey suit or a wife-beater shirt. Just give 'em a good tone and the dance tunes they love.

Edit: Remember, these folks rent their halls for parties, receptions and the like. Treat 'em right and they'll recommend you to everyone who books the house. :)
 
You were lucky then Fred... in my area memebership is barely enough to keep the doors open... they don't pay hardly nothin... and well that's the kind of DJs they get.... I was one of them... then I wised up.

Now Moose, Elks and others that's different they will pay what you are worth...

But, the attitude around here is they will make more money off beer sales with or without entertainment after all that's why they have a jukebox.

We're in the dark ages here I guess.

Papa maybe your area will be more like Fred's.... but come here and you'd be banging your head to get real rates.
 
Thanks, Rob. :)

To be honest, I didn't start with higher pay at the old VFW. In the hill country of Virginee, the VFWs that bothered to book DJs at all were cheap.

I worked my way up from the $50.00 per hour rate (sorry for the number comment but it's important to the area) and was able to do many a show for more, thanks to the passing of the hat for overtime.

What they pay ain't the important part. The referrals are. Gosh, the majority of my bookings came from folks who were at the old VFW parties. I got corporate shows, small businesses and other fraternal gigs from that VFW. Did a few weddings and private fundraisers out there as well.
 
Matter of fact I'm doing a 50th Wedding anniversary party @ the Elks Lodge tomorrow night.

The Couple seem to be very nice, easy to work with it should be a fun time. I posted the play list I will be working from in the music forum a couple of days ago.

We clicked on the music.....I was told nothing later than the sixties........I said should I assume that includes the "English Invasion"... Beattles, Stones, Hermans Hermits.......She responded....NO English stuff!!

We became instant friends.........

Money was in line with what I get for parties....this will only be 3 hours of dancing, ends at 10:00, doubt it goes that long......

I plan on having a good time..............
 
DJ Gray said:
Matter of fact I'm doing a 50th Wedding anniversary party @ the Elks Lodge tomorrow night.

The Couple seem to be very nice, easy to work with it should be a fun time. I posted the play list I will be working from in the music forum a couple of days ago.

We clicked on the music.....I was told nothing later than the sixties........I said should I assume that includes the "English Invasion"... Beattles, Stones, Hermans Hermits.......She responded....NO English stuff!!

We became instant friends.........

Money was in line with what I get for parties....this will only be 3 hours of dancing, ends at 10:00, doubt it goes that long......

I plan on having a good time..............
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Man, Gray, I "could" do that party, but I wouldn't... I would hate to be limited to only stuff before 1970.
 
Well Papa.....it's a service business.....that's what they wanted. You have to understand that when you have been married "50" years you deserve to get what you want.......Most of the participants are in their 60's or 70's.

She did say if I got a request for a song after the 1970's I could honor the request.........

It's going to be a blast..........
 
If it wasn't for legions and church halls It would get pretty quiet around here
 
If it wasn't for these type parties, I would not be a DJ.

I personally love all types of music and play all types at my gigs, the reason I became a DJ was not for the money, but rather to be a source for some of the older music from the 50's, 60's, and to do parties for people, who love the music from this time period, and enjoy dancing to it.
 
I don't know about anybody else but I'm a DJ first as a businessman and second because I enjoy seeing people enjoy what I do as a businessman.

But, at the end of the day that's what it is a business and for me the only thing a VFW does for me is pad my bottom line when business is slow. Don't get me wrong they are fun to do... but they are certainly not my bread and butter.

I'd love to say I'm in this for the sake of and fun of playing music but I'd be a liar if I did.

Believe me when I was told by the VFW just one town over from me that they pay their entertainers based on tips collected that night... I was definately NOT interested anymore... and this was a very nice NEW place. I get better out of the run down dingy one accross the street from where I live.
 
Thanks, Rob.

I should've clarified earlier that most of the VFW shows I did were paid by the members themselves. It did get cheap if the VFW was cutting my paycheck. They don't like to spend money, lol.

The members were all the time having birthdays, anniversaries, holiday parties and so forth. Heck, we had some line dance troups come though back in the '90s. The members would book me and pay me. That was a sweet deal. Most of 'em were business owners and the parties were written off as entertainment anyhow.

The VFW building was used as a gathering place for their friends. When members reserve the house, all invited guests are prospective clients. Ya never know who is gonna be in that audience. :)

I've gotta agree with Jim on this. If you're a "younger" DJ with more experience with the pup to 30-ish music, the VFW or Legion may not be your ideal market. However, if you came of age in the 1960s and are aquainted with pre-Brittish Invasion music (and older Country), the VFW can be a steady source of shows.
 
Well, I can handle stuff back to the 40's.... Old country isn't big at all in these parts, even in those lodges, so that is a bonus for me. I just would hope that I can find shows where I can ALSO include the 70's AND some of the British stuff..... mostly Beatles and Stones.

I won't dive head first. Maybe just try and get my toes wet.

Most of this all depends on whether I leave my job in March to basically be Mr. Mom. My wife is cool with that, so she says now. I, OTOH, still have trepidation about leaving a 75K a year job with a 401K and decent benefits.
 
Papa I've dropped the burden like a ton of bricks booked two gigs Friday and off to a meeting tomorrow to book Next August gig. Im doing it and might stop by the Canadian version of the VFW Monday to do a night or two.
 
Think about this one.

Do weddings pay the same amount in a VFW or Elks?

The do unless you are discounting. They are paying for your service, why should you make any less than what you normally charge.

My good friend works a PNA once a month or so. They pay him him normal bar rate of $50 an hour. Why? because that is what he asked for as payment.

We know for fact that the other DJ's there do work for $100 a night, we both have asked them.

If you show your worth people will pay.
 
DJ Cam said:
Think about this one.

Do weddings pay the same amount in a VFW or Elks?
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In my experience, yes. A reception is a reception no matter where it's held. A wedding isn't the same thing as a VFW members dance party. The B&G who are renting the house aren't members. It's a whole nother thing. :)
 
Ah yes. Absolutely.

The VFW, Legions and the rest are hierarchial orgs. They're also non profit. Any expenditure has to be brought before the board and voted upon. Paying for entertainment whether it's a band, a karaoke host or a DJ is not exactly at the top of the priority list.

I've seen it become a bit irritating at times. The members want a NYE or Christmas party and the board doesn't want to pay for it. There are few quality mobile entertainment companies that will settle for what little payment the board will allot.

So in most cases, the members will pay for it themselves. A few times, the members passed the hat around (after the booze had started to kick in, lol) and I got meself a rather decent paycheck. Had it been left to the board's discretion to authorize payment, there wouldn't have been a party at all.
 
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