How Did You Start...

[mikeee 0]

I was just wondering, as I sometimes do, how did you guys start DJ'ing.

 

Did your mother throw you out and tell you to do something usefully?

 

Did you expect to pick up chic's?

 

Was it to help your alcohol dependence problem?

 

Did you get some bird pregnant and you needed the extra money?

 

Are you foolish enough to like music?

 

Please delete as applicable

 

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[Guest Guest_pepperink]

Well I was at a party and my frined who was djing had to go to the bathroom (number 2) and gave me a 2 minute tutorial and said do it. When he came back i didnt let him have his spot back for another hour. I guess it was in my blood all along i just needed to discover it.

[ChrisPointon 0]

In answer to your questions:-

 

Did your mother throw you out and tell you to do something usefully? - - I'm still actually trying to find something useful to do - After 15 years I've finally accepted the truth.....I'M A D.J!!! Arrrrrrrrrrrghhhhhhhhhh

 

Did you expect to pick up chic's? - I found out a long time ago, that D.J'ing is NOT the job to do if you WANT to pick up the chics (Not unless your into 60 year old bored housewives who want you to play their request in return for certain sexual favours http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif ). Is it just me, or is there something very unattractive about a Female swigging from a bottle of bud and chain smoking?.

 

Was it to help your alcohol dependence problem? - - No my Alcohol dependence problem only started AFTER becoming a D.J. I rapidly realised that life is very unfair - namely being able to hold two pints but only drink out of one at a time http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/014.gif

 

Did you get some bird pregnant and you needed the extra money? - Hey! - that was all just a vicious rumour and nothing has ever been proved o.k!!

 

Are you foolish enough to like music? - - Having heard all manner of Cheesy "manufactured" tat from Boy & Girl bands over the last decade - I don't think that "Music" exists anymore. It all started going downhill from Stock, Aitkin & Waterman http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/tongue.gif

 

Here's My D.J'ing C.V:-

 

Aged 14 - Trained for 12 Months with another local D.J

 

Aged 15 - Got my First D.J set up for my 15th birthday ( 50Watt Fal Decks, 3 channel light columns - well I thought it was great! http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/cool.gif ) and "The Ultimate Roadshow" was born!. After my G.C.S.E's I started advertising and the work started coming in.

 

Aged 16 / 17 - Ran the Disco full time, Resident D.J at 2 local pubs - "Kings Arms" on Thursdays and "The Duke of Wellington" Friday / Saturday. Also working as Compere / D.J for a Staffordshire Entertainments agency.

 

Aged 18 - Seasonal summer work as D.J / Counsellor at PGL kids Summer Camp in Shropshire

 

Aged 19 - Got a "Proper" Day job in Electronics and continued running the Mobile Disco as a Hobby

 

Aged 21 - 24 - Resident D.J at "The Winking Man" Nightclub

 

Aged 25 - Running the Disco, Helping with a Manchester D.J Workshop, "Ultimate Electronics" (Soon to be Congleton Sound & Lighting) was established.

 

Currently - Resident D.J again at Winkers Nightclub (Formally "The Winking Man"). Although CSL, now takes up most of my time, I'm still Still running the Mobile - despite talking about "packing in the disco" for the last 5 years http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

 

Not exactly a C.V full of heroic acts, saving lives, fighting wars, making your first million etc etc, but my Mums proud.... http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/tongue.gif

[mikeee 0]

I'm always amused about the comments about "cheesy" pop. If it wasn't for "cheesy" pop, you would probably find that over 50% of disco's wouldn't excist, because people would be booking live bands instead !!!!

 

In my line of work I talk to a vast amount of mobile DJ's, and at the end of the day, the majority admit if it wasn't for rock & pop, they wouldn't have any work - long live rock & pop....

[paula 0]

Mikkkeeee,

Really!!

http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif all your questions are related to male DJ's

What about us Lady's (not that ive seen many female dj's)

Am I the only female thats registered here????

 

I got in to Djing through my dad and learnt everything I needed to off of him back in....1990, got more and more involved in Karaoke and have been doing this continously since 95,

 

so I suppose me is not really a dj but a kj!!!!!

 

Ok, thats me!!!!

Female kj/has been dj. (bad mikey..... http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/sterb188.gif )

[mikeee 0]

Hi Paula,

 

Sorry darling, beg, grovel.

Ah! Female DJ / KJ, I will admit I don't know that many either, I know a couple in the states, a couple on I-DJ, one in the association, and your good self - Perhaps I should put you on a pedestal http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/wub.gif http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/221.gif - Praise You, Praise You http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

 

http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/071.gif

[Pepperink 0]

Au Contraie

 

 

my dad had more girlfriends, and even groupes being a DJ. every day he sees someone that wants to shake his hand for what he did in the 70s.

[mikeee 0]

I used to be the same in the 70's, but now, Unfortunatly, DJ's are two a penny, and nobody really cares anymore. Except the crowd I had on Saturday 170 people, over 50% came up and thanked me, most shook my hand, over 10% took bizzy cards. I just wished I could have bottled up that lot to take to every gig.

[ChrisPointon 0]

Here yer go Mikeee:-

 

http://www.abfab.co.uk/ProdImg/RB15859.jpg

 

 

 

 

Should bring back some happy memories for you http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/smile.gif

 

Yes Kids, your Dad really did go out dressed like that....and they still do in parts of Yorkshire http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/363.gif

 

But I know what you mean - even a simple "Thank You" at the end of the disco from the Guests can make it all worth while - sadly even that simple courtesy is now often overlooked http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/014.gif

[mikeee 0]

Not Yorkshire, Liverpool.

 

Yes I do own an afro wig for 70's theme parties, and I think I still have the black version of the armless jacket. I may have a problem with the trousers (lol).

 

I do work on the basis of dress to impress.

Polished black shoes, Jeff Banks Jacket and matching trousers, Black wing collar shirt, and a tie from M&S with that diamond effect bits in. It's not fully evening dress, but it is one jump up from suit collar and tie.

 

Smart appearance and the right music generates more work.

[mikeee 0]

AND, before you all take the pizzzzzzzzzz.

I do work a minimum of two nights a week, mostly three, and it pays the mortgage and the bills, keeps a volvo estate and a bmw on the road, but only just.

[DJ Spinko 0]

It's great reading about how you all started, loved the picture was the fact it was posted on 1st April significant ?

 

I started in the early 70's helping a couple of ropey old dj's who played at our yoof club. Being the usual mobile jocks at the time they didn't have a clue as to the Northern soul scene and they let me do a half hour slot early on in the evening playing Tainted Love, Sliced Tomatoes and Out on the Floor as well as the Motown stuff. It developed from there and I used to do some slots att he local night clubs on the under 18 evenings until I joined the Navy in 1974. Alas I feel as if I missed the Golden years of Dj-ing http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/014.gif - sad old git.

 

Surprisingly I got back into DJ-ing when I packed up football in 1993 and the only thing on telly Saturday night was The Price Is Right/Generation Game/You Bet. What a time to come back, the Northern scene had all but disappered apart from the die-hards, thankfully there is a mini-revival and they play real vynyl, the 7inch imports with no middles ! The Rave scene which I knew very little about was in full flow and there were cd's and light effects.

 

I roadied for a couple of years helping someone and got used to lugging the equipment around, finding out what was in and what wasn'tand finally getting home at 2 in the morning without having had a drink.

 

As I hold down a full time job, I tend to restrict my work to the weeken, I know you professional bods need all the work you can get to pay the bills.

 

Would I give it up even though I'm now 45, would I B******s ! Nothing's better than when people come up and thank you at the end of the evening for a great time and all of the effort you have put into it.

[mikeee 0]

God I wished I was 45 again, hell why not, i'll be 45 in December - again.

But I will admit that at the end of a good night and the people thank you, the buzz makes it all worth while.

 

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Dance is dead, Long live cheese

 

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[DJTREV 0]

QUOTE (mikeee @ Apr 2 2003, 01:01 AM)

I do work on the basis of dress to impress. Polished black shoes, Jeff Banks Jacket and matching trousers, Black wing collar shirt, .

This throws up an interesting item for discussion.What do other dj's wear at gigs.I must admit that I dont actually own an evening suit (wish I did actually) but I usually go out smart casual or if its a "special" do a will wear a jacket.

[DJTREV 0]

QUOTE (mikeee @ Apr 2 2003, 01:04 AM)

I do work a minimum of two nights a week, mostly three, and it pays the mortgage and the bills, keeps a volvo estate and a bmw on the road, but only just.

Jeez Mikeee! you must be getting some really serious money. Good luck to you mate. Seriously though; what sort of gigs are we talking here? From some of the comments that I have read on this site I think I am just playing at this game - I could never see d,jaying as my only income. http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/sad.gif

While I think on - a couple of comments about other postings

Yes I like the idea of meeting up at PLAZA. I have never been before and the idea of mobile jocks getting together for a bit of a mardle sounds good.

The other point was about Paulas playlist.I like the idea of a playlist but that particular one would give me nightmares,in the first instance,because it doesnt strike me as being very "party disco"music and secondly because to carry that sort of range of music I would need more than my Toyota Carina to transport it

[paula 0]

QUOTE

I like the idea of a playlist but that particular one would give me nightmares,

 

Oh, Beleive it did... very much so.

Even thought of joining the sofa of retired DJ's, http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/014.gif

But,

Had all your opinoins and some from the retired DJ's themselves (ma&pa)

 

In fact there advise was:

You cant join the sofa until your 50!! http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif Arrrgghh!!!

many moons to go then... http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/unsure.gif

[Guest Guest_Mikeee]

Paula, Damn, not long now.......... http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/sad.gif http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/071.gif

 

DJTREV, I own 3 tux's + the white jacket, 4 "normal" suits, 3 pairs of shoes about 100 ties and 9 dress shirts, to me it's tools of the trade and as important as the sound and lighting. If you have a great show that really looks the biz, why should you let the side down?

And most importantly, it's all tax deductable.

 

And no i'm not getting serious money (av£350 for 4 hrs), seroius money is £800 to £1,000 a night, but i'm working on it

[ChrisPointon 0]

Blimey I'm moving to "Mikeee-ville" and quick, lol, Even those local (to me) radio presenters who run a mobile show only charge around £150! the Entire "Silk Fm" roadshow in the next town charges far less than you http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif

 

......And don't use this as a vehicle for statements like "Well I'm the best"......"As approved by Paula" lol http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/221.gif

 

Mind you, you need the extra £££££'s to pay for all that Beer down the local - far more espensive Downnnnnnn South, and at the first sign of the Inland Revenue on the horizon Mikeee's off to Harrods.

 

It is amazing what you can claim back as legitimate expenses tho', if you are not already claiming for those little extra's like Stage Clothing, Props etc then talk to your accountant, Mind you, if he's not told you already then change your accountant http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif . If you (or your missus) does your books, then its worth getting some advice on this, since what you'll get back in expenses in the future will more than cover the cost. Well Mikeee dresses well out of it!.

 

Oh and Mikeee - Now Paula is a Moderator, does that mean that you are going to start being nice to her? http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/sterb188.gif

[mikeee 0]

Chris - Now that Paula is a moderator, I will fondle her with care http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/221.gif

 

Pricing is relevant to the service you offer. The average price for a competant "part timer" is around £260. A couple of disco's that appear not to have much work have dropped their prices to £120. So the price spread in our local YP (Guildford) - bottom £120, top £450+vat. So that makes me just above the half way mark. Most of the guy's I supply are in the region of, £275.00.

 

Now words O' wisdom from the old fool::::

 

Never call your disco "a hobby" the inland revenue don't like that, and will hammer you into the ground.

 

Always call you disco " a second job", the inland revenue like that, and will advise you on what you can and cannot claim. And even better, althought they won't admit to it, if you set everthing up properly, paper work system, booking keeping, advertising etc, you may be able to claim back tax from your "first job"

 

How do you price your disco, a good one what, work out the cost of your kit and vehicle and divide it over 3 years, now work out your (approx) annual running costs (CDs, Petrol, Maintance (kit & Vehicle), insurances etc) take this figure and the one third from above and add to gether and divide by 52, this will give you a weekly figure, then the "wage you want to earn from a gig and that should give you the minimum that you should be charging. NOW THIS IS ONLY A GUIDE

 

Now for arguements sake the figure you arrive at is £200 and the going rate for the area £180, Oops, but if the going rate is £240 (and this appears to be the UK average), then you are £40 in pocket.

 

The biggest problem at start up for any disco is not doing there sums, Fred goes out charging £120 and does one gig a week, but the figure that was calculated is £200, he is actually losing £80.00 every time he works, not good biz practice. This is why a lot of discos only last about a year before they give up.

 

Now being a professional disco, you want your kit in tip top pristine condition, so you replace it every two years, now work out the sums again and your figure of £200 has gone up.

 

How do you earn more money than the "other guys", simple, ask for it. But make sure your sales technic on the phone is good and you can back up every word you say.

 

Senerio.

 

Phone rings, you answer

The first words are, "how much do you charge" (stupid question, but it's always the first)

You can not truthfully answer that.

You don't know When, Where, How long, and How big.

The first three make sense, but how big?

If it's a pub 8.30 to 11.30 you can trim the price a little bit, but if they say the local civic hall for 600 people, you could be shafted - you run the average mobile, about ten feet accross, and you are looking at a 25' to 40' stage, you would be lost on it, so you need to hire in extra kit, and the same with the sound system, 400 to 600 watts total, will make you sound like a transistor radio in the corner.

 

So when the phone rings, remember, you need ALL the details before you can price a job.

 

And if your interested and haven't fallen a sleep yet, my reply to that question is £5,000, it stops them dead in their tracks, then we can get down to the serious biz.

 

[ChrisPointon 0]

I must admit, that I don't go as far as Mikeee with regard to Stage Gear and "Formal wear" as such, maybe this is just a "different Generation" thing, I know that the older element take more pride in dressing up to go out than us "Young 'uns" - witnessed by them wearing ties, jackets etc to attend the local social club or Bingo Hall. This wasn't meant as a criticism, but an observation, which I'm sure Mikeee would agree with.

 

Equally, I don't feel that my appearence (Or that of those who are employed by me to provide a service) could be termed as "Scruffy". Certainly (unless it's a kids's or School Disco) nobody wears Jeans or trainers to do any function!.

 

I only wear "Black Tie" to the most formal of functions, mainly corporate events, The local Masonic Lodge Dinner Dance (I've never yet been asked to join...Hint...hint http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/tongue.gif ) or any Dinner Dance for that Matter.

 

Wedding Receptions and Anniversaries - usually find me in ordinary Jacket & Tie, unless its the one hot summer night that we get, when the jacket is left in the van - sorry but I don't Dehydrate under 3kw of lighting for anybody http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/tongue.gif and Air-con means opening your "fly" up 'ere in the North - unlike you Resort-based Southerners where air Conditioning is in every Bar and Hotel!.

 

For 18ths , 21st's general birthdays etc, then it's usually Polo Shirt (Embroidered with the Persons Name and Roadshow Name) and Trousers (Not Jeans) and Shoes (Not Trainers).

 

With regard to working the set a the local club then it's smart and casual (Club Dress Code), or to suit the theme (Beach Wear for Beach party etc - you get the picture!).

 

Unless it's a larger function then I have a Maximum of two people in attendance, exceptions to this rule are when we are there for Hire purposes i.e setting up a large P.A or lighting rig. Occasionally at non formal functions there may be a third person there for training purposes although this is always cleared with the client before it is excercised and the trainee is there purely as an observer.

 

 

[mikeee 0]

Sorry, if you thought I was saying that you guys are "scuffy"

What i'm trying to get over is, go that extra bit, and double your money. Since the days of Maggie Thatcher (1979 onwards), she and successive PM's have been forcing, sorry edging us in the direction of the USA (Oh dear I tripped on that feather, i'm going to sue). And whether we like it or not we have got to start thinking yankee, or we will go down the pan, just look at the state of pensions. Pensions are now not really worth looking at, they certainly won't have the return that you expect when you retire, so the alternative is another job that pays as much as your day job.

 

My job, if I dicide to accept it, is to drag dj's yelling and screaming into the 21st century, this message will self destruct in 5 seconds. Da Da DaDa Da Da

[paula 0]

QUOTE

Paula, Damn, not long now..........

Are you joining the sofa of retired DJ's then Mikee http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/sterb188.gif

 

Oh I have two more decades and a wincy wincy bit to go still.

http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

What happened to

QUOTE

Praise you Praise you

[mikeee 0]

QUOTE

Oh I have two more decades and a wincy wincy bit to go still

 

Oh I like the younger woman, do you like the older man???????

 

As for the sofa, nearly but not quite

[ChrisPointon 0]

QUOTE

Oh I like the younger woman, do you like the older man???????

 

You old smoothie you - what will Mrs Mikeee say http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif

 

I think Mikeee is asking if you want a "Father Figure" Paula http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/tongue.gif

 

......Or a grandfather Figure http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/wacko.gif

 

Just out of interest Mikeee, as one who is self employed, do you pay yourself a weekly / monthly regular wage from your earnings, or just "Draw" what is required for living / bills/ entertainment for that particular month? and put that down as your "wage".

 

I know (from my own point of view) that earnings can be better some months than others.

 

Just wondering since I've had an email from another D.J who is looking to give up his full time employment to go into D.J'ing full time. Obviously self employment can work for some and not others, so maybe the best advice would be from you on this matter, since self employment is hard work, and sometimes means a lot of balancing and juggling figures!. It's a big step but it can be rewarding and some people are a lot happier doing it - especially if they are not happy in their full time occupation to start with.

 

I'll email him a link to this thread.

[mikeee 0]

Taking a fixed wage is the sensible thing to do, but I'm not sensible, I'm a DJ, so the Biz account pays everthing, and I mean everything, and then my accountant sorts it out at the end of the year. I make him work for his pennies, plus he's ex muso and dj, so he knows what to claim.