ChrisPointon 0 Posted September 10, 2003 Report Share Posted September 10, 2003 This week we interview Ex-Pat Chris Shepherd, now living and D.J'ing in Norway. How long have you been a DJ? I first started djing in 1974,so it will be 30 years next year. Lived solely from djing from 1980 until 1984 but have nearly always had a job on the side. Am qualified chef,waiter and bartender and have also worked as wages clerk, teacher,football coach,actor,record shop manager and club manager at the same time as djing http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif What inspired you to become a DJ? I was a lousy musician and even though I was in the national youth theatre my brother was a better actor. I ripped off my cruciate ligament playing u-16 football for Plymouth Argyle so I had to find a new career. At the end of the 70s mobile dj's were superstars I saw a mobile dj called Mark Phillips at St.Austell YMCA youth club and was so fascinated that I decided to be a dj. What type of "Do" was your first gig? I joined YMCA youth club who arranged discos twice a week, they had a dj team who also did mobile discoteques. My first real gig was in a large tent for an international youth camp. How much did you charge (Mikeee please convert this from Shilings and pence to decimal when its your go..) I don't remember but it wasn't much. It probably covered the Pepsi for an evening http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif What equipment did you have to begin with? Two JBL turn tables, VOX amp(with valves), orange speakers, road lamps stolen from roadworks (probably caused a road accident), home made light boxes and fuzzlights. Whats the worst/most embarassing thing you've done in front of an audience? Performed!, Seriously, there have been so many. I worked at a rollerdisco which held a thousand people. On my first night I was playing something fast and unbeknown to me people subconciously skate at the same tempo as the music. Not everybody could skate and consequently when I shouted in the mic everybody turn around and skate the other way, I caused a huge pile-up. Running on stage to introduce The Who in 1980 in front of 6000 people and tripping over the microphone and falling off the stage takes some beating as does waking up in a hotel suite in Copenhagen with six naked people and not being able to remember anything also is in the top ten. Being video taped by Eskie while doing the dirty deed was pretty embarassing too http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/wub.gif What is your favourite type of function now? EG: Wedding, 18th Birthday party, funeral wake..... The next one!, At my age and at this stage in my career I am grateful that I still get as much work as I do. I do prefer a younger audience I like to play newer music. I also arrange theme nights and its a kick when they function. Is there anything that you include in your show now, that you wish you'd done/known when you started? (Not equipment, but in human/performer terms) Mixing didn't exist when I started so that obviously. And my abilty to read a crowd which is something that has come through years of experience. What do you feel you offer your public, that makes you a better DJ than "the next guy/girl" Free porn! I hate these kind of questions, they are difficult to answer without sounding big-headed, but basically my ability to create a party atmosphere with any age-group, any type of crowd. Plus I use so much time in preparation that its very seldom that my nights are not successfull. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif Have you ever bought something for your show that you wish you hadnt? and why? A strobe light that I bought in 1979 and used once at a wedding I turned it on and the brides father had an epileptic fit and dropped dead in the middle of the dance floor. Yes, retirement did cross my mind. Whats your next DJ purchase likely to be? Hoping to buy the new Technics Cd-players and mixer. If you could get someone to invent a new piece of disco equipment for your show, what would it be? CDs that automatically cleaned themselves and didn't get scratched. As well as everything packing down to one square foot! What do you think is the best thing about DJ'ing?. The women, the wine, the song, the money, the travel, the forum! Just the ability to do something that makes people happy and get paid for it, and lastly the friends that one makes. What do you think is the worst thing about DJ'ing. Stupid and ignorant customers and other dj's that think they are Gods gift. What would make you stop DJ'ing (if anything). Nothing short of my head falling off. Have once played when so ill that I had to pay someone to hold me up, so nothing. How do you think DJ'ing will change, in the next 5 years? Interesting question, I think that with the arrival of mix-CDs and computers that the superstar-Djs of today will become producers. I think that the big clubs like Ministry of Sound and Cream will just eventually use computers that are pre-programmed to play the whole night, and they will use the money they used to use on Djs on the clubs lighting and decor. However I believe there will always be place for the mobile DJ who reads the crowd, adapts the music, is not limited to just one type of music and creates atmosphere that a computer will never be able to. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/1028.gif Most stupid thing anyone's ever said to you at a gig? Its a draw between "Can you play the song I heard on the radio this morning" and "Have you got that song by the black woman" Best advice you were ever given by a fellow DJ? You can never please all the people all of the time, but you can please most of the people some of the time. And worst advice you were ever given? Don't take any notice of the audience. Name 3 songs that 95% of the time will fill you dance floor Aretha Franklin - Think Weather Girls - It's raining men Jackson Five - Blame it on the boogie Age 44 Location:- Bodø, 200 km north of the arctic circle Norway Martial status:- Married to Sissel, 2 children Thomas 18 and Anniken 15 + One mad Yorkshire terrier named Peanut! Education level A few O's, couple of A's, plus practical certificates (city and guilds) Mode of transportation Landrover Freelander and Opel Astra What equipment do you currently use? Pioneer CDJ100s, Pioneer 500 mixer, BST amp, two JBL woofers as well as JBL mid and tweeters. Advertise for a local equipment firm so I just pick up any lighting effects that I want but I tend to use mostly projectors. I am lucky that I can just pick and choose what I want to use. How much have you "invested" in equipment? Suprisingly not all that much, but I have invested most in CDs of which I have 7000. Just to break your hearts I gave away my vinyl collection! which was larger than the CD collection. What was your reason for becoming a DJ? As named at the start of this interview several reasons but mostly because of Mark Phillips who was such a good DJ. When I first came to Bodø destiny had it that Mark Phillips was in fact the DJ i replaced. I had not seen him for seven years, he left but later married a girl from this town and now lives here. He is 50 and no longer DJs Approximately how many gigs have you done to date? God knows, but 5000 is not far off the truth. I am now doing bookings for next june so it doesn't look like I will be stopping just yet. To finish with I would say that I have been very lucky and have experienced more than most DJs ever do. I have worked on BBC radio, I have worked in hospital radio, I toured ten capitol cities in 14 days with pernod roadshow, I toured as warm-up with Japan, The Specials, The Skids, Motorhead, 10CC. I've worked for bacchus -Juliannas in Skandinavia, France, and Germany. I have entertained ABBA, Toto, and Margaret Thatcher! And to be honest I have done this through the experience of being a mobile DJ so if I can inspire any of you to work even a week longer than you had expected to then I feel that I have done a good thing. Through the money I've earned as a DJ I have started with my brother, Europes largest mobile theatre as well as having a lifestyle that I could never have expected to achieve if I had stayed in Cornwall. I think we are all very lucky to have discovered this forum and long may it live! Good luck to you all (excepting eskie who is a good looking git and doesn't need it!. Link to post Share on other sites
YourBigEvent 0 Posted September 10, 2003 Report Share Posted September 10, 2003 http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/notworthy.gif Great interview Chris. ABBA and Maggie, not on the same night ? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/laugh.gif Mark Phillips of St Austell who married a girl from Norway, was after he divorced Princess Anne http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif Do you 'come home' to visit. If so let me know and I would be delighted to let you buy me a drink. .....but what do I know ? Your Big Event Office:01803 813540 Direct: 0797 0717 448 e.mail:info@yourbigevent.co.uk Link to post Share on other sites
Dj_Kray 0 Posted September 10, 2003 Report Share Posted September 10, 2003 (edited) QUOTE (Chris_Pointon @ Sep 10 2003, 11:43 AM) Whats your next DJ purchase likely to be? Hoping to buy the new Technics Cd-players and mixer. Most stupid thing anyone's ever said to you at a gig? Its a draw between "Can you play the song I heard on the radio this morning" and "Have you got that song by the black woman" Best advice you were ever given by a fellow DJ? You can never please all the people all of the time, but you can please most of the people some of the time. Nice interview. Nice choice with your next buy And im sure we have all had people say the stupid things that were said to you im sure people think djs can read their minds! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif Edited September 10, 2003 by Dj_Kray Link to post Share on other sites
The Spindoctor 0 Posted September 10, 2003 Report Share Posted September 10, 2003 These interviews just get more and more interesting! A thoroughly enjoyable read thanks Chris! Spin Link to post Share on other sites
C.S 0 Posted September 10, 2003 Report Share Posted September 10, 2003 Ads, http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif Mark Phillips was from London and not married to princess anne, think his real name was martin izzard.Pass through Torquay at least twice a year so shall call you next time and have no probs buying u a drink. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/notworthy.gif I will try anything,once! The Cornish will arise again ! Manager of the Andy Harris Fan Club. Keep pasties Cornish Link to post Share on other sites
paula 0 Posted September 10, 2003 Report Share Posted September 10, 2003 http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/thumbup.gif Super http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/071.gif Link to post Share on other sites
Dukesy 0 Posted September 10, 2003 Report Share Posted September 10, 2003 Worth the wait - worth the read. More than interesting - brilliant! Link to post Share on other sites
DJ Spinko 0 Posted September 10, 2003 Report Share Posted September 10, 2003 Really enjoyed reading this Chris. Spinko Link to post Share on other sites
C.S 0 Posted September 10, 2003 Report Share Posted September 10, 2003 thats what i like about this forum,lots of nice,kind people! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif I will try anything,once! The Cornish will arise again ! Manager of the Andy Harris Fan Club. Keep pasties Cornish Link to post Share on other sites
Eskie 0 Posted September 10, 2003 Report Share Posted September 10, 2003 Good interview mate. QUOTE Name 3 songs that 95% of the time will fill you dance floor Aretha Franklin - Think Still!! jeez, when I was working in Bodo in the mid/late 80's you could play almost anything from the Blues Brothers album and they loved it. Do they still have Blues Brothers parties up there?... it's probably one of the reasons that I love Bodo so much, cos the Blues Brothers is one of my all time favourite films. QUOTE What was your reason for becoming a DJ? As named at the start of this interview several reasons but mostly because of Mark Phillips who was such a good DJ. When I first came to Bodø destiny had it that Mark Phillips was in fact the DJ i replaced. I had not seen him for seven years, he left but later married a girl from this town and now lives here. He is 50 and no longer DJs I didn't think that Mark would ever retire. northern Norway seems to becoming a retirment home for old codgers what with Mark, Bobby, Johnny Hansen and yourself http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif QUOTE Good luck to you all (excepting eskie who is a good looking git and doesn't need it!. Hmmph, I wish you'd tell that to a few of the girls around NW London http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/014.gif I might have to go back to Bodo to get me some lovin' http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/221.gif Once again very good interview Chris. Now we just need to encourage Johnny to actually post on here, cos he registered months ago. Cos once he gets going he'll have everyone on here in stitches! Anthony Winyard Entertainment www.awe-dj.co.uk, Entertaining London & the South-East! Click here to LIKE The Funky Penguin on Facebook. www.facebook.com/awe.dj Link to post Share on other sites
C.S 0 Posted September 10, 2003 Report Share Posted September 10, 2003 Yes i definately think your right esk,its time we rolled johnny out of the cupboard! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif I will try anything,once! The Cornish will arise again ! Manager of the Andy Harris Fan Club. Keep pasties Cornish Link to post Share on other sites
fenix842 0 Posted September 11, 2003 Report Share Posted September 11, 2003 QUOTE Suprisingly not all that much, but I have invested most in CDs of which I have 7000. Just to break your hearts I gave away my vinyl collection! which was larger than the CD collection. Well, if you find anymore, you can definitely send em to me COD! .....Nice interview, by the way. Very good reading. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/thumbup.gif ---Alex Link to post Share on other sites
C.S 0 Posted September 12, 2003 Report Share Posted September 12, 2003 and i nominate Mikee! I will try anything,once! The Cornish will arise again ! Manager of the Andy Harris Fan Club. Keep pasties Cornish Link to post Share on other sites
YourBigEvent 0 Posted September 12, 2003 Report Share Posted September 12, 2003 Good choice. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif .....but what do I know ? Your Big Event Office:01803 813540 Direct: 0797 0717 448 e.mail:info@yourbigevent.co.uk Link to post Share on other sites
C.S 0 Posted September 12, 2003 Report Share Posted September 12, 2003 Yes he is over 15 i am told! Respects to Crooks but you need to get a few more years under your belt yet http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/042.gif I will try anything,once! The Cornish will arise again ! Manager of the Andy Harris Fan Club. Keep pasties Cornish Link to post Share on other sites
mobile_dj_crooks 0 Posted September 13, 2003 Report Share Posted September 13, 2003 what about me?! i'm so confused...people are talking about me! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/014.gif <font color="#008000">laterzzzzz :blink:</font> <font color="#0000ff">DJ_CROOKS </font> mobile_dj_crooks@hotmail.com <marquee behavior="alternate"><font color="#008080">Heh, I was a moderator :S</marquee> Link to post Share on other sites
YourBigEvent 0 Posted September 13, 2003 Report Share Posted September 13, 2003 Crooksey, no worries. just that there are people on here who have been DJ for twice as long as you have been born. Off the top of my head I can name a few straight away ADS started 1983 Chris started 1986 ish Spin started 1802 ish Mikee started about the same time as Shakesheapres 18th birthday bash. .....but what do I know ? Your Big Event Office:01803 813540 Direct: 0797 0717 448 e.mail:info@yourbigevent.co.uk Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisPointon 0 Posted September 13, 2003 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2003 Didn't Mikee actually DO Shakespeare's 18th Birthday??. I also heard a rumour somewhere that Joan of Arc was one of his flames!. Hmmmm Ok, Sorry. Crooksey, Sorry Mate but they aren't picking on you because your a kid, more just the lack of experience as a D.J. I think we could perhaps do a different interview for the younger members, maybe covering questions like "What Sort of D.J'ing do you want to do", "What have you gained from Joining the forum", "What area of D.J'ing do you still need help on"? that sort of thing. This way you don't feel left out, and the more experienced members can advise you on the area's that you still need help on http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif Link to post Share on other sites
YourBigEvent 0 Posted September 13, 2003 Report Share Posted September 13, 2003 Good idea Chris, instead of ANSWERING question younger members could also ASK a certain person some questions. .....but what do I know ? Your Big Event Office:01803 813540 Direct: 0797 0717 448 e.mail:info@yourbigevent.co.uk Link to post Share on other sites
C.S 0 Posted September 13, 2003 Report Share Posted September 13, 2003 Good idea guys,Crooksy you have to chill man ,i wasnt being nasty ,i was sending you respects and saying i chose Mikee instead of you because i think he has the experience to teach us all something.We could probably learn from you too but as i said i think you need to get some more experience before you are ready. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif Just because we are in Europe it doesnt mean to say that we are trying to get you down.! Please take it as a compliment that people mention you on the forum! I will try anything,once! The Cornish will arise again ! Manager of the Andy Harris Fan Club. Keep pasties Cornish Link to post Share on other sites
Dj SBD 0 Posted September 13, 2003 Report Share Posted September 13, 2003 (edited) QUOTE I think we could perhaps do a different interview for the younger members, maybe covering questions like "What Sort of D.J'ing do you want to do", "What have you gained from Joining the forum", "What area of D.J'ing do you still need help on"? that sort of thing. This way you don't feel left out, and the more experienced members can advise you on the area's that you still need help on Good idea Chris, crooks ur first http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/tongue.gif , then I'll do one http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/thumbup.gif Well done chris for a really good read, and I dont normally read things, just look at the pictures http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/tongue.gif WELL DONE M8 http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/thumbup.gif Edited September 13, 2003 by Dj SBD Hi everyone ;-) Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisPointon 0 Posted September 13, 2003 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2003 O.k I'll set an interview for the younger members over the next few days, which will also give you the opportunity to ask questions of the old gits around here! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif . I wasn't going to mention this, but on this point, I did get a P.M from one member who was basically thinking of leaving because he felt that he didn't have the experience which would allow him to "fit in" with the rest of the membership http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/sad.gif . Just to point out to anybody lurking, who may fit in this category, or hesitant to post because of fear of ridicule etc, that the whole point of this forum, was to ADVISE those who wished to start out in business and become a D.J. In short the whole point of the forum is to answer each others questions, and share our experience and knowledge as a community, with anybody who cares to take the time to read it! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif. We all had to start D.J'ing from scratch, and if you are reading this and have any question(s) which need an answer, then please make your first post and Ask. The chances are that at least one, and maybe even several of the existing membership faced exactly the same problem when they started and are willing to share their advice on how they overcame the problem in the first place, which at the end of the day could save you months or years of struggling to work it out for yourself! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif . Unfortunately, if you don't ask then you may wonder off non the wiser http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif . I hate to think how many combined years of experience that our community membership of 600+ has (There is almost 100 years worth between Mikee, Spin, Chris S, Paula & Eskie!!!) , but hopefully you'll find it helpful and more informative than any text book. Link to post Share on other sites
paula 0 Posted September 13, 2003 Report Share Posted September 13, 2003 QUOTE (There is almost 100 years worth between Mikee, Spin, Chris S, Paula & Eskie!!!) , http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/fear.gif Yikes!!! you stuck me in with the old folk! I wasnt really born a dj I never really new at an early age that 8tracks wernt supposed to house jam sarnies, that tuntables wernt a stage for my collection of weebles and that headfones wernt ear muffs! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/fear.gif I now feel incredibley old http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/014.gif Link to post Share on other sites
mobile_dj_crooks 0 Posted September 14, 2003 Report Share Posted September 14, 2003 haha w/e http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif who's next? <font color="#008000">laterzzzzz :blink:</font> <font color="#0000ff">DJ_CROOKS </font> mobile_dj_crooks@hotmail.com <marquee behavior="alternate"><font color="#008080">Heh, I was a moderator :S</marquee> Link to post Share on other sites
Dj_Kray 0 Posted September 14, 2003 Report Share Posted September 14, 2003 QUOTE (djcs59 @ Sep 12 2003, 02:53 PM) and i nominate Mikee! QUOTE who's next? Im just guesing mikeee http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif Link to post Share on other sites
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