Interview With Disco Barney

[Paul Smith 0]

New to DJU but an 'Old Hand' at this DJing lark, you can find out more about Disco 'Legs :joe: ' Barney right here:

 

1. What is your DJU Forum Alias?

Disco Barney

 

2. What is your Real Name, Age, Location & Marital Status?

Barney (only my mum calls me Richard) age 43 ….Co Antrim, N. Ireland… in relationship

 

3. What is the Name of your Disco?

Startrax Disco Roadshow

 

4. How long have you been a DJ?

First gig was New Years Eve 1986

 

5. What inspired you to become a DJ?

I had the largest vinyl collection you could ever imagine, so I knew that one day it would make me my living

 

6. Are you a member of a DJ Association / Union?

No.

 

7. What is your favourite type of function now? (eg: Wedding, 18th Birthday party, etc)

I love them all, except the 18th Birthdays, but you have to deal with whats put in front of you. I’d be happy doing 70’s nights week in week out.

 

8. What’s the worst/most embarrassing thing you've done in front of an audience?

A wedding I was playing at about 6 years ago, the bride had wanted ‘Dan Hill’ “Sometimes When We Touch”. For some reason, and very unlike me, I played “All Out Of Love” by Air Supply. I always got those two mixed up when I was younger.

 

9. If you could go back to the beginning of your DJ career is there anything that you'd do differently? (eg: The gear that you bought, the way you promoted/advertised yourself)

Not really. When you think back to your first car it was great at the time but a wee bit laughable when you think back. My set up was similar. I always had business cards, was always in Yellow Pages and had Startrax Disco polo shirts for me and my roadie so wouldn’t do anything different.

 

10. What do you feel you offer the public that convinces them to book you rather than "the next guy/girl"?

My legs. About 8 years ago I use to bring shorts with me and wear them on stage because of the heat. Up until Boxing Day 2006 I hadn’t wore trousers in 8 years. (7 days a week) Starting to wise up now tho.

 

11. Have you ever bought something for your show that you wish you hadn't? and why?

I bought two front screens, 36”x 36” which cost me £185, excluding light controller. They didn’t fit in my wagon so finished up giving them away.

 

12. What's your next DJ purchase likely to be?

On the look out for an 19 year old, blonde female Scandanavian roadie. Must be able to drive and carry powered speakers. Sorry if this is classed as advertising.

 

13. If you could get someone to invent a new piece of disco equipment for your show, what would it be?

See question 12.!

 

14. What was the worst equipment failure suffered during a gig?

Nothing major,. Panicked recently when I couldn’t get any sound. Checked everything for 20 minutes only to find my mixer switches had been moved from line to phono.

 

15. What do you think is the best thing about DJ'ing?

Job satisfaction and being well paid. Not having to do a 9 to 5 job.

 

16. What do you think is the worst thing about DJ'ing?

No social life at weekends, but you can’t have it both ways..

 

17. What would make you stop DJ'ing (if anything)?

My mortgage paid out, but as I’ve just remortgaged my house, I’ll still be on stage when I’m 64. I feel a song coming on. I’ll be the new Jimmy Saville.

 

18. How do you think DJ'ing will change, in the next 5 years?

Technology is moving so quickly... that by the time 2012 comes we'll be sending our robots out to do our gigs!

 

19. Most stupid thing anyone's ever said to you at a gig?

Please don’t use a smoke machine as my gran is epileptic. Think she meant the strobe.

 

20. Best advice you were ever given by a fellow DJ?

None that I can think of.

 

21. And worst advice you were ever given?

None that I can think of.

 

22. How do you keep up to date with music? (eg Promo monthly CDs, Downloads, Purchase from retailer)

Downloads

 

23. Name 3 songs that 95% of the time will fill the dance floor for you!

Kelly Marie – Feels Like I’m In Love

Dolly – 9 to 5

Scissor Sisters – I Don’t Feel Like Dancing

 

24. One piece of advice you'd give to someone just starting out.

OK lets say the DJ is 24 years old, and his first gig is a 50th Birthday at his local working mens club. 8pm to midnight. Buffet is at 9.15pm. Keep the music volume at a pleasant level, and don’t use any floor fillers in the first half. Up the ante in the second half of the evening and you should get a good result.

 

25. What medium format do you mainly use eg vinyl, CD, hard-drive?

Laptop, CD and mini disc.

 

26. Have you embraced/adapted any ideas that you've read about on DJU?

I read the section on adult party games and can’t wait to get trying one in particular out

 

27. What is your best gig ever and your worst?

Too many to pick one in particular…. And again the same could be said about the worst

 

28. What is your main (most successful) form of advertising your disco?

Word of mouth, Bridal Fairs, yellow Pages, business cards, and if you can get a hotel or two who recommend you then it’s a big help.

 

29. Have you ever had someone try to claim off you? (eg: Public Liability Insurance or other such legal action)

No.

 

30, How many gigs do you do a year, how many would you like to do?

My target is 104. its normally over 130.

 

31. What is your average charge for a booking?

Somewhere between £185 to £295. So an average of £250

 

32. How many tracks do you have in your music collection?

12000+

 

[EdBray 0]

:Thumbup:

[C.S 0]

Respect to ya sir.

[Mattaious 0]

Excellent read!

 

And im on the look out for the same type of roadie,

ill let you know if i find some sisters!

 

[Welsh Audio Man 21 0]

:Thumbup:

[Andy Westcott 0]

Nice one! :Thumbup:

 

I like the phono/line switch being in the wrong place. I put a bit of insulating tape over the unused position to ensure that scenario doesn't happen.

 

My 'issue' is when immediately after setting up, I go to do a sound check:

Power up the coffin: CD decks and mixer.

 

Switch on the amps - one at a time, 'coz I'm good like that.

 

Place CD in player and hit 'play'.

 

Start to panic when moving the cross-fader over results in no sound.

 

Panic even more when upping the channel slider and still no music.

 

Relax when for the umpteenth time in the last year my roadie utters one word: "master".

[andyw 0]

Nice one! :Thumbup:

 

 

 

Relax when for the umpteenth time in the last year my roadie utters one word: "master".

 

i know you should keep roadie's in check but to have them call you master is going to far.i dont even call ads that.

 

anyway back on track,great read smile icon

[Andy Westcott 0]

Quote Andyw:

"but to have them call you master is going to far"

 

Not at all.

You obviously need to work a bit on Jamie...

[bigMCben 0]

19. Most stupid thing anyone's ever said to you at a gig?

Please don’t use a smoke machine as my gran is epileptic.

 

Priceless :stu: