What Would Be Your Response?

[Paul Smith 0]

We are very choosy about our music and so would like a DJ who will play only from a list of music specifically chosen by us

 

Mine was

 

Thanks for your enquiry - Depending on your music selections you may need a DJ who is a specialist in the genres concerned.

 

So that I can decide if one of my team is suitable for your event could you give me an idea of the music you would like played.

 

[Danno13 0]

"Sorry, I'm already booked" tongue out icon

[TonyB 0]

I had a similar enquiry for a birthday where it was asked if I would play music from a list she had put together. I replied along the same lines that I would like to see the list first just in case it was a genre I wasn't happy with or she wanted a lot of tracks I didn't have. Even if I did have the tracks and it wasn't a list I was happy with I would decline to do it.

 

Haven't had a reply yet so perhaps someone else is doing it. Its not an enquiry for a party in a Cafe in Epping is it?

[Secret Disco 0]

Mine was

 

 

I think some clients can be very extreme with some of their choices in music.

Example; One bride insisted that i play Hip Hop / RnB ALL night with no exceptions.

So due to the fact of no middle ground the night went ahead.....the guests left in their droves and i played to the bride and groom + 10 others for the last 2 hours of the function.

Was that selfish of them????....or was it their choice to due so with customer paying for a service etc.

 

Pre-wedding discussion is a MUST before any wedding, even if it means accepting a "Vein" of music rather than individual tracks. Leaving the DJ with a wider option musically.

On top of that we have the BAD list!!!!! the songs they don't want played,reminding the couple of people no longer with us or an old relationship etc.

I was asked NOT to play YMCA at a wedding simply because her previous fiance had run away with......another MAN Sad i know, but thats what we're up against

Edited September 23, 2007 by Secret Disco

[Dukesy 0]

Thank you for your enquiry.....

 

As a specialist service for Wedding Reception entertainment, we appreciate and understand your concerns.

We accept music lists in advance and are happy to arrange a meeting to discuss specifically your music requirements.

 

Very Best Wishes

[Mattaious 0]

Thank you for your enquiry.....

 

As a specialist service for Wedding Reception entertainment, we appreciate and understand your concerns.

We accept music lists in advance and are happy to arrange a meeting to discuss specifically your music requirements.

 

Very Best Wishes

 

 

You sound so Posh tongue out icon

 

My reply would be , along the lines of if i can see the list etc. like most others.

 

 

[Dukesy 0]

You sound so Posh

 

LOL!

 

Not really! I do meet clients and on many occasion more than once, listen to the specifics, advise and offer assurances where required, meeting the clients specific requirements I've guaranteed, etc.

 

 

[Steve_Mitchell 0]

My T & C`s state will play 10 tracks from a play list.... I would advise the client they are paying for my knowledge and 18 yrs experiance.. I would ask to see the playlist and if I thought I couldn`t manage it i would advise the client to find a dj that could meet their requirements. If this was the case I would help the client find a dj thats meets their requirments..

[Andy Westcott 0]

I'd say that I would need to view the list first, before deciding whether or not I was able to accommodate the gig.

 

If I had the music they were after, then I expect I would do it. Haven't yet had a playlist-only gig, but it might happen one day.

[djweeble 0]

If it was a rigid "stick to our playlist only" gig, I'd turn it down immediately and advise them to hire a Juke Box.

 

:yuck:

[Paul Smith 0]

Good replies. When I re-read my original reply it comes over a bit blunt but too late now.

 

I haven't received a reply yet and I sent mine within 10 mins of the original - perhaps they're already looking elsewhere.

 

 

[The Mix 0]

Thankfully most people are sensible and realise that not everyone has their musical taste. One person did ask for no songs where people have to join in - e.g. Macarena, Cha Cha Slide and I must say that was a good gig. However I've also had people change their mind throughout the night from a 70s night to playing modern - so I always make sure I take all types of music to 'theme' nights just in case.

 

[Paul Smith 0]

I've had a response:

 

Hi Paul

 

Thanks for your email below.

 

We have a playlist most of the way to being already prepared (and it's a pretty random selection to be honest). What we were thus actually after was literally someone to play those tracks.

 

We do not see us having great difficulty in assembling the songs ourselves and, say, putting onto a laptop or the likes but the problem we have is that we don't have a PA system and nor do we know how to use one. Also, as I am sure you can imagine, what we want to avoid as much as possible is the scenario where there are large gaps between the songs and so we know that a dj who knows what he's doing can sort us out on all fronts.

 

I know this probably isn't the standard sort of thing you get asked to do so just let us know if any of this would cause a problem.

 

Thanks very much for your help

 

Cheers

 

My reply:

 

Thanks for your message.

 

Whilst we always comply with our clients reasonable requests I think it would be unprofessional of me if I didn't point out the potential pitfalls of your proposal. I'm sure you will want all your guests to enjoy their evening - one way to achieve this is to involve them in the music selection because if the choices are not appreciated by some there's a good chance they may leave early which is something I expect you would want to avoid.

 

We don't mind playlists however one of the skills of our DJs is being able to play the right song at the right time by reacting to what's happening in the room and on the dancefloor at that particular moment. This is not something that can be anticipated in advance and my professional opinion is that a rigid playlist will not allow for the flexibility normally required at family events.

 

Without sight of your proposed playlist I can't comment further but if your main concern is that the DJ will play music you don't want then maybe you could consider compiling a 'Don't Play' list which still leaves the DJ some flexibility to use his own experience and provide your guests with a great evening.

 

If you would like to forward me your list (even if it's not yet complete) I would be in a better position to advise you.

 

I look forward to hearing from you

 

[Dukesy 0]

It'll be interesting what the reply will be. smile icon

[Paul Smith 0]

I was chatting to Woodyo earlier and they'd been in touch with him too - another confirmed booking for the same date came in by email whilst he was on the phone to them -so that's him off the hook smile icon

 

I hope he does reply because I'm curious to know what is so special about their playlist that they want a DJ but not allow him to do his normal job of work - bit like giving the ingredients to the cake maker and also telling him how to bake the cake.

 

I'll maybe offer him a PA system, with operator - that should solve his problem.

[NRG Roadshow 0]

I think some clients can be very extreme with some of their choices in music.

Example; One bride insisted that i play Hip Hop / RnB ALL night with no exceptions.

So due to the fact of no middle ground the night went ahead.....the guests left in their droves and i played to the bride and groom + 10 others for the last 2 hours of the function.

Was that selfish of them????....or was it their choice to due so with customer paying for a service etc.

 

The Guests left in their droves, well Im afraid that makes the DJ look bad and the very reason why I wont accept a rigid playlist of a client, sure I have no problem with suggestions, and I certainly wouldnt play anything on a "dont play" list.......but if you give the customer too much freedom they COULD ruin the night for everyone except them, which you might say thats fine as they are the customer........but every single one of those people that bolted for the door leave with the same thought " :cense: DJ".......and they say to people they know "went to so and sos wedding and the DJ was just paying RnB and Hip hop".....they tell their freinds and so on.......Im sure it takes years to build up a good reputation, one customer could set you back months maybe years in spoiling the reputaion you have worked hard to build up.

 

My respose would be the saime "lets have a look at the list" and see what I thought to it, its just possible that the client might actually have a good musical list, if I received the list and I thought it was gonna spoil the night, I would first tell them....and if that had no effect and they was still adamandt that was their playlist and their was no deviation then my response would be....

 

"sorry, but have you considered getting an ipod and hiring the PA gear LOL"

[djweeble 0]

........ every single one of those people that bolted for the door leave with the same thought " :cense: DJ".......and they say to people they know "went to so and sos wedding and the DJ was just paying RnB and Hip hop".....they tell their freinds and so on.......Im sure it takes years to build up a good reputation, one customer could set you back months maybe years in spoiling the reputaion you have worked hard to build up..........

 

I fully agree, it takes lots of hard work to build up a good reputation, but it's dead easy to ruin it.

 

The main problem is that it doesn't even have to be your fault that it's ruined, people (especially women) love to bitch and SLAG things off, it's human nature, and when someone has a gripe with you..... for whatever (perceived) reason...... you can bet they'll take every oportunity to tell anyone and everyone that mentions the wedding, just how bad you were.

 

Would the couple tell the Photographer how to do his job ??

 

Would they tell the Caterer ??

 

The Videographer ??

 

The Limo hire ??

 

???

 

:protest:

 

You can bet a months wages that none of the above would even consider taking the sort of crap that DJ's just seem to accept as part and parcel of the job.

 

:shaun: :shaun: :shaun: :shaun:

 

 

[mick 0]

My T & C`s state will play 10 tracks from a play list.... I would advise the client they are paying for my knowledge and 18 yrs experiance.. I would ask to see the playlist and if I thought I couldn`t manage it i would advise the client to find a dj that could meet their requirements. If this was the case I would help the client find a dj thats meets their requirments..

 

Exactly :amen:

[wizard 0]

Playlist are not always what they seem.

 

Last weekend I had a list of eras/genres and about 20 tracks to play at a wedding. All good dancey toons so no problem.

At the bottom of the list underlined in bold was written NO CHEESEY SILLY DANCE songs i.e. Macarena/ cha cha slide et.

 

No problem..........except about half way thro the night the bride came up and said...... can you play cha cha slide and macarena please................ so jokingly I pointed to her list and said ..."what happened to this part then"...pointing at the bold bit at the bottom of the sheet.

 

I hadnt had any alcohol when I wrote that. she replied :joe:

 

Sooooo out they all came YMCA etc etc .....and a great night was had by all.

 

Playlist are not always what they seem.

[davemoody 0]

There are two ways you can play these enquiries.

 

Turn it down flat, explaining that indeed they might as well use a jukebox and not a professional DJ who can read the crowd.

 

or

 

Just say, OK I can play the complete list if you want but what if nobody gets up and dances?? If thats fine with you then away you go and accept the booking.

 

I have only had 2 where I was asked to play to a list. They had recorded every track on different discs so I could swap between 2 discs most of the time and they had even put all the times down to the exact second!!!

 

Started off with just them and a few friends dancing, after half an hour, they sat down and no one was dancing. 20 mins later the bride came up and tried to blame me where upon I showed her the list that she had instructed me to play. You have 2 choices, carry on or consider your guests and let me give them a good night. Needless to say next track in to some classic 70's and the floor was packed for the next 2 hours.

 

Its hard work sometimes

[slug boy 0]

i'd set up, press play and go home fro 2 hours... then pop back for last orders and de rig!

[Newcie Jon 0]

Sounds like an easy night to me!

You could burn all the tracks to a couple of CDs

and bugger off.....NOT! :ads:

[DJ Spinko 0]

Fascinating thread this one, I'd like to see their response.

They must have the songs timed to an absolute T or you could find yourself with half an hour to spare at the end of the evening, which would not be problem as there will be no guests left by then !!!!

 

 

Cris

[Paul Smith 0]

They haven't replied to my last email :shrug:

[Steve_Mitchell 0]

 

They must have the songs timed to an absolute T or you could find yourself with half an hour to spare

 

Otsav,,,,,,,,,, Its timed to the second.... :Thumbup: