Another Rant

[Norfolk DJ 0]

 

three weeks ago a fellow DJ gave me a function at his local hotel and told me he was already busy.

 

last week the dj phones me back to say that the client who booked through the hotel was not pleased that someone else was djing the party and insisted that the resident DJ did his party.

 

I suggested that that the DJ swapped function with me or I would be happy to contact the hotel/client to put them at ease.

 

The DJ wanted to take the gig back and did so plesantly.

 

I don't really want to fall out with the guy as he does give me work, but I do get the distinct impression here that he probably lost a gig, and then called on mine as he had given it away a couple of weeks earlier. It could of course be genuine. :damn:

 

My view is that if you give a gig away/pass work on, then that is it. You cannot ask for it back. :amen:

 

 

[Raymilkybarkid 0]

If I pass on another function I would never ask to take It back except under instructions of the client.

I would normally pay whom I passed the function onto as the contact with the client would be with me. My T&C state that I may substitute another DJ.

 

Did you have a contract with the other service provider or was this just a verbal agreement?

I would personally never take work without a contact unless I new the person passing the work was genuine and that the Job was guaranteed. IMO it is wrong to ask for a job back if the other has been cancelled I would just take the hit on the chin as some you win and some you loose.

 

 

 

 

[Dukesy 0]

Well, to be fair Rob, there can't be that many local hotels in your neck of the woods with resident DJs, so now that you've chosen to discuss your business / side of the story publicly in a public thread, maybe you should invite the other party to give their right of reply?!

[Norfolk DJ 0]

Well, to be fair Rob, there can't be that many local hotels in your neck of the woods with resident DJs, so now that you've chosen to discuss your business / side of the story publicly in a public thread, maybe you should invite the other party to give their right of reply?!

 

 

There are hundreds of hotels around here who use regular or resident DJ's. Yarmouth is the third biggest UK resort. I have accepted the explanation provided, but knowing this person,l I do have some reservations about how hard the venue did press them. I think though the principle remains if you give a gig away, you brief the client and that is the end of the matter.

 

I was a resident DJ in another local hotel and came across the same scenario a number of times. I always briefed the management and gave the DJ's contact number to the client. Never had a problem.

Edited October 5, 2009 by Norfolk DJ

[Dukesy 0]

Ok, if the venue had booked a disco agency, then I doubt there would be any issue at all, as it probably wouldn’t matter who was supplied. This is something usually understood at the time of the booking agreement / contract, so in the eventuality of a ‘resident DJ’ supplied needing to be replaced for a night, or until further notice, the agreement is honoured and no major cause for concern should be raised.

 

However, when an individual is booked on the merits of their ‘individual DJ service’, it may have raised a concern on the mention of someone else brought in to the ‘equation’.

 

It’s not about how well the third party DJ can assure the hotel or the end client, it’s about the agreement already in place and being honoured, especially in the event of a dispute.

 

If the resident DJ in question was ill, then he has of course taken reasonable steps to supply ‘a DJ service’ to cover, however this doesn’t appear to be the case, so it would seem that the hotel and the client did not like a change in the current agreement.

 

Yes, it is unfair that the DJ in question has had to claw back the booking, but learn from it.

If you make it perfectly clear that you had to make your self available for him, are you going to be compensated with another booking for said night? Nothing you’ve mentioned indicates that he’ll make it up to you, and I find that a concern.

 

I do hope that you are supplied an artiste contract to sign and return when he hands out work, because if ‘agreements’ between you and him amounts to 'a nod and a wink', you’ll probably experience same / similar situations time and again, and you’ll have no recourse whatsoever when you are cancelled again!

 

If the DJ refuses to supply a fair ‘contract’, or an agreement in writing, clearly clarified what compensation is offered in the event of a booking cancelled by the end client, or by the ‘agent’ last minute, if he can’t / declines to offer this, then I’d suggest it’s time to re-evaluate the relationship.

[Jimmy S 0]

I have to add this because i suppose its similar to this thread. I just done a wedding in Otterburn Northumberland over the weekend and as soon as i entered the building got the distinct feeling they didnt want me there.

This booking was done through a wedding fair which i done last year and went through the usual proceedure of meeting with the B&G up at the venue, showing my documentation to the manager of the hotel and of course to see the venue, which turned out to be a"Shabby" marque out back.

My only concern of the meeting was the long walk through through the kitchen along 2 corridors up a rather steep hill.....yes hill, into the marque, and up to the other end where the tables had been set up next to the dance-floor.

On the day i met up wth the duty manager , who was also the restuarant manager who quickly informed me of the long walk to the tent and left me to set up.

I had already arived with loads of time and the wedding party were just sitting to meals speech's etc in the restaurant so i took my time setting up my gear, 6 speakers 3 amps and tri-lite rigging etc.

Once it was up and running it looked cracking , if i dont mind saying myself, using some uplighting and some lighting effects on the 3 mirror balls i had taken along.

Along popped a older gent , maybe in his early 70's waving a peice of paper which turned out to be a noise abaitment order and ordered me to disconnect my bass-bins.

as he was rather arrogant i declined his offer but would turn them down as i assured him they were a part of my sound system.

He then spouted out that i was set-up in the wrong place, wasnt to use his power mains down where i was but the ones behind the bar which was 40 odd yards away..........haraaaaah i eventually had met Basil Fawlty

Whilst our conversation continued he decided to remind me that if he had his way i wouldnt be playing in his establishment.

One too many quips for my temper so after a heated discussion he asked me to leave.

I asked to see the wedding planner who decided not to show face that day and had no option but to converse with the wedding party.

The groom and best man tried in vain to convert "Basils" attidtude reminding them of the £25,000 that they had laid out for their wedding and reception combined all in this mans hotel .......but all he could say was "He could get his resident DJ in within 20 minutes , his show would be a lot smaller with no bass bins.............and would only cost them 100 quid MORE than i was charging. the cheeky T*%t

and i had already charged the couple a good whack.

We eventually got this all sorted out with the brides mother assaulting "Basil" leaving him with a cut lip and a shattered ego.

The night went really well, with the exception to a "Member of Staff" ACCIDENTLY switching my power off behind the bar just at the first dance.........we sent the brides mother up and got it sorted straight away.......a fine woman may i add.

hope this didnt go on too long for yous as i always feel resident hotel DJs are what shall we say .....encouraged onto clients who who are holding functions at certain hotels.

Hope your lip gets better soon Basil

[Dukesy 0]

If the 'elderly gent' was a representative of the venue, is it not 'arrogant' to not respect their wishes, especially if they are in fact the owner of the venue as indicated?

 

If anyone is under the illusion that being a DJ booked for a wedding will not get you ejected from the venue, then be prepared to have that illusion shattered if you upset the owner!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Raymilkybarkid 0]

I agree with Dukesy on this one.

If the venue has got an agreement / Court order stating that the DJ / band must set up in a designated area then this must be followed. Would you the DJ like to pick up the tab for lost revenue due to the fact that the order had been broken?

 

I regularly work in a venue where noise is a serious issue and the DJ / Band has to set up in a designated place. They have a sound limiter installed which was set at 90dB for over 3 months. This figure was set by the Enviromental Agency. The limit has now been raised but if noise becomes an issue again the venue will loose its music licence.

This not only applies to disco's but also live entertainment.

 

Us as entertainers have to work with both our clients and also the wishes of the venue management and or owner.

 

 

 

[McCardle 1]

as soon as i entered the building got the distinct feeling they didnt want me there

 

Oh i've done those, in fact at most Weddings (especially the 12 / 1pm ceremonies) by 8pm most people just want to go home, put the kids to bed and get out of the formal straightjacket they have been forced to wear and relax in front of Casualty with a beer. I know that I have when I have been a guest at a wedding...and I know the routine . Don;t take it personally, but the DJ arriving is just a reminder that they have to 'suffer' being nice to family (that they secretly may despise) for another 4 or 5 hours .

 

Along popped a older gent , maybe in his early 70's waving a peice of paper which turned out to be a noise abaitment order and ordered me to disconnect my bass-bins.

 

How had he managed to have got a Noise abatement order before you had even started?. Usually this is a process which requires several complaints from residents, regular visits by the 'nightime nuisance team' with DB meters over a period of time and then several meetings with various officials the local council over lots of ovaltine. Since every disco is different, or in fact every entertainer is different, how had he managed to get a noise abatement on the same night?.

 

If the venue is subject to a noise abatement order, then i'm surprised that it was still permitted to hold what is still effectively an outside event (Marquees are leaky and conssidered as such as far as sound is concerned) any venue which has attracted enough complaints to warrant such an intense (and expensive) investigation is usually ordered to cease playing music at 11.00 - 11.30, fit a sound limiter, fit treble glazing / sound proofing to all outer windows and of course, will not be permitted to have outside events in their grounds, which inevitably include marquees.

 

I know most councils are daft, but that one is the daftest yet.....which council is it?

 

Did you read the alleged noise abatement order, who was it signed by, why were you not forwarded a copy at the time of booking?

 

Whilst our conversation continued he decided to remind me that if he had his way i wouldnt be playing in his establishment.

 

Sadly, that is his right. Any venue manager / owner can escort any person off privately owned property at any time, with their security staff using 'reasonable' force to escort you outside or calling the police if you refuse and they don't even have to give a reason. These are exactly the same rights that you have as an householder on your own property, and these are also extended to venue, hotels, shops, takeaways etc etc. This is why it is always advisable to try and work with them and remain amicable, even with tough opposition . Even if Atilla the Hun turns out to be resurrected as the venue manager, still be nice...its only for a few hours.

 

Personally, i'd take with a pinch of salt this Noise Abatement Order, or at least check with the local Noise Nuisance team to see whether the venue has had any complaints. If not, they won't take highly to this gentlemen forging official documents, and will remember this when it comes to renewing or opposing his license renewal.

 

Obviously this was all a load of b/s in order to give the resident DJ the first choice of the gig, unfortunately these type of landlords are coming along more and more, and equally unfortunately, the word of the manager will always overide that of the client. However what Ray and Dukesy says is correct, if you are told to set up in a certain place, then accept that you have to follow these instructions. However I would strongly doubt that a council who had rubber stamped a noise abatement order would be granting permission and giving instructions on where to set up in a fabric marquee, if the brick building was unable to contain the sound levels :wall: .

 

Its just a shame that the result ended with an assault on an elderly gentleman by a wedding guest, whether it was deserved or not, that wouldn't be a memory i'd have wanted at my wedding

Edited October 5, 2009 by McCardle

[Bouncy Dancefloor 0]

i know of a local venue which has a semi permanent marquee (its there all summer) which has a noise limited installed.

 

reading between the lines, hes obviously got noise problems and the limiter is connected up to the power sockets away from where you setup, hence why he wanted you to use the other power sockets.

 

The local venue i am referring to also has a set area for you to setup in, as its facing away from the "problem" neighbours

[McCardle 1]

 

First of all, a Noise Abatement Orders aren't handed out like smarties and applying for one, is a last ditch attempt to rectify an ongoing problem where more conventional & amicable means of resolution between the authorities, venue management and local residents have been ongoing for many months or even years and have failed. Granting such, in the first place, and after numerous warnings, usually means either an unwilling venue manager or the wrong choice or type of entertainment

 

Out of interest, these are the steps which form part of an investigation prior to a Noise Abatement order being applied for / granted. Venues in Wales and Scotland, however, may have different laws and procedures

 

 

a) ensure that staff are trained in noise monitoring for public nuisance during events. All training in noise monitoring shall be recorded and made available for inspection upon request.

 

b) ensure monitoring of the event with respect to public nuisance throughout the period of the activity with more frequent checks every 30 minutes after 2300hrs. Records of all monitoring should be recorded and available for inspection upon request.

 

c) ensure that as a result of monitoring if the noise level is likely to cause a public nuisance then the volume and/or tone must be adjusted accordingly so as not to cause a public nuisance at nearby properties. If this not sufficient then the volume must be turned down or off with immediate effect in order to prevent public nuisance.

 

These are the guideline regulations in reference to outside events in relation to a provisional noise abatement order being granted.

 

 

(6) Any entertainment events OUTDOORS will only be permitted:

 

a) between 12:00 to 22:00hrs on Saturdays to Mondays

b) between 19:00 to 22:00hrs Tuesdays to Fridays

 

(7) All entertainment activities, particularly the outdoor activities during these hours shall be physically arranged to minimise the risk of noise nuisance at nearby properties

 

To clear up any mis-understanding, assumption and confusion of the Licensing Acts in relation to what is and isn't an outside event.

 

For the purposes of granting the order, any temporary structures such as marquees are designated as outdoors and not indoors as per the Licensing Act 2003.

 

Although the facts here are only representative of several bourough councils, as I have already said, it would be highly irregular and unlikely for a venue which has been the subject of a permanent noise abatement order to be holding a marquee function with amplified or live music beyond 22.00 / 23.00 hours. Any venue which is doing is either breaking the terms of the order (at the risk of huge penalites and unemployment), or the entire Noise Abatement order, in relation to the post made by JimmyS is a total fabrication of the venue in question and a huge steaming pile of :crap:

 

Some venues may voluntarily choose to fit a sound limiter to a room or marquee as a means of protecting itself from staff filing a future HSE claim for hearing damage as a result of working in the venue, or as a result of a few complaints from local residents. However its unlikely that any venue, would be holding a marquee event beyond 10 or 11pm if an order had been granted. In fact some venues lose their entertainment license altogether :scared:

Edited October 6, 2009 by McCardle

[UKHero 0]

i know of a local venue which has a semi permanent marquee (its there all summer) which has a noise limited installed.

 

reading between the lines, hes obviously got noise problems and the limiter is connected up to the power sockets away from where you setup, hence why he wanted you to use the other power sockets.

 

The local venue i am referring to also has a set area for you to setup in, as its facing away from the "problem" neighbours

 

 

but the biggest problem from music is the Bass frequencies which we all know are non directional. So to a large degree it makes no difference if your facing the houses or not.

 

I understand what Jimmy is saying, sometimes it is not what is said but how it is said. Surely we are all there to provide the client with the best experience possible. Sadly it seems time and time again venues forget this. Just this week two of my clients have called me one with a change of date and venue, due to the uncooperation of the venue and the other worried about the evening and if all is going to be OK. When I reasured here we are all there to make her night special her reply was, I am sure you will do your best but not so sure about the venue.

 

 

We spend a lot of time on here talking about our quality of service and reputations but hotels dont seem to give a fig and charge ££££££ more than even the most expencive DJ on this forum.

 

Also we are not there to take abuse from anyone be it the Client the guests or the venue, we are there to work together to provide a great time for the client and all departments have to work together to acieve this.

 

If Jimmy had been sent packing by the venue owner and then the B&G fleeced for his fee plus £100 who would have compensated Jimmy? If the res DJ was not upto the B&Gs standared and ruined their night who would have compensated them?

 

Nik

[McCardle 1]

We spend a lot of time on here talking about our quality of service and reputations but hotels dont seem to give a fig and charge ££££££ more than even the most expencive DJ on this forum.

 

Nik, I think thats a sweeping and unfair statement towards the majority of venues. I've worked in this industry for approaching two decades and I have to say that Jimmy S' experience of this manager is by large the exception, rather than the rule and most of the venues i've worked at have been professionally run, and have acted professionally, even in cases where they have been needlessly abused by drunken guests and even difficult DJ's and other service providers!!. I also think that generalising comments like this do not endear venue managers towards DJ's or cement anglo-DJ relationships, and we wonder sometimes why some managers don't like us.....maybe they've read comments like this.

 

Are you honestly saying that you find every hotel venue you work in as 'not giving a fig' towards their clients?

 

Of course there will always be certain members of staff in any venue who lack dedication and who look like they hate rather than love their job, but this is typical in any industry with long hours which pays peanuts.....

 

However, in the main i've always found key front-of-house people such as reception staff, Managers and venue owners to be 'OK' and most places are well run, and a look on sites like Expedia and Late Rooms from both Hotel and Wedding Clients of venues paints a different story than some DJ's in relation to service.

 

Of course, a lot of venues may not fall over backwards to assist me and worship me as a service provider, but then again i'm not their client and they aren't in business to serve me, and on that basis their attitude towards me may not be so attentive and helpful as it is to the B&G, their guests and the hotel guests.

Edited October 8, 2009 by McCardle

[UKHero 0]

Nik, I think thats a sweeping and unfair statement towards the majority of venues. I've worked in this industry for approaching two decades and I have to say that Jimmy S' experience of this manager is by large the exception, rather than the rule and most of the venues i've worked at have been professionally run, and have acted professionally, even in cases where they have been needlessly abused by drunken guests and even difficult DJ's and other service providers!!. I also think that generalising comments like this do not endear venue managers towards DJ's or cement anglo-DJ relationships, and we wonder sometimes why some managers don't like us.....maybe they've read comments like this.

 

Are you honestly saying that you find every hotel venue you work in as 'not giving a fig' towards their clients?

 

Of course there will always be certain members of staff in any venue who lack dedication and who look like they hate rather than love their job, but this is typical in any industry with long hours which pays peanuts.....

 

However, in the main i've always found key front-of-house people such as reception staff, Managers and venue owners to be 'OK' and most places are well run, and a look on sites like Expedia and Late Rooms from both Hotel and Wedding Clients of venues paints a different story than some DJ's in relation to service.

 

Of course, a lot of venues may not fall over backwards to assist me and worship me as a service provider, but then again i'm not their client and they aren't in business to serve me, and on that basis their attitude towards me may not be so attentive and helpful as it is to the B&G, their guests and the hotel guests.

 

 

You know I am not saying this about every hotel in the world, But from my experience in the industry since 1981 working in WMC, Pubs, Clubs, Hotels including 1 star to 5 star establishments I have found that while the face may be smiling the hand is holding the wallet.

 

I too agree you should not be worshiped and trust me I don't.

 

They are in business to make money and they do this very well, We all know how much things cost but the mark up at MOST not ALL venues is quite high...

 

but thats another debate, my main point is this, if by helping you in some way helps the client then wont that make for a better night for the client who is paying for their dream. Not Mine Not Yours Not the venues, and isnt this what we are all aiming and promising to deliver?... It seems that MANY not ALL venues are good at making promises and falling short... I guess the same could be said of MANY not ALL disco's or MANY not ALL Bands or MANY not ALL other service providers...

 

But not me I work to give the client what they want and hate to see some supersillious person owner of the venue or not, ruining the evening, and from what JS posted potentially did this with the MOTB having to get physical.

 

I go back to what I said above which you seemed to have missed

 

I understand what Jimmy is saying, sometimes it is not what is said but how it is said. Surely we are all there to provide the client with the best experience possible. Sadly it seems time and time again venues forget this. Just this week two of my clients have called me one with a change of date and venue, due to the uncooperation of the venue and the other worried about the evening and if all is going to be OK. When I reasured here we are all there to make her night special her reply was, I am sure you will do your best but not so sure about the venue.

 

Nik

 

 

 

 

[McCardle 1]

I still think that its unfair to tarnish any industry with the same brush just because of one or two extreme and isolated instances. DJ's are quick to defend themselves against clients who think that we are all cowboys because of one bad experience. We all know how that feels, which is why i'm surprised that any DJ would be quick to levy the same sort of pigeon holing towards other industries.

 

I read stories about DJ's falling foul of difficult venue managers and to be honest, I wonder how much of that hasn't been helped by the attitude of the attending DJ. Just like us, venue managers won't take too highly to being told their job, and when a venue manager tells you to finish at a certain time then you finish at that time, if they tell you to set up over 'there' then thats where the equipment goes. I don't see what there is to debate with the manager at that time, nor what it will solve other than building up more walls whilst potentially making a situation worse and far more difficult than it has to be.

 

When I reasured here we are all there to make her night special her reply was, I am sure you will do your best but not so sure about the venue.

 

So how often does this happen?. Does every client confide in you about their fears regarding the venue / other service provider?. Unless we were active at actually recommending venues then other than a sympathetic ear I really don't think that its any of our business to get involved. If the client has a complaint, regarding a venue / flower arranger / chocolate fountain company, I fail to see what we can do about it, and ultimately making the decision was the clients choice and so its largely upto them to do something about it if it goes belly up. On the flip side, i'm sure plenty of venue managers have clients voicing their second thoughts about their choice of DJ.

 

I too agree you should not be worshiped and trust me I don't

 

Unfortunately though, some DJ's out there do and some have ego's as big as the venue itself , and feel that the red carpet should be out, and that they should be treated like Brad Pitt upon their arrival. To be honest, when I read some posts by DJ's on various forums which show little, if any respect to other wedding professionals (including Bands) and the refusal to follow basic instructions by venue management and that others should always be the ones to put themselves out for THEM, then its hardly surprising that respect is not returned.

 

We all know how much things cost but the mark up at MOST not ALL venues is quite high...

 

I've never run a hotel or done the accounts for one, so I couldn't even start to work out the mark up required to make and keep it profitable, nor the GP split between wet and dry sales nor their costs and other investments such as staff training etc, which is probably why i'm just booked to do the disco

 

I wouldn't even start or be seen to be giving advice on how they run their businesses either or on what I think they should be charging based on my lack of experience. But I think DJ's should start small, with their feet on the ground and worry about making their own businesses work before they start advising Hoteliers. However suffice to say, that if some Wedding Venues have diary's booked for many months in advance, which ultimately is more than most of us DJ's can say, then surely they must be doing something right and their clients are happy to pay the fee, whatever it is.

Edited October 8, 2009 by McCardle

[Jimmy S 0]

I go away for 4 days and come back to this!!!!!!!!!! Arf Arf !!!

Firstly the "Elderly Gent" WAS the owner and the manager.

Yes it is his right to escort anyone out of HIS premise.

He was attending to the bar and watched me set-up in the area that was designated by his restaraunt manager and if their was a problem where i set-up it should have been resolved BEFORE i started to set-up said equiptment.

The noise abbaitment order was official and stamped by said important persons of Northumberland council, which was waved in my face by Basil Fawlty AFTER i had set my gear.

I have done to date probably over 700 weddings in my 36 years as aDJ and have never met anyone so rude with all his front teeth still intact.

Not only was he rude but totally out of touch on a one to one basis.

Again i reiterate that as soon as i got into the marque i felt i was not welcome, and never took it personally because thats part of the job with the "residents" gear behind a curtain (all which came off the arc) all ready to go.

The bottom line to this little story is, whether you like it or not, the Hotel has , and indeed still has noise problems which they dont discuss with incoming bands or disco's leaving you with this "piggy in the middle"problem.

The Owner is as far as i concerned, "Winging it" big time with a healthy £25,000 for that days work.

Unfortunately i managed to keep my hands in my pocket, but alas the brides mother seen right through the old man and one I'm sure Mohammad Ali would have been proud of.

UPDATE

It also tuns out that 3 bands booked for weddings over the summer "Walked" due to the situation at this etablishment, obviously ruining the B&Gs big day. Strangely those 3 bands that walked were replaced very quickly by the resident Disco who just happened to have all those nights off.

Yous are all sensible guys with your own take on this and indeed have come across this sort of situation before.

I done all i possibly could with the meeting at the hotel with the B&G before hand, (the manager /owner wasnt available that day and sent.........the Receptionist) asking as many questions as i could.......everything seemed cool

How wrong was i !!!!!!!!

[vokf 0]

He was attending to the bar and watched me set-up in the area that was designated by his restaraunt manager and if their was a problem where i set-up it should have been resolved BEFORE i started to set-up said equiptment.

 

Sounds a complete mess and bad communications.

What did the Restaurant manager say when he was called over?

 

The noise abbaitment order was official and stamped by said important persons of Northumberland council, which was waved in my face by Basil Fawlty AFTER i had set my gear.

 

Unfortunately, whilst this was very bad timing on the owners side, he has every right to dictate terms whilst you are working on his property.

I've come across difficult people, and know this must have been very hard to be polite and professional :wall: .

I guess explaining that relocating the set-up would take another 60mins+, and you will need to bring their client into this as this will delay the start of the evening proceedings, MAY have helped.

Its obviously something the client would need to be made aware of at an early stage.

 

I wonder what would have happened if the Noise order was seen to have been breached by YOU (or any other DJ), and the venue had serious restrictions placed on it for music. The venue might have a very valid claim against you for ignoring their orders.

 

I done all i possibly could with the meeting at the hotel with the B&G before hand, (the manager /owner wasnt available that day and sent.........the Receptionist) asking as many questions as i could.......everything seemed cool

 

Was you shown where you would set-up? Was records kept of this meeting and passed back to client and venue?

I do not have 700 weddings to my experience, but do attend important meetings at clients and suppliers for my day job with high value orders resting on sometimes casual comments.

 

I think there is a legal document showing the venue has been tested for electrical safety (ie, PAT test for a building..), I think Dan has mentioned it a few times - and when being given serious stick, it could be worth asking for a copy - putting the ball firmly in their court as this is a legal requirement!

 

I wonder if the owner will press charges for assault by the Mother in Law?

I'm not taking his side, but I hope he does. If it wasn't him, it may have been the DJ for a late start!