Roadie`s

[Steve_Mitchell 0]

Im doing a bit of research. As most of you know my nephew has been roadie-ing for me since new year. He is only 13yrs and I give him a tenner which he is greatful for as he likes the gigs as well.

 

He helps unload the van, sets the frame up, plugs head phones, mics in and tidies up, and oviously the reverse when we have finished. I`m going to take him to the next step and show him how to wire the PA up. Even though he is happy with his tenner and am obviously getting a good deal am going to give him a 50% pay increase.

 

After you have put your answer on the poll please let me know how old your roadie is and what do you expect from him/her at a gig.

[AJS Mobile Disco 0]

I work on a % scale of about 10%. My main roadies are family members ie daughter for kids parties and hubby for big events. Come to that hubby don't get paid as it goes in the joint account anyway http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/tongue.gif

Anne

[YourBigEvent 0]

QUOTE

Come to that hubby don't get paid as it goes in the joint account anyway

 

I would get a business account opened as

 

a) It looks more professional

b) Keeps thing seperate

[ChrisPointon 0]

I don't pay my Roadie anything, apart from refreshments during a gig.

 

although at the end of the year, I often treat him and his G/F to an all expenses paid week away at some posh hotel, usually between Xmas and New Year. Plus his family get all of their Weddings and functions done for nothing.

 

Given the last hotel bill, it probably equals about £20 - £25 a gig

[Kane 0]

I paid Joe my roadie/sidekick £30 last night because

 

A) he works for Vauxhall so he managed to swindle a van for the use of yesterday and a paid him £15 for petrol

 

B) ive shown him how to set the majority of my lighting up so i can concentrate on setting my sound up, do sound checks, check everythings working etc... and he can use his inititive well and hes puntual

 

but on average its £20 if its not to far away

[Steve_Mitchell 0]

Chris/Kane

 

Can your roadie`s do everything? Complete set up, to your standard and change cd`s etc?

[Kane 0]

QUOTE (stevemitchell @ May 21 2006, 06:46 PM)

Chris/Kane Can your roadie`s do everything? Complete set up, to your standard and change cd`s etc?

He dosent know how to set sound up yet, but if i were to nip to the toilet he can change the cds, and fade to the next track

[paula 0]

No one comes out with me anymore, unless I have more to take, or stairs, and then they go again! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/sad.gif not sure why! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/sadwalk.gif

 

As for the nephew, it's not like he can earn more elsewhere what with his age, so say your paying him with a learning experience! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/laugh.gif and teach him everything

[milhouse 0]

My roadie is a student sound and light engineer at uni, so he's probably a step up from an average roadie.

 

He works in a nightclub setting up and operating ligting for £6 per hour, and I pay him the same for the gigs he does for me. Usually if I'm getting £200 for a gig, I'll pay him £40. Means he comes with me to setup early, stays during the gig, and packs down at the end of the night.

 

When hes working for me he sets everything up to my specification, fixes any problems, goes to the bar, and handles the drunken women throwing themselves at me http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/tongue.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/tongue.gif

 

He will also handle the taxing task of houselighting, shifting bands out of the way and ensuring all cables are neat! Often its useful to have two people who are fully proficient with the entire rig (ie Him & Me) so any problems are solved straight away.

 

Oh and I have free use of his house for storage of any gear http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/patriot.gif Although I did catch him using my Mackie SRM450s as Computer Monitors http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/sad.gif some people!

[ChrisPointon 0]

QUOTE

Can your roadie`s do everything? Complete set up, to your standard and change cd`s etc?

 

Yes, he can do virtually everything I do, including using the mic, he's insured to drive the van, included on my pli insurance and and he is capable of setting up the gear himself.

 

In fact the reason he started coming along with me, was too learn the business. But instead of starting up on his own, he stuck with me. He started helping me in 1990 and has been with me to every gig since, bar a handful during holidays etc.

 

Although he prefers the enjoyment of just helping out without the expense and hassle of running his own disco, he's perfectly capable of doing an entire gig if needs be http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif , I believe 100% that he's as dedicated and professional as I am and I also trust him 100%.

[YourBigEvent 0]

QUOTE

I believe 100% that he's as dedicated and professional as I am.

 

 

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/fear.gif

[ChrisPointon 0]

QUOTE (ADS Entertainments @ May 21 2006, 10:46 PM)

QUOTE I believe 100% that he's as dedicated and professional as I am.     http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/fear.gif Hey Harris!, don't you think it's time you employed somebody to drive around for you!.   Picking things up from Manchester springs to mind!   http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/071.gif

[C.S 0]

I dont use them !

[DJF 0]

all mine does is unpack the car set the cables up then disconnects and packs away.

thats it. so he's happy with the money and gets a night out

[vibemobilediscos 0]

i dont have one, but sounds like its worth getting one if you can get someone to do quite enough to make it worth while.

[centrestagediscos 0]

if your paying your roadie in cash does this then mean that you need employer insurance ect

[YourBigEvent 0]

QUOTE

if your paying your roadie in cash does this then mean that you need employer insurance ect

 

Not only Emp[loyer liability but Employee liability too.

 

Cheap enough though.

 

I have it for the other businesses, which covers the entertainment side too, although do not use Roadies.

[wizard 0]

My roadie gets 40% of fee, which is a lot http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/fear.gif

 

BUT, he does 50% of the work ( all the heavy lifting ) drives the van, Insures the Van. and is a partner in the business .....so not just a roadie really.

 

shouldn't the minimum wage be applied here http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/laugh.gif just a thought

Edited May 22, 2006 by wizard

[ChrisPointon 0]

QUOTE

My roadie gets 40% of fee, which is a lot

 

But does he pay 40% of the bills and business expenses.

 

Paying almost 50% of your earnings!!!!! you'd be better off making him a business partner with a 50% stake in the business. I don't think even self employed taxi drivers get 50% of the profits of the firm they work for, more around the 33% mark I think!.

 

If your paying half of your earnings to your Roadie, then shouldn't it be fair that he should also have half of the business responsibility and pay half the bills, hence become a partner rather than hired help!. You'd be financially better off doing so, because you'd be sharing the workload, liability and expenses.

 

Out of the 60% split, how much are you left with per gig, after paying Tax, Fuel, Equipment, CD's, Insurances, advertising, and the many other expenses of running a small business?

 

Think i'll sell up and come and work for you! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif .

 

QUOTE

shouldn't the minimum wage be applied here  just a thought

 

Legally Yes, but then that would apply to also giving them a contract of employment, and paying NI and TAX!.

[Steve_Mitchell 0]

QUOTE (Chris_Pointon @ May 23 2006, 09:08 AM)

I don't think even self employed taxi drivers get 50% of the profits of the firm they work for, more around the 33% mark I think!.

Your joking!!

 

The company I pay rent is on average turning over £17,000 a week....................If I have £340 left after paying all my expences thats around 2% of the companies turnover.

[ChrisPointon 0]

QUOTE

If I have £340 left after paying all my expences thats around 2% of the companies turnover.

 

Would you like a navigator? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/tongue.gif

 

[Steve_Mitchell 0]

QUOTE (Chris_Pointon @ May 23 2006, 12:38 PM)

QUOTE If I have £340 left after paying all my expences thats around 2% of the companies turnover.   Would you like a navigator? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/tongue.gif Only if I can give you 40%.

[Andy Westcott 0]

I use my 19 year old son as my roadie.

 

I don't pay him anything (yet) as I'm still sorting out some prehistoric gear, and this is being done on a earn-then-spend basis, and he is well aware of this, and has full acess to my accounts so he can see our business position.

 

He's darned good, actually. He can position and wire up everything, and operate CD decks and mixer correctly. He won't use the mic, but I don't consider that part of a roadie's job anyhow.

 

During the gig it's his accepted job to locate CDs for me and get them on the deck, and to put them away once used. He is also starting to make music selections for me, and will prop up a handful of CDs of the appropriate genre depending on how the night is progressing - this is pretty involved stuff, and does it unprompted. Maybe a DJ in the making? Whatever, defintely the best roadie I've worked with.

 

I'd like him to try his own gig one day; Nothing nasty, just a primary school gig maybe. :fear:

[jayboy 0]

my roady gets a fair prise for the work he dose if i ern more he gets more.

 

i have to make a living he dont.

[spinner 0]

I'm married to mine. smile icon