What a great night i had tonight i dj'ed at my regular club and tonght i play a funky blend of older stuff till 11:30 then i swich to rnb and tonght everything clicked and at the end of the night a promoter for a really good club in portsmouth came up and asked me to dj tuesday nights playing r n b which was a nice compliment except i already dj 5 nights a week on top of being a full time uni student and then trying to fit my girlfriend in i still need to find out the money but i really think it might just be 1 nightto many as im all readyfeeling the strain i suppose if the money is really good i could cut out 1 of my regular nights at my regular club. but it was still nice to be asked to do this as its a really popular club.

Think you should go for it,broaden your horisons as it were,congrats anyway.I had a strange evening at my residency last night,they had booked in strippers which is ok if you like that kind of thing,but the invitation for amateur strip got a little out of hand,no i shall rephrase that A LOT OUT OF HAND!!!!!!

Well done Kev.... If you are feeling the strain then dont take the job on or exchange it with another one! Its very easy to fall into the trap where you live to work - not work to live - money is great but if it comes at the expense of neglecting your girlfriend/studies it isnt worth it.

This is good and bad, but either way its an experience.

I hope that this could turn into a really good discussion thread...how to turn down work and still win.

There are two obvious outcomes...but so many considerations

1) "Yes, I'd love to do it... I'll ditch the club that I'm already doing on Tuesday nights..stuff 'em"

2) "Nah thanks...I'm already working Tuesday nights ian't I"


Now, OK, I've made both the aboive examples very EXTREME to get the point across ,you wouldnt really say either of those Kev!


Thinking a little deeper, and trying to see things from all angles, there are really 4 things to consider.

1) The manager of the club which you're thinking of "ditching" on Tuesdays
2) The manager of the club which you're thinking of "defecting to" on Tuesdays
3) You !!!
4) Your DJ Career

Is your Tuesday night gig in the club that you do on other nights? If so, would they see your possible move as "A defection" or "helping the competition", "helping the enemy" etc...how would they feel? Would they keep you on for those other nights, or do they want one DJ doing all those same nights?

If you were to tell the new manager/promoter, that you'll happily defect to his club on Tuesdays, would he be pleased (of course he would) that you've accepted his offer, but feel that you're showing a lack of loyalty to your current employers, therefore a trait which you might show him/his club in the future. If you choose to turn him down, point out that you're doing so because you dont want to leave your current club "in the lurch" on Tuesdays. He'll respect you in the morning for it.

Ny no means least...You and Your Career. Is the other club better for you and your career in any way? Closer to home, more prestigeous venue with a "higher" circle of "big name" DJ's to rub shoulders (and exchange cards) with?

Also, if you choose to stay put, could you swing some more money from your current Tuesday nighter....eg: along the lines of "This guy (show card) wanted to steal me from you on Tuesdays to go an work in your rivals club, for more money. " You might get offered more money for staying put, or they might offer you better incentives to stay put eg: Free drinks (including soft ones), free entry to linked/associate clubs, free choice of stripper to take home at weekends etc...

If you can win in all four aspects (theres no doubt a lot more aspects too) then so much the better. Keeping everyone happy is an aquired art, and not just while the mixer is on.

OK,eskie first,yes the females did join in and yes it did get out of hand and yes it is scandinavia and yes eskie one or two of your exs were there and no i dont remember being at the front at that club but if i was then i was only holding you back.

2.Turning down work. Funny you should bring it up,i was called yesterday about the reopening of a club where both eskie and i worked(Joes Garage) it is being completely revamped with no expenses spared and reopening late January,I have been asked to play there catering to an audience aged 25-50,i have turned it down but not burnt my bridges completely.Firstly my reasons1.i have opened just about every new club in the town for the last 10 years and feel its getting to be too much Chris Shepherd! 2,I work 2 other clubs that i have worked hard to build up and i am not prepared to sacrifice them.3.Mrs S needs to see me occasionaly for housework purposes!
What i have done is,said that i will work out a music concept for them,we are talking quality music for adult audience starting off with the good stuff from 70s soul\disco-Reddings,kool and the gang,james brown,aretha etc and up through 80s soul 2 soul etc (and thats how far i have got so far,suggestions appreciated) aswell as training a fresh 25 year old dj to play there,.Have also said i will do the odd night.They seem happy with this idea so thats how i turned things down!

Tell em they can fly me over 1 night a week

sorry gary i did not make it too clear as tuesday is currently i of the 2 nights off at the moment so i would be going from 5 to 6 nights a week that is the dilema its not that i have to decide to cut the same night my regualr club does not open on tuesdays but i think it might just end up breaking me but hat i shall do is wait to see how much they offer me.

The whole point is that you are "wanted" as a dj... this means another foot on the ladder of success.... whatever you decide to do, there is another bod out there telling people about YOU and what a good dj they think YOU are. I wouldnt personally bite the hand that feeds but if there is someone out there who wants you desperately, they usually come to you with an offer... that will fit in with you.

That is so true esk.... I got into a position where I hardly ever got to see my kids cos I was either working mid week entertaining other peoples kids or doing adult functions all weekend....... money great - family life not! I came to my senses and realised that my family come first and I am still in a good position cos it just makes my services even more in demand cos my customers will fit in around my plans!

Its pretty much the way im thinkin now. i have been djing fo 8 years now and when i started i was just happy getting work then i was happy geting every sat and a few fridays and so on and so on th oney was not the main factor but now my time is running out i.e there are only so many nights a person can work so now i will start looking at earning more per night and making the nights i do do the important ones.

Kev...I may be able to help you in getter better paying jobs which will mean you wont have to work as often.... After christmas my residents hotels sister hotel (!) may be looking for a new resident... paying 3 x more than breakers but not as many hours and you finish earlier! Leave it with me - will keep you informed xx