I mentioned in my introduction thread that I did my first wedding gig at the age of 18 and hated it so much that I vowed never to do another. Below is one reason I did a U turn or if I was a politician 'a review of policy'
It was the 4th family wedding of the year, the bride (my niece)wanted the full works with no expense spared, including the entertainment. She booked a DJ who had worked for MTV, done seasons in Ibiza etc & he wasn't cheap.
First impressions were good, the set-up looked the part but it was downhill from there. The DJ 'forgot' to change out of his tatty t-shirt, he blasted the music out from the start, he stood either drinking, smoking or with his arms folded looking bored, if he played familiar tunes people danced however he would always follow them with 'the latest from Ibiza' which cleared the floor.
Now most DJs would click onto this & adjust the music genre accordingly. Not this guy. He became abusive over the mic with things like 'What is wrong with you people - don't you know good music when you hear it' & when people complained 'There are a lot of trainee DJs in here who don't know what they're talking about'
The crunch for me came when, after clearing the floor yet again, he faded the music & called the best man up. As the BM approached he said to him, over the mic, 'It's your duty to get these people on the dance floor & you're not doing your job very well are you - now this is the hottest tune from Ibiza and I'm gonna play it again only this time you are gonna make sure people get up and dance to it'. The Best Man followed his instructions and pulled people from their seats - Me? I went to the phone, booked an early taxi home and began planning my new rig.
Paul S

This Scenario is becoming more and more common. I took an enquiry for a booking in Wrexham for a week on Saturday. This Client had been let down at the last minute by one of the cowboy element. To make matters worse, his attitude on the phone left a lot to be desired - basically he just told her "Sorry, but I've taken a better priced booking"!!!!!

Letting down somebody is bad enough , but he didn't even attempt to cover with an excuse! or at least attempt to find somebody to cover for him .

Unfortunately, it's the Wedding Season and Both shows are already booked out. Luckily I know of several other reliable shows in this area - Peteee being one of them, so hopefully something will get sorted for her.

People like this particular bloke me right off! , I may take the step of publically posting the details of these cowboys.

Make sure you have concrete proof, we can't afford to bail you out, and i've forgotten how to bake cakes.

I always advise clients that they can sue the DJ that lets them down. Under UK law the minute you say yes on the phone you have entered into a contract.

QUOTE (Chris_Pointon @ Jun 12 2003, 01:32 PM)

basically he just told her "Sorry, but I've taken a better priced booking"!!!!!

It's no consellation, but at least he rang to say he was not going to turn up

That first post about the wedding is appauling - how can someone be that stupid and not realise how to rectify the situation.
You simply cannot insult the audience etc - especially when its clear that youre the only w:cense: r

QUOTE

i've forgotten how to bake cakes.

No Pies, Scones, Fairy Cakes or Jam Tarts from Mikeee at the annual TVDJA Bake 'n' Sell this year then????.

Didn't I hear something about you needing a file to get into the cake to get the file in the first place where Mikee's baking was concerned??.

Heard of one local DJ, in Torquay who at the end of this particular evening told the crowd how F ing c p they were and walked out without taking his gear. Cam back the next morning to collect his gear to find it is a heap by the door waiting for him...........AND he's still working occassionally

5 star's horror story should be an inspiration to all of us.
I'd hope that none of us would ever resort to performing in that way,.
As for Chris' story this is just about par for the course these days and is an opportunity for any of us that becomes the shoulder to cry on.
Name and shame - I just wish it was that simple.

It's stories like the above that prove the necessity of a DJ union.
I can't see it happening within the next few years (although would be great if it did happen) but should such an organisation ever exist, and if it had strong and meaningful administration, then muppets like those described here would be thrown out or at least suspended.
A meaningful DJ union, once proven to reprimand unruly members; would give confidence to the public when booking a dj, as at least they would have a comeback should things go pete tong!

The discussion on here a few weeks ago about a dj union seemed to stall and then fizzle out. I know that myself and I think it was Tonsk applied to the musicians union, however I haven't completed and returned the forms as I've since heard negative information about the musicians union and am now wondering whether it would be worthwhile or just a waste of money.

Ian was one of the people who wasn't too keen on them; are you able to let us know the reasons for your negative impressions of both the musicians union & Equity, Ian?

Eskie, i know that you weren't impressed by the TVDJA meeting. Apathy has set in at all levels, why, because of the stories we are reading now. It's no piont saying, I'm not going to jion it doesen't do anything, it won't if there isn't enough members. Because of these stories, and i hear them weekly during the wedding season, I believe the only way now is licenseing "entertainers" so that the public have recourse when things go pear shaped.

What dredfull stories!
Well what is it they say for every 10 people you tell they'll tell another 10 and so on so hopefully that Dj who opted for the better price had better hang on to his penny's.

Bye the way.
I'm a qualified Baker.

QUOTE

Bye the way. I'm a qualified Baker.

Hmmmm Hot Croissant and Jam

QUOTE

Hmmmm Hot Croissant and Jam

Not a prob, just putting them in a cab Now!

QUOTE (paula @ Jun 13 2003, 08:22 AM)

QUOTE Hmmmm Hot Croissant and Jam Not a prob, just putting them in a cab Now!

Wont that change the acoustics, next time that you plug that cab into the amp?

Unions such as equity & the Musicians union have no real power, because to stop the cowbays, there would in effect need to a "closed shop" of all venues/clients only booking DJ's or entertainers from approved unions, which I'd imagine is illegal. as this would constitute a restraint of trade.

I know of some pretty bad musicians & performers who are members of the musicians union or equity, all i use my memebership for is the free legal advice, even then i am thinking of not renewing this year.

year ago you had to be a member of equity to work in theatre or TV, this is now not so, my wife is about to appear in a pilot for a new sit com which will hopefully be on the BBC, she told the BBC that she is not a member of equity. even they said that it doesn't matter.

so my question is, how is being a member of a DJ union, ensure that there are no cowboys

Hmmm loads of horror stories, but it made interesting reading for a Friday 13th morning!

What we really need is a union dedicated to D.J's and run by D.J's, that way we would know the industry and what was required.

However, I doubt that this will ever happen. If such a thing was ever started it would need a large member base and that dreaded word....Committment, which is in short supply these days

The only way it could be achieved is to merge several D.J'ing organisations - TVDJA, UKDJ etc together with this and the other internet forums. I reckon this would give us a member base of around 3000 Working D.J's (UK members).

But time to wake up, because i'm dreaming again, and it won't happen. As Mikeee has already pointed out, Member apathy takes over, the novelty wears off, and people drift away from the very organisation that is trying to support them

QUOTE

because to stop the cowbays, there would in effect need to a "closed shop" of all venues/clients only booking DJ's or entertainers from approved unions, which I'd imagine is illegal. as this would constitute a restraint of trade.

This is true, to a point. However, who you book for a Disco is down to personal choice . If you PREFER to book only an Entertainer who is the member of a recognised organisation then there is nothing to stop you. Most of the larger hotel chains do this already to some extent, by only booking their D.J's through "Tried and tested" agencies

QUOTE (Chris_Pointon @ Jun 13 2003, 10:45 AM)

Most of the larger hotel chains do this already to some extent, by only booking their D.J's through "Tried and tested" agencies

But we all know that agencies sometimes end up subbing a job so many times that occassionaly a novice turns up

This really shows up the importance of references!!

As long as there's money to be made there will always be cowboys, not just for mobile discos but in every other area that offers a service as well.
The only good point is that they don't normally last long when word gets around, but there are always more sitting on their horses in the wings ready to ride out & make their 2d.
Just looking at the building trade with all its associations & guarantees has not stopped these people because there are always members of the public willing to take the risk to save a few ££££s. It's only when things go wrong that they wish they had gone to someone legit.
All I can do is warn potential clients that they are out there and then leave it to them to make an educated decision. Some make the right one (& book me!!!), others take a chance to save a few bob & then phone me at the last minute if they've been let down (I always resist the opportunity to say 'I told you so').
Paul S

The problem also lies in that clients aren't aware of the unions (NADJ, SEDA...etc), and so don't check with them.
Most people just assume that each DJ is on their own (so to speak). Only by making it known, will unions actually work. I think that's what they're trying to do with the gas/electricty inspectors isn't it?

SEDA and NADJ arent unions!

best guarantee is recommendation....... just because a dj belongs to an association doesnt make them a good dj.. plenty join just to get cheap PLI etc

here here batman!

Very true.
However, given time, more members and vocal / graft input, the association members can determine the fate (outcome) of such an association or any other 'affiliation'.

Given previous history.....a long time! But 'things' and circumstance can change!!!

Just for the note book:

"Associations promote a 'professional approach' to the art of mobile DJ'ing. Generally, association members 'abide' by 'principle guide lines' and actively operate in a widely agreed 'professional manor'.

Also, members of such associations will meet every month to share experiences and advice etc."


Apart from the obvious member (potential) benefits:
members gig-share
discounts on RAC or insurance, similar services,
experienced fellow members, etc, help with technical assistance.....

the real 'crunch' comes when the client (or DJ for that matter) hasn't heard of such associations - and couldn't give a stuff. In turn, the local third party service can't be bothered to advertise in the associations newsletter, because no-one's heard of it....the circle goes round and around. So what's the point in joining?

Marketing usually, then the 'association' reason'

I think the former TVDJA and SEDA are quite good. Let's be honest...why do they still exist over 25 years later?
Because of the members, and the commitment to professionalise a section (be it small or large) of the DJ'ing community.


Sourced.

Oh, Oh where do I start, um, let's not.

The association does not operate a "vetting" system, why?, if we did, that would make us a "private club" of them and leaving out the us's. You must accept one and all, and try to guide those less experienced.

The biggest complaint from ALL DJ's is "Why Can't I Earn..." OK we can't get you more money, but we can look at what you do and the way you do it.

Hell I 've just written four paragraphs and deleted them, because I was
going off into some serious tangents.

I believe DJing should be a full time job, not part time or a hobby.

My regret is: 1) I'm not a journalist, if I was, I would be writting in every publication, & 2) If I was sales man, I would be travelling the UK talking to DJ's, and telling them how to do it as a full time job.

The association is a vehicle for improvement, for those that what it.

So much to be said, so little time.

Mikeee,

You need to put a link in your signature to your association.

with all due respect to mikeee..... most "associations" only really benefit those who belong to them. How many times do you see "member of the federation of master builders/glazers" etc... then you get one of these members to carry out work for you.... and it goes wrong...... as the client, their membership carries no benefits to you, the client anyway.
Associations like abta are quite good... but if you approach abta, it then negates your right to go to court....
I do on the other hand believe that dj association are very beneficial to djs themselves.

Hi there,

Not sure if anyone else is getting an increasing number of calls from people who have been let down at the last minute, I took a call from a distruaght lady a couple of weeks ago who had been let down for a kids party, unfortunatley we were unabler to help out ourselves, buta few phone calls later and I had someone who could cover it, she was most greatful and took our full details for future reference.

This was one of the better known guys in this neck of the woods as well, from what she said his attitude was appalling, he didnt even call her to say that he wasnt coming, the kids all turned up but no DJ, this poor woman was frantic.

But its getting more frequent I get calls most weeks from people looking for last minute DJs becuase they have been let down, this only goes to make people very wary of DJs in general.