Strippers and discos, would you do it ?

[nigelwright7557]

I did a gig a while back in a pub.

About 5pm the pub landlord came up to me and said the strippers will be here shortly. I was quite taken aback as no one had told me I would be supporting strippers !

Anyway the male and female strippers gave me their CD's to play while they performed.

I am not sure if I would have taken the gig if I had known I would be supporting strippers.

What would others have done ?
Is it tacky or just good entertainment ?

[Dragonfly]

yep definately do it .......... only had one stripper at a gig ever!!!

[Excalibur]

I did a gig a while back in a pub.

About 5pm the pub landlord came up to me and said the strippers will be here shortly. I was quite taken aback as no one had told me I would be supporting strippers !

Anyway the male and female strippers gave me their CD's to play while they performed.

I am not sure if I would have taken the gig if I had known I would be supporting strippers.

What would others have done ?
Is it tacky or just good entertainment ?

Nigel mate, you're not offering them as part of your package, only assisting.:D They're just another entertainer, who deserves our help. .


yep definately do it .......... only had one stripper at a gig ever!!!
You've either led a sheltered life, or you do upmarket gigs.

[One Vision]

I would do no problem, its good to see people having a good time and enjoying themselves life in general seems way to serious in this day and age with all the political correctness and you cant say or do this that and the other, so not many reasons for people to have a smile on their faces these days so anything that does just that and isn't hurting anybody is all good.

[Excalibur]

Nigel, stay up North. I've just remembered Rob offered to do one a bit back, to make his wedding package more memorable.:eek: :eek:

[Jiggles]

Nigel, stay up North. I've just remembered Rob offered to do one a bit back, to make his wedding package more memorable.:eek: :eek:


Please don't remind me of that! shudders

[Excalibur]

Please don't remind me of that! shudders

Sorry Callum. It's not a concept you should have to deal with at your age. :D

[Tom]

Please don't remind me of that! shudders


Just think of your happy place. :D

[rob1963]

I'd do it.

I can't think of any possible reasons NOT to.

[Corabar Steve]

I can.

I don't use CD players, I couldn't play their CDs :sj:

[Vectis]

Used to get a lot of this back in the 80s, especially in private clubs.

Sadly, not so much these days :( ;) :)

[PropellerHeadCase]

Yep, done one or two...














...functions of this type.

[CRAZY K]

I can.

I don't use CD players, I couldn't play their CDs :sj:

A good point--strange how a lot of people still seem to think we are all on CDs
including those in the entertainment business--e.g. singers using backing tracks etc.

CRAZY K

[Excalibur]

I can.

I don't use CD players, I couldn't play their CDs :sj:


A good point--strange how a lot of people still seem to think we are all on CDs
including those in the entertainment business--e.g. singers using backing tracks etc.

CRAZY K

Should be an interesting conversation when you tell the artist concerned that they should have a pen drive with MP3's and a £250 Pro dub! :eek: :sofa:

[rob1963]

Surely it's a good idea to have the facility to play CDs, for occasions like this, or when the bride & groom change their first dance at the last minute & hand you a CD-R containing something you don't have on mp3.

[Dragonfly]

Surely it's a good idea to have the facility to play CDs, for occasions like this, or when the bride & groom change their first dance at the last minute & hand you a CD-R containing something you don't have on mp3.

how come when we don't arrive with the correct equipment we are cowboys , unprofessional and get a mountain load of stick for it ??? yet we should just accomodate other artists who don't have the correct equipment to carry out their act if you need to play a cd then YOU should have the facility to play a cd ......... or at least have the common decency as a person to let someone know that you wish to play one through their system .... nowhere on my site does it say mind reader as an added extra?

if someone wants to play a cd through my system in my last 3 gigs unless they tell me so (i make it known i use a laptop) then im afraid its just tough :Censored: !!!

[PropellerHeadCase]

I'm with Rob on that one, terrifyingly.

[Dragonfly]

indeed the good old double standards procedure one of the many reasons my headphones are already sold.

[rob1963]

indeed the good old double standards procedure one of the many reasons my headphones are already sold.

I've done eleven digital gigs now...and haven't yet used my headphones!

[Excalibur]

how come when we don't arrive with the correct equipment we are cowboys , unprofessional and get a mountain load of stick for it ??? yet we should just accomodate other artists who don't have the correct equipment to carry out their act if you need to play a cd then YOU should have the facility to play a cd ......... or at least have the common decency as a person to let someone know that you wish to play one through their system .... nowhere on my site does it say mind reader as an added extra?

if someone wants to play a cd through my system in my last 3 gigs unless they tell me so (i make it known i use a laptop) then im afraid its just tough :Censored: !!!


indeed the good old double standards procedure one of the many reasons my headphones are already sold.



I'm with Rob on that one, terrifyingly.

A worrying but entirely accurate standpoint young man. Surely we must take the kit to play most STANDARD formats? CD is still standard. I'd laugh at a cassette, but accept a CD/CD-R no probs. When /if I add another HD controller, it will have a CD/DVD tray connected for that very reason. Sorry lads, but I DO think it's unprofessional not to.


I've done eleven digital gigs now...and haven't yet used my headphones!

So that's why you cued up the wrong first dance then? :confused: :p

[Corabar Steve]

We have CD players available if needed (including 2 that are compatible with the HD2500 controller). They are, however not standard to my set up & will only be used if the client informs us of the need in advance. Otherwise it's a case of gristly boobies

[Dragonfly]

A worrying but entirely accurate standpoint young man. Surely we must take the kit to play most STANDARD formats? CD is still standard. I'd laugh at a cassette, but accept a CD/CD-R no probs. When /if I add another HD controller, it will have a CD/DVD tray connected for that very reason. Sorry lads, but I DO think it's unprofessional not to.



So that's why you cued up the wrong first dance then? :confused: :p

just off to halfords to buy a large tool kit and hydraulic stand just incase the citroen garage hasn't got one next week, my argument isn't really that we shouldn't it is more that if part of your act includes the playing of music then you should have the facility to play it no matter how basic,

yet rob and everyone else seems to advocate it is fine for other acts to just assume that its ok and that the dj will and has the facility to do a really quite large part of their job for them without even a question mark

ie. if a stripper turns up and wants music played and the dj cant do it then the dj is unprofessional for not having appropriate kit ....


WRONG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!



In my humble opinion.


We have CD players available if needed (including 2 that are compatible with the HD2500 controller). They are, however not standard to my set up & will only be used if the client informs us of the need in advance. Otherwise it's a case of gristly boobies


hurrah !!! :beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1:


A worrying but entirely accurate standpoint young man. Surely we must take the kit to play most STANDARD formats? CD is still standard. I'd laugh at a cassette, but accept a CD/CD-R no probs. When /if I add another HD controller, it will have a CD/DVD tray connected for that very reason. Sorry lads, but I DO think it's unprofessional not to.



So that's why you cued up the wrong first dance then? :confused: :p


so in that vein i've just had a think..... mp3 is now also standard format so , if a bride and groom turned up with their wedding song on a memory stick or stripper to keep this on topic a bit with her work music and asked you to play it ....... but you were a cd dj with no laptop or hard drive controller for the purposes of say avoiding a produb expense ......... are you then still unprofessional and do not have the correct equipment , cowboy etc ??


just wondered if people were lateral thinking enough to realise that this could work both ways???

[Corabar Steve]

Last night's client had some tracks that they wanted playing that I couldn't source, so I offered to bring the drawer unit with me.

Their reply?

Don't worry that's too much bother for 3 songs we'll do fine without.


so in that vein i've just had a think..... mp3 is now also standard format so , if a bride and groom turned up with their wedding song on a memory stick or stripper to keep this on topic a bit with her work music and asked you to play it ....... but you were a cd dj with no laptop or hard drive controller for the purposes of say avoiding a produb expense ......... are you then still unprofessional and do not have the correct equipment , cowboy etc ??


just wondered if people were lateral thinking enough to realise that this could work both ways???

Indeed

[CRAZY K]

I've done eleven digital gigs now...and haven't yet used my headphones!

Dont tell Darren;)

:sofa:

CRAZY K

[CRAZY K]

We have CD players available if needed (including 2 that are compatible with the HD2500 controller). They are, however not standard to my set up & will only be used if the client informs us of the need in advance. Otherwise it's a case of gristly boobies

Exactly---its called being professional and communicating with others---making sure everything is in place for a successful event for the client.

Just an extension of client care.

CRAZY K

[rob1963]

I see no reason for any digital DJ not to have the facility to play CDs.

How much does a CD walkman & a couple of Duracells cost these days?

[Dragonfly]

I see no reason for any digital DJ not to have the facility to play CDs.

How much does a CD walkman & a couple of Duracells cost these days?

did you need help in moving those goalposts Rob? :D :D :D

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Done a few gigs over the years with strippers.
If I was only using my Denon HD and they came up to me asking me to play a CD then they would be out of luck. I wouldn't see it as being classed as unprofessional if they hadn't taken the route of common courtesy and advised me that the strippers or whoever it was, needed me to do the music for their act. If you know in advance then you prepare yourself for it. Ideally, if I had been in the position where I was told that I would need to do the music for the act then I would have co-ordinated everything with the act themselves and called them to find out what the tracks were and added them to the Denon HD if possible.

I have every confidence in the Denon but I still haven't transferred my entire collection over to it as yet and there are certain tracks that I should have on it which I haven't (as yet) so I still take backup CD players some of the time.

[Excalibur]

Dave and Steve, come on lads, you both know that a stripper, for example, is going to expect there to be a playout system available for their act. Can you imagine them spending an hour wheeling in a 3Kw PA for three tracks?
Singers are a moot point, they're pushing their luck if they turn up with no kit at all, and can't expect to automatically be allowed to be provided with gear.

As for customer CD's, they're probably using them at home, and expect us to be doing the same. I think we forget sometimes that customers have little knowledge of the workings of a modern Disco. ;)

My biggest problem is being given an Ipod. I shall have to ask Rob for some tuition in this area, as I can see it happening more often. :( :(

[DJ INDIE]

ive recently ditched the dual CD players, and replaced with a cortex, as well as still using my laptop.

if something unexpected came up, id just have to use the cortex upto when the CD was needed and play the cd via the laptop, then back to the cortex for after the cd had been played.

its probably the artistes responsibility to ask the client if the dj has cd playback, or ask them if they can contact us to make sure.

i got asked to quote for an anne summers party and all female crowd plus strippers when i was first starting out - i quoted a ridiculously low quote (as i rather fancied the idea of doing the night :) ) ........ and got undercut!!! the dj who did it must have paid them!! doh!

[Excalibur]

Surely it's a good idea to have the facility to play CDs, for occasions like this, or when the bride & groom change their first dance at the last minute & hand you a CD-R containing something you don't have on mp3.


I see no reason for any digital DJ not to have the facility to play CDs.

How much does a CD walkman & a couple of Duracells cost these days?


did you need help in moving those goalposts Rob? :D :D :D

Well I'm confused Dave. I see no discrepancy in Rob's posts. :confused:


ie. if a stripper turns up and wants music played and the dj cant do it then the dj is unprofessional for not having appropriate kit ...

So in that vein i've just had a think..... mp3 is now also standard format so , if a bride and groom turned up with their wedding song on a memory stick or stripper to keep this on topic a bit with her work music and asked you to play it ....... but you were a cd dj with no laptop or hard drive controller for the purposes of say avoiding a produb expense ......... are you then still unprofessional and do not have the correct equipment , cowboy etc ??


just wondered if people were lateral thinking enough to realise that this could work both ways???

It could of course Dave. Which is why I'm going out to the shed to resurrect the ghetto blaster, and the Citronic console. ;) :D Now if I can find a playout system for 78's and wax cylinders, I should be rigged, shouldn't I? :confused: :D :D

[Dragonfly]

Dave and Steve, come on lads, you both know that a stripper, for example, is going to expect there to be a playout system available for their act. Can you imagine them spending an hour wheeling in a 3Kw PA for three tracks?
. :( :(

that is entirely not the point !!!!!!!!!!! nobody is asking them to....... but a ghetto blaster as a backup isn't 3kw to the best of my knowledge ???

the only part of the opposing argument that is correct is that EVERYBODY should have the capacity in some form to do the job they are paid to do and if you need a music playout for an integral part of your job which music for a stripper i would say is then they should have the capacity to play it ??? yes ok ask the dj but what i am saying is i would personally not take any responsibility or think of myself as any less professional if some failed ballet dancer turned up to take her clothes off to music and did not have the correct equipment to carry out THEIR PAID JOB in its entirety and expected me to bail them out.

[Dragonfly]

Well I'm confused Dave. I see no discrepancy in Rob's posts. :confused:



It could of course Dave. Which is why I'm going out to the shed to resurrect the ghetto blaster, and the Citronic console. ;) :D Now if I can find a playout system for 78's and wax cylinders, I should be rigged, shouldn't I? :confused: :D :D


I see no reason for any digital DJ not to have the facility to play CDs.

How much does a CD walkman & a couple of Duracells cost these days?

let me hilight the part that was put in after a little thought.

[djsteve10]

Don't see why not, The client has obviously booked the strippers and it is what THEY want, The last thing they want is the DJ kicking off because he doesn't want to work with the strippers. Let's face facts here, What harm are they doing and would you say the same if a drag artist worked with you like I had this weekend?

[Excalibur]

Dave, I'm assuming then that you also take a generator to your gigs, in case there's no electricity? :confused: :sofa:

Before you blow a gasket, I accept your views as completely valid, I simply try wherever possible to mitigate foreseeable problems.

Re Rob's posts, if he edited the posts to read thus, then I totally apologise to you, and applaud your greater attention than mine. :o :o


Don't see why not, The client has obviously booked the strippers and it is what THEY want, The last thing they want is the DJ kicking off because he doesn't want to work with the strippers. Let's face facts here, What harm are they doing and would you say the same if a drag artist worked with you like I had this weekend?

Steve , you're missing Dave's point. If thje stripper is assuming that someone else will provide them with tools to do their job that they could/.should be expected to provide, then that's wrong.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Dont tell Darren;)

:sofa:

CRAZY K

Pah, amatuers...:sj:


I see no reason for any digital DJ not to have the facility to play CDs.

How much does a CD walkman & a couple of Duracells cost these days?

On that basis, should everyone carry a turntable and cassette deck?

I will work with strippers but they are certainly not my bag and I would be very upset if anyone ordered one for me.

[Dragonfly]

Dave, I'm assuming then that you also take a generator to your gigs, in case there's no electricity? :confused: :sofa:

Before you blow a gasket, I accept your views as completely valid, I simply try wherever possible to mitigate foreseeable problems.

Re Rob's posts, if he edited the posts to read thus, then I totally apologise to you, and applaud your greater attention than mine. :o :o

no not edited ...... just narrowed the field so to speak and made the comments appropriate to only digital djs .... so its unacceptable for a digital dj to not be able to play cds but perfectly acceptable for cd djs to not be able to play memory sticks .......... i refer my right honourable friend to my double standards post earlier.

no i don't of course take a genny :D :D :D i'm on the side that thinks that its not necessary :D :D :D unless previously arranged , i preseume though that Rob and Alan both do :confused: :confused: :confused: just incase.

[Dragonfly]

Pah, amatuers...:sj:



On that basis, should everyone carry a turntable and cassette deck?

Surely not standard formats since 1987 :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D


I will work with strippers but they are certainly not my bag and I would be very upset if anyone ordered one for me.

even if it was Tony (as the stripper) :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: GULP!!!

[Excalibur]

Pah, amatuers...:sj: .

Pah. Bad typists. :p :sofa:


On that basis, should everyone carry a turntable and cassette deck? .
Carrying this theory to its logical conclusion, yes. However, I would of course say NO. I see problems for CD based DJ's carrying a laptop in order to play MP3's falling foul of Produb. This at least allows me a self-satisfied smirk, as being belt and braces. :D



I will work with strippers but they are certainly not my bag and I would be very upset if anyone ordered one for me.

Note to self.

[BeerFunk]

I'm surprised that there are DJs here who couldn't play a CD if someone handed it to them. CDs are still the standard format, as there is no standard media that all MP3 capable devices can accept. USB drives would be the most common, but you can't plug and play with a USB drive into an ipod, for example.

Every CD player can play every CD, so it's a safe bet that if someone has a sound system, you can take your CD and they'll be able to play it back.

It strikes me as bizarre that the same people that preach 'everything counts' and so on and so on, are now saying that they won't accommodate a simple, inexpensive facility to play back CDs, and it's tough luck on everyone else.

[rob1963]

I see no reason for any digital DJ not to have the facility to play CDs.

How much does a CD walkman & a couple of Duracells cost these days?


On that basis, should everyone carry a turntable and cassette deck?


No, because those formats are only used by a small minority of people, whereas CDs are still pretty much the standard.

How many entertainers you've worked with or brides have handed you a vinyl record or cassette to play compared to the number who have handed you a CD?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

It strikes me as bizarre that the same people that preach 'everything counts' and so on and so on, are now saying that they won't accommodate a simple, inexpensive facility to play back CDs, and it's tough luck on everyone else.

Before I answer, is that aimed at me?


No, because those formats are only used by a small minority of people, whereas CDs are still pretty much the standard.

How many entertainers you've worked with or brides have handed you a vinyl record or cassette to play compared to the number who have handed you a CD?

Probably about the same over the years with regards to CD and vinyl.

[BeerFunk]

Before I answer, is that aimed at me?No, it was a general response to the replies on this thread by people stating that no CD playback facility is taken with them. It wasn't aimed, as it wasn't an 'attack' - merely an observation.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I actually do have the facility to play CDs via the CD rom on one of the laptops if someone comes up with a CD but I don't want people bowling up with their own CDs as I don't know what's on them and what the quality is like.

If people have asked me beforehand, I have a separate CD player and a Denon 2100 in a rack I can take.

This doesn't have anything to do with 'everything matters'. Which other profession would this happen in, where you'd carry a piece of equipment you don't normally use, just in case someone turned up with a CD?

[rob1963]

Probably about the same over the years with regards to CD and vinyl.

Over the years, that's understandable, as vinyl was more widely used in the past...but what about NOW?

When was the last time you were handed a CD to play & when was the last time you were handed a vinyl record or cassette?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Over the years, that's understandable, as vinyl was more widely used in the past...but what about NOW?

When was the last time you were handed a CD to play & when was the last time you were handed a vinyl record or cassette?

That's not the point though. I don't use vinyl or CD.

[Penfold42]

Surely it's a good idea to have the facility to play CDs, for occasions like this, or when the bride & groom change their first dance at the last minute & hand you a CD-R containing something you don't have on mp3.
Eh....:confused:

Sorry don't see it this way. I've paid quite a lot of money to go digital.

So B&G bring said item to me.....2 questions...
1 = Why not sooner.....I could have got them on iTunes....or bought the CD and ripped them....I do have a licence....:D
2 = What if it jumps......I look a right pillock....Yes Peter / Dave...you can have your say now.....:D

I see no reason for any digital DJ not to have the facility to play CDs.

How much does a CD walkman & a couple of Duracells cost these days?

So just remind me why you went digital....:p :D :D :D

[rob1963]

That's not the point though. I don't use vinyl or CD.

All I was saying was that CDs are still widely used, and therefore it's common sense to have the facility to play them if the need unexpectedly arises.


I've paid quite a lot of money to go digital.


So did I...around £1,300. However, that included a single CD player in my new digital console.


So just remind me why you went digital....:p :D :D :D

To make things much quicker & easier for me...and it's worked a treat.

I still have CDs though, partly for back up, and partly in case another entertainer or a bride unexpectedly hands me a CD to play.

I might be wrong, but if you asked 100 people whether they thought most DJs had the facility to play CDs, I'm sure the vast majority would say yes.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I can see both sides of the argument (if there is an argument) BUT, I will say this. Once I have everything in my collection on the Denon (which could be some time), then I won't be taking back up CD players with me. I'll have another Denon as backup.

As someone said above, it costs a lot to go Digital. Those that have gone across to Digital have done it for whatever reason. Personally, I did it because it's much easier for me now and I don't have to take CD's along with me or risk tracks skipping etc when I am at venues that have flexible flooring and it's moving due to over enthusiastic dancers. The CD players will be in the van as a last resort should anything happen out of the ordinary. Should someone come up and ask if I can play their CD out of the blue or I haven't been told in advance...well, sorry but it is tough luck isn't it. We are all moving forward in this business and the majority of people know that. I have people coming up to me at one of my residencies where I do my Request Fest nights with I-Pods who say "Can you play this?"....as yet I have declined because I don't have the leads and to be honest I don't really want to play stuff off people's I-Pods. If I do it for one then everyone else will start asking the same thing but maybe I should have a lead in the case just in case it happens elsewhere.

I am going to contradict myself here but I think we all should try to help the customer as much as possible so long as we know in advance what they require. If Strippers want music then it should be noted in advance. These days they can't expect to come in and give you a CD without telling you because a lot of people are now Digital.

[Dragonfly]

I might be wrong, but if you asked 100 people whether they thought most DJs had the facility to play CDs, I'm sure the vast majority would say yes.


and i'd say the same thing to each and every one of theim

to assume is to make an ass out of u and me.


do HMV stock every cd by every artist in the world ever ??? no!!!! but , but, but it's a music shop they must surely??????

no ..... but if you give them fair warning i'm sure they would be very helpful in trying to order one in for you.

prior knowledge is all i'm advocating , and not the assumption that a dj as has been said on many occasions:

can play everything from 78s to tapes to whatever

knows everything about electronics because his gear is electric

carries spares for every tom richard and harry to use because they can't be bottomed to get their own

should and will play music for another PAID so called professional just because he has the facility to do so.

has every song ever written by anyone ever anywhere in the known universe.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

....to add here instead of starting a new thread. I don't know about anyone else (and this goes down to the customers not being interested, or seeming not to be interested in the equipment we use as mentioned in the past), but I always mention in my pre-function meetings about the system that I use. I don't do it to show off or anything as most of them wouldn't have a clue what I am talking about anyway, I do it because I tell them about the pro's it has going for it...the ease of use and the ultra quick way I can search for tracks that people want etc etc...So, they know there and then that I use a Digital system and generally, not CD's anymore. Because they know that and because I keep in constant touch with them on the lead up to their function, no mater what it is... should the scenario arise where they want me to play a track off a CD for them I would either say (a) No problem and set up CD players too, or (b) Source the tracks myself. Should I have no luck...I would ask them for a copy and I would probably add it to the system anyway.

[Excalibur]

Right lads, brace yourselves, here it is, War & Peace, the unedited version.


I'm surprised that there are DJs here who couldn't play a CD if someone handed it to them. CDs are still the standard format, as there is no standard media that all MP3 capable devices can accept. USB drives would be the most common, but you can't plug and play with a USB drive into an ipod, for example.

Every CD player can play every CD, so it's a safe bet that if someone has a sound system, you can take your CD and they'll be able to play it back.

It strikes me as bizarre that the same people that preach 'everything counts' and so on and so on, are now saying that they won't accommodate a simple, inexpensive facility to play back CDs, and it's tough luck on everyone else.

Totally, utterly and absolutely agree. CD at the moment is the most accepted medium, I'd guess. Surely Digital DJ's ensure they're backwards compatible, and MP3's time is yet to come, since it's unfair to expect a CD based DJ to have MP3 facility.


No, because those formats are only used by a small minority of people, whereas CDs are still pretty much the standard.

How many entertainers you've worked with or brides have handed you a vinyl record or cassette to play compared to the number who have handed you a CD?

Rob, lay off whatever you've beem taking, you're starting to make sense again! :eek:

No, it was a general response to the replies on this thread by people stating that no CD playback facility is taken with them. It wasn't aimed, as it wasn't an 'attack' - merely an observation.

Maybe it's just a smart alec pointing the finger, but why doesn't every Digital DJ take some form of CD deck? :confused: :confused: That's not a dig at anyone, it's an honest question. I still reckon CD is regarded as the standard, so why not take a deck? :confused:


I actually do have the facility to play CDs via the CD rom on one of the laptops if someone comes up with a CD but I don't want people bowling up with their own CDs as I don't know what's on them and what the quality is like.

If people have asked me beforehand, I have a separate CD player and a Denon 2100 in a rack I can take.

This doesn't have anything to do with 'everything matters'. Which other profession would this happen in, where you'd carry a piece of equipment you don't normally use, just in case someone turned up with a CD?
Darren, how many times have I warned of the dangers of the words " Never" and " Always" ? Everything matters is a blanket term, so surely the kudos due to a DJ who manages to play every format thrown at him is immense? I'm still waiting for Crazy to chime in about us two being the only two capable of using the forgotten standard of Minidisc. ;) :D :D I'd guess that among Entertainers ( Excluding DJ's), that would be the accepted standard. ;)



Eh....:confused:

Sorry don't see it this way. I've paid quite a lot of money to go digital.

So B&G bring said item to me.....2 questions...
1 = Why not sooner.....I could have got them on iTunes....or bought the CD and ripped them....I do have a licence....:D
2 = What if it jumps......I look a right pillock....Yes Peter / Dave...you can have your say now.....:D


So just remind me why you went digital....:p :D :D :D

Right, serious bit over, now I can be myself. Tony, you don't need a dodgy CD to look a right pillock, you manage that quire easily on your own. :p :D :D
The answer is in Rob's post below. Oh how I hated typing that phrase. :( :(



All I was saying was that CDs are still widely used, and therefore it's common sense to have the facility to play them if the need unexpectedly arises.

So did I...around £1,300. However, that included a single CD player in my new digital console.

To make things much quicker & easier for me...and it's worked a treat.

I still have CDs though, partly for back up, and partly in case another entertainer or a bride unexpectedly hands me a CD to play.

I might be wrong, but if you asked 100 people whether they thought most DJs had the facility to play CDs, I'm sure the vast majority would say yes.

I've warned you once before about this Rob, stop it, or I won't buy you that drink. :p :D

[wensleydale]

we use digital playback but would always have a cd player of some kind- at the moment thats a dual player in the console, but at very least would be a spare cd walkman i can rig up.
it happens a fair bit that somone brings a cd- most recently some indian dancers.
people expect it and therefore I am happy to do it.
whether people assume or not, i dont want to be the one that ruins their day, and if it means i have to carry a cd player then so be it.

[Dragonfly]

we use digital playback but would always have a cd player of some kind- at the moment thats a dual player in the console, but at very least would be a spare cd walkman i can rig up.
it happens a fair bit that somone brings a cd- most recently some indian dancers.
people expect it and therefore I am happy to do it.
whether people assume or not, i dont want to be the one that ruins their day, and if it means i have to carry a cd player then so be it.

You see reason two contributing to my retirement ...... if people ask i'm more than happy to accomodate ...... if people just expect .... nah thats just rude in my book.

[Excalibur]

You see reason two contributing to my retirement ...... if people ask i'm more than happy to accomodate ...... if people just expect .... nah thats just rude in my book.

Dave, I completely understand and accept that, but can you see the viewpoint that your average joe expects every DJ to be CD compatible? I know you're too young to understand, but when I went over to CD's from vinyl, I believed there would never be a subsequent format change.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I agree that it is rude to expect...but I also agree that we should cater for the customer BUT BUT BUT...there has to come a point surely where you make the change and you stick to it?

[BeerFunk]

Why is it rude to expect a DJ to be able to play a CD?

Would it be rude to expect a DJ to have a microphone for you to make a speech on?

[djsteve10]

This is one of my reasons I bought the CD draws to go with the Denon HD2500 so I can play customers cds such as 1st dances that I do not have or cannnot get it from any legal MP3 sources.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Have you read the whole topic mate?
I think it's rude personally if you aren't notified in advance. If someone doesn't say anything and just turns up with a CD and then proceeds to get the hump because you don't have the facility to play it because you have gone Digital to make YOUR life easier then it's their own misfortune isn't it!!

[Excalibur]

I agree that it is rude to expect...but I also agree that we should cater for the customer BUT BUT BUT...there has to come a point surely where you make the change and you stick to it?

But you remain backwards compatible of course. ;)

Why is it rude to expect a DJ to be able to play a CD?

Would it be rude to expect a DJ to have a microphone for you to make a speech on?
No. :D

This is one of my reasons I bought the CD draws to go with the Denon HD2500 so I can play customers cds such as 1st dances that I do not have or cannnot get it from any legal MP3 sources.
Yes. ;)


Have you read the whole topic mate?
I think it's rude personally if you aren't notified in advance. If someone doesn't say anything and just turns up with a CD and then proceeds to get the hump because you don't have the facility to play it because you have gone Digital to make YOUR life easier then it's their own misfortune isn't it!!

With respect Gary, that's a Red Herring. Whatever you do to make life easier FOR YOURSELF, you shouldn't make it harder for the punter.

[Dragonfly]

Why is it rude to expect a DJ to be able to play a CD?

Would it be rude to expect a DJ to have a microphone for you to make a speech on?

not at all if you'd told him before hand you'd like to make one , for the record my mic only has a 2ft cable or so , they can come behind and make one gladly but if they want to make one out front miles away ...... best let me know !!! yep its on my booking form .

it is fair to assume a dj would have a mic however not imo that you are allowed to use it without asking or that it will be suitable for what you want it for as it is the djs mic and suitable for what he needs it for as you havent told him you'd like use of one.


I just hate assumptions of any kind throughout life in general ...... i personally have only ever come a cropper expecting and assuming things so try very hard not to do it.

[One Vision]

just off to halfords to buy a large tool kit and hydraulic stand just incase the citroen garage hasn't got one next week, my argument isn't really that we shouldn't it is more that if part of your act includes the playing of music then you should have the facility to play it no matter how basic,

yet rob and everyone else seems to advocate it is fine for other acts to just assume that its ok and that the dj will and has the facility to do a really quite large part of their job for them without even a question mark

ie. if a stripper turns up and wants music played and the dj cant do it then the dj is unprofessional for not having appropriate kit ....


WRONG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!



In my humble opinion.




hurrah !!! :beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1:




so in that vein i've just had a think..... mp3 is now also standard format so , if a bride and groom turned up with their wedding song on a memory stick or stripper to keep this on topic a bit with her work music and asked you to play it ....... but you were a cd dj with no laptop or hard drive controller for the purposes of say avoiding a produb expense ......... are you then still unprofessional and do not have the correct equipment , cowboy etc ??


just wondered if people were lateral thinking enough to realise that this could work both ways???

I dont think any other artists are doing anything wrong by only having CDs.
MP3 players in regards to pro use are still quite new to the industry putting laptops aside here, most people would assume that as far as discos go the common format is still CD and in most cases still is unless they are using a laptop, and in which case they would also be able to play a CD as laptops have CD players.

CDs are still a huge player in the industry so to not have the means of playing them as part of the main setup seems a bit odd to me.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

But you remain backwards compatible of course. ;)

No. :D

Yes. ;)



With respect Gary, that's a Red Herring. Whatever you do to make life easier FOR YOURSELF, you shouldn't make it harder for the punter.

I personally think that is rubbish. You have to stop somewhere otherwise you would be taking all kinds of equipment to every function just in case someone comes up with 12" vinyl or anything else. That's not making it harder for the customer whatsoever.

It's all down to communication at the end of the day and customers not assuming you'll be able to do this, that and the other. There's more than one side to this whole topic though really. If you have been booked and you COMMUNICATE fully with the customer in advance then you both know where you stand. You are looking after that customers requirements and there shouldn't be any problems BUT if it is a random that comes up to you asking if you can play whatever they have bought with them (12" Vinyl, CD etc) then I don't think it is THAT important. Yes, the customer is the most important thing and if they said in advance and there was no other option then CD's it would be BUT if they didn't say anything at all in advance and just sprung it on me during the night even though I would have explained beforehand, well I am sorry but in my book that is out of order.

[Dragonfly]

With respect Gary, that's a Red Herring. Whatever you do to make life easier FOR YOURSELF, you shouldn't make it harder for the punter.

it's only harder if assumptions are made and the correct communication not used.

oh therefore people being rude.

[CRAZY K]

not at all if you'd told him before hand you'd like to make one , for the record my mic only has a 2ft cable or so , they can come behind and make one gladly but if they want to make one out front miles away ...... best let me know !!! yep its on my booking form .

I agree with Dave--all people have to do is ask--back to my point about communication.

Its not completely clear to me whether all DJs own a microphone of sufficent quality for a speech--maybe last orders at the bar or goodnight ;)

Thats based on the previous thread discussing use of the microphone:eek:

Minimal talking and all that kind of thing:bang:

CRAZY K

[Excalibur]

Right lads, I fully accept all views which differ from mine, I understand what you say, BUT




I'm older than you. We started with a different rule book. :D You play everything anyone wants, you have a box of cables which can connect Edison's Phonograph to a Laptop, and you thereby gain from the customer admiration, gratitude and more simply a rebooking! ;) ;) ;) ;)

We're a SERVICE industry for heavens sake. Sometimes I get the impression that some of us think we're the customer! :eek: :bang: :bang: :bang:
Edit: Crazy, I thought you didn't use a microphone? :confused: :D :D :D

[Dragonfly]

Right lads, I fully accept all views which differ from mine, I understand what you say, BUT




I'm older than you. We started with a different rule book. :D You play everything anyone wants, you have a box of cables which can connect Edison's Phonograph to a Laptop, and you thereby gain from the customer admiration, gratitude and more simply a rebooking! ;) ;) ;) ;)

We're a SERVICE industry for heavens sake. Sometimes I get the impression that some of us think we're the customer! :eek: :bang: :bang: :bang:
Edit: Crazy, I thought you didn't use a microphone? :confused: :D :D :D


yes dad all industries or indeed all things evolve and develop so inevitably will the rule book :D :D :D :D :D we are indeed a service industry but......... the service has to be booked and paid for before it is implimented is all we are saying .......... have you booked your holiday or are you planning to just turn up at the airport and expect there to be a seat on the plane for you?

[Excalibur]

yes dad all industries or indeed all things evolve and develop so inevitably will the rule book :D :D :D :D :D we are indeed a service industry but......... the service has to be booked and paid for before it is implimented is all we are saying .......... have you booked your holiday or are you planning to just turn up at the airport and expect there to be a seat on the plane for you?

I hate flying. :D Ship or coach for me. ;) Dave, the age thing makes more difference than you might think, we've had this before. You're not necessareily wrong Dave, it's just that I'm right. Don't forget, "Respect your elders" :D :D

[Dragonfly]

I hate flying. :D Ship or coach for me. ;) Dave, the age thing makes more difference than you might think, we've had this before. You're not necessareily wrong Dave, it's just that I'm right. Don't forget, "Respect your elders" :D :D


sorry dad :D :D :D :D :D :D


I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.
I must respect my elders.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Yes, you are right...we are providing a service and you also right that you are older but older doesn't always mean wiser!! ;) :D

We all do things the way we feel are right to run our businesses and we may all think that the way we are doing it is both the best way and the right way. Some others will obviously disagree and that's cool.

For the record, I provide a service and one that is high on customer focus (afterall, without customers I wouldn't / we wouldn't have a business)....but I am a firm believer in telling the customer as much information as I possibly can about the way I do things etc etc....They then know upfront what to expect and I have had no complaints as yet. I haven't been in the position as yet either where someone out of the blue has come up with a CD and asked if I could play it for them. At the moment, it would not be a problem because as I said, I haven't got absolutely all I need on my Digital system BUT as I also stated, the time will come when I ditch the CD's altogeather. When that time does arrive and if the customer or whoever it is doesn't inform me in advance that something like a CD scenario / Vinyl scenario may arise...well, I stick to my guns and say that it's tough.

[Excalibur]

Dave, you're a daft pillock. :D I feel, that could cost me another pint in October. Remind Tony that he still owes me one. :D

Gary, yes but: Older by definition does indeed mean wiser. ;) :D Been there, done that......................................:D :D ( Many times, many many times. :D )


We are coming at this from 180 degrees of divergence my friend. I honestly think it splits by age. When you grow up you'll understand. :D ( When I grow up, it'll be a cold day in Hell :D :D :D )

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Ok Yoda! :D

[Excalibur]

Ok Yoda! :D

Watch and learn Glasshopper. :D :D

[cosmicdiscos]

i did a gig last christmas where i was supporting a company from Brighton called Adonis Cabaret. it was a ladies night featuring a very blue drag queen comedian and two strippers (a policeman and a sailor).
It was a really good night and would do it again

[soundtracker]

I'm quite happy for any other artistes to use my PA system - my hire rates are extremely reasonable!

[501damian501]

its still business, wherever its from doing background music for strippers, or doing an civil partnership, if your rich then maybe yeah you could turn the work away, untill then keep trying !

[Corabar Steve]

I will work with strippers but they are certainly not my bag and I would be very upset if anyone ordered one for me.Is that a thinly veilled hint? :sj:



This doesn't have anything to do with 'everything matters'. Which other profession would this happen in, where you'd carry a piece of equipment you don't normally use, just in case someone turned up with a CD?
Indeed, would a plumber carry a wood saw in case his client asked him to put up a couple of shelves while he was there?

and i'd say the same thing to each and every one of theim

to assume is to make an ass out of u and me..

Please refrain from using text speak on the forum :sj:


do HMV stock every cd by every artist in the world ever ??? no!!!! but , but, but it's a music shop they must surely??????

no ..... but if you give them fair warning i'm sure they would be very helpful in trying to order one in for you.

prior knowledge is all i'm advocating , and not the assumption that a dj as has been said on many occasions:

1. can play everything from 78s to tapes to whatever

2. knows everything about electronics because his gear is electric

3. carries spares for every tom richard and harry to use because they can't be bottomed to get their own

4. should and will play music for another PAID so called professional just because he has the facility to do so.

5.has every song ever written by anyone ever anywhere in the known universe.1. My van would have to be twice the size it is

2. My name's not Nigel

3. I carry loads of spares (Saturday's line dance caller borrowed a mains extension & I had previously offered to let them plug into my rig (they declined (the fools!:sj:)))

4. If they've asked in advance, no problem. If they just turn up & assume that I will..............

5. You mean you don't?


Crazy, I thought you didn't use a microphone? :confused: :D :D :D
He does, even though it's really not needed.

[rob1963]

I will work with strippers but they are certainly not my bag and I would be very upset if anyone ordered one for me.


Is that a thinly veilled hint? :sj:

Just what I was thinking. I'm surprised nobody picked up on it earlier.

And to think it's ME that has been accused of thinly veiled comments!

Insert sarcastic smiley here...on the grounds that when I was last able to check the real one had been removed (for some unknown reason!) and I can no longer add attachments to my posts.

[Dragonfly]

Just what I was thinking. I'm surprised nobody picked up on it earlier.


even if it was Tony (as the stripper) :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: GULP!!!

:D :D :D :D :D :D :beer1:

[Mission]

After being handed some copied cd's at a christening a couple of months ago, with no track titles listed on them I have since included the following in my T&C.

The DJ will not play any media handed to them at the event, unless agreed prior to the event. This is due to the possibility of unsuitable tracks, unnamed tracks and the transmission of potential viruses to computer equipment.

[Dragonfly]

After being handed some copied cd's at a christening a couple of months ago, with no track titles listed on them I have since included the following in my T&C.

The DJ will not play any media handed to them at the event, unless agreed prior to the event. This is due to the possibility of unsuitable tracks, unnamed tracks and the transmission of potential viruses to computer equipment.

now theres a point ....... if its a private do what do you do if the first line of the track handed to you is

"yo yo mother :Censored: all the :Censored: and :Censored: in the house say yeah"


unlikely but possible i'd say ok you can preview it if you have headphones :D :D :D but ..... what happens then if it is the case?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Is that a thinly veilled hint? :sj:




There was nothing thinly veiled about it.

[A1DL]

what do you do if the first line of the track handed to you is

"yo yo mother :Censored: all the :Censored: and :Censored: in the house say yeah"



is that a trick question?

personally, i'd, ummmmm....






















say "YEAH!!"

[theoloyla]

Just read this whole thread. I have played music for strippers and dancers and cabarets and comedians and singers and ventiloquists etc etc
My first experience of this was a pub near the docks in Norwich in 1967. If you are working in a place of public entertainment it is expected of you. If you are dificult and not co-operative with your fellow artistes then quite simply they are not going to book you again. Over the years I have known artistes bring vinyl records, cassettes, cd's and mini discs. I havent as yet had an IPOD or an MP3. In the case of mini discs I dont have a player; so the artiste brings in their own player and plugs it into my system. I once had to mike up a cassette player as it was impossible to play through the system I had at the time. On other ocassions the artistes have just asked me to play something suitable or agreed specific requests.
If a strippagram turns up at a party or small pub and there is no disco or band they generally all carry a ghetto blaster which they use but if they arrive at a club or theatre then they expect there to be a playback system for their music. In my experience they will have a number of solutions because they need to. When CD's were coming in most artistes would arrive with a Cd but have a cassette still just in case.
It is always best if we get advance notice of things that are going to happen at a gig but it doesnt always happen but discos are booked because of their versatility and if we help out the client will sing our praises. If we are dificult then they wont.
Finally I never had you down as a prude Nigel.

[Excalibur]

There was nothing thinly veiled about it.

No. The thin veils will be on the stripper, surely? :confused:


Just read this whole thread. I have played music for strippers and dancers and cabarets and comedians and singers and ventiloquists etc etc
My first experience of this was a pub near the docks in Norwich in 1967. If you are working in a place of public entertainment it is expected of you. If you are dificult and not co-operative with your fellow artistes then quite simply they are not going to book you again. Over the years I have known artistes bring vinyl records, cassettes, cd's and mini discs. I havent as yet had an IPOD or an MP3. In the case of mini discs I dont have a player; so the artiste brings in their own player and plugs it into my system. I once had to mike up a cassette player as it was impossible to play through the system I had at the time. On other ocassions the artistes have just asked me to play something suitable or agreed specific requests.
If a strippagram turns up at a party or small pub and there is no disco or band they generally all carry a ghetto blaster which they use but if they arrive at a club or theatre then they expect there to be a playback system for their music. In my experience they will have a number of solutions because they need to. When CD's were coming in most artistes would arrive with a Cd but have a cassette still just in case.
It is always best if we get advance notice of things that are going to happen at a gig but it doesnt always happen but discos are booked because of their versatility and if we help out the client will sing our praises. If we are dificult then they wont.
Finally I never had you down as a prude Nigel.

As ever Theo, absolutely bang on. I'm convinced it's age related. ;)