Time to move on

[Tom]

Hey everyone.


I have been thinking about this quite a lot recently but I have decided it's time to hang up the headphones and move on. :(

I know I haven't been doing this all that long but I feel it's about time.


Why is this?

To be totally honest work is slow, I don't get that buzz I used to get and I have a lot other commitments now.


What will I be doing with all my gear and bookings?

As it stands I won't be taking on any more gigs and my NYE will be my last gig I shall do.


I will be making a list of what I have for sale which is everything apart from my CD decks and mixer, headphones and CD's. Everything else would be for sale.

What I am willing to do is if anyone wants to reserve anything I would need 25% of the price for any item you wish to buy from me. This will secure the item for you and come the new year, that's when the items will be available to pick up to which you pay the remaining 75%.


Will I stick around?

I sure will. Some of you may have noticed that I haven't posted much and that's because of my other commitments. I just don't have time to come and visit the forum no more.

I will still come to the shows (if I am free) as I have met some amazing people on here which would be such a shame to say goodbye.



Thanks for reading. :(

[simonp]

Sorry to hear that mate - feel guilty about doing a job in your neck of the woods at Rainham last weekend now :(

Still time to reconsider, you may feel different after New Years Eve :)

If not, I may take some kit off your hands (nice laptop stand :lol:)

[Corabar Steve]

I'm sorry to hear that Tom.

Make sure you still have a look in every now & then.






You'll be back.

[Charlie Brown]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo .

I really don't like this and only hope your making the right decession. You have come some far and it seems a shame to throw it all away.

But if you must, you may come back to it later on in life.

Any chance of a kit list for sale?

[ppentertainments]

Sorry to hear it Tom. I know of quite a few packing in, or thinking of packing in. Not all new DJ's, but a lot of (previously) successful and competent people.

The downturn in trade is something which WILL change, however if as you say you have lost the buzz and have something to fall back on, maybe it is the right decision. I have always said, the time I stop enjoying the job, is the time I will look to pack in.

Have you thought about doing the odd 'walk-in'. Will keep your hand in.

[wensleydale]

if you can try and keep enough kit to give you a "bare bones" set up.
you might regret getting rid of it sooner than you think- if you dont miss it in 6 mths then sell the rest.

[djsteve10]

Tom, Work might be slow at the moment but just give it time to pick back up for you.

I know that it can get us all down sometimes but enjoy the time that you have off and spend it with your family and Fiance'.

Hope you stick around, Your a good lad!

[Penfold42]

Sorry to hear this. :(

Hope it all goes well for you in whatever you do.:)
One of the nicest guys i've had the pleasure in meeting and having a beer with.

:beer1:

[Tom]

Thanks for all the kinds everyone. :)

Wensleydale - Sadly everything has to go. :(. If I am free I wouldn't mind being a roadie. I'm used to lifting 30-40kg equipment so no problem there. lol. :)

djsteve10 - It's not just the lack of work. I have 3 well paid gigs this month which is nice. I just don't enjoy what I am doing no more. I get more enjoyment out of packing the car (quite strange that) than actually doing the gig itself. :(

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Sad to hear and I am sure that all of us at times have thought about stopping but do what makes you happy mate. If you don't enjoy it then what's the point...simple as.

[djsteve10]

Thanks for all the kinds everyone. :)

Wensleydale - Sadly everything has to go. :(. If I am free I wouldn't mind being a roadie. I'm used to lifting 30-40kg equipment so no problem there. lol. :)

djsteve10 - It's not just the lack of work. I have 3 well paid gigs this month which is nice. I just don't enjoy what I am doing no more. I get more enjoyment out of packing the car (quite strange that) than actually doing the gig itself. :(

Maybe you just need a really good gig where everyone is up for a party and the dancefloor is non stop from the word go?

Works for me.

[NKR]

Tom - don't sell your kit as you will just end up buying it back again when your other commitments allow (voice of experience as I have done it and come back)

Get a DJ buddy. I work with my best friend of 20 years. I don't think it would be the same on my own. Okay you end up splitting the cash, but its more of a night out than a job then. Plus when is bloody hard work a problem shared is a problem halved.

[Tom]

Maybe you just need a really good gig where everyone is up for a party and the dancefloor is non stop from the word go?

Works for me.


Tom - don't sell your kit as you will just end up buying it back again when your other commitments allow (voice of experience as I have done it and come back)

Get a DJ buddy. I work with my best friend of 20 years. I don't think it would be the same on my own. Okay you end up splitting the cash, but its more of a night out than a job then. Plus when is bloody hard work a problem shared is a problem halved.


See the thing is that I don't miss doing the gigs at all. I prefer to stay in during the weekends or taking the car out for a blast.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I think it comes down to the whole Part time and Full time scenario again doesn't it?

I don't mean that to be detrimental at all so I'll explain.

As I understand it, Tom works a full time job and also DJ's too (like a lot of people out there / on this forum etc). I did the same thing for years and at times it was very hard. I lost the buzz on many occasion because sometimes I just didn't feel like I wanted to go out and play to people because I was either (a) Knackered from work, (b) Wanted to stay in (c) Go out and enjoy myself like everyone else after a hard week.

That's why I made the decision to go full time and run my own business.

In the (nearly) 5 years since I went full time, I have NEVER lost the buzz at all. Maybe it's because I am running my own business so I have to get the work to pay the bills etc...not sure? The thing is, I know already that all of my work is predominantly weekends. Do I get pee'd off because everyone else is going out enjoying themselves when I am working? NO WAY!! I love it. It's not like I am new to it either, I have been DJing since 1989.

Without all of the details I can't really comment too much except to say that it's sad that Tom feels like he does about the whole thing but maybe it IS down to working two jobs? As I said, if it is the case then I think all you need to do is take a break...(I took one for a year)...keep all of your gear and come back stronger OR take a break, keep your gear and save enough money to go full time if that's what you want to do. I made the decision and although it was hard getting the work at first being a new name on the block, it is really working now.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

[NKR]

Without all of the details I can't really comment too much except to say that it's sad that Tom feels like he does about the whole thing but maybe it IS down to working two jobs? As I said, if it is the case then I think all you need to do is take a break...(I took one for a year)

My DJ'ing is part time on top of a rather demanding day job. Been away in London for two days again and I am shattered now and have two jobs this weekend.

I took a few years out not so long ago, but came back as I missed it. Its hard, but it pays for lifes little luxuries. Although Mrs DJ misses me, when I am not working we have the money from the DJ'ing to do nice things together. It actually works really well.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I also didn't mention the following:

I guess it depends on how good your day job is too. If you are in a decent paid job that isn't that stressful etc and you are DJing for (as you say) luxuries then that's slightly different. If you are in a mediocre job and struggling and DJing to top up the wages and pay the bills, that's a different story.

There are loads of different scenarios aren't there.

[NKR]

I also didn't mention the following:

I guess it depends on how good your day job is too. If you are in a decent paid job that isn't that stressful etc and you are DJing for (as you say) luxuries then that's slightly different. If you are in a mediocre job and struggling and DJing to top up the wages and pay the bills, that's a different story.

There are loads of different scenarios aren't there.

Good point. I actually started again as my DJ buddy is always skint and is a very good singer, so it keeps him out of the red and means he gets to use his talent.
Not willy waving, but my half of the years DJ money is less than my usual annual bonus, so I am not in it to pay bills. Saying that it all comes in very useful since wee man came along and Mrs DJ went part time.

[Tom]

I think it comes down to the whole Part time and Full time scenario again doesn't it?

I don't mean that to be detrimental at all so I'll explain.

As I understand it, Tom works a full time job and also DJ's too (like a lot of people out there / on this forum etc). I did the same thing for years and at times it was very hard. I lost the buzz on many occasion because sometimes I just didn't feel like I wanted to go out and play to people because I was either (a) Knackered from work, (b) Wanted to stay in (c) Go out and enjoy myself like everyone else after a hard week.

That's why I made the decision to go full time and run my own business.

In the (nearly) 5 years since I went full time, I have NEVER lost the buzz at all. Maybe it's because I am running my own business so I have to get the work to pay the bills etc...not sure? The thing is, I know already that all of my work is predominantly weekends. Do I get pee'd off because everyone else is going out enjoying themselves when I am working? NO WAY!! I love it. It's not like I am new to it either, I have been DJing since 1989.

Without all of the details I can't really comment too much except to say that it's sad that Tom feels like he does about the whole thing but maybe it IS down to working two jobs? As I said, if it is the case then I think all you need to do is take a break...(I took one for a year)...keep all of your gear and come back stronger OR take a break, keep your gear and save enough money to go full time if that's what you want to do. I made the decision and although it was hard getting the work at first being a new name on the block, it is really working now.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

There are lots of things that add up to one big thing and having my day job is another one of those reasons.

I am currently training to become an electrical engineer. I haven't started college but I know when I do that is going to take up a lot of my time.

I have only been doing the job for 2 months now and I am being asked to do high paid weekend jobs (which is odd as usually you have to have at least a years experience, must be doing something right) which are on par with what I get for a night doing a disco. Now I would rather do that as it's going to be more beneficial to me.


I will still keep my decks but that is purely to have a play at home. I can't really see me starting up again as I wish to save up so I can move out with my fiancée and I feel I would be able to earn more money in my day job.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I was in a job that I hated. Infact I hated all of my jobs and at the age of 35 with no trade as such and working in a horrible little office on £19k a year that was full of butt kissers and jobsworths was embarassing. I thought I had finally got something decent when I got a job about 30 mins drive away for £28k a year but after a year of doing that it kind of made up my mind as to what I really wanted to do and that was THIS. I had seen so much rubbish up to the day I decided that it was the best move I ever made. It was hard at first but like I say....now it is working for me.

Whether it's DJing or whatever....doing something you love and getting paid for it is great. Part of the excitement aswell is getting the enquiries and converting them because it is all down to YOU and no'one else. It could be the website that you have designed yourself, the reputation that you have made for yourself...etc etc etc...Nothing better than working for yourself in my opinion. If I muck it up then I have only myself to blame and that will never happen.

[DJWilson]

Sorry to his this Tom. But all the best for the future. :)

[StarZSoundS]

I got a terrific buzz when I first saw people dancing to the music I was playing......

2500 similair nights later ....I still get the same fantastic buzz when they are still doing it...... (not the same people....LOL).

[Excalibur]

Tom, you'll be missed, and I do think you were one of the young DJ's who we could safely hand the torch on to. ;) Good luck with whatever you decide to do, put me down for the last Geni please.


Bear in mind that I retired 25 years ago, then when I restarted, it was set in stone that i would retire permanently aged 50. I'm now modernising the kit at every opportunity. :zip:

[simonp]

Bear in mind that I retired 25 years ago, then when I restarted, it was set in stone that i would retire permanently aged 50. I'm now modernising the kit at every opportunity. :zip:

Must say, that para brought a nice smile to my lips :)

[BeerFunk]

Oh dear... that's a shame, Tom, you do genuinely seem like one of the good guys, and that's without even meeting you! Saying that, I do have a sneaking suspicion you'll be back after you've had a break.... (talking from experience :D)

[Corabar Steve]

I have split this thread as I don't think I've ever seen a thread veer so wildly off topic in such a short time.

Let's keep the rest of the replies on topic folks

[rob1963]

Hi Tom,

I'm sorry to hear you've lost the enjoyment after such a short time in the business, but if that's the case, then you're probably doing the right thing.

Good luck with everything you do in the future, and keep in touch!

:)

[flatliners]

hi tom sorry to hear you are giving up what about keeping your gear and hiring it out to say a budding young dj who dosent have much kit then you can make abit money without really doing much
and if you want to do the odd gig then you can

[Tom]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. Really does mean a lot. :)

I will definately pop over every now and then!

I will get a list with prices ready to be posted up on Sunday. :)

[Booche]

Best of luck Tom with all you do sorry to hear you have lost that "vibe" hope you dont regret it later on, if not then hope to see you around mate,

Good Luck with everything :)

Cheers Dave :)

[Jonny Boy]

I just don't enjoy what I am doing no more. I get more enjoyment out of packing the car (quite strange that) than actually doing the gig itself. :(

Man! This sentence just made me feel so incredibly sad. (I'm SO "new man!")
IMO if you truly feel that way then moving on might be wise - otherwise you're gonna burn yourself out in your MAIN job too.

Notwithstanding.....


As I said, if it is the case then I think all you need to do is take a break...(I took one for a year)...keep all of your gear and come back stronger OR take a break, keep your gear and save enough money to go full time if that's what you want to do.

....Shakermaker's comments seem both sound and wise here. Don't burn your bridges entirely.

Best wishes Tom.

[andyw]

tom best wishes for the future

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Bugger off and never darken our door again.






























































Just kidding! Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Excalibur]

Bugger off and never darken our door again.
Just kidding! Good luck with whatever you decide.

Hey Darren, don't say that!:eek: How you gonna get to the pub after BPM? :confused:



( And before anyone starts, I was kidding too. :D :D :D )

[andyw]

Hey Darren, How you gonna get to the pub after BPM? :confused:





kind of you to offer,one less (important)thing for darren to worry about :beer1: :)

[Excalibur]

kind of you to offer,one less (important)thing for darren to worry about :beer1: :)

Well the lad's got a lot to think about, so it behoves us to lighten his load wherever possible. ;)

[DeckstarDeluxe]

yeah tom cant really add anything nobody else hasnt already said.

If you really feel like that then your making the right choice but as a matter of course its a rollercoaster ride with emotions doing this job.

I have to say personally Ive never had such a high as I do when things are going well and people are smiling and happy which is why it gets me down when you get the crap gigs and we get them.

Which ever way you end up going I wish you all the best with it

[Tom]

Thanks again for the support everyone.

Wasn't expecting it to be honest. lol. :)


Deckstar - My fiancée has been very supportive of my decisions. Means I get to spend more time with her which is nice. The amount of time I have taken a booking and totally forgot about our own plans wasn't fair on her at all.

Now I can make it up to her. :)

[ppentertainments]

Means I get to spend more time with her which is nice.

You'll not be saying that when your married :D :p :D

[Tom]

You'll not be saying that when your married :D :p :D

Do not get me started on that. lol.

[Excalibur]

Thanks again for the support everyone.

Wasn't expecting it to be honest. lol. :)


Deckstar - My fiancée has been very supportive of my decisions. Means I get to spend more time with her which is nice. The amount of time I have taken a booking and totally forgot about our own plans wasn't fair on her at all.

Now I can make it up to her. :)

Mine supports me also. She's very supportive of me going out earning money. ;) :D Especially if it means I'm not sat in moaning about x factor. :D

[NKR]

Mine supports me also. She's very supportive of me going out earning money. ;) :D Especially if it means I'm not sat in moaning about x factor. :D

Amen to that brother. My wife is fairly supportive. Its my hobby. Some blokes use Saturday to go to the football and get lashed with their mates. I go out and earn and when I am not working we use the extra cash for familly days out and some nice evenings out for us.

[OllieJames]

Tom - I'm sorry to here that you're jacking it in :(

Make sure you stick around!

Out of interest, will you be selling your DB sub? If so - how much are you after for it?

[JDB Entertainment]

Good Luck for your future Tom.

Stick around! :)

[SC Events]

All the best Tom, don't be a stranger to these parts of the interweb :D

Scotty.