Shattered!

[Charlie Brown]

Well...I've lived the life of a "proper DJ" this week and I'm incredibly tired (even turned down going out tonight, which is a first for me!)

Enjoyed it? Yes and no.

Wednesday and Thursday were fine. Relatively earrly finishes. Thursday night a charming chap called Matt Tozer from Derby http://www.bluelinesolutions.co.uk/meltmusicdj/ came along with his Mother (who helps him) to observe. We got on really well and he was a great help. Oozing with confidence and charisma, I can tell he has a long future in this game.

I find Matt's story very inspiring. http://www.jimmyteens.tv/?s=matt+tozer&go= There are a collection of videos which Matt created to raise awareness for seriously ill children.

Friday night was a cracker at Colwick Hall. I won't say much...but the staff were kind of impressed. ;)

I found it really odd that the bride and groom went upstairs to their bedroom an hour early without wanting a last dance etc. She said they "had to be up early in the morning."

I managed to keep the guests up on the floor till 12.30ish before their mini-bus came to collect them.

Saturday, Matt helped me again (this time staying over) The venue was upstairs. We were able to use the disabled lift which decided to pack in with me and the mackies in it! :o

I could tell the crowd were a bit "rough" and that we had an interesting night ahead. First dance and then general disco tunes - fine. A lot of people left relatively early as they either had babies or young kids.

This time the bride and groom left without saying goodbye or thank you! Myself and the venue manager spent a good 15 minutes trying to find them as they left both the cake and their bags! Very odd. :confused:

The last hour was 90's classics. Shaggy got the best response. At 11.45pm a lady at the far end asked if I could turn it down a tad as she couldn't get the baby to stop crying. At this point, there were 20 people left. I said my usual good bye and finished at 11.50pm.

Whilst Matt and I were packing down, this aggressive man came over to the stand. He half pushed me towards the wall and asked why I had stopped playing. I explained that the baby was crying, 20 people were left and the bride and groom had said 11.30/12.00ish in the contract.

He was determined I connected all the speakers up and play some more tunes. I said that it wasn't possible and I won't be spoken too in that tone. If he has a problem, I'm happy to discuss with the bride and groom in the morning. He then threatned to "rip me apart, cause that's what I do for a living."

I was scared. The female bar staff just stood and watched and poor Matt didn't look too happy! One of his peers called him over but he ignored them. Again, he threatened me and told me I hadn't stuck too my original contract. He then had a dig at the hair and told me I had a pathetic business.

The manager (who I got on very well with all night) came and saved me. He carried the man out as he is a trained bouncer. Phew!

Anyhow...just before I left, the manager called me over. These were his words "Now, you're the youngest DJ we've had...but you have been one of the best. You played an array of music that suited all and behind the bar we all liked you." My reaction was odd because I didn't think it had been an amazing night. I couldn't stand most of the music I played.

I've also had some smashing emails and texts from a handful of clients this week which has put in my a good mood. *willy waving over*

Ohh, I also have a new project on the go which should be done by the end of September. Hopefully it will prove to be a mini success! :beer1:

Hope everyone's having a delightful summer! Hows it going for you? Any dramatic tales to tell?

[DeckstarDeluxe]

"I found it really odd that the bride and groom went upstairs to their bedroom an hour early without wanting a last dance etc. She said they "had to be up early in the morning."

Dear me Charlie you might want to read between the lines there ;)

Looks good though but I would watermark those photos, particular the third one.

[Mark Wild]

Whilst Matt and I were packing down, this aggressive man came over to the stand. He half pushed me towards the wall and asked why I had stopped playing.


Total bully, did you not have an adult there Charles? Looking like you're doing yourself proud there lil man, fair play to you :)


"I found it really odd that the bride and groom went upstairs to their bedroom an hour early without wanting a last dance etc. She said they "had to be up early in the morning."

Dear me Charlie you might want to read between the lines there ;)



Bless him ! lol

[Charlie Brown]

Hahaha yes! They had all night for that!

[rob1963]

Loving the third pic, Charlie.

Almost looks like you've nicked it from Vectis!

:D

[simonp]

Well...I've lived the life of a "proper DJ" this week and I'm incredibly tired

:rofl: - What no stamina young man :rofl:


The last hour was 90's classics. Shaggy got the best response.

errrr 90's classic and Shaggy (almost) in the same sentence, don't think so somehow ;)


He then had a dig at the hair

To be fair he has got a point - it's looking more & more like a syrup :p :lol:

only jealous as I haven't got any hair anymore :(

[Charlie Brown]

errrr 90's classic and Shaggy (almost) in the same sentence, don't think so somehow ;)

To be fair he has got a point - it's looking more & more like a syrup :p :lol:

only jealous as I haven't got any hair anymore :(

Okay, it got the best response all night. :p

Syrup? :eek: :boxer2:

[MikeW]

Really good pictures Charlie.

[2Groove]

Great pictures Charlie - what camera/setting did you use to get them?

[Leicester Ben]

Welcome to my world Charlie, if your sane your weekend should put you off doing it every week - unless you arn't sane like me :)

[Charlie Brown]

I just used the iPhone 4.

Ben, I like the idea of you going out with your mates and everyone else doing the work...whiles't the cash is going in your bank account of course. ;)

[Leicester Ben]

Ben, I like the idea of you going out with your mates and everyone else doing the work...whiles't the cash is going in your bank account of course.

It took me 7 years though to get this far, thats a lot of sacrifices to have made along the way!!!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

It took me 7 years though to get this far, thats a lot of sacrifices to have made along the way!!!

Such as?

[Charlie Brown]

It took me 7 years though to get this far, thats a lot of sacrifices to have made along the way!!!

Are you single? Married? Kids?

Are you comfortable both financially and with what you have?

Done everything you wanted? Getting bored? Always like a challenge?

Sorry for the 21 questions but it's useful to know. :)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Are you single? Married? Kids?



That's why I wanted to know the 'sacrifices' that have been made. I don't think not going out with your mates is a sacrifice personally.

[Charlie Brown]

I don't think not going out with your mates is a sacrifice personally.

:sofa:

It is when you're young? It's important to go out and live life the to full. Nobody wants to be playing the Jackson 5 every Friday & Saturday from 17 to 65. Surely?

[Leicester Ben]

Such as?

*Losing the best girlfriend I ever had as I was too committed to my work
*Missing out on numerous nights / days out with my mates
*Working pretty much every day


Are you single? Married? Kids?

Are you comfortable both financially and with what you have?

Done everything you wanted? Getting bored? Always like a challenge?

Here comes 21 answers :)

Single at the minute (no kids etc)
Yeah very comfortable (own my own place, car, van, all kit etc)
There is loads more that I want to do, a proper unit is my next goal!
Certainly bored of DJ'ing, I'm quitting in December
Always looking at new business ideas / chalenges

[Leicester Ben]

That's why I wanted to know the 'sacrifices' that have been made. I don't think not going out with your mates is a sacrifice personally.

I have a close bunch of mates (about 10 of us) and we all do something at least once a week, I have in the past missed out on a lot of these events because of work.

Being tied to your phone is another sacrifice, those of you that came to Benidorm and Cala Bonna with me know how much I'm on it!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I have a close bunch of mates (about 10 of us) and we all do something at least once a week, I have in the past missed out on a lot of these events because of work.

Being tied to your phone is another sacrifice, those of you that came to Benidorm and Cala Bonna with me know how much I'm on it!

Sorry Ben, I totally disagree. Losing a girlfriend and not going out on a few nights is not a sacrifice.

Phones have voice mail and you can pay for secretarial services.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

:sofa:

It is when you're young?

Are you asking me or telling me?

One minute you are loving DJing and the money it brings in, and then the next you are moaning 'cos you've had a couple of busy weeks and no social life!

[djsteve10]

Are you asking me or telling me?

One minute you are loving DJing and the money it brings in, and then the next you are moaning 'cos you've had a couple of busy weeks and no social life!

I don't see how DJ's don't have a social life, You are going out and socialising with other people at functions anyway, Maybe not with your mates but you still have a life!

[Charlie Brown]

Here comes 21 answers :)

Single at the minute (no kids etc)
Yeah very comfortable (own my own place, car, van, all kit etc)
There is loads more that I want to do, a proper unit is my next goal!
Certainly bored of DJ'ing, I'm quitting in December
Always looking at new business ideas / chalenges

Thanks Ben. :approve: Interesting. In December (when you quit) will you keep the business going?


Are you asking me or telling me?

One minute you are loving DJing and the money it brings in, and then the next you are moaning 'cos you've had a couple of busy weeks and no social life!

I'm not telling you anything! Yes, I do love it but I must admit, 4 nights on the trot tired me out (probably because I'm not used to it?) and my social life has decreased.

I'd prefer to do one good paid wedding a week instead of farting about on a Wednesday and Thursday with school discos....if that makes sense? :)

[Leicester Ben]

This is the thing with DJ'ing, I was actually talking to Jeff Wood about this last night.

The good bit is the fact that the money is exceptionally good. The bad bit is that you have to work at the weekends to earn that money.

Getting that balance right between work and a social life is so difficult to do, especially if you find it incredibly hard to turn down work if you can do it (like I do, I'm rubbish at saying NO).

I am fortunately in a situation that in a couple of weeks my work / life balance will be a lot better as I have got someone to do a lot of the work for me, but I am only able to do that because of the extra services I offer. If i was just DJ'ing I wouldn't be able to afford to do it.


Nobody wants to be playing the Jackson 5 every Friday & Saturday from 17 to 65. Surely?

I wouldn't have thought so, I certainly never wanted to and have worked my bottom off to be in a situation where I no longer have to!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I don't see how DJ's don't have a social life, You are going out and socialising with other people at functions anyway, Maybe not with your mates but you still have a life!

Exactly. It is a very sociable job.

I still managed to have girlfriends, go out with mates and even get married whilst DJing, hence the reason I don't think it is a sacrifice. :)

[Charlie Brown]

I don't see how DJ's don't have a social life, You are going out and socialising with other people at functions anyway, Maybe not with your mates but you still have a life!

Yes, but it's not the same is it?

[Shaun]

I don't see how DJ's don't have a social life, You are going out and socialising with other people at functions anyway, Maybe not with your mates but you still have a life!

Performing at fuctions to mostly strangers is hardly socialising, no matter how much you love it. At the end of the day (or is that night) you're there in a professional capacity, and can't kick back and relax as you would in a normal social setting.

[Leicester Ben]

Performing at fuctions to mostly strangers is hardly socialising, no matter how much you love it. At the end of the day (or is that night) you're there in a professional capacity, and can't kick back and relax as you would in a normal social setting.

Exactly, unless you are doing pubs.

For the posh weddings / corporates etc it certainly is nothing like socialising. You cant drink for a start as you have to drive home!!

[Charlie Brown]

Performing at fuctions to mostly strangers is hardly socialising, no matter how much you love it. At the end of the day (or is that night) you're there in a professional capacity, and can't kick back and relax as you would in a normal social setting.

:agree:

[Leicester Ben]

In December (when you quit) will you keep the business going?

Yeah definitely, I am just going office based and getting staff to do all of the DJ'ing / rigging etc.


I still managed to have girlfriends, go out with mates and even get married whilst DJing, hence the reason I don't think it is a sacrifice.

I have had girlfriends but couldn't see them on a Friday or Saturday - that is surely a sacrifice!

I know that when I eventually get married I would want to be able to do stuff at weekends with my parter, not have to shoot off at 4pm on a Saturday to do a wedding!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

The good bit is the fact that the money is exceptionally good.

Exceptionally good and yet you've also said in the same post that you couldn't live on it? :confused:

I don't think it's great, not when you work out how many hours you put in and your expenses come out.

How many 50K earners do you think there are in this industry? Not many...

Infact, with the average wage in this country being around £27K last year, how many full time DJs do you think would reach that?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Performing at fuctions to mostly strangers is hardly socialising, no matter how much you love it. At the end of the day (or is that night) you're there in a professional capacity, and can't kick back and relax as you would in a normal social setting.

Maybe not these days, but the world was a different place when I was younger. I would go clubbing after I finished DJing, had quite a few friends back to my place for 'coffee' after the party had finished and also used to pay a driver.

That was a few years ago though. ;)

[Leicester Ben]

Exceptionally good and yet you've also said in the same post that you couldn't live on it?

What I said was that I wouldnt be able to employ someone full time (which as of 2 weeks time I do) without the extra services.

Where did I say that I couldnt live just of DJ'ing money? I did just this for 6 years!!!


How many 50K earners do you think there are in this industry? Not many...

For people that just DJ (without any extra services) I doubt that there are any mobile jocks that do.


nfact, with the average wage in this country being around £27K last year, how many full time DJs do you think would reach that?

With a wedding price of £375 (which is certainly achievable) working most weekends Friday and Saturday you could do that. Thats for only working 2 days a week also + any client meetings etc)

[Charlie Brown]

Yeah...full time DJ doesn't look like the way to go if you want to earn big bucks.

I wonder how much the black jack chap earns..

http://www.makeitahit.co.uk/

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

With a wedding price of £375 (which is certainly achievable) working most weekends Friday and Saturday you could do that. Thats for only working 2 days a week also + any client meetings etc)

Sorry Ben, but you don't honestly believe that do you?

£375 is the gross amount. What about expenses, tax, NI?

How did you get the work to begin with?

Advertising? National wedding show for £2K for a start.

You are making it out to be a lot more simplistic than it really is.

[Leicester Ben]

The initial question was:


with the average wage in this country being around £27K last year, how many full time DJs do you think would reach that?

I was simply pointing out that it could be done in theory.


What about expenses, tax, NI?

There would be expenses I admit, no tax or NI however, the average salary isn't calculated after Tax and NI is it??


How did you get the work to begin with?

yes you would have to do a bit of advertising, if you are clued up on websites etc however and got to the top of google thats all free + recommendations if you were good at what you did.


Advertising? National wedding show for £2K for a start.

That has nothing to do with the question, an individual DJ wouldnt do that kind of show.


You are making it out to be a lot more simplistic than it really is.

Yes I was, it was an example to just show that if somebody wanted to earn the national average wage from just DJ'ing then they could if they were good at what they did etc.

In reality people do other things as well as nobody is tied to a contract which says that they can only earn money from DJ'ing.

[Leicester Ben]

Yeah...full time DJ doesn't look like the way to go if you want to earn big bucks.

It depends on how much you would say is 'big bucks'. You can live quite comfortably from just DJ'ing, you would need to work pretty much every weekend however which is why the vast majority of full timers do something else, i.e. an agency, extra services, other companies etc.

[NKR]

National average salary is actually £24k and that takes into account bonuses if you get them (May 2010 Government Office of National Statistics)
A recent survey showed the minimum living wage to be £14,400 - the amount needed just to survive.
That is why I DJ for pleasure and not so much business (although again I quantify we run it as a business).
Depends on your view of big bucks? Well its a lot more than £24k!

[Excalibur]

Exactly. It is a very sociable job.

I still managed to have girlfriends, go out with mates and even get married whilst DJing, hence the reason I don't think it is a sacrifice. :)
Wow! I did my own wedding disco, but at least I didn't let it interrupt the ceremony. :bowdown: :sofa:


Maybe not these days, but the world was a different place when I was younger. I would go clubbing after I finished DJing, had quite a few friends back to my place for 'coffee' after the party had finished and also used to pay a driver.

That was a few years ago though. ;)
Ah happy days, when life was simple. I remember it well. Would that it were still so. ( Sighs wistfully)

[Shaun]

Maybe not these days, but the world was a different place when I was younger. I would go clubbing after I finished DJing, had quite a few friends back to my place for 'coffee' after the party had finished and also used to pay a driver.

That was a few years ago though. ;)

Are you my doppelganger? You've just put my youth into words.

[Charlie Brown]

I've got a drive to make money. If I don't...I reckon I'll be rather miserable.

Sad and vain? Potentially yes...I just don't like the thought of struggling. If a load of mates are going to Spain for the week - I don't want to be the one who says: "ohh, no, I'm going to have to give it a miss."

A lot of the time, people who made money were either in the right place at the right time or worked incredibly hard or found a niche/unique idea that nobody has thought of.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Are you my doppelganger? You've just put my youth into words.

Funnily enough...that pretty much how im managing it now ;)....some things never change :D

[Excalibur]

Are you my doppelganger? You've just put my youth into words.

Will you two children get real? You're still in your youth. ;)


















Mind you, I'm now in my second childhood, so I can't chide you two too much. :D :D :D :D

[Charlie Brown]

Martin..,maybe add some of these pictures when you update the site?

Cheers