DJs Don't Cry: Behind The Smiles

[Benny Smyth]

Friday: Car loses power on the M42. Very sluggish to accelerate and won't go above 60.

Monday morning: Phone garage to book it in. Thursday is the earliest. Really? Guess that'll have to do.

Monday evening: Engine warning light appears on dash. Fer gawd's sake! Never mind, I can drive the van everywhere for now.

Tuesday: Client decides to ignore the fact that I don't provide a children's entertainment and wants me to provide a kids disco for the first hour this Saturday. Not a chance. Not my area of expertise and I did tell you that when you booked me. This square peg will not even attempt to fit in the round hole you're trying to put me in. Besides, I cannot interact with children as I am not CRB checked. No, I can't get a CRB check before Saturday, and even if I could I wouldn't - I don't offer children's entertainment! I said that I'd play music for them. That's exactly what was agreed and that is what I'll be providing.

Wednesday morning: Engine warning light appears on the van too. You have got to be :Censored:ing kidding me! Hello Mr. Mechanic, sir. Y'know I'm bringing in my car in tomorrow? Can I bring my van in too, please? No? Have to wait until next Thursday? I guess that'll have to do. Actually, can I bring the van in tomorrow and do the car next week? I can live without the car but will need the van. What do you mean no? But what difference does it make? Just :Censored:ing do it!!!! Oh you will do it? Excellent. Thank you.

It's only 11am on a Wednesday? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG GGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

[Excalibur]

Benny, do you perchance buy your fuel ( diesel? ) at a supermarket? Deltic had exactly the same experience, and was told to change suppliers. That basically solved the problem.

Not saying all supermarket fuel is :pants:, but I have been told not to use it exclusively.

[Benny Smyth]

Benny, do you perchance buy your fuel ( diesel? ) at a supermarket? Deltic had exactly the same experience, and was told to change suppliers. That basically solved the problem.

Not saying all supermarket fuel is :pants:, but I have been told not to use it exclusively.

Always go to Shell or BP. I've heard the same thing about supermarket fuel, so I just skip it completely (with the odd exception where I have been a bit thick and need a desperate refueling at the next set of pumps I see).

[Excalibur]

Always go to Shell or BP. I've heard the same thing about supermarket fuel, so I just skip it completely (with the odd exception where I have been a bit thick and need a desperate refueling at the next set of pumps I see).

Pretty much as I do. I'll keep quiet then. :o

[Benny Smyth]

Well hopefully that's the van sorted. Something about the air fuel sensor. All I know is that translates into £168. Sigh...

Oh well. Off to Tamworth this afternoon to pick up some new flightcases. Fingers crossed that nothing goes wrong with that...

[Benny Smyth]

10 things I've learnt this weekend:

1) When it comes to flightcases, I should have done it right the first time. Last year, I bought a big case for my LiteConsole and I've just sold it because I've had a smaller case made for it. It's about a third narrower and better built. Also last year, I bought a flightcase to hold all four of my movers instead of two duos. For the most part, it was fine but only became frustrating when I only needed two movers for a gig, but still had to take all four. Last month, I ordered two duo cases and picked them up Friday.

2) Flightcase Warehouse took 21 working days to make my two duo flightcases. Swan Flight took three days to build my new LiteConsole case.

3) This was my first gig for so long where I didn't take the ramp for the van. My roadie and I could lift the kit out without it. It was :Censored:ing amazables.

4) I hate setting my kit up earlier in the day. I may actually refuse to do it at some point.

5) I have a lot more patience than I realised when I came back to the venue after an early setup on a stage to see that a clown had tried to push my LiteConsole back a bit by pushing on the front perspex panel and dislodging it. I suspect that I would have much less patient were anything broken.

6) I hate kids discos. I hate Children's entertainment full stop. I hate that presenters on Cbeebies bend down to talk to the camera. I have much respect to those who do kids parties (they are better men than I), but it's something that I'll never do. I was OK to play music to some kids for an hour, but trying to get me to play games even though it was agreed that I don't offer that service? No thanks.

7) German folk know how to have a good party.

8) I can spend an extended period with some Germans without mentioning the war. Benny Smyth 1, Basil Fawlty 0.

9) I'm still amazed that a painter and decorator would walk into someone's house and say to the guy painting and decorating it "I'm a painter and decorator too!" What? Does that not happen? Are you telling me that it's just DJs who walk up to people that they have never met before and automatically assume that there is a connection to be made because I am standing amongst some pretty lights?

10) Spam isn't as nice as it used to be. Not that it was all that nice in the first place. I bought a tin a while ago because my dad used to eat it. I decided to relive that memory from my childhood when I got home from the gig. Probably should have just stuck to the post-gig beer.

[Excalibur]

10 things I've learnt this weekend:


4) I hate setting my kit up earlier in the day. I may actually refuse to do it at some point.
I love it. Takes away all the stress. There's nothing nicer than walking into a gig, through the throng of people milling about, and calmly booting up the laptop.


5) I have a lot more patience than I realised when I came back to the venue after an early setup on a stage to see that a clown had tried to push my LiteConsole back a bit by pushing on the front perspex panel and dislodging it. I suspect that I would have much less patient were anything broken.
Jury's out on that one. :zip:


6) I have much respect to those who do kids parties (they are better men than I),
No question. I've seen many good ones, and they are awesome people.

7) German folk know how to have a good party.
Ja! :)


9) Are you telling me that it's just DJs who walk up to people that they have never met before and automatically assume that there is a connection to be made because I am standing amongst some pretty lights?

No. Mechanics, Builders, Farmers, et al do it as well, believe me.
Difference is, being a good DJ isn't easily quantifiable, and you can achieve that objective in many different ways. Thus, we go to see how someone else is working, whether we agree, and if we can nick any useful ideas.

[ukpartydj]

I cannot interact with children as I am not CRB checked.

I originally thought you might be being sarcastic. But your further posts suggest otherwise. It's not a requirement at all (even more so than PAT) and if it were you'd need one done for every gig. You shouldn't be left alone with the kids at any point so what does it matter if your a criminal?

Besides there are plenty of criminals who have kids.

[Nakatomi]

CRB... pretty sure it's an acronym of the Latin words for "hasn't been caught yet"

[Benny Smyth]

I originally thought you might be being sarcastic. But your further posts suggest otherwise. It's not a requirement at all (even more so than PAT) and if it were you'd need one done for every gig. You shouldn't be left alone with the kids at any point so what does it matter if your a criminal?

Besides there are plenty of criminals who have kids.

You need a CRB check by law if you're working regularly with Children. Performing at a wedding when there are kids around doesn't count because you're not working with them but fot children's discos where you will be playing and interacting directly with kids requires a CRB which apparently is now known as a DBS.

[ckpr2]

I have a CRB check for my job but I refuse to work with kids.
DJ-ing is a full time job without having to manage kids as well.
Had a load of kids dumped on me one night at an engagement party. The adults went off clubbing leaving me with the kids !
Never again, they were all over my gear and all over the stage.

[ukpartydj]

You need a CRB check by law if you're working regularly with Children. Performing at a wedding when there are kids around doesn't count because you're not working with them but fot children's discos where you will be playing and interacting directly with kids requires a CRB which apparently is now known as a DBS.

The law is that if you are an employer looking to employ somebody for a job working with vulnerable people you must get a DBS check done. If you get a new employer they must run another check.

We are not being employed, nor is it our responsibility.
Hence you cannot get yourself checked personally! You can get basic disclosure which wouldn't show information such as if you were convicted for child abuse and got out last month.

If you think about it how stupid is it to ask a potential criminal if they can give you a bit of paper that says your not a criminal?

I had a women call about her kids party and ask me for a CRB. I told her I cannot check myself you'll need to do it if you want proof - she became disinterested very quickly which was a shame.

I certainly wouldn't blame anybody for not knowing this much as I wouldn't blame anybody for thinking yearly PAT is a legal requirement. It's not made clear enough in my opinion.

[Excalibur]

I had a women call about her kids party and ask me for a CRB. I told her I cannot check myself you'll need to do it if you want proof - she became disinterested very quickly which was a shame.

I certainly wouldn't blame anybody for not knowing this much as I wouldn't blame anybody for thinking yearly PAT is a legal requirement. It's not made clear enough in my opinion.

From what little I understand of it, it's a grey area, with constantly moving goalposts. I believe the post above is not far off.
( I'm not saying it's right or wrong, as I don't know enough to pass judgment. )

[Nakatomi]

I think some DJs are as much to blame over PAT confusion as anyone else. I stopped counting the websites where a DJ says they're legal because all their gear is tested.

The only stipulation is that venues insist upon it because of their own insurance policies.. It's not written in UK law

[Benny Smyth]

The law is that if you are an employer looking to employ somebody for a job working with vulnerable people you must get a DBS check done. If you get a new employer they must run another check.

We are not being employed, nor is it our responsibility.
Hence you cannot get yourself checked personally! You can get basic disclosure which wouldn't show information such as if you were convicted for child abuse and got out last month.

If you think about it how stupid is it to ask a potential criminal if they can give you a bit of paper that says your not a criminal?

I had a women call about her kids party and ask me for a CRB. I told her I cannot check myself you'll need to do it if you want proof - she became disinterested very quickly which was a shame.

I certainly wouldn't blame anybody for not knowing this much as I wouldn't blame anybody for thinking yearly PAT is a legal requirement. It's not made clear enough in my opinion.

You are correct. I bow down to you. :beer1:

[yourdj]

Benny, do you perchance buy your fuel ( diesel? ) at a supermarket? Deltic had exactly the same experience, and was told to change suppliers. That basically solved the problem.

Not saying all supermarket fuel is :pants:, but I have been told not to use it exclusively.

Its probably a case of servicing them more regularly or just buying a better car.
Its a bitch that both of them have gone at once though. :)

I have 2 zafiras and one has had the engine light on for ages. :)
Its usually something simple, but I am getting them both serviced this week.

Interesting about supermarket fuel. might look into that. :)
I live next-door to a Tesco and the price has really gone down with the fuel save thing, but at what cost.
They think nothing of ripping off their own suppliers so makes you wonder about the customers.

[ukpartydj]

You are correct. I bow down to you. :beer1:

I spend far too much time on the wrong things one could have paid £25 and got a booking had I gone with the flow.

I've also heard about supermarket fuel but II exclusively use supermarket fuel and never had an issue. Need to book in for a service this month :)

[Pe7e]

A couple of years ago I was asked to do some discos for 'special needs' kids in a council residential centre, I pointed out to the manager I did not have CRB to which the reply was 'it doesn't matter, there will be members of staff present' during the event. When I did the party I took along my PAT certificates, expecting to be asked for them, but nobody seemed to have any interest in seeing them either.

[AndyC]

I have 2 zafiras and one has had the engine light on for ages. :)
Its usually something simple, but I am getting them both serviced this week.


I had the management light on my zafira I had it serviced, 2 miles down the roads car comes to a grinding halt turns out the DPF had blocked over £400 Later cars all ok again but be warned it might be more than just a service

[Benny Smyth]

Call from the garage. Turbo has gone in the car.

Total cost of repair? £595.

https://quizzicalllama.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/heavy-sigh-gif-i1.gif?w=640

[Benny Smyth]

I was going to start a new thread about this, but I decided to refrain from that as the title of this thread pretty much sums up what I'm about to post.

I'm a firm believer that while this forum is openly available to anyone and everyone to read, I doubt that 99.9% of potential clients actually would read it. It would be of no interest to most people, the same way that a forum about plumbing would be of no interest to me (unless I wanted to know why my tap started leaking). Maybe there are exceptions to the rule, I don't know for certain. But for this post, I hope there is an exception that reads this, as it may prove to be an education.

Not last Saturday, but the Saturday before, I found my dad in the bedroom of his house - the house that I grew up in. He had passed away, and it looks like he'd been there for at a few days. Having called his GP, followed by calling an ambulance, followed by calling a funeral director and waiting for them to collect my dad, it was getting into late afternoon. That night, I was booked to perform for a wedding. Did I cancel?

Did I balls.

I went home, got showered, changed, loaded the van and made my way to the gig. I performed all night, and even though my head was spinning, the bride, groom and their guests had an amazing night. They were completely unaware of what had happened, and they still are. The venue, who I have an excellent working relationship with, are unaware. The next morning, I had to get up early to attend a consultation. I didn't cancel on that either.

That's why DJs charge what they charge. We don't get sick pay, or compassionate leave, or paid holidays. Those perks that you enjoy in your 9-5 office job, or your overnight factory job, or the cold winter morning road sweeper job are not afforded to anyone who operates as a sole trader - and not just DJs. Plumbers, sparks, radio broadcasters or that girl who makes those crappy bracelets and prints those photos of your kids onto mugs - anyone who wanted to work for themselves. 15% of the British work force are self employed - that's 4.6 million people who aren't entitled to mourn the death of a parent.

I had the option of passing on the gig to someone I trust, and I very much doubt that anybody could speak ill of me for doing so. However, I didn't do that for two reasons: first of all, the work ethic that I have built up over the years. The couple had booked me over anyone else that looked into. Benny Smyth the man - not B.S. Entertainments the business - was the guy that they connected with to provide the entertainment for one of the most important days of their lives. Secondly, if I don't work then I don't get paid. Working as a sole trader is one step up from living hand-to-mouth - whilst we do have some money in reserve to cover some of these eventualities, there are limits.

I'm no better than anyone who would have passed on the gig to another DJ that they trust. There is no right or wrong way with this and whether others will agree with me or not is certainly up to them. I'm telling this story to pass on this experience. Yes, paying hundreds of pounds for a DJ does seem like a lot of money on the face of it, but even if you refuse to consider the costs and overheads that any sole tracer has to pay for, think about what you get from your job. Remember that one Monday morning you pulled a sickie, even though you weren't really ill? Still got paid for it, didn't you? Suddenly stacking shelves at Tescos doesn't seem so bad now, does it?

I'm not bitching. I love my job and I would make the same decision again if I accidentally stumbled into a time machine and went back two weeks but don't challenge us on why we charge what we charge. If you don't like the price then that's fine, but don't whinge to me about it.

:soapbox:

[Excalibur]

Firstly, commiserations . Secondly, you have illustrated beautifully the pitfalls of being a sole trader. There are lots of benefits of course, and in my opinion they far outweigh the negatives. Jeanette and I have been invited to a birthday party, and I was offered the disco. My presence wasn't conditional on providing that. As Benny said, "don't work, don't eat " so it's no surprise that I took the gig.

Chin up mate, and I applaud your work ethic. That's what sorts out the Professionals ( including part timers of course ) from the Sids.

[funkymook]

I was going to start a new thread about this, but I decided to refrain from that as the title of this thread pretty much sums up what I'm about to post.

I'm a firm believer that while this forum is openly available to anyone and everyone to read, I doubt that 99.9% of potential clients actually would read it. It would be of no interest to most people, the same way that a forum about plumbing would be of no interest to me (unless I wanted to know why my tap started leaking). Maybe there are exceptions to the rule, I don't know for certain. But for this post, I hope there is an exception that reads this, as it may prove to be an education.

Not last Saturday, but the Saturday before, I found my dad in the bedroom of his house - the house that I grew up in. He had passed away, and it looks like he'd been there for at a few days. Having called his GP, followed by calling an ambulance, followed by calling a funeral director and waiting for them to collect my dad, it was getting into late afternoon. That night, I was booked to perform for a wedding. Did I cancel?

Did I balls.

I went home, got showered, changed, loaded the van and made my way to the gig. I performed all night, and even though my head was spinning, the bride, groom and their guests had an amazing night. They were completely unaware of what had happened, and they still are. The venue, who I have an excellent working relationship with, are unaware. The next morning, I had to get up early to attend a consultation. I didn't cancel on that either.

That's why DJs charge what they charge. We don't get sick pay, or compassionate leave, or paid holidays. Those perks that you enjoy in your 9-5 office job, or your overnight factory job, or the cold winter morning road sweeper job are not afforded to anyone who operates as a sole trader - and not just DJs. Plumbers, sparks, radio broadcasters or that girl who makes those crappy bracelets and prints those photos of your kids onto mugs - anyone who wanted to work for themselves. 15% of the British work force are self employed - that's 4.6 million people who aren't entitled to mourn the death of a parent.

I had the option of passing on the gig to someone I trust, and I very much doubt that anybody could speak ill of me for doing so. However, I didn't do that for two reasons: first of all, the work ethic that I have built up over the years. The couple had booked me over anyone else that looked into. Benny Smyth the man - not B.S. Entertainments the business - was the guy that they connected with to provide the entertainment for one of the most important days of their lives. Secondly, if I don't work then I don't get paid. Working as a sole trader is one step up from living hand-to-mouth - whilst we do have some money in reserve to cover some of these eventualities, there are limits.

I'm no better than anyone who would have passed on the gig to another DJ that they trust. There is no right or wrong way with this and whether others will agree with me or not is certainly up to them. I'm telling this story to pass on this experience. Yes, paying hundreds of pounds for a DJ does seem like a lot of money on the face of it, but even if you refuse to consider the costs and overheads that any sole tracer has to pay for, think about what you get from your job. Remember that one Monday morning you pulled a sickie, even though you weren't really ill? Still got paid for it, didn't you? Suddenly stacking shelves at Tescos doesn't seem so bad now, does it?

I'm not bitching. I love my job and I would make the same decision again if I accidentally stumbled into a time machine and went back two weeks but don't challenge us on why we charge what we charge. If you don't like the price then that's fine, but don't whinge to me about it.

:soapbox:

Sorry to hear about your loss Benny.

No one can say what they’d do in a similar situation until they’re faced with it and as you rightly say, there’s no right or wrong, but one way or another the show must go on for our clients.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Really sorry to hear that Benny.

Don't be afraid to take time off however if you think you need it, you have every right to think what's best for you at this moment in time.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

As said above, sorry to hear about your loss Benny.
That was really well written and I'd like to think that someone on the 'outside' may just stumble across this thread and see that.

I was actually in more or less the same position nearly 4 years ago when my Dad was rushed into hospital on a Saturday morning and passed away later that day. Fair play to you for doing what you did and I personally don't have any problems with what you did. I personally couldn't face working that night. I can't remember what kind of booking it was but I was in no mood to do it and I got cover, didn't get paid etc etc.... I just wanted to be with the rest of my family and didn't think that I would be able to do the job to the best of my ability because my mind would be elsewhere.

As 'they' say...we all have different ways of dealing with things.

[ukpartydj]

Good on you, you put your clients first and delivered what you promised. We all claim to put the Bride and Groom first but it's only really when unfortunate events like this happen do we see who is able to put their problems aside and focus on the client. I'd imagine the consultation would have been quite a challenge. I hope your doing alright :)

[mrrawuk]

I was going to start a new thread about this, but I decided to refrain from that as the title of this thread pretty much sums up what I'm about to post.

I'm a firm believer that while this forum is openly available to anyone and everyone to read, I doubt that 99.9% of potential clients actually would read it. It would be of no interest to most people, the same way that a forum about plumbing would be of no interest to me (unless I wanted to know why my tap started leaking). Maybe there are exceptions to the rule, I don't know for certain. But for this post, I hope there is an exception that reads this, as it may prove to be an education.

Not last Saturday, but the Saturday before, I found my dad in the bedroom of his house - the house that I grew up in. He had passed away, and it looks like he'd been there for at a few days. Having called his GP, followed by calling an ambulance, followed by calling a funeral director and waiting for them to collect my dad, it was getting into late afternoon. That night, I was booked to perform for a wedding. Did I cancel?

Did I balls.

I went home, got showered, changed, loaded the van and made my way to the gig. I performed all night, and even though my head was spinning, the bride, groom and their guests had an amazing night. They were completely unaware of what had happened, and they still are. The venue, who I have an excellent working relationship with, are unaware. The next morning, I had to get up early to attend a consultation. I didn't cancel on that either.

That's why DJs charge what they charge. We don't get sick pay, or compassionate leave, or paid holidays. Those perks that you enjoy in your 9-5 office job, or your overnight factory job, or the cold winter morning road sweeper job are not afforded to anyone who operates as a sole trader - and not just DJs. Plumbers, sparks, radio broadcasters or that girl who makes those crappy bracelets and prints those photos of your kids onto mugs - anyone who wanted to work for themselves. 15% of the British work force are self employed - that's 4.6 million people who aren't entitled to mourn the death of a parent.

I had the option of passing on the gig to someone I trust, and I very much doubt that anybody could speak ill of me for doing so. However, I didn't do that for two reasons: first of all, the work ethic that I have built up over the years. The couple had booked me over anyone else that looked into. Benny Smyth the man - not B.S. Entertainments the business - was the guy that they connected with to provide the entertainment for one of the most important days of their lives. Secondly, if I don't work then I don't get paid. Working as a sole trader is one step up from living hand-to-mouth - whilst we do have some money in reserve to cover some of these eventualities, there are limits.

I'm no better than anyone who would have passed on the gig to another DJ that they trust. There is no right or wrong way with this and whether others will agree with me or not is certainly up to them. I'm telling this story to pass on this experience. Yes, paying hundreds of pounds for a DJ does seem like a lot of money on the face of it, but even if you refuse to consider the costs and overheads that any sole tracer has to pay for, think about what you get from your job. Remember that one Monday morning you pulled a sickie, even though you weren't really ill? Still got paid for it, didn't you? Suddenly stacking shelves at Tescos doesn't seem so bad now, does it?

I'm not bitching. I love my job and I would make the same decision again if I accidentally stumbled into a time machine and went back two weeks but don't challenge us on why we charge what we charge. If you don't like the price then that's fine, but don't whinge to me about it.

:soapbox:

Sorry for your loss Benny. I take my hat off to you and your ability to stay professional and put the client first. In the same scenario i don't think i could have done so.

[CRAZY K]

You need a CRB check by law if you're working regularly with Children. Performing at a wedding when there are kids around doesn't count because you're not working with them but fot children's discos where you will be playing and interacting directly with kids requires a CRB which apparently is now known as a DBS.

Even if you insist there is an adult in the room at all times whilst you are working ?

I thought this was more commonly needed where you have one adult supervising children ( say a Church Sunday School for example or a Scout Leader type) and there are no other adults around?

Im not an expert so always willing to be corrected????

[DazzyD]

Even if you insist there is an adult in the room at all times whilst you are working ?

I thought this was more commonly needed where you have one adult supervising children ( say a Church Sunday School for example or a Scout Leader type) and there are no other adults around?

Im not an expert so always willing to be corrected????

You only need a CRB/DSB check if you have supervisory responsibilities. A DJ should never need to be left alone to supervise children (ie there should be other adults around with said supervisory responsibilities) so should not need a check/disclosure.

We've been through this discussion many, many times before. And, as far as I'm aware, this position has not changed.

And to be fair to Benny, he did accept his comment wasn't correct when he posted on 12th November 2015. ;)

[CRAZY K]

You only need a CRB/DSB check if you have supervisory responsibilities. A DJ should never need to be left alone to supervise children (ie there should be other adults around with said supervisory responsibilities) so should not need a check/disclosure.

We've been through this discussion many, many times before. And, as far as I'm aware, this position has not changed.

And to be fair to Benny, he did accept his comment wasn't correct when he posted on 12th November 2015. ;)

Thanks Dazzy, makes sense to me in this crazy pc world we have to deal with😄😄😄😄

ALAN

[Shaun]

I was going to start a new thread about this, but I decided to refrain from that as the title of this thread pretty much sums up what I'm about to post.

I'm a firm believer that while this forum is openly available to anyone and everyone to read, I doubt that 99.9% of potential clients actually would read it. It would be of no interest to most people, the same way that a forum about plumbing would be of no interest to me (unless I wanted to know why my tap started leaking). Maybe there are exceptions to the rule, I don't know for certain. But for this post, I hope there is an exception that reads this, as it may prove to be an education.

Not last Saturday, but the Saturday before, I found my dad in the bedroom of his house - the house that I grew up in. He had passed away, and it looks like he'd been there for at a few days. Having called his GP, followed by calling an ambulance, followed by calling a funeral director and waiting for them to collect my dad, it was getting into late afternoon. That night, I was booked to perform for a wedding. Did I cancel?

Did I balls.

I went home, got showered, changed, loaded the van and made my way to the gig. I performed all night, and even though my head was spinning, the bride, groom and their guests had an amazing night. They were completely unaware of what had happened, and they still are. The venue, who I have an excellent working relationship with, are unaware. The next morning, I had to get up early to attend a consultation. I didn't cancel on that either.

That's why DJs charge what they charge. We don't get sick pay, or compassionate leave, or paid holidays. Those perks that you enjoy in your 9-5 office job, or your overnight factory job, or the cold winter morning road sweeper job are not afforded to anyone who operates as a sole trader - and not just DJs. Plumbers, sparks, radio broadcasters or that girl who makes those crappy bracelets and prints those photos of your kids onto mugs - anyone who wanted to work for themselves. 15% of the British work force are self employed - that's 4.6 million people who aren't entitled to mourn the death of a parent.

I had the option of passing on the gig to someone I trust, and I very much doubt that anybody could speak ill of me for doing so. However, I didn't do that for two reasons: first of all, the work ethic that I have built up over the years. The couple had booked me over anyone else that looked into. Benny Smyth the man - not B.S. Entertainments the business - was the guy that they connected with to provide the entertainment for one of the most important days of their lives. Secondly, if I don't work then I don't get paid. Working as a sole trader is one step up from living hand-to-mouth - whilst we do have some money in reserve to cover some of these eventualities, there are limits.

I'm no better than anyone who would have passed on the gig to another DJ that they trust. There is no right or wrong way with this and whether others will agree with me or not is certainly up to them. I'm telling this story to pass on this experience. Yes, paying hundreds of pounds for a DJ does seem like a lot of money on the face of it, but even if you refuse to consider the costs and overheads that any sole tracer has to pay for, think about what you get from your job. Remember that one Monday morning you pulled a sickie, even though you weren't really ill? Still got paid for it, didn't you? Suddenly stacking shelves at Tescos doesn't seem so bad now, does it?

I'm not bitching. I love my job and I would make the same decision again if I accidentally stumbled into a time machine and went back two weeks but don't challenge us on why we charge what we charge. If you don't like the price then that's fine, but don't whinge to me about it.

:soapbox:

So sorry to hear of your loss Benny.

I lost my Dad to a tragic accident several years ago. dusted myself off and performed at the next days wedding, nobody was aware either, my head was spinning but the show must go on.

My thought are with you and your famiy at tnis time Benny.