Not many of you working last night?

[rob1963]

I notice that quite a few regulars were posting on here last night.

Ricesnaps, Mr Mayhem, Beerfunk, Tony Scott & Penmare among others.

Did you all have the night off?

It just seems a bit of a coincidence in the middle of the wedding season.

:confused: :confused: :confused:

[Tony Scott]

I notice that quite a few regulars were posting on here last night.

Ricesnaps, Mr Mayhem, Beerfunk, Tony Scott & Penmare among others.

Did you all have the night off?

It just seems a bit of a coincidence in the middle of the wedding season.

:confused: :confused: :confused:

Do you mean Friday or Saturday Rob?

If Friday then YES night off! :(

If Saturday then NO, nice easy gig, close to home & 11pm finish......luvly jubly!! :D :D

[Penfold42]

I notice that quite a few regulars were posting on here last night.

Ricesnaps, Mr Mahem, Beerfunk, Tony Scott & Penmare among others.

Did you all have the night off?

It just seems a bit of a coincidence in the middle of the wedding season.

:confused: :confused: :confused:

Yes...I was on here..but my company..sorry hobby at the moment started in April, after the wedding season....

So I feel I have a legit reason....well that's what my excuse is and i'm sticking with it....:P :P :P :P

I would have been out tonight but due to the great british weather....i've been rained off....although walking down the road tonight I could smell alsorts of rib's and burger's....

Anyway is that a nice way to treat a fellow MMD supporter who is 43yrs old 2 and a half hours ago......:)

[Tony Scott]

fellow MMD supporter who is 43yrs old 2 and a half hours ago......:)

Happy birthday to you! Are you to be known as 'penmare43' now?? :D

[Penfold42]

Happy birthday to you! Are you to be known as 'penmare43' now?? :D

Thank you.....no not penmare 43....42 good, still think i'm 30ish :D:D

[Ricesnaps]

Not all that observant are we Rob....

I did post about a week or so ago that i was unexpectedly free having had a wedding cancel (not getting married, not that they didn't want me!).

Still nice to get a weekend to yourself amongst all the work - yet another all day one for me next weekend, lets hope it doesn't rain!

[Mayhem 1]

Hiya Rob,

Friday 6/6 Childrens Party 5pm - 7pm
Saturday 7/7 School fete 2 - 4
Sunday 8/7 Childrens party 4 - 6

Yes I was/am out mate just get a nice early finish!!!!

Happy with the fees recieved??? "Oh Yes"

Regards

Mayhem 1

[Candybeatdiscos]

i was a guest at a wedding last night - met up with friends from down south - it was great

[CRAZY K]

I notice that quite a few regulars were posting on here last night.

Ricesnaps, Mr Mayhem, Beerfunk, Tony Scott & Penmare among others.

Did you all have the night off?

It just seems a bit of a coincidence in the middle of the wedding season.

:confused: :confused: :confused:

Hi Rattling Rob--any luck with the Warrior Speaker?

Noticed that like you on arriving home early -- from an "early" Wedding spot last night -- I would rather have done one of my high energy yee ha Western Nights which I did the two previous nights.

I found the Wedding a bit of an anti climax compared to the two other events--mind you was in a marquee with people milling around over a huge area, warm evening and a lot of people sitting outside drinking and the inevitable SMOKING not really interested in getting involved in anything energetic:eek:

Good news was they had hired a really top class generator:D :D :D

How was it for you Dave ( Dragonfly ) ???????????/:D :D :D

So did you get paid Matt for your Wedding anyway?

Know what you mean about having some time--im painting all day today :eek:

CRAZY K

[Dragonfly]

How was it for you Dave ( Dragonfly ) ???????????/:D :D :D

CRAZY K

lol aweful mate 1 13 amp domestic socket with a 30m extension run from the house which couldnt decide all night if it could handle what i was putting through it. one or 2 uneducated trolls and the brides mum from hell.

got paid move on and thankfully it didnt rain and even more thankfully i didnt have space for my banners so no name on the disco. got a disco in a living room today for 7 people ...... but a really great bunch who will dance non stop for the 2 hours im there.

[CRAZY K]

lol aweful mate 1 13 amp domestic socket with a 30m extension run from the house which couldnt decide all night if it could handle what i was putting through it. one or 2 uneducated trolls and the brides mum from hell.

got paid move on and thankfully it didnt rain and even more thankfully i didnt have space for my banners so no name on the disco. got a disco in a living room today for 7 people ...... but a really great bunch who will dance non stop for the 2 hours im there.

Saw your note--read mine--onwards and upwards--

CRAZY K

[rob1963]

Not all that observant are we Rob....

I did post about a week or so ago that i was unexpectedly free having had a wedding cancel (not getting married, not that they didn't want me!).

Still nice to get a weekend to yourself amongst all the work - yet another all day one for me next weekend, lets hope it doesn't rain!

Ricesnaps,

I think I'm reasonably obervant.

When you spend 3 or 4 hours here every day, it's not always possible to remember EVERYTHING you read...especially when you get to my age...as you will find out one day!!!

:p

[Tony Scott]

.........got a disco in a living room today for 7 people ...... but a really great bunch who will dance non stop for the 2 hours im there.

I havn't done a living room party since I was 15, (26yrs ago :eek: :eek: how the hell did I get so old!!)......I'd love to do another one.

I remember it was all Two Tone, Ska and Mod stuff, fantastc!!! House got a bit trashed though! :D

[Tony Scott]

Ricesnaps,

.....it's not always possible to remember EVERYTHING you read...especially when you get to my age...as you will find out one day!!!

:p

Old Fart!!............wait a minute, so am I, keep forgeting! :D :D

[rob1963]

Old Fart!!............wait a minute, so am I, keep forgeting! :D :D

:lol:

[rob1963]

Anyway is that a nice way to treat a fellow MMD supporter who is 43yrs old 2 and a half hours ago......:)

:bday: Now you're almost as old as ME! Have a great day, Penmare.




Hi Rattling Rob--any luck with the Warrior Speaker?CRAZY K

Hiya Crazy,

Not yet...I'm taking it over to my brother today, so I was using ones of my spares last night. When it's sorted, I'll let you know what it was.

[Ricesnaps]

Ricesnaps,

I think I'm reasonably obervant.

When you spend 3 or 4 hours here every day, it's not always possible to remember EVERYTHING you read...especially when you get to my age...as you will find out one day!!!

:p

It's hard work being a young scamp like me you know!

[Penfold42]

Hi Rattling Rob--any luck with the Warrior Speaker?

PMSL.....

Sorry Rob but it was funny.....:D :D :D

[rob1963]

PMSL.....

Sorry Rob but it was funny.....:D :D :D

It was indeed, penmare! :p

I took my rattling speaker over to my brother this afternoon, but he's really busy with work at the moment, so I've just decided to use one of my spares for now (like I did last night), and then treat myself to a pair of Mackie C300z speakers later in the year...probably around October or November.

:)

[Penfold42]

and then treat myself to a pair of Mackie C300z speakers

I've looked these up and they look an awesome piece of kit.....still like my Warriors though for the time being...:)

[rob1963]

I've looked these up and they look an awesome piece of kit.....still like my Warriors though for the time being...:)

I like MY warriors too, but they are now 8 years old, and one of them vibrates, possibly due to the excitement of carrying my voice...or possibly not!

:lol:

[Penfold42]

I like MY warriors too, but they are now 8 years old, and one of them vibrates, possibly due to the excitement of carrying my voice...or possibly not!

:lol:

Good to see you have humour......and a spare set of speakers, as all professionals should....:D :D

[Tony Scott]

I've looked these up and they look an awesome piece of kit.....still like my Warriors though for the time being...:)

What model Warrior speakers have you got Tony, I just got back from taking my boy to a kids party, the kids entertainer had some, sounded really good.

They were powered and I think they were PS15A??? or something similar. He looked a bit worried when I peeked at the back of them!! :D :D

[Penfold42]

They were powered and I think they were PS15A??? or something similar. He looked a bit worried when I peeked at the back of them!! :D :D

:lol:

L400's not powered...but I like them....first speaker's I brought....:)

[rob1963]

Good to see you have humour

Oh yes Penmare, I often have a good laugh...unless there aren't any mirrors around.

:p

[theoloyla]

I WAS working last night. Did a 50th birthday at a big hotel just outside Maidstone. First surprise of the evening was when Rob Merralls, the agent I was working for, turned up for a spot check. Now that is the sign of a good agency when the agent actually comes to see you work and check that the client is happy.
Anyway the gig started out as quite pleasant but it became apparrent that the birthday boy was not in the room but rather in the bar (which was separate). When Jan went through to get us a drink he remarked that he was staying in the bar because the music was crap and he only liked jazz and blues. The booking was made by his wife and her instructions were general party music to keep everyone on their feet plus specific requests for Chris De Burgh "Lady In Red", Phyllis Nelson "Move Closer", Queen, Kelly Marie "Feels Like I'm In Love" and Blues Brothers.
The audience were naturally mature; so the background cd's I used were Norah Jones, The Peddlars and a 60's compilation. Bear in mind here that despite the instructions not specifying Norah Jones and the Peddlars are both considered to be jazz artistes.
Any way the lady who had booked me was lovely (as were the audience) and she asked me to up the tempo in advance of the evening buffet. I played a middle of the road mixture of tracks and a couple of up to dat ones and a couple of ballads but had very little response. The audience was only 60 anyway. It was time for the buffet and I chose to play some Sinatra whilst they noshed. Post buffet I played some more oldies and had a few up and dancing. The birthday boy arrived in the room and I played the number 1 from when he was born - Lonnie Dnegan "Putting On The Style" which was much appreciated by the audience but ignored by the birthday boy. Then it was everyone through into the other room for cake cutting and speeches. The hotel staff had failed to provide a knife to cut the cake and hadnt got the champagne ready (although the birthday boy told everyone that he wouldnt drink champagne anyway as the only drin worth having was the beer behind the bar!). Eventually the cake was cut and somewhat rambling speeches and toasts made. I started in earnest in the other room and soon had a full dancefloor of people dancing to 70's and 80's disco and pop. The birthday boy arrived in the room so I played Queen "Another One Bites The Dust", "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" from Blues Brothers, several other Stax/Atlantic soul classics plus Phyllis Nelson and Chris De Burgh all of which birthday boy danced to. Then I decided to launch into the party set (YMCA/Dexys/Blame It On The Boogie etc. It was whilst I was playing "Hey Baby" by DJ Otzi that birthday boy comes up and very loudly tells me that I am crap and that the music is rubbish and that he only likes jazz and blues and to get some on immediately. One of his guests tells me that birthday boy used to play the saxaphone and only likes music with saxes in it. I'm thinking on my feet and trying to decide what to play next when birthday boy is bellowing at me accross the floor waving his arms and telling me that if I dont play some decent music he is going to throw me out. I am afraid to say I lost it at that point. I grabbed a Miles Davis CD, killed the track that was playing leaving the packed dance floor completely stunned and announced that the birthday boy was unhappy because the music I was playing was crap and that if I didnt play some jazz he was going to throw me out. I than dedicated the Miles Davis to him. He looked so pleased but as everyone left the dancefloor groaning he turned his back on them. He got the message and at the end of the track came up and thanked me and then said I could play what I liked. I continued to play music suitable to the audience and as instructed by the customer (his wife) kept the party going despite him continuing to pull faces and complain and gesticulate.
At the end of the night loads of guest came up to thank me for a great evening. I think several of them were embarrassed by the birthday boy's behaviour. His wife came and thanked me for an excellent evening and apologised for her husband's behaviour and hoped he hadnt upset me. Apparently he often gets rude when he is drunk. (What a lovely lady she was). I lied and said no it was alright.
As we were packing up Jan almost went berserk when she heard birthday boy bellowing that he had sorted that dj out and that unless he hadnt threatened to throw me out the music would have been crap all night.
Isnt out job great!?!

[Penfold42]

What a arrogant backside - starts with 'a' ends in 'e' 4 letters...

As I got near the end of the post...I thought the beer had got to him.....
Sounds to me like the birthday boy spat his dummy out.....
So why is a Richard Head married to a nice lady....so nice infact that she has to appoligise for his short comings....very strange....

You did well to keep your cool for so long.....:)

[theoloyla]

What a arrogant backside - starts with 'a' ends in 'e' 4 letters...

As I got near the end of the post...I thought the beer had got to him.....
Sounds to me like the birthday boy spat his dummy out.....
So why is a Richard Head married to a nice lady....so nice infact that she has to appoligise for his short comings....very strange....

You did well to keep your cool for so long.....:)
Thankyou. It was hard and half of me says I shouldnt have lost it anyway.

[Penfold42]

Thankyou. It was hard and half of me says I shouldnt have lost it anyway.

Agreed but how far do you push somebody......you probably look back and think....'Maybe I shouldn't have lost it....'...but there comes a point when enough is enough.

And I think if a guy who has been in the business for more years than anyone on here (I think) losses it .....there must be a jolly good reason.....

Serve's the silly plonker right....:)

And I bet he's the one felling silly today.....bet his wife's giving him hell.....LOL....you know what I mean...:)

[Thames Valley Discos]

Thankyou. It was hard and half of me says I shouldnt have lost it anyway.

Why, your being paid to provide music not take insults.

[theoloyla]

Why, your being paid to provide music not take insults.
Fair comment.

[Tony Scott]

I WAS working last night. Did a 50th birthday at a big hotel just outside Maidstone. First surprise of the evening was when Rob Merralls, the agent I was working for, turned up for a spot check. Now that is the sign of a good agency when the agent actually comes to see you work and check that the client is happy.
Anyway the gig started out as quite pleasant but it became apparrent that the birthday boy was not in the room but rather in the bar (which was separate). When Jan went through to get us a drink he remarked that he was staying in the bar because the music was crap and he only liked jazz and blues. The booking was made by his wife and her instructions were general party music to keep everyone on their feet plus specific requests for Chris De Burgh "Lady In Red", Phyllis Nelson "Move Closer", Queen, Kelly Marie "Feels Like I'm In Love" and Blues Brothers.
The audience were naturally mature; so the background cd's I used were Norah Jones, The Peddlars and a 60's compilation. Bear in mind here that despite the instructions not specifying Norah Jones and the Peddlars are both considered to be jazz artistes.
Any way the lady who had booked me was lovely (as were the audience) and she asked me to up the tempo in advance of the evening buffet. I played a middle of the road mixture of tracks and a couple of up to dat ones and a couple of ballads but had very little response. The audience was only 60 anyway. It was time for the buffet and I chose to play some Sinatra whilst they noshed. Post buffet I played some more oldies and had a few up and dancing. The birthday boy arrived in the room and I played the number 1 from when he was born - Lonnie Dnegan "Putting On The Style" which was much appreciated by the audience but ignored by the birthday boy. Then it was everyone through into the other room for cake cutting and speeches. The hotel staff had failed to provide a knife to cut the cake and hadnt got the champagne ready (although the birthday boy told everyone that he wouldnt drink champagne anyway as the only drin worth having was the beer behind the bar!). Eventually the cake was cut and somewhat rambling speeches and toasts made. I started in earnest in the other room and soon had a full dancefloor of people dancing to 70's and 80's disco and pop. The birthday boy arrived in the room so I played Queen "Another One Bites The Dust", "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" from Blues Brothers, several other Stax/Atlantic soul classics plus Phyllis Nelson and Chris De Burgh all of which birthday boy danced to. Then I decided to launch into the party set (YMCA/Dexys/Blame It On The Boogie etc. It was whilst I was playing "Hey Baby" by DJ Otzi that birthday boy comes up and very loudly tells me that I am crap and that the music is rubbish and that he only likes jazz and blues and to get some on immediately. One of his guests tells me that birthday boy used to play the saxaphone and only likes music with saxes in it. I'm thinking on my feet and trying to decide what to play next when birthday boy is bellowing at me accross the floor waving his arms and telling me that if I dont play some decent music he is going to throw me out. I am afraid to say I lost it at that point. I grabbed a Miles Davis CD, killed the track that was playing leaving the packed dance floor completely stunned and announced that the birthday boy was unhappy because the music I was playing was crap and that if I didnt play some jazz he was going to throw me out. I than dedicated the Miles Davis to him. He looked so pleased but as everyone left the dancefloor groaning he turned his back on them. He got the message and at the end of the track came up and thanked me and then said I could play what I liked. I continued to play music suitable to the audience and as instructed by the customer (his wife) kept the party going despite him continuing to pull faces and complain and gesticulate.
At the end of the night loads of guest came up to thank me for a great evening. I think several of them were embarrassed by the birthday boy's behaviour. His wife came and thanked me for an excellent evening and apologised for her husband's behaviour and hoped he hadnt upset me. Apparently he often gets rude when he is drunk. (What a lovely lady she was). I lied and said no it was alright.
As we were packing up Jan almost went berserk when she heard birthday boy bellowing that he had sorted that dj out and that unless he hadnt threatened to throw me out the music would have been crap all night.
Isnt out job great!?!

Sounds like a lovely chap! :rolleyes:

[PropellerHeadCase]

I absolutely can't stand the people who think that their telling you off magically makes the night better.

I had one gig a while back where this women (the "organiser") came up and demanded 4 songs because "the floor was empty"... I'd just played one of them, one of the others was playing at the time (and in the course of her dietribe the floor had filled up behind her - I should point out that the buffet had only just finished), I intentionally didn't play the other two until much later. But she was swanning around like she'd somehow made everyone get up and dance by yelling at me.

I feel for you, Theo.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I absolutely can't stand the people who think that their telling you off magically makes the night better.



And telling you exactly what to play that will fill the dance floor.:mad: :bang:

[Shaun]

Tough situation Theo.

I think I would have cut the music, apologised to the audience for the short interuption of music, and then approached the birthday boys wife. A quick reminder of the contract clause that relates to unruly guests should be enough for her to have a word in hubby's ear. If the matter wasn't resolved I'd pack up and go home (as per my contract). I have a zero tolerance policy with regards to abuse (verbal or physical) at my events. I'm there to do a job, not to take crap.

[PropellerHeadCase]

And telling you exactly what to play that will fill the dance floor.:mad: :bang:

I don't mind people coming and suggesting what the guests might be into if the floor is a bit bare, but I can't tolerate rudeness - not that it's in my contract yet... wanders off to re-write contract.

[rob1963]

Tough situation Theo.

I think I would have cut the music, apologised to the audience for the short interuption of music, and then approached the birthday boys wife. A quick reminder of the contract clause that relates to unruly guests should be enough for her to have a word in hubby's ear. If the matter wasn't resolved I'd pack up and go home (as per my contract). I have a zero tolerance policy with regards to abuse (verbal or physical) at my events. I'm there to do a job, not to take crap.

I agree Shaun,

I've never had much of a problem with abuse.

Seriously, though, a friend of mine was doing a christmas party a couple of years ago, and there was one guy in particular who kept going up to him & swearing at him & insulting him & his music.

He had a word with the client to explain the situation, and suggested the offending person might be removed. He also made clear the consequences if the offender did not leave & the abuse continued.

They chose not to ask the person concerned to leave, and the abuse carried on, so my friend made an announcement explaining the situation, then packed up about an hour early & went home!

I've seen a few members recently say that it's part of our job to take abuse, but I completely disagree...

...That's complete :Rob James:

[Shaun]

I've seen a few members recently say that it's part of our job to take abuse, but I completely disagree...




Due to very nature of our job we're surrounded by intoxicated people, this unfortunately brings us into the direct firing line of abuse from time to time. It's definitely not part of our job though, and it's totally unnaceptable.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I don't mind people coming and suggesting what the guests might be into if the floor is a bit bare

So you'd listen to people who have possibly had a drink, are not objective and are telling you what would definately fill the dance floor?

Come on.:rolleyes:

Have you never heard the phrase from a guest that goes along the lines of "If you play xxxx, then everyone will dance"

[rob1963]

So you'd listen to people who have possibly had a drink, are not objective and are telling you what would definately fill the dance floor?

Come on.:rolleyes:

Darren,

Al didn't say he would LISTEN to them, he just said he didn't mind people coming up & saying what they thought people might dance to!

:p

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Darren,

Al didn't say he would LISTEN to them, he just said he didn't mind people coming up & saying what they thought people might dance to!

:p

True. :)

[PropellerHeadCase]

So you'd listen to people who have possibly had a drink, are not objective and are telling you what would definately fill the dance floor?

Come on.:rolleyes:

Have you never heard the phrase from a guest that goes along the lines of "If you play xxxx, then everyone will dance"

Of course I have (to quote you), Come on.:rolleyes:

However, if they are polite and their suggestion seems to come from a genuine desire to be helpful I don't see the harm, especially as the dancefloor can't get any barer. Plus it has the effect of letting people know that I do take, and play, requests.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Of course I have (to quote you), Come on.:rolleyes:

However, if they are polite and their suggestion seems to come from a genuine desire to be helpful I don't see the harm, especially as the dancefloor can't get any barer. Plus it has the effect of letting people know that I do take, and play, requests.

Drunk people by their very nature are neither objective nor helpful.

If you have any experience of this, then please be realistic.

I take requests and play them, but not when people suggest drunkenly that they know better then me.

[PropellerHeadCase]

Who says that just because they've been at an event for a while that they are necessarily drunk?

And not all drunks are belligerent gonks.

And lets be fair, I think all of us have, at some time or another, played a song on the basis of a request that was maybe against our better judgement, just to have it absolutely go off. Other times not so, of course. But with an almost empty floor, for whatever reason, I certainly have.

I just have to remember to do a 'Wurzel Gummidge' and take my 'ego' head off occasionally.

Sometimes the song is an in-joke with the guests or a team/office rallying cry or whatever - all sorts of reasons why a suggested song that might normally flop can work.

In-joke with guests request I've had: 'Alley Oop' by ShaNaNa/Hollywood Argyles

Team/Office Rallying cry I've had: 'I Feel Love' by The Blue Man Group

[Corabar Steve]

It's hard work being a young scamp like me you know!
Must be, you're not wearing that well! :sj:

. The hotel staff had failed to provide a knife to cut the cake It's not the hotel's responsibility to supply a knife, what next? DJs asking for tables?!?!?!?!?! :sj:

[Dragonfly]

Must be, you're not wearing that well! :sj:
It's not the hotel's responsibility to supply a knife, what next? DJs asking for tables?!?!?!?!?! :sj:

:5star: :5star: :claphands: :claphands: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh: :Laugh:

[theoloyla]

Due to very nature of our job we're surrounded by intoxicated people, this unfortunately brings us into the direct firing line of abuse from time to time. It's definitely not part of our job though, and it's totally unnaceptable.
I agree with you but by the very nature of what we do we should have thick skins and plenty of patience. I pride myself on being very tolerant but on Saturday night the guy was just so obnoxious that he went too far and like you say we should not have to put up with it. I knew that the action I took in calling him out publically would work - either his friends and family would deal with him or else he would get his way and dictate the music for the night. In fact I wouldnt have minded either outcome. I love playing jazz but the audience were not the sort that would appreciate it od dance to it.

[Dragonfly]

Plus it has the effect of letting people know that I do take, and play, requests.

I took and played a request on friday night ......... 10.50pm

"eve of the war please mate"

[PropellerHeadCase]

The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one, or something... must buy a Lotto ticket.

I have 'Ulla-Dub-Ulla - The War of the Worlds Remixed', top notch! Mostly for the Hybrid mixes :D

[CRAZY K]

I WAS working last night. Did a 50th birthday at a big hotel just outside Maidstone. First surprise of the evening was when Rob Merralls, the agent I was working for, turned up for a spot check. Now that is the sign of a good agency when the agent actually comes to see you work and check that the client is happy.
Anyway the gig started out as quite pleasant but it became apparrent that the birthday boy was not in the room but rather in the bar (which was separate). When Jan went through to get us a drink he remarked that he was staying in the bar because the music was crap and he only liked jazz and blues. The booking was made by his wife and her instructions were general party music to keep everyone on their feet plus specific requests for Chris De Burgh "Lady In Red", Phyllis Nelson "Move Closer", Queen, Kelly Marie "Feels Like I'm In Love" and Blues Brothers.
The audience were naturally mature; so the background cd's I used were Norah Jones, The Peddlars and a 60's compilation. Bear in mind here that despite the instructions not specifying Norah Jones and the Peddlars are both considered to be jazz artistes.
Any way the lady who had booked me was lovely (as were the audience) and she asked me to up the tempo in advance of the evening buffet. I played a middle of the road mixture of tracks and a couple of up to dat ones and a couple of ballads but had very little response. The audience was only 60 anyway. It was time for the buffet and I chose to play some Sinatra whilst they noshed. Post buffet I played some more oldies and had a few up and dancing. The birthday boy arrived in the room and I played the number 1 from when he was born - Lonnie Dnegan "Putting On The Style" which was much appreciated by the audience but ignored by the birthday boy. Then it was everyone through into the other room for cake cutting and speeches. The hotel staff had failed to provide a knife to cut the cake and hadnt got the champagne ready (although the birthday boy told everyone that he wouldnt drink champagne anyway as the only drin worth having was the beer behind the bar!). Eventually the cake was cut and somewhat rambling speeches and toasts made. I started in earnest in the other room and soon had a full dancefloor of people dancing to 70's and 80's disco and pop. The birthday boy arrived in the room so I played Queen "Another One Bites The Dust", "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" from Blues Brothers, several other Stax/Atlantic soul classics plus Phyllis Nelson and Chris De Burgh all of which birthday boy danced to. Then I decided to launch into the party set (YMCA/Dexys/Blame It On The Boogie etc. It was whilst I was playing "Hey Baby" by DJ Otzi that birthday boy comes up and very loudly tells me that I am crap and that the music is rubbish and that he only likes jazz and blues and to get some on immediately. One of his guests tells me that birthday boy used to play the saxaphone and only likes music with saxes in it. I'm thinking on my feet and trying to decide what to play next when birthday boy is bellowing at me accross the floor waving his arms and telling me that if I dont play some decent music he is going to throw me out. I am afraid to say I lost it at that point. I grabbed a Miles Davis CD, killed the track that was playing leaving the packed dance floor completely stunned and announced that the birthday boy was unhappy because the music I was playing was crap and that if I didnt play some jazz he was going to throw me out. I than dedicated the Miles Davis to him. He looked so pleased but as everyone left the dancefloor groaning he turned his back on them. He got the message and at the end of the track came up and thanked me and then said I could play what I liked. I continued to play music suitable to the audience and as instructed by the customer (his wife) kept the party going despite him continuing to pull faces and complain and gesticulate.
At the end of the night loads of guest came up to thank me for a great evening. I think several of them were embarrassed by the birthday boy's behaviour. His wife came and thanked me for an excellent evening and apologised for her husband's behaviour and hoped he hadnt upset me. Apparently he often gets rude when he is drunk. (What a lovely lady she was). I lied and said no it was alright.
As we were packing up Jan almost went berserk when she heard birthday boy bellowing that he had sorted that dj out and that unless he hadnt threatened to throw me out the music would have been crap all night.
Isnt out job great!?!

Sorry to see this Theo--obviously as an agency gig you wouldnt have been able to "assess" the clients musical tastes beforehand.

Was the agent any help or had he cleared off home by this time-- I would blame the agent for this apparent "mismatch" of music tastes--but im sure theres more to this story in the backgropund.

I wouldnt have gone home--think you did the right thing--the big worry is getting paid of course especially when in those situations--always remember a situation where I got paid beforehand but some drunk .....hole came up at the end and said dont pay him its rubbish--I just smiled and said dont worry--no problem and carried on packing up.

I suppose on reflection the wife of the birthday boy really should have booked a blues/jazz band--but then again they are often expensive compared to us guys :eek:

It does also raise questions about who books what when couples have very different tastes in music--even at my one hour Wedding Barn Dance spot on Saturday it was obvious the bride ( who booked me ) loved Barn Dancing but her miserable new husband didnt really--only dancing on the first one--Wedding Reel--and not interested after that.:(

CRAZY K

[theoloyla]

Yes Alan,
The agent had gone by then but there is no problem getting paid as it was the hotel who booked me via the agent who they use on a regular basis. I had the booking information sheet from the client specifying the sort of music they wanted and those special requests plus I also telephoned the lady and spoke to her in advance of the gig. The problem was, as you said, the person for who the party was being thrown had totally different ideas from his wife and his guests. He didnt want champagne he wanted beer and he didnt want general party music he wanted jazz and blues.

[CRAZY K]

Yes Alan,
The agent had gone by then but there is no problem getting paid as it was the hotel who booked me via the agent who they use on a regular basis. I had the booking information sheet from the client specifying the sort of music they wanted and those special requests plus I also telephoned the lady and spoke to her in advance of the gig. The problem was, as you said, the person for who the party was being thrown had totally different ideas from his wife and his guests. He didnt want champagne he wanted beer and he didnt want general party music he wanted jazz and blues.

All in all Theo its difficult to please everyone on that basis--impossible in fact. Its amazing the lady puts up with him, being a drunk as well.:(

But you finished the job as a true pro---

I totally agree you have to tell the audience whats going on otherwise YOU get criticised.

Alan
CRAZY K

[Dragonfly]

All in all Theo its difficult to please everyone on that basis--impossible in fact. Its amazing the lady puts up with him, being a drunk as well.:(

But you finished the job as a true pro---

I totally agree you have to tell the audience whats going on otherwise YOU get criticised.

Alan
CRAZY K


This is something I have started to do alot of with the increase of a playlist more and more at gigs and because ive had so many calls from people who saw a dj last weekend at a wedding and there was no atmosphere and he played total rubbish all night.

"really i'm sorry to hear that if no one likes the music it is very difficult to create an atmosphere but maybe he had been instructed to play from a list of songs provided by the bride and groom?"

"oh really? I never thought of that"

[Shaun]

I agree with you but by the very nature of what we do we should have thick skins and plenty of patience.

I agree, and I do have.


I knew that the action I took in calling him out publically would work

To be honest, I think you handled it well. There's no reasoning with people like him.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

This is something I have started to do alot of with the increase of a playlist more and more at gigs and because ive had so many calls from people who saw a dj last weekend at a wedding and there was no atmosphere and he played total rubbish all night.

"really i'm sorry to hear that if no one likes the music it is very difficult to create an atmosphere but maybe he had been instructed to play from a list of songs provided by the bride and groom?"

"oh really? I never thought of that"

Good point Dave.

[Penfold42]

I notice that quite a few regulars were posting on here last night.

Ricesnaps, Mr Mayhem, Beerfunk, Tony Scott & Penmare among others.

Did you all have the night off?

It just seems a bit of a coincidence in the middle of the wedding season.

:confused: :confused: :confused:

And before you ask again, I'm not working tonight either.......:p :p :D

[Twinspin]

Me neither not tonight. I am working tommorow night though. Im sat here tonight munching barbecue food. and drinking :beer1: Not exactly the nicest day for one. But (were having one all under one roof)

Its the future you should try it. :D

[Penfold42]

Me neither not tonight. I am working tommorow night though. Im sat here tonight munching barbecue food. (yum) Not exactly the nicest day for one. But (were having one all under one roof)

Its the future you should try it. :D

Bet that makes the house smell nice....:p :p :D

[rob1963]

And before you ask again, I'm not working tonight either.......:p :p :D

Me neither!

.....but I usually don't on Fridays

[Twinspin]

Bet that makes the house smell nice....:p :p :D

nicer than the barbecue. I cooked it on a George Formby Grill. much more pleasant than the mike tyson grill

Lean Mean Ear Grilling Machine

http://www.badtasteadvertising.com/images/badads/tysongrill.jpg

[Penfold42]

nicer than the barbecue. I cooked it on a George Formby Grill. much more pleasant than the mike tyson grill

Lean Mean Ear Grilling Machine

http://www.badtasteadvertising.com/images/badads/tysongrill.jpg

Body's a temple and all that...LOL....:rolleyes:
Got a patio heater, still packed, never been out......2008...maybe.:D

[Corabar Steve]

nicer than the barbecue. I cooked it on a George Formby Grill.

Turned out nice again

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Turned out nice again

Beat me too it...:D

[Shaun]

Turned out nice again

:lol: