So when does a DJ need to retire or you really need to stay abreast of modern music??

[rob1963]

What's the connection between retiring & whether or not you stay abreast of modern music?

[theoloyla]

I am one of the oldies and have been doing this job longer than most. When will I give it up? My usual answer is when it give me up. Last night I did a high school prom. I actually tried to find a youngster to come with me but couldnt; so Jan and I did it on our own. I have never been a particularly up-front sort of dj even when I was doing clubs. I tend to play pop and commercial dance. I certainly dont try too hard to educate mobile audiences. Inevitably I had to play a lot of r'n'b, house and garage last night. I do keep up to date with modern stuff. I was mostly driven by requests. The organizers asked me to play some cheesey party oldies later on in the evening and it was a good night so much so that they have booked me again for next year. Last year they apparently had a 19 year old dj who played what he wanted all night and nobody danced. I am three times his age and charged them twice as much. When should I retire? You tell me.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

When should I retire? You tell me.

Now is a good a time as any Theo....

No, seriously, I think that shows great versatility if you can still do 18th s and proms and be comfortable doing it.

I have a 50 year old working for me who won't touch these kind of parties as he doesn't know or understand the music.

[Ryu]

Good on you Theo, I think thats exactly what I was getting at in my post. You've gained yourself an extra gig by not being afraid to try genre's or era's of music your not entirely comfortable with. And you can have a bit of an ego massage knowing that, as a self confessed oldie, you can still get "down" with the younger crowds.

[Megamix]

I always say I play 'mainstream' popular music - i.e. accepted, established, recognized.

[DJWilson]

Quite when you start to struggle to carry the gear

[rob1963]

I have a 50 year old working for me who won't touch these kind of parties as he doesn't know or understand the music.

I'm exactly the same.....and I'm only 45!



There again, I'll probably be trtired by the time I'm 50.

[Penfold42]

I'm exactly the same.....and I'm only 45!



There again, I'll probably be trtired by the time I'm 50.

Branching out Rob.........

[Corabar Steve]

It's nice to see that this thread has provoked some debate.

Tony (A1DL), Gary & big Callum:

The rest of you:
Now go & sit in the corner with a dictionary & don't come out until you've memorised the definition of the word parody

[Excalibur]

I am one of the oldies and have been doing this job longer than most. When will I give it up? My usual answer is when it give me up. Last night I did a high school prom. I actually tried to find a youngster to come with me but couldnt; so Jan and I did it on our own. I have never been a particularly up-front sort of dj even when I was doing clubs. I tend to play pop and commercial dance. I certainly dont try too hard to educate mobile audiences. Inevitably I had to play a lot of r'n'b, house and garage last night. I do keep up to date with modern stuff. I was mostly driven by requests. The organizers asked me to play some cheesey party oldies later on in the evening and it was a good night so much so that they have booked me again for next year. Last year they apparently had a 19 year old dj who played what he wanted all night and nobody danced. I am three times his age and charged them twice as much. When should I retire? You tell me.

Theo, as ever I salute you. Now I'll take some of the plaudits back, as surely that's how it should be done, even I reckon that's my philosophy. Stuff this retiring game, I'll never recoup the costs of the digital switch back!!!

Now is a good a time as any Theo....

No, seriously, I think that shows great versatility if you can still do 18th s and proms and be comfortable doing it.

I have a 50 year old working for me who won't touch these kind of parties as he doesn't know or understand the music.

His loss I feel. I never said I know or understand it, but I can keep shoving it into the machines.

Quite when you start to struggle to carry the gear

Cheeky young whippersnapper. Which of us is using a heavier PA I wonder?

I'm exactly the same.....and I'm only 45!



There again, I'll probably be trtired by the time I'm 50.

Yeah, but you're a wuss.

It's nice to see that this thread has provoked some debate.

Tony (A1DL), Gary & big Callum:

The rest of you:
Now go & sit in the corner with a dictionary & don't come out until you've memorised the definition of the word parody

Baffled me mate, I thought you were making a serious, pertinent and germane point, in an effort to provoke intelligent discussion, and disseminate information.
Then again I could have been wrong.