Greatest accomplishments or low moments in your DJ career

[The Lord of Flatbush]

Members of the Forum:

This is an inquiry for those moments when your dreams came true acquiring residency in a club, Mix Show DJ for Radio or any, entertainment accomplishments. On the other hand (if you choose to discuss), what was the lowest moment in your DJ career?

For example:

The lowest moment of my DJ career came when I spun @ this party in Brooklyn of 2001. It was a thirty minute set where my genre of music called for the classics.

Unfortunately, those in attendance responded to the genre of Reggae, Hip Hop & R&B. When it was time to perform my set which included Sylvia Striplin - Give me your love, First Choice - Love Thang & Inner Life - I'm Caught Up (In A One Night Love Affair) just to name a few, the crowd booed when my set ended.

Reason being, the age of those in attendance ranged from ages 21-35. The promoters who booked me for the event requested the classics, expected some of its family, friends and personnel balancing out the regulars.

The following which came from its, previous parties attracted the 21-30 crowd and other DJ's who played mostly Reggae, Hip Hop and R&B fed into their liking.

Fortunately, the fee received for my services turned :oops: from a low moment to :P after thirty minutes.

[KBallenger53]

Hey, this is a good subject. Since nobody's posted on it, I'll be the first, if not the only one. Some of the low moments happened to me during my DJ career, (since '76), has been the theivery amongst, low down and dirty DJ's. Why, because of Cold Naked Envy!!!One of the first things I learned, (and I learned the hard way), was to get a permanent magic marker and write my name on my records in BOLD LETTERS, so that I can ID them in case I had to leave the DJ booth for something. I've lost some good stuff because I had something that somebody else didn't have, or wasn't able to get. Luckily I had enough connections to replace my records, but it's a shame that you had to go through this.Then I used to sit back and watch other DJ's get stuff taken out of their crates, and slipped into someone else's. You see, theives work in clicks, so they know how to look out for each other. The embarrasing thing about that is that sometimes they forget that they've stolen something with another DJ's name on it, and play it, then that DJ just may happen to stop by the DJ booth to say What's Up, and notice his record on the turntable. Then all HELL would break loose. You can get really jacked up if you're caught doing this, especially if it's a real hot record, or an import!!!'NUFF SAID

[KBallenger53]

Hey, I just remembered something else. I also remember playing a party at Kean College in Union, NJ. The place was packed, and the party was jumping. But mid-way through it, ONE OF MY SPEAKERS BLEW!!! Man, I thought I would die. But as they say, THE SHOW MUST GO ON!!! So I had to finish out the night, with one speaker. Although the crowd complained about things not being loud enough, they still had a great time, dancing around ONE SPEAKER!!!'NUFF SAID

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

Members of the Forum:

...what was the lowest moment in your DJ career?

Every damn time I'd get so into a mix, that I'm Mr. Bigshot / Can't Touch This, by the time it's done.

Then I pick-up the wrong needle.:icon_evil:

[KBallenger53]

Every damn time I'd get so into a mix, that I'm Mr. Bigshot / Can't Touch This, by the time it's done.

Then I pick-up the wrong needle.:icon_evil:

THERE IS A GOD!!! I thought I was the only person in the world that did that. I remember doing that with T-Connection's: At Midnite, & Trussels: Love Injection.

I wanted to hide!!!:icon_lol:

'NUFF SAID

[Cdnbob]

I envy those of you who actually DJ'ed in a club as I never managed to get to that level. I was waaay too shy back then to push myself forward to be able to get to play in a club. I was happy just playing for friends and making mix tapes for friends and co-workers and they really enjoying the tapes I made for them. Though I often thought about owning my own club and playing there.

[KBallenger53]

I envy those of you who actually DJ'ed in a club as I never managed to get to that level. I was waaay too shy back then to push myself forward to be able to get to play in a club. I was happy just playing for friends and making mix tapes for friends and co-workers and they really enjoying the tapes I made for them. Though I often thought about owning my own club and playing there.

How long have you been mixing now Cdnbob? As they say, practice makes perfect. Once you get past that first mix while mixing at a club, it's just like another day at the office. The only differences will the accoustics of the place that you're playing at. So instead of having the sound right next to you at home, they'll be farther away! Just hope that the DJ booth has a cue monitor in there with you to prevent being a fraction of a beat off.But believe it or not, I knew some Cats, that could mix straight off the dance floor, no matter how much reverb they're getting, and the mixes are right on the money. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I had gotten to the point whereas I could do it too, depending on the size of the club, but for accuracy sake, have a cue monitor in the booth with you.

There's no bigger rush to one's ego, than seeing hundreds of people dancing, and partying to YOUR MUSIC!!! One of the things that you'll have to learn is pacing yourself, especially if you're working by yourself. Let your music elevate gradually. By that I mean, NEVER, EVER, NEVER, start the night off with your best cuts. Think of it as a 747 taking off down the runway, you need that thrust to get off the ground, so play something that's gonna get them out of their seats first. As you're climbing, let the intensity of your records build, until you level off. This gives you time to get your next set of records set up. Remember: YOU HAVEN'T REACHED THE CRUISING ALTITUDE OF 35,000 FEET YET, AND YOU'VE GOT ALL NIGHT. By this time you're ready to climb again, and you let the records take the crowd higher again. Then level off. By this time, it's 3AM, which is Prime-Time for most clubs!!! You've got your next set of cuts set up, and you start climbing again!!! Right now you're at 29,000 FEET. Almost at Cruising altitude. It's now 5:30 am, the crowd is in the palm of your hands, because YOU ARE AT THE CONTROLS.

Getting thirsty? Well then, SWITCH TO AUTO-PILOT. That's when you blend in you're best mixed tape with what's currently playing. Sneak down to the Bar, grab a drink, because DJ's drink for free, nobody will notice you're gone, while you slip back into the DJ booth. Now you're ready, to take them to THE MAX. It's now, 6:15 am. You've saved your best records for last. You blend in the 1rst one with the mixed tape that you had on, and from then on instead of climbing like a 747, YOU'RE LIFTING STRAIGHT UP LIKE THE SPACE SHUTTLE!!! And knocking their heads off!!!

You're now past 35,000 feet, and have left the EARTH'S GRAVITATIONAL PULL. YOU'RE NOW IN ORBIT!!! The girls are screaming, the guys are cheering, whistles are blowing, clothes are being ripped off, walls are shaking, ears are ringing, one guy's passed out under the table, and you're working your butt off!!!Then you get on the mike, give the: LAST CALL FOR ALCOHOL, THANK YOU FOR COMING, COME BACK NEXT TIME, AND GOOD NIGHT speil. Then let the last record play out to the end for a nice soft landing. They'll come back every time after that.'NUFF SAID

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

I envy those of you who actually DJ'ed in a club as I never managed to get to that level. ... Though I often thought about owning my own club and playing there.

Keep in mind that it wasn't always applause and wild nights. And, after about 5-10 years, it starts to take a toll on you, physically. I'm pretty well deaf on my booth-speaker side. And there's quite a bit gone from the headphone side, too.

And, for every fantastic Saturday night, there were quite a few snoozer weeknights, where it's just you, the bartenders and at least one annoying drunk who can't understand why you don't have his favorite record with you.:icon_evil:

As for owning, or even managing a club???
Ain't enough money in the world to make me that masochistic!:icon_lol:

[Cdnbob]

How long have you been mixing now Cdnbob?

I first started around 1979/80 and was making mix tapes/mixing at home right up till around 2000. I got to the point where I thought I was pretty good, as did friends, and I'm able to tell what constitutes a good and bad mix and even experimenting with mixes/sounds. I know what you mean about building up the "atmosphere" in waves of peaks and valley's - I use to do that on the tapes I made. Sadly, what skill I did have is rather rusty now as its been quite a few years since I've done any kind of mixing. During a spell of unemployment I had a few years back, I had to give up my apartment and put everything I owned in storage where all my records, cd's, tapes, equipment/turntables/mixer are. But now that I'm back on my feet one of my goals is to get my own place again and start practicing those mixing skills.

[KBallenger53]

I first started around 1979/80 and was making mix tapes/mixing at home right up till around 2000. I got to the point where I thought I was pretty good, as did friends, and I'm able to tell what constitutes a good and bad mix and even experimenting with mixes/sounds. I know what you mean about building up the "atmosphere" in waves of peaks and valley's - I use to do that on the tapes I made. Sadly, what skill I did have is rather rusty now as its been quite a few years since I've done any kind of mixing. During a spell of unemployment I had a few years back, I had to give up my apartment and put everything I owned in storage where all my records, cd's, tapes, equipment/turntables/mixer are. But now that I'm back on my feet one of my goals is to get my own place again and start practicing those mixing skills.

That's the spirit Cdnbob, stay positive!!! I've been in the same situation as you've been as far as having to give up my apt. and put my stuff in storage. But although you'll go through the rusty period, remember, it's just like riding a bike, you never forget. Now, it's just a matter of rebuilding your collection with the latest records.

All it takes is CONFIDENCE!!! And you'll be surprised what YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH!!! True indeed, as Steve has mentioned, although I'm still cracking up laughing, it will take it's toll on you, as far as your hearing is concerned, not to mention some backaches from having to carry speakers, crates, coffins, etc.

BUT, it's a great hustle!!! And even more easier for the New Jacks out there because they don't have to carry as much stuff because, you've got 17 or more songs on 1 CD, so all they need is a case of about 20 CD's, and that eliminates having to carry so many crates!!! (Makes me jealous)

You can also make a lot of money, doing this. Especially if you're a Mobile DJ, because you're setting your own price!!! You just have to be aware of what the competition is charging also, but you'll learn to haggle!!! Clubs usually have their set fees, or you may make your money at the door. Which means, you're getting paid depending on the SIZE of the crowd. Which can suck, because if another club is having an EXTRAVAGANZA on the same night, you can loose out!!!

So being a DJ has it's Pros and Cons.

'NUFF SAID