From Funk to Country

Looking back on the past month, I realized that we went from playing for a funk/r&b/old-school/blues crowd to a country/southern rock/rock 'n' roll crowd in two weeks - and we survived. Talk about your hardcore transition of thought processes, especially where we had to do a lot of research and collecting in the funk and country genres. I mean, these are two opposite ends of the spectrum. I learned a lot and have gained more of an appreciation for these genres. And from Earth, Wind, & Fire to Alan Jackson, I had a ton of fun!

An Interesting Question

As the owner of a newer business, I've been preparing myself for all sorts of questions. My counterpart, Jon, and I have had numerous discussions about our philosophies as DJs, among other things. Recently, I got a question that I wasn't expecting, but that I was prepared for by knowing a bit about our competition.

In preparation for a meeting, I was asked by a client whether I would be the DJ at their event or if it was going to be another DJ from within the company. A fair question indeed, considering that there are so many disc jockey services out there who run more than one rig (rig=setup).

To answer the question, I explained that we're a very small company, with only two DJs, and that we BOTH attend each event. As we add on equipment, we might have a roadie or apprentice (woohoo!) accompany us, but we will always be there. Thinking about it more, I mean, why would I want to miss out on any of the fun?

Low Cost Doesn't Always Mean Low Quality

...Especially not in the case of my company. There are those who venture to say that a DJ who charges a low fee for an event is inexperienced and NOT considered a professional DJ.

I find myself looking at the rate I charge for events and wonder: Would it appease people if I raised my prices? Currently, I charge enough for the overhead costs on travel, music updating, and maintenance & upgrades for my equipment. So far, I've been hired because we're a great deal, essentially the lowest bidder. I've read a lot of articles by DJs who are (of course) advertising themselves, stating that one should shoot for a DJ who bids in the middle (which of course, they are just that DJ). Supposedly, low bidders are inexperienced, desperate DJs and high bidders may not just be that much worth it.


I love what I do. I'm not making a living off it, but it is an extra job that I truly enjoy. I love making people happy, giving them a good time, even if it's just for one night. I love to attract much-needed attention for charities and businesses, boosting their development. Most of all, music and technology research is my niche. It's fun to expand my appreciation for more genres of music and to learn about their histories. The tech part is fun, too, mostly because I love shopping.

Let's see...big spending, loads of fun, good tunes, happy people.... Yup! I'm there.

Back from Leave

Well, I'm back from Florida - the 5 days in the Orlando area were too quick. However, I learned a lot from the pros. I visited Disney's Pleasure Island and had a great time! I visited all of the clubs in there at least once (they have multiple clubs in the same complex, each with a different theme). Despite being located in a premium resort area, there wasn't a whole lot going on. It was a Monday night, which explained that part, but I had thought that people on vacation frequented it. The complex might be popular with people more on the weekend or something. Oh, well.
The emptiness of the clubs gave me the opportunity to really scope out how things were set up. I am working on upgrading and adding more to my current setup, because it is quite basic. I now have a better idea of what kind of lighting shows I want to put on and with what sort of equipment. Like I said, what I have now is pretty good, but I want more. (evil laugh)

Going on Leave

It's been a long time since my last post - sorry about that. This whole thing with working three jobs (web designer, liquor store clerk, disc jockey) has me going in different directions. All the while, I've been helping people get a house ready for sale, straightening up my apartment, and studying more music for some upcoming wedding receptions and a family reunion. I also assisted in a wedding reception Saturday night with a friend from WILY Radio at Purdue University, where I am an alum. It's time for a break...sort of.

Next week, I will be near Orlando, Florida, where my parents have a timeshare rental at a condo for a week. I'll be taking the boyfriend along, too, for a 16-hour drive over 2 days, each way. The plan is to relax (of course) and to be inspired. We'll be visiting Disney's Pleasure Island at least once. I've never been. In fact, it's been years since I've been to a club other than a campus bar. (There really aren't clubs on Purdue's campus, just larger bars with dance floors.) Hopefully, I'll have something to bring back as far as lighting and sound ideas are concerned. I will be thinking about what sort of lighting is used for each theme; how each component comes together to produce the desired effect. I will also be noting how sound is used effectively - we have a handle on this for the business, but you never know, we could something to make it better.

So, in reality, this is not just a vacation. I really am taking time off for professional development. Yeah, that's it! I'll share what I learn when I return to Indiana. In the meantime, enjoy the fireworks!!

Theme Songs

At my day job as a web designer, we'll get asked these "juicer" questions before meetings. I normally don't think of it as the best way to spend the first 5-10 minutes of a meeting, but it can get interesting sometimes.

Last week, the question was about what theme song I would choose for myself. Normally, something like that should take some deep thought. However, I'd already been thinking about it, so I actually had a sound answer (well, one that I didn't feel stupid sharing with everyone).

I actually have three theme songs that apply to me:

Work: The Bangles, "Manic Monday"
Personal: Bon Jovi, "Livin' On a Prayer"
As a DJ: Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force, "Planet Rock"

I think that you can learn a lot about a person by the music that they prefer to listen to, especially a DJ. Many of us claim to have eclectic tastes and no preference. We love all music, simply because we're DJs. That is not necessarily true. To me, not having a preference is just walking a fence.

I enjoy music and I'll listen to just about anything that's out there. However, I prefer to listen to music from the 90s. To be more specific, key artists include Salt 'N' Pepa, Warren G, TLC, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, C+C Music Factory, Boys II Men, The Offspring, Nirvana, The Foo Fighters, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Goo Goo Dolls, Lifehouse, and numerous others. If it helps, I was born in 1983, so the music of the 90s really brings me back to a part of my life where I had no worries and had a lot of fun. Yeah, maybe that's what it is, or perhaps it's something deeper.

Schooled on The BeeGees

Last night, I listened to The Bee Gees Greatest Hits, both discs, and I learned a lot about the famous trio. Previously, I had only associated them with the disco era and the movie, Saturday Night Fever. I now know that they recorded during the surrounding pop eras, too. I also didn’t know that they wrote that “Massachusetts” song, among others that I recognized and said, “I know that song…didn’t know that was The Bee Gees!”

This group really adapted to the changes in music styles throughout the years, and I am still sitting in amazement that their music spanned 4 decades. As a DJ, I need to know my music, and that involves a lot of learning, some of which I did last night. I have gained a whole new respect for The Bee Gees, and I will consider using more of their music in future events.