Disc Jockey News

I couldn’t believe what I was reading, and it came from a member of the DJ Industry.

I received a call from a DJ who has read some of my blogs and has enjoyed them. He informed me about a DJ who wrote a column for a Bridal Magazine to help Brides find great entertainment.

I went on line and started to read his articles. They started in 2005 and went into mid 2006. He wrote a total of eleven articles for this publication.

At first I thought, wow! what a great idea and a wonderful way to educate the public about what we can do for them to have successful receptions. It sounded like a chance of a lifetime that I wish I had.

It was unfortunate that this publication decided to allow an amateur writer with a personal goal of self promotion to present his incoherent and sometimes down right incompetent articles.

Instead of writing things in a positive light, showing all the great things professional DJs can do, he insisted in every article to make DJs seem like worthless, unethical, thief’s out to destroy the day and steal the money.

He should have said things in a way that highlighted the good instead of focusing on the bad. "Don't hire a DJ that does this, don't hire a DJ that does that"

It was written in an "angry" voice from someone who sounded like he has lost a lot of business to DJs that did those kinds of things and he wanted revenge. All eleven articles seemed to have the exact same theme running through them…All DJs are bad unless you hire me!

One article with a title that spoke about "music selection" wasn't actually about music selection but about what to look out for in a bad DJ.

He even went as far as telling Brides "not to give lists of songs to the DJ because you’re not an entertainer and he is, let him play what he wants" He could have made Brides feel like he was putting them down.

I don't know what happened at the magazine but his articles have stopped being published, so now the publication has no expert on DJs and wedding entertainment, just all the normal Bridal Magazine articles that is in every book.

It's a shame when a person in the industry uses a terrific chance like this to educate the public about our industry but ends up using it for nothing more then self promotion and hatred towards his competitors.

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 01:06 PM | Permalink

On the "Perfect Host" on DJA Radio, the subject of DJs "missing out" because of working on the weekends seems to be a common thread. I wrote to Jim Cerone on his blog about how people who work 9 to 5 are the real people "missing out"

To: Jim Cerone, The Pefect Host

On several occasions you and others have commented on how DJs "give up" or “miss out” on so many things due to having to work on Friday or Saturday night. I have been in the DJ industry for over 25 years and understand that feeling from experience.

It’s weird when you tell people that you’re a DJ then they look at you with sad eyes and say to you how it must be awful working on the weekends.

I think a lot of that missing out feeling comes from the fact that you work a forty or more hour a week job, you get home from work and then have to work on your DJ business, then spend one or two nights actually out at a reception.

When you fill almost every second of your life working it does feel as if you are missing out on the better things in life. It’s funny how people will think it’s the DJ job that makes you “miss out” and not the job where you spend forty hours working for someone else.

I felt very much like that up until I went “Full Time” as a DJ. When I left the jobs (yes I actually had one full time and two part time and performed weddings on the weekends) Then I heard Mark Farrell and Peter Merry speak and I began to raise my rates. To make a long story short, as my price went up, the jobs dropped off.

Now when people look at me with the sad eyes, I say to them, I work ONE day a week, it happens to be Saturday night; you work Five days a week and I still make more money then you, now who is missing out?

Of course the truth is I probably put in more “actual” time and effort into my business then they put into working their day job, but I LOVE what I do, I work for myself and with the use of cell phones & lap tops I can work my DJ business from almost anywhere in the world.

Which is better, working five days a week with two off or working one day a week with six off?

My wife and I have flown mid week to places like Chicago for lunch and site seeing and was home for the evening news. We went mid week to the “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame” enjoyed the entire location and never had to wait in line for anything, you can’t do that on a weekend. Now we plan to fly to Vegas on a Tuesday and be back for the Saturday Wedding reception.

Today I don’t feel like I miss out on anything because I’m free to do as I want without having a “Day Job” with only one week of vacation to experience life.

I’ve got a great life!

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 12:42 PM | Permalink

Now anywhere there’s an electrical plug, there can be a terrific light show – thanks to American DJ’s new On-The-Go Series of plug-n-play effects. Consisting of seven easy-to-use mobile fixtures, the On-The-Go Series takes the basic plug-n-play effect into the next generation.

Designed for mobile DJs and entertainers, On-The-Go fixtures are ultra-affordable (most are under $140 MSRP) and lightweight (4-4.5 lbs.). Plus, they’re so simple to use – you just plug ’em in and let ’er rip -- that even a beginner can put on a disco-type lighting display.

But the best thing about the On-The-Go Series is that these aren’t your ordinary plug-n-players with wishy-washy beams of light. For starters, the fixtures have much-improved optics -- their 100-watt halogen lamps project so brightly and vividly that you don’t need a fog machine to make the colors and effects pop out at you. This makes the On-The-Go Series great for gigs where fog or haze can’t be used, such as many weddings.

Secondly, the effects produced by the On-The-Go fixtures go beyond your basic plug-and-play-type moving beams. Each of the seven fixtures simulates a stylish club effect, such as a kaleidoscope or flowing water image. DJs and entertainers will find a wide variety of visual looks to suit any occasion. And, as a group, the On-The-Go Series fixtures can provide a complete lighting toolchest for the mobile performer.

The seven fixtures in the On-The-Go Series are:
n Fire Fox -- simulated flame effect
n Color Expander – simulated beveled glass effect
n Gobo Splash – simulated multi gobo effect
n Hydro – simulated water effect
n Krystal – simulated glass gobo effect
n Icon – simulated gobo effect
n Prismatic – simulated kaleidoscope effect

“The On-The-Go Series is designed for mobile DJs, entertainers and beginners who want an easy, effortless way to enhance their performance with great, professional-looking lighting effects,” said Scott Davies. “Really, nothing could be simpler!

“Plus, the series gives you an interesting variety of different effects – all at very budget-friendly prices. So it’s also a great way for professionals to revamp their lighting systems without having to shell out a lot of bucks,” Davies added.

Featuring high-velocity fans, the On-The-Go fixtures can be run continuously all night with no duty cycles. They come with manual focus and an attractive high-case design.

All of the On-The-Go fixtures are extremely compact and portable. Four of them – Fire Fox, Hydro, Icon and Prismatic – weigh just 3.9 lbs. and measure 10.71” x 7.16” x 9.49”. The other three – Color Expander, Gobo Splash, Krystal – weigh 4.41 lbs. The Color Expander and Krystal measure 10.47” x 5.59” x 5.67”. The Gobo Splash measures 13.18” x 9.84” x 7.48”.

Five On-The-Go fixtures have an MSRP of $139.95 each, including Color Expander, Fire Fox, Gobo Splash, Hydro, Krystal and Prismatic. The Icon has an MSRP of $149.95.

For more information, contact American DJ at 800-322-6337 or visit the website at www.americandj.com E-mail: info@americandj.com

Posted by DJN Blog Admin at 02:48 PM | Permalink

The Disc Jockey News will be hosting the 2007 Leadership Conference on March 19-20, 2007 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The 2007 Leadership Conference will replace the Disc Jockey News’ Southern Disc Jockey Convention for 2007.

“The Southern Disc Jockey Convention was a great experience, but we have the opportunity to bring in national known leadership training programs from Maximum Impact, “ said John Young of the Disc Jockey News.

Maximum Impact is the training and leadership development company started by John C. Maxwell who is internationally known as and expert in the areas of leadership growth and development. “There are not many true experts in the world in the area of leadership, but the teachings of John Maxwell and the resources from Maximum Impact are truly at the top of the leadership training world,” commented Young.

Quality leaders make things happen and can do tremendous things, but without proper training and tooling, even the best intentioned leaders can confuse and frustrate those around them and become ineffective. The two days of leadership training in Minneapolis will focus on developing yourself as a leader and working with others to develop leaders around you.

The 2007 Leadership Conference will be limited to 40 attendees. “The disc jockey industry needs strong leaders. The 2007 Leadership Conference will help build and equip a handfull of industry leaders from around the country. Then, those leaders will be able to work to develop leaders in their areas and their markets. In time, the effect and reach of the Leadership Conferences will effect the industry and take it to the next level,” added Young.

For more information on the 2007 Leadership Conference visit http://www.discjockeynews.com.

Posted by DJN Blog Admin at 02:05 PM | Permalink

It was the biggest set of speakers I have ever seen.

This last weekend I participated in a seminar given at and by the Electro Voice (EV) Company that his located a few miles from my home. EV is world famous for their speakers, amps, Microphones and many other electronic devices that DJs and bands use.

They gave a FREE seminar to the members of the Midwest Association of Professional Disc Jockeys (MAPDJ.com) that lasted the whole day. They showed us all about the company, their exceptional equipment as well as how the equipment works and how we can get the best sound from the equipment we now use.

The most exciting thing was at the end of the day they had a sound system set up on one end of the room that they wanted to show us. It was the biggest set of speakers I have ever seen. This system consisted of four sub speakers. Each were four foot by four foot by two feet deep. They had two top end speakers that measured three feet across by about five feet tall and two feet deep.

I was standing at the farthest point away from them (approximately 40 feet) when they cranked it up.

I was literally blown away! You could feel the air movement with every hard base beat.

My body was completely vibrating, my shirt was waving in the wind and pop cans on table tops danced.

According to the EV guys there is only three locations that have this system. One in Florida, one in Vegas and one in Canada.

They are in clubs in those locations and have upwards of 20 or more of the base units in each club.

If you live near any of those clubs and the ground starts to shake on a Friday or Saturday night, it's not an earthquake, it's the speakers!

Jeff Richards

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 12:18 AM | Permalink

Ever leave a tip?

Sure you did. And most of the time you leave a tip, it’s based on the service or the quality that you perceive. Sometimes it’s a combination of qualities: Food plus server.

But these days, tipping has changed. Everyone seems to have their hand out, asking -- no, begging -- for more money. If you go into a Starbucks, there’s the familiar plastic bin by the cash register that’s always filled to some varying degree with change and a few bucks. Sometimes it’s a jar. Sometimes it’s a fish bowl. But it’s ever present where you see a counter and some servers.

What the workers are really saying is, “My company doesn’t pay me enough, so I need to beg you for more.”

Now I know this seems a bit harsh. “Oh, those poor people slaving behind the counter.” But the bottom line is, the company that employs them is making huge profits while their front line people predominantly starve. People on the front lines are always the lowest paid. I wish I understood it. But I don’t. No, I’m not a socialist, but I am a pragmatist.

That’s one way of looking at tipping. Let’s take a look at another way: Suppose EVERYBODY on the front lines of service had to EARN tips.

Ever go to an airport? If you’re like me, and you check a bag (or two), you go to a skycap. Skycaps work for tips. I know this, and I tip liberally as a result of it. The skycaps at the airport in Charlotte, North Carolina (my home airport) are the best in the U.S. They’re friendly. They’re helpful. And they don’t have a jar out. They do the same excellent job -- whether they’re tipped or not.

But suppose EVERYBODY in the airport worked for tips. People at the ticket counter, the flight attendants, and the people in baggage claim. Can you imagine if they HAD to work for tips? At the end of a day, they’d go home with no money, griping to their significant other about the lousy tippers at the airport -- never for one second thinking that maybe their lousy service and poor attitude contributed to their negligible income.

But wait! There’s more! Think of all the other rude front line people in the world. How about the administrative people in a doctor’s office? Would you tip them? What about gatekeepers when you’re making a cold call? Would you tip them? What about sales clerks who ignore you when you’re shopping? Would you tip them? I doubt it.

At the root of a tip you’ll find friendliness, helpfulness, and service. But there’s a secret. In order to perform this you have to have the desire to serve. And you have to display the pride that goes along with giving great service.

No successful server is ever going to say, “I’m doing the best I can,” or “They don’t pay me enough to do that,” or “It’s not my job.”

The point here is that service has nothing to do with the company. Service has everything to do with the people who work for the company.

Ever go to a hotel? The doorman is friendly because he works on tips. The bellman is friendly because he works on tips. So why doesn’t the front desk clerk work on tips?

It’s interesting to note that many bellmen work at the same hotel for years, while the front desk position turns over as much as 400% a year.

How do you serve? Could you earn tips?

Think about the last server you had in a restaurant. Think about how they should have served and convert that to your service.

Here are 4.5 “tips to earn the tip.” (Even if it’s not in the form of money.)
1. Start with a smile. Smiles are contagious. People want to know you’re happy.
2. Engage in a friendly manner. Start with your name. Stop when it comes to your canned pitch. Why don’t you say something like, "This is a great restaurant. You’re gonna have a great meal." Make a statement that gives others comfort.
3. Help others sincerely and without expectation. Your job is to serve. Do that with excellence and all will be well.
4. Tell them how nice it was to serve them. Be sincere. That’s no problem if you’ve been sincere all along.
4.5 Thank them. The best way to end your encounter is to say, "Thanks for being my customer. Hope to see you again soon."

If you serve like you’re working for tips, your reward will be much more than financial; it will be personal fulfillment. That’s the tip you give yourself.

Sometimes the best tip you can give others isn’t money. For example, I often give a signed copy of my book to people I feel went above and beyond their duty. For you, if you haven’t written your book yet, it might be dried flowers from your garden, or something that you made, or a keepsake that costs a buck or two. You can find tons of them at little gift stores. A small gift is most often better than a monetary tip -- because it’s from the heart.

The best tip of all that you can give to others is a kind word of thanks, or a compliment. They love hearing it from customers because they probably never hear it from their boss.

Jeffrey Gitomer, author of The Little Black Book of Connections, and The Little Red Book of Sales Answers. President of Charlotte-based Buy Gitomer, he gives seminars, runs annual sales meetings, and conducts internet training programs on selling and customer service at www.trainone.com. He can be reached at 704/333-1112 or e-mail to salesman@gitomer.com

Posted by DJN Blog Admin at 07:04 AM | Permalink

Kevin was intervied here by Chat Rash host Bill James. DJA Radio

It is an interesting listen and his comments on Bill Jame's Blog are also very interesting Bill James Blog

Then, the reading continues on a populat chat board

Chat Board Entry

Posted by DJN Blog Admin at 10:11 AM | Permalink

The row of shiny Peavey guitars, amplifiers and drums was overwhelming enough for Krista Fanning's second-period music class.

But before the shock of winning a stage's worth of new Peavey musical equipment could set in, Peavey endorser and "American Idol" star Bo Bice surprised Fanning and her Youree Drive Middle School students with a live performance and meet-and-greet session.

Bice spoke to the students about the value of music in life, then plugged a Peavey acoustic guitar into a Classic® 30 amp--the same model that has been a staple of his live show for more than 10 years--and entertained the Shreveport classroom with a song from his debut album,
"The Real Thing."

Fanning won the first Ultimate Music Room Makeover essay contest, sponsored by In Tune Monthly magazine and presented by Peavey. In Tune Monthly, a classroom music education magazine for teenage music students, chose Fanning's essay over hundreds of compelling entries from
teachers and school administrators across the U.S.

"This equipment will help me teach every single one of my classes," wrote Fanning. "My district supplies absolutely no budget for equipment, and anything we have is either old or something I have supplied [from my home]. This equipment will not be limited just to my students. I will
open my music room to area schools and young music groups."

Peavey donated an HP* Signature electric guitar; a Generation* electric guitar; two Classic® 30 guitar amplifiers; a Milestone* bass guitar; a MAX® 115 bass amp; a PV® 500 drum kit; three PV® MSP1 microphone sets; a PR* 15P powered loudspeaker; and an assortment of stands, cables, straps and guitar picks.

"Music really took over as the guiding force in my life when I was their age, and I actually built my earliest amplifiers then, too," said Hartley Peavey, founder and CEO of Peavey Electronics. "I hope this equipment provides a spark for these students' creative development, because that will stay with them and motivate them toward further achievements in music and in life."

In Tune Monthly CEO Irwin Kornfeld remarked, "Peavey's dedication to music education really made this happen. We're pleased to know that this Peavey equipment will be used by students in this school district for many years."

Founded in 1965, Peavey® is one of the world's largest manufacturers of musical instruments and professional sound equipment. Peavey holds more than 130 patents and produces more than 2,000 products, which are
distributed throughout the United States and to 136 other countries. Peavey and its MediaMatrix®, Architectural Acoustics®, PVDJ®, Crest Audio® and Trace Elliot® brands and affiliates can be found on concert stages and in more than 3,000 airports, stadiums, theme parks and other
venues around the world. To find out more, visit www.peavey.com.

Posted by DJN Blog Admin at 09:42 AM | Permalink

They call, make an appointment then leave you hangin' on!

There seems to be a rash of this going on right now. I have talked with other DJs that have been running into the same problem.

A Bride/Groom calls you on the phone, you talk about their special day and then set an appointment for them to meet you to go over more details and possibly sign a contract.

You spend your few hours prior to the meeting prepping everything, checking your paperwork, cleaning your office (home) making sure everything is perfect and dressing for success.

The minutes ticking down seems like hours and then it's finally time.......and then it’s five minutes past time.....then it's a half hour past time.

You give them a call to see if they forgot or possible something has come up and would like to reschedule. There's no one answering the phone so you leave a polite answer for them to give you a call back…which they never do.

To make a long story short....They never had any intentions of showing up. It was just a ploy to compare your price and service to other DJs. What bothers me is why they make the appointment in the first place?

If I'm out of their price range, or I don't offer what ever it is they think they are looking for, why not just say "Thank you" and be done with it. Why schedule an appointment?

Then if after you make the appointment and you have a reason to cancel it, why not call and say so? It would be the kind and courteous thing to do.

Sometimes these calls are actually made by other DJs or even their friends. (Caller I.D. really works) so that the Bottom Feeders can compare your price and undercut you in order to steal the work from better, more deserving entertainers.

It's a shame DJs can't be honest and just come right out and say, "Hay what do you charge?" Or "What do you do for your price?” “How can I charge that much?”

What would happen if I sent these people a bill for the cost of a missed office visit? Doctors and Dentists do it why can't DJs?

Any idea what a missed DJ office visit should cost?

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 05:39 PM | Permalink

Testa Communications today announced that the International DJ Expo, sponsored by DJ Times magazine, held August 21-24 at the Atlantic City Convention Center, was a huge success.

Nearly 5,000 DJs from beginner jocks to mobiles to club DJs to remixer/producers enjoyed the 30 seminars and workshops, an exhibit hall jammed with the latest gear from 100 top DJ manufacturers and service providers as well as unforgettable parties and DJ showcases. One lucky attendee, ChrisAnn Perdomo of North Arlington, NJ, was the winner of the $25,000 Ultimate DJ System giveaway.

“With more than twice the number of DJs in attendance than at any other US show, the DJ Expo is the place DJs go to network, make purchasing decisions and build their skills,” said Vinny Testa, publisher and show director. “Manufacturers and end-users alike benefit from synergies that exist only at the DJ Expo.”

The DJ Expo expanded in all areas. Exhibit space was up 6% over last year with 17 first time exhibitors.
It attracted 4,864 professional DJs from the United States and abroad, a 2% increase over last year’s show. Equipment sales on the show floor were estimated at more than $1.5 million.

New at the International DJ Expo
Keynote speaker Bryan Dodge presented his program, “How to Build a Better You,” which left Expo attendees inspired and motivated; the Pacha Lounge, sponsored by HPNOTIQ, brought hot DJs and dancers from the international nightclub brand to the Convention Center; and La Revoluçion Tour and Media Services NYC brought Latin music-related seminars to the Expo and offered a showcase at Club Tru on Wednesday night that included top reggaeton acts like La Bruja and DJ Creme..

Plenty of DJ-related products made their industry debuts at DJ Expo, including Pioneer’s DVJ-1000 audio/video player, M-Audio’s Torq DJ software and American Audio’s MCD-710 MP3/CD player. Chauvet debuted lighting products that include the LEd Colorbank, Colortube EQ, Led Colorsplash, The Scrambler and the Extreme 300. Martin Professional released four lighting products from its Mania Series—the SCX600 and SCX700 scanners and the EFX500 and EFX600 effects. Numark Industries debuted a slew of new harddrive-oriented gear, including the Hd Mix playback system, the HdX tabletop Hd/ Cd/MP3 player and the iCdX Cd/Hd media player.

DJ Expo Testimonials
“This has been a very successful DJ Expo once again. The mixture of manufacturers, dealers and distributors along with a host of club DJs, bedroom DJs and mobile DJs makes this show one of the most, if not the most, successful trade shows we do all year. It’s definitely the most profitable.”
—Nick Hahn, Marketing Director, Promo Only

“This is the show to come to see when you want to find what to purchase for the next year in the market. Everyone recreates their rig every couple of years anyway and you can walk into a music store but that store is limited to what they have in stock. It’s good to hear feedback from DJs that come. It helped create better products for the DJs, it helps our entire company decide better what we need to do and where we need to do it.”
—Chris Roman, Product Development Manager, Numark

“This is our first time at DJ Expo and we are excited to reach all these DJs in one big environment. For us, it’s a great show because it’s mainly DJs. A lot of the other trade shows [we do] are mostly producers and we are a service for DJs. It is great for there to be one focus at the show, All DJs. Everyone is really into it. A lot of professionals too. The professionals like to spend money.”
— Shawn Sabo, Beatport.com

“This is our first time exhibiting here and it’s been a great experience. We’re an online DJ community, so what we are trying to do is just meet as many kinds of DJs as possible whether it is mobile, hip hop, turntablists, scratch DJs, dance DJs. They’re all under our roof, all under one community, and they are all here.”
— Aaron Eng, Mix Revolution.com

About the International DJ Expo
The International DJ Expo—which debuted in 1990—is America’s longest running and most successful DJ conference and exhibition. The Expo is hosted DJ Times magazine. Since 1988, DJ Times has covered the entire DJ industry and the evolving DJ, including club, mobile, scratch, remixer/producer and bedroom DJs.

In addition to hosting The International DJ Expo, Testa Communications publishes DJ Times, Club Systems International, The Music & Sound Retailer, and Sound & Communications magazines and produces Convention TV News at trade shows.

Posted by DJN Blog Admin at 03:46 PM | Permalink

Sound quality in High Definition.

I have been using the BOSE PAS L1 B1 sound system for almost one year and I have to tell you, I wouldn't trade it for any other system out there today.

The separation of high, mid and bass is so clear that you will actually hear things in your music that you might never have heard before.

My wife has a ear problem and when she walked anywhere near my old conventional speakers she would have to plug her ears.

Now with my BOSE we can stand directly in front of the speaker while the dance is jumping and have a clear conversation without hurting her ears.

I have used this system in small, medium and huge event locations. I have used it Three times for out door events and even in gymnasiums and every time it produced unbelievable quality sound.

It is a whole new way of hearing sound; I’d even call it “High Definition.”

Guests are amazed with the system and I spend a lot of time at events answering questions about them.

Like any speaker system you do need to have quality equipment feeding into the system. If you have garbage going in, you will have garbage coming out.

The BOSE PAS L1 B1 is also so light and easy to assemble and brake down. With today’s technology there is no reason to haul gigantic speakers and subs anymore. I have easily shaved 30 minutes off my set up and tear down time using the new BOSE.

Check it out, I think you will like them.

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 03:41 PM | Permalink

Mobile Beat is now going to make it easier for you to invest in your business at the Mobile Beat DJ Shows and Conferences through the DJ Equipment Financing Program.

Starting with the MBLV07 show at the SouthCoast in Las Vegas February 20-22, 2007 you will be able to be pre-approved for a business lease for your purchases at and immediately after the show!

Andy Powell, Mobile Beat's national sales director said "We know that DJs come to our shows to buy new gear, so to make it more financially feasable for them to do so, we created this program as an alternative to high interest credit cards." Ryan Burger, publisher of Mobile Beat Magazine, adds, "this will allow show attendees to know that they have the funds in hand when the exhibit doors open."

The program will start accepting applications in November for processing. The approval process usually is completed within 24 hours. Look for more information including applications at www.mobilebeat.com.

----

About Frontier Leasing
Located in Urbandale, Iowa, Frontier Leasing Corporation is a privately held financial services company that provides equipment lease financing to small- and medium-sized businesses on a national level. Frontier Leasing is here to make your equipment leasing program as efficient and cost effective as possible. Frontier Leasing Corporation is a diversified financial services company. At Frontier you get a total leasing package that is based on: Client Service, Quick Credit Approval - Generally 24 to 48 hours or less, Competitive Rates, Fixed Rate Leasing, Flexibility, Diversity of Programs - Terms/Payment/Etc, Simplified - Easy to understand lease plans and the Ability to design.

Frontier Leasing Corp.
11180 Aurora Avenue - Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 251-6920

Posted by DJN Blog Admin at 09:57 AM | Permalink

He’s sold over 250 million records worldwide, which places him at #56 in all-time record sales.

He’s the only recording artist to have the same single record go #1 in two separate years (1960 and 1962)and have five albums in the Top 12 all at once. Very few mobile DJs have a week go by without playing his music. He’s “the King of the Twist”..he’s Chubby Checker, and he’s coming to the 2007 Mobile Beat Las Vegas Show at the Southcoast Hotel February 20-22, 2007.

Chubby will be making an exclusive performance for show attendees on Tuesday night February 20. On Wednesday February 21, Chubby will be available for autographs. It’s just one more reason to attend this exciting event, so act now, as the $99 special full show pass expires September 9! Go now to www.djshow.info to register, or call 515-986-3300 x 0

Posted by DJN Blog Admin at 09:56 AM | Permalink

The 2006 schedule for the Northern Disc Jockey & Wedding Professionals Conference is updated.

The 2006 Schedule:
Sunday, October 22:
4:00 pm: Registration Desk opens
6:00 pm: Room opens, exhibitors open
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm: An evening with Michael Port, author of “Book Yourself Solid”

Monday, October 23:
9:30 am - 11:30 am: Carr Hagerman, corporate trainer for the FISH! Philosophy
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm: Joseph Mire with ‘The Invisible Microphone’ (sponsored by NAME)
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm: Jeff Richards with ‘To Be or Not To Be Professional’
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm: Jim Weisz with website marketing tips
2:40 pm - 3:40 pm: Bill Hermann with ‘The Entertainment Experience’
2:40 pm - 3:40 pm: David Hanscom TBA (sponsored by NAME)
2:40 pm - 3:40 pm: Enhancing photos with a Mac (sponsored by Firsttech/Apple)
3:50 pm - 4:50 pm: Jim Cerone with ‘Being The Perfect Host’ (sponsored by the ADJA)
3:50 pm - 4:50 pm: Aaron Foster with targeted marketing and developing your personal niche
3:50 pm - 4:50 pm: Video editing one on a Mac (sponsored by Firsttech/Apple)

Tuesday, October 24:
10:00 am - noon: Bryan Flanagan (Ziglar Corporate Trainer) with ‘Now, Go Sell Someone Something’
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm: Bryan Flanagan with ‘Now, Go Sell Someone Something, The Closings’
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm: Rob Snyder TBA (Sponsored by the ADJA)
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm: Bill Lage with ‘Increasing Your Search Engine Rankings’
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm: Photoshop tips (sponsored by Firsttech/Apple)
4:40 pm - 6:00 pm: Peter Merry with ‘The Best Wedding Reception Ever!’
4:40 pm - 6:00 pm: Video Editing two on a Mac (sponsored by Firsttech/Apple)
This schedule is tentative and subject to change.
For more information, you can visit: http://www.wedding-professionals.net
You can check out interviews with Michael Port and Bryan Flanagan at
Michael Port: http://www.djaradio.com/?p=111
Bryan Flanagan: http://www.djaradio.com/?p=119

Posted by DJN Blog Admin at 01:51 PM | Permalink

What Kind of Disc Jockey are you?

Let’s face it, the DJ industry is on the move, changing, evolving, and becoming a serious industry.

While talking with some of the people that I am interviewing for my seminar at the conference in October, I had an epiphany.

The DJ industry has basically three types of Disc Jockeys. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Here is my definition of what this means.

THE GOOD: A highly trained, greatly experienced professional DJ. They care about their clients and the performance of their show. They will go the extra mile to make sure the evening goes as perfect as possible. They run their business with standards and ethics following the law, paying their taxes, registered with the state, and doing the best job possible. They offer a money back guarantee. They act in a “Professional” manner at all times. They treat their clients and their guests with respect. I figure only 10% of all DJs fall into this category.

THE BAD: They want to do a good job; they care about the clients but just not enough. They may have a full time job that can consume the majority of their time. They are not looking to rip off clients but it can happen. They are not trained or experienced enough to do a great job, but just good enough. They don’t take the industry and what they do as serious as they should but still have a drive to do better. They can’t step back and see the real world of what they do, and just don’t “get it”. I figure only 20% of all the DJs fall into this category.

THE UGLY: These DJs are also known as “Bottom Feeders.” These are the ones who just don’t understand the importance of what they do. They really don’t care about the clients, the guests or the performance they do. The DJ business isn’t a business; it’s just a “hobby” to have a little fun. The charge a below the cost of actually doing an event to the clients just to get the work. Then they “undercut” the competition to lower the price and get the event booked. They are not trained or experienced to be a professional entertainer. They do not follow the law, pay taxes on the income and are not registered with the state. To them it is just a “gig” and a way to get extra “beer” money. I figure that 70% of all DJs fall into this category.

Which category do you fall into?

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions.biz

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 12:27 PM | Permalink

Attention Mobile Entertainers!

Make plans now to attend and mark your calendars for January 21-22, 2007. After last years inaugural event with "The Game Master" Scott Faver spinning his way through the house, 2007 is shaping up to be "bigger and better!" The seminar will return to the Marriott Hotel & Convention Center in Wichita, Kansas very near the exact center of the U.S.A. Currently we are working to secure our presenters from both our industry and business in general.

In keeping with our theme "bigger and better" you will be BLOWN AWAY by their caliber and message. Stay informed and look for pre-registration to open soon at http://www.wa2dja.org/mmes07.htm Add this seminar to your list of MUST ATTEND shows and we will see you there!

~Wichita Area American Disc Jockey Association

Posted by DJN Blog Admin at 02:10 PM | Permalink

Promo Only, the nation's largest subscriber-based music and music video service, today announced the release of Hot Video Classics Best of 1994 Volume 2, the latest in its catalog of music video classics on DVD.

Featuring 40 digitally enhanced music video hits on one DVD, Hot Video Classics Best of 1994 Volume 2 tracklistings include such all-time favorites as: The Sign, Ace of Base; Another Night, Real McCoy; Juicy, Notorious B.I.G.; Round Here, Counting Crows; Secret, Madonna; and Baby I Love Your Way, Big Mountain.

"Great programming and convenience are what our classic collections are about," said Jim Robinson, director, Promo Only. "With each new issue of our Hot Video Classics series, we continue to offer our subscribers all the top video hits of any given era on one convenient disc."

"Which is why you’ll find our 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000 compilations in more DJ booths and on more nightclub screens than any other classic collection," concluded Robinson.

For more information concerning Hot Video Classics Best of 1994 Volume 2, or any Promo Only audio or video product, contact Promo Only by phone at 407-331-3600 or by email at customerservice@promoonly.com.

Posted by DJN Blog Admin at 09:22 AM | Permalink