Disc Jockey News

My personal review of the Northern DJ Conference.

For those of you were not able to attend the Northern Disc Jockey Conference at Mystic Lake Casino in Beautiful Prior Lake Minnesota, you missed out on more then anyone can really tell you.

You had to be there! It's kind of like when you’re at a great party but have to work the next day so you leave early to catch some zzzzz's. Then the next day people who were at the party tell you about all the great things that happened just after you left....

You missed out on so much at this convention! It was like Vegas but without the show girls and Celine Dion!

John Young, his lovely wife Lori, Publishers of the Disc Jockey News really stepped up to the plate and hit one out of the ball park.

The line up of speakers, presenters and vendors were the best around! If you wanted to buy some really cool equipment at a hot price, this conference was the place to be.

I have been in the DJ industry since 1981 and yet I learn something new at each of theses events from each of the presenters. Little tid bits, hints, ideas and new concepts just handed to you to help you learn and grow.

It is amazing how these speakers are willing to just sit and talk with you to answer your question and really "GIVE" you the meat and potatoes of their experience, specialties and knowledge. I sat with Jim Cerone “The Perfect Host” from http://www.djaradio.com and we just talked about anything and everything.

Along with the scheduled guest speakers, people like Game Master Scott Faver and my personal hero, Mark Ferrell were there: not speaking, not selling anything, just there to talk, give of themselves and share with you.

After my seminar, when people like Jim Cerone, Peter Merry, Mark Ferrel and Scott Faver tell you that you did a great job, it means so much to me.

I know I’m not perfect and still new to the Convention speaking, so when they give me advice on how to punch up or make changes to a particular point, I don’t take it personal and get mad, I pay close attention because they are the best at it.

You should really do the same when it comes to the business of your business. These gentlemen are the best and only want the best for you.

On a scale of one to ten, I would give this years conference two thumbs up!
(That’s eleven if you look at your two thumbs up next to one another)

Thank you to John & Lori Young, all the speakers and all the vendors who made this such a great event.

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 05:00 PM | Permalink

Get ready for a very busy weekend in 2007!

As you know, specially if your a single op. You have only a limited number of weekends that you can earn a living.

In 2007 I am willing to bet your phone will be ringing off the hook for one particular weekend.

Saturday July 7th 2007 will be the busiest weekend for Disc Jockeys in 2007. The reason, if it isn't already obvious, is the date: 07 - 07 – 07 Lucky sevens!

Any Bride or Groom who is even a little superstitious (Insert Stevie Wonder song here) will want to book this date for their wedding day.

The second reason (not as obvious) it is a date that any Groom will remember ten, twenty or fifty years later when asked “when did you get married?”

If you haven't already booked this day up, I would consider rising your rates for this day. After you do book it you will wish you had asked for more due to the demand for this date. (supply & demand)

I watched a report on a national news broadcast with a Wedding Planner that reported people who are not even engaged yet are booking halls and planners for that day.

If you do not book that weekend, I would plan to be in VEGAS BABY!

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 12:43 PM | Permalink

Here is a great Web site for those of you who still use Vinyl to DJ.

If you are still of the old school, and use Vinyl records to DJ, here is a great site that I have use to find, hard to find and collectable Albums.

http://www.vinylspecialist.de

Yes that is .de not .com or anything else. It is a company in Germany that sells old and new vinyl records.

When you click on it will be in German, just click on the English flag (as in England) and it will automatically translate into English.

The prices are a little high on some items, but if you need to find something that hasn't been around for 20 or more years, this place has it.

If you have a particular record you need and it isn't in stock, they will put you on a list and when it comes in they will e-mail you a notice.

Every few weeks I get an update to new arrivals via the e-mail.

Keep on Rockin'

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 01:14 PM | Permalink

An exciting breakout session for the Northern Disc Jockey Convention Oct. 22nd to the 24th.

Jeff Richards will be one of many great presenters to speak at this year Northern Disc Jockey Convention.

Jeff's Breakout session is tentatively scheduled for Monday Oct. 23rd from 3:00 to 4:00 pm.

He will be speaking on the subject of what is and what is not being a PROFESSIONAL, not only in the DJ industry but in any industry.

After interviewing many others in the wedding industry (Photographers, Caterers, Hotel Management, and Wedding Planners Etc.) He listened to what others in the Wedding industry think of Disc Jockeys as professionals.

He asked them what makes for a "Professional" and what we can do to be recognized as a "Professional" and as a respected industry.

You may be shocked to hear what others who also work with Brides & Grooms really think of us and what we need to do to change their perception.

Get your tickets now; the price will continue to go up as you get closer to the date. (Something DJ's should also do for those last minute bookings)

Together we will answer the question...."What qualifies you to call yourself a Professional"

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Author of "Starting From Scratch"

http://www.discjockeynews.com

Executive Vice President of the Midwest Association of Professional Disc Jockeys

http://www.mapdj.com

Posted by Jeff Richards at 02:56 PM | Permalink

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!

In an earlier blog I wrote about how people seem to think we DJs miss out on so much because we work the weekends. I believe that those who work 9 to 5 weekdays are the ones missing out.

My wife and I just spent two nights and three days in Vegas mid week and had more fun and spent less money then if we went on the weekend.

The hotels, the shows and just about everything else is packed and cost much more on the weekends then mid week.

We stayed at the Tropicana for only $39.95 per night. On Friday & Saturday that same rooms starts as $89.95 per night.

Many of the big shows also do not perform on Friday and some on Saturday nights.

Wednesday morning to Friday Morning it was very easy to get in to see the things we wanted and the slot machines and tables were very easy to just walk up and play.

Lots of Taxi's and shuttles with no waiting and the rides and exhibits were quick and not crowded unlike the weekends.

When we were leaving on Friday afternoon the city was becoming very crowed and the airport jammed with people coming in.

If your headed to Vegas for the convention in February, the South Coast Hotel & Casino is over 12 miles from the southern edge of the strip (where all the action is) and about 20 miles from Freemont Street. A Taxi to go from the Tropicana to the Airport was over ten dollars and that was within 3 miles of each other. Take lots of cash! Or rent a car.

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 09:15 PM | Permalink

American Audio has packed extreme value into an all-in-one direct drive turntable package that gives DJs the power to play and mix their favorite records like a true pro.

The company’s affordable new Vinyl 101 Direct Drive Turntable System contains everything DJs need to be vinyl-ready on the job: two direct drive VTD-1000 Turntables, a VM-100 DJ Mixer, HP-500 Professional Stereo Headphones, and all the necessary connecting cables for an incredibly low suggested retail price of $419.95.

“The Vinyl 101 system represents a major value for entry-level DJs who want a complete direct drive system they can use right out of the box, at a price much lower than they would expect to pay,” said Tom Freret, national sales manager for American Audio. “Dollar for dollar, this value-added package of 2 perfectly matched turntables, mixer and headphones is an absolute steal. And it’s so easy to use, DJs will be up and spinning their favorite records in no time.”

American Audio’s VTD-1000 turntable is durable and user-friendly, offering such features as a metal tone arm with adjustable anti-skating, large-platter Start/Stop button, 45 adapter for 7-inch records, tone arm holder with lock, tone arm height lock, and adjustable feet for leveling. Its direct drive motor can operate at both 33 and 45 RPMs. Cartridges and needles are included to put the finishing touch on the system’s dual-turntable setup.

The VM-100 DJ mixer makes it easy – even for beginning DJs -- to mix and control vinyl. Equipped with 2 phono and 2 line level inputs, the VM-100 includes independent gains per channel, front access headphone jack, front access 1/4-inch mic jack, and 2 turntable ground prongs. It boasts an extremely clean signal to noise ratio and blasts high output to the headphones. Other professional features include cue mixing function and a high-quality replaceable cross-fader.

Adding value to the Vinyl 101 system are the HP-100 professional headphones, which are included with the setup at no charge (a $69.95 value if purchased on their own!). Featuring 57mm speaker drivers, the HP-500 headphones are sturdy and comfortable with a flexible housing design that allows for dual- or single-ear monitoring. The earpads are replaceable, so there’s no need to buy an entirely new set of headphones when the pads wear out and crack. The headphones fold up for easy transport and even come with their own carrying bag. A mini plug input comes included with 1/4" adapter.

The complete Vinyl 101 system, including 2 VTD-1000 Direct Drive Turntables, a VM-100 DJ Mixer, HP-100 Professional Headphones and required cables, has an MSRP of just $419.95.

For more information, contact American Audio at 1-800-322-6337. Fax: 323-582-2610. Address: 4295 Charter St., Los Angeles, CA 90058. Web: www.americandjaudio.com Email: info@americanaudio.us

Posted by DJN Blog Admin at 11:52 AM | Permalink