Disc Jockey News

This article originally appeared on Yahoo on line informing us of the 1000th hit song to reach the number one slot on the Billboard top 100. I have copied and pasted a portion of the article here for you to enjoy.

06/26/2008 8:00 AM, E! Online
David Jenison

Katy Perry just smooched her way to No. 1, and into the history books.

Her single "I Kissed a Girl" leapfrogged over Coldplay to top Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart, becoming the 1,000th No. 1 hit of the rock era.

Perry landed the millennial No. 1 by selling 235,000 digital copies and surging seven spots to No. 12 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart. Though her music leans pop, the racy singer is racking up spins at several alt-rock stations as well, and she's a fixture on this year's Vans Warped Tour.

Bill Haley & His Comets' "Rock Around the Clock" topped the inaugural Best Sellers list back in 1955. At the time, Billboard actually had three main charts—Best Sellers, Most Played by Jockeys and Most Played in Jukeboxes—which eventually were combined into the Hot 100 in August 1958. Ricky Nelson's "Poor Little Fool" was the inaugural Hot 100 chart-topper for the issue dated Aug. 4.

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For the complete article go to Yahoo on line ands click on the entertainment section to find "Hot 100 Seals Its 1,000th Hit with Katy's "Kiss" by David Jenison

In the words of Casey Kasem, "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars."

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 10:55 AM | Permalink

Today on Judge Joe Brown a DJ from California was suing his girlfriend’s parents because they tossed all his DJ equipment out on the yard and it was stolen.

So this guy, who will remain nameless, was suing his girlfriend’s parents because they didn’t want him living with their daughter and had informed him to move out on several occasions.

He did not so on Christmas Eve the parents went to her home and "allegedly" threw him down a flight of steps. He ended up in an ambulance and went to the hospital.

When he returned he learned that the parents had taken all of his stuff, including all his DJ equipment and placed it out on the front yard to which it was then stolen by people passing by.

At first this sounded like an open and closed case of assault and illegal eviction and that the parents would need to pay him back for his things. But it was much more complicated than that.

It turns out their daughter (the DJ’s girlfriend) has a mental disability and lives in a government subsidized apartment and receives social security to live on.

This type of housing does not allow anyone to live in the residents who is not on the government lease or does not have an afliction or disability. The only others allowed to live there are guardians or the immediate young children of the person on the lease.

He was also running the DJ business out of this apartment which is also against state and federal laws.

The Judge came to the conclusion that this DJ was doing nothing more than using this young lady for her free housing, food and income from the government.

Joe Brown then turned to the Parents and told them that what they did, the assault and the illegal eviction was the wrong thing to do, and they should have used the court system to get him removed.

Since he was not suing for the assault or illegal eviction that they basically will be getting off free.

The DJ lost his lawsuit and all his DJ equipment as well as looked like a total idiot on national TV.

With the lack of intelligence this man showed, I would have to guess he also did not have any insurance on the equipment and is now out of the DJ business.

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 04:10 PM | Permalink

I again watched another one of those “My Super Sweet 16” on TV and it blew me away!

This young lady was having her sweet 16 birthday party so the cameras followed her around as she and her parents planned the party.

To start out these young people have a “Pre-Birthday Party” where they invite every kid in school to as a way to hand out their invitations to their party.

So now you have a club or a theatre or on the beach where several hundred teenagers wait to see if they are lucky enough to get an invitation.

This young lady had hip-hop artist, Chris Brown join her at the party to invite the chosen few.

The sad part is the majority of the kids do not get one for what ever reason (made the girl mad about something, wore the same dress to school….whatever!) and those kids feel rejected and many go home crying. The birthday girl then makes fun of those not invited with the “cool” group who are holding invites.

The invites are not just something you pick up at the Hall Mark store; they are in itself something spectacular. Costumed designed and crafted.

This B-day girl handed out cell phones to the top 20 V.I.P.’s that had a video of her and the hip-hop singer together inviting them and giving very specific instructions on what to ware, how to act and the secret location to the party.

The other kids (not V.I.P.’s) then get a specially made invite with the information in it.

On all of these shows they make a big deal out of what the B-day teen will be wearing. I saw one show where the girt went to Paris to meet a designer for her three dresses, then went to Italy to have three pair of shoes designed for her.

They rent out a huge club for the evening or another very expensive venue then bring in a professional lighting, staging and sound system built like a concert would have.

The introduction of the B-day person is a major production with that person singing, dancing or part of a magic act as the way they appear at the venue.

For some reason it is a contest to see who can get the biggest names hip-hop or rap artist to come and sing at their party. Sometimes it is unbelievable at whom they get to show up, sing one or two songs then leave.

This young lady had Hurricane Chris sing his one hit wonder “A Bay Bay.”

The last big production is at the end of the event the B-day person goes out front of the venue to show all their friends the great gift the parents have purchased for their present.

For this show the young girl got a Brand New Range Rover with all the bells and whistles. The sticker price (and they showed it close up) just short of $89,000.

This is this kid’s first vehicle and it costs more then all of my vehicles in my entire life added together! (I’m 45 and have bought all new vehicles for the last 20 plus years)

I have seen other kids get sports cars, SUVs, Hummer’s and other cars that equal two years mortgage on my home.

My first car was a 1974 Mercury Comet with rusted out floors, big bond-o marks and 100,000 miles.

Was your 16th Birthday anything like this?

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 03:54 PM | Permalink

I decided to try out a new advertising idea to see how well or not it works and what I found out about the public’s concept of a DJ was frightening!

About a month ago I get an e-mail from a web site called djslastminute.com that explains that they are a web site for people looking for a DJ with less than 90 days prior to an event.

The idea is that a person with a sudden need for entertainment would put in their information and a bid for what they are willing to pay for that service. The web site sends this information to the DJs who have signed up and then they can decide weather to accept the bid or to decline it.

This is a free service to DJs and to the clients looking for a DJ. For the free service you are only allowed to post on the site the minimum amount of business info. Name, the number of years in business and a 250 character description of your business. You are not allowed phone numbers, e-mail or web site addresses.

If you are willing to pay a rather large price you can “Upgrade” your listing and have those items included into your business description. Let’s face it, these clients are looking for the lowest price that they can find so why would you pay the extra amount to “Upgrade” your profile when the clients are not willing to pay a reasonable rate for your talent and skills.

I thought this might be a way to fill a few empty dates at the last minute that might have been left open otherwise. Depending on the details of the event if it was something that would work for me and still be able to turn a profit, I thought I might be able to perform a few events a year at a slightly lower rate.

To tell you the truth it has been one EYE OPENING process for me. Here is just one example:

A Bride was looking for a DJ in the very northern section of the twin cities. I work/live in the very southern section of the twin cities. This would have been an almost 50 mile trip ONE WAY to do this event.

She wanted a DJ from 3:00 in the afternoon until 12:30 in the morning. This would have been a nine and one half hour day of entertainment (not including the set up/tear down)

Here is the most shocking part: Her BID that she wanted to pay for her wedding entertainment………$275.00

Is this is what the general public thinks a DJ is only worth? I wanted to tell this woman off and inform her that I have charged $275 or more per hour for a wedding and yet she wanted to pay $275 for a nine and a half hour event!

I of course clicked on the automated button to send her a decline message that her bid was to low. I wish I could have sent her my own e-mail telling her how ridiculous she was to think anyone would work that event for so little.

The sad part is that some so called “DJ” will say yes to her bid and then probably ruin her wedding day because anyone who would accept this bid would have to be an incompetent, inexperienced talent less idiot! (Just my opinion)

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 11:59 AM | Permalink

I came across this article on the web site Entrepreneur.com and had to have a laugh at the misinformation they provided to their readers. (Just my opinion) ???

Entrepeneur.com

Business Overview:

Disc Jockey Service
Startup Costs: $10,000 - $50,000
Home Based: Can be operated from home.
Part Time: Can be operated part-time.
Franchises Available? Yes
Online Operation? No

One of the best part-time entertainment businesses that can be started is a disc jockey service, as not only are disc jockey services in high demand, but the business can also be initiated on less than a $10,000 investment and the monthly operating overheads are virtually nonexistent. There are basically four ingredients required to start and operate a successful disc jockey service: 1. An excellent and varied music selection. 2. Suitable DJ equipment and reliable transportation. 3. A talent for public speaking and an outgoing personality. 4. Good marketing skills. Potential clients for a disc jockey service can include event planners, wedding planners, tour operators, nightclub owners, and the individual consumer seeking to secure disc jockey services for a celebration or event. Potential income range is $200 to $400 per night.

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I wrote back this response:

I have been in the Disc Jockey industry for over twenty five years and a Full Time Professional DJ for the last eleven. I wanted to clear up a few misconceptions that your article about starting a DJ business may give your readers.

1) “Monthly operating overheads are virtually nonexistent” The monthly expenses can include advertising, insurance for equipment, vehicles, health and bodily injuries. Working out of the home there is lighting, heating, air conditioning, phones, internet, web site hosting, food and insurance. Operating my business costs a minimum or $2000 per month.

2) “An excellent and varied music selection” Music is not free, each week new CDs are released. In 2007 as a single operator DJ service I spent over $5000.00 on new music. “Free” music or “sharing music” web sites is nothing more than “STEALING” when it comes to the DJ industry.

3) “Talent for public speaking” The majority of humans have a fear of public speaking. A DJ can not be afraid, but you also must have eloquence, technique and the ability to think on your feet. There are several DJ conventions to attend each year, training classes, educational classes and talent/skill classes to keep you up to date with your profession and they are not cheap.

4) “Good Marketing Skills” most people don’t have a clue as to what makes for good marketing. Marketing of Disc Jockeys has really changed over the last ten years and will continue to change. Even the list of people you mentioned in your article still might not know how, where or when to market a “DJ” properly.

5) “Potential earnings of $200 to $400 per night” Even if your potential investment was only $10,000 as you suggested, at $400 per night it would take you twenty five events just to break even. A new DJ may perform ten events the first year and fifteen the second, but don’t forget you have so many other expenditures to pay that it could take up to five years to pay off this original start up costs.

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They only allow a 2000 character response to any of their articles so I really had to keep it short and simple. I could have gone on for days about this bad idea of theirs.

This web site is hailed as a leader and spokesperson for the business industry and yet they give out such nonsense, misinformation and uninformed information it is just a horrible shame.

I would like to see any DJ who has an opinion about this article send them an e-mail and let them know the truth.

go to http://www.entrepreneur.com then click on business ideas and look back a few days to this article written about DJs. You can't miss it, it has the stereo-typical picture of a hand and a turn table.

WHO USES TURN TABLES ANYMORE? Why don't they show an eight-track tape or an old 78?

On the bottom of the page they have an area to add your comments. I have noticed that my comment (at this time) has not appeared on the site. Infect no comments are shown as of yet.

I read some of the other ideas they offered for starting a business and from what I read, they really shouldn't be giving out this kind of false or misinformation as they do. (Just my opinion) ???

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

UPDATE:

Entrepenuer.com has added five comments to this web page, two by myself and three by fellow DJs. After posting my first comment I decided it just wasn’t enough and added a second comment, and here it is:

J. Richards
It is unfortunate for DJs like myself to let you know that being a Disc Jockey is no longer a HIGH DEMAND business. National statistics show that the number of weddings and other events that typically require entertainment (Band or DJ) has dropped each year for the last five to seven years and are now at an all time record demand low.

People are deciding not to get married, wait until they are older (40 and above) and don’t wish to put on a big event or they are doing the latest fad of destination weddings (out of the country)

At this same time the number of people calling themselves Disc Jockeys has quadrupled each year for the last five years. The reason: these so called professional DJs are building music libraries by sharing, downloading and producing illegal copies of music. A music library is a constant and the largest expense to a DJ business owner.

With companies like Radio Shack, Best Buy, Costco and Guitar Centers offering low quality, low priced DJ equipment it is easier for a person to pick up DJ in a Box at a wholesale retailer and believe that they have everything necessary to call themselves a Disc Jockey.

The majority of Disc Jockeys are not even registered as a legal business with their Secretary of State and are not paying taxes on their DJ income. Is this fair to all the other hard working, tax paying people of America?

With free advertising locations like Craigslist, these unskilled inexperienced people can fool hard working Bridal Couples to pay a very low price to have them entertain for their reception. It is unfortunate that these clients don’t find out until it is too late that they Get What You Pay For!

posted: 6/19/2008

Posted by Jeff Richards at 10:54 AM | Permalink

The “Free DJ America” .com web site went up sale on E-bay last week starting at only $132.00 and then sold on June 7th for $1525.00 to……..

For those who may not know, FreeDJAmerica.com is another web site designed for DJs to advertise their business and allow future Brides & Grooms as well as other party goers to find a DJ near them.

The site started in 2002 and continued until June 2008 when it was then sold on E-Bay for $1525.00 to WeDJ.com - another well known site for DJs to advertise on as well as a major player in the Disc Jockey industry.

There were only eight bidders attempting to purchase the site and domain name with WeDJ.Com taking the highest bid in the last few moments of the sale.

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 07:38 AM | Permalink

Many DJs all across the states have been affected by tornados, flooding, hail and strong winds that have pounded America.

While watching all this stormy weather on the news I couldn't help but think how lucky I have been so far this year when it came to the bad weather.

I have had a few events that were delayed, moved indoors or cancelled due to the weather but so far my clients and I have not had the kind of devastation that has been hitting hard over the last few weeks.

Today I decided to take a few minutes of my day to e-mail a few DJs in the area of Southern MN and Iowa who have been hit by the bad weather.

I wanted to check in with them to see that they and their loved ones are/were not in danger and that their business has/will survive the destructive weather.

If you have a moment to spare today, reach out to those who live in the areas struck by tornadoes, floods, hail and strong winds to see if they are alright and/or if there is something that you maybe able to do to help them out in their time of need. One day the situation could be reversed and you may need a friend to reach out to.

For those of you who have been affected by the weather, all of our thoughts and prayers here at the Disc Jockey News go out to you and your families.

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

After writing this posting I learned that Dana Anderson a DJ form Parkersburg lost his home to a tornado and ended up with a broken leg.

I personally know Dana from meeting him at the Northern Disc Jockey Conferences and his postings on Prodj.com. He is a great and respectable guy and I wish him a quick and healthy recovery.

A DJ in Cedar Rapids Iowa is reeling this morning. Dave Lundon (A to Z Party Pros) was able to retrieve his family, his dog, and minimal processions from his house before the Cedar River took his house, most of his possessions including nearly all of his PA equipment.

Posted by Jeff Richards at 11:46 AM | Permalink

Everyday I receive e-mails and phone calls for a "Price Quote" as if "One size fits all." Here are two samples I'd like to share.

Every June I do a “Free” party for the MDA at their summer camps for the kids who live with Muscular Dystrophy.

It is one of several “Free” events I do each year as a way to give back and help others.

With the sudden increases in gas prices I had to make the decision this year to ask those whom I perform the “Free” events for the nominal rate of mileage charge.

When the MDA booked me a few months back I knew that it would take a complete tank of gas for my truck with its trailer each direction. The trip is over a two hour drive each way from my home to the camp.

I also knew at that time it was costing me approximately $32.00 to fill my tank so I quoted them $64.00 as the charge for mileage.

I performed the event this week and had to fill the tank once to get there and once when I returned. My total cost was approximately $80.00 for the gas.

That is a difference of $16.00. In just those few months from hiring me to the day of performing the event gas had jumped and it was now a profit loss to the business.

Who would have guessed that the gas rates would have jumped that much?

My second example of a “Price quote” error is that I have received an e-mail from a Bride through a “Wedding site” that I advertise on who will be getting married late in 2010. Yes, over two years from now!

After her first “give me a price quote” with out any information except the date, I e-mailed her a nice letter saying that I would need more information about her entertainment needs and to check out my web site about my services and reception packages, then for her to call me to schedule a meeting to talk about her needs so that I could give her an accurate price quote in person. I asked for more info and got only this…..

“did you get my e-mail? We are looking at other dj's until we know how much your total would be for our wedding...thank you and e-mail me back. thanks”

It is obvious that this Bride only has one thing on her mind, and that is to find the cheapest DJ in June 2008 for her wedding in Sept. of 2010.

Without trying to sound rude or unprofessional I e-mailed her back explaining that without any information other then the date, I could not possibly give her an accurate “Price Quote”

What frightens me about this is that she is talking with “other DJ’s” who are more then likely quoting her a price by e-mail without getting any of the important information that would be needed.

It is more than likely that they are quoting her the same LOW price that they are presently charging which is most likely the same or lower price then they were charging for the last year or more.

The price of gas has risen over $1.00 per gallon in the last year and is expect to continue to go up. The economy is sinking fast and the rates of everything you purchase on a daily, weekly and monthly basis is also continuing to go up.

Why would any DJ give a “Price Quote” for an event two years in the future without figuring in a rate increase to try and cover the cost of living for the future?

I felt like (but didn’t do it) telling her that any DJ who would give her a price quote with out any important information and also without figuring in a rate increase most likely will NOT be in business in Sept. of 2010!

I’ll keep you updated as to the outcome of this…… (To be continued)

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

UPDATE: 7-2-08

This young lady e-mailed me back a week after the original e-mail saying that the wedding has been moved to September of 2009, now only one year and four months ahead.

I again said that I would need information like the location, the hours needed and the wedding package they were interested in and to see my web site for her selection.

She e-mailed me back a few days later with the package she liked and the location site. Now I was more prepared to quote her a price. To be fair, the price is on the web site (on sale at the moment) and there would not have been a mileage fee because it was very close to my office. For what ever reason, evidently she couldn't figure this out for herself so I e-mailed her the quote.

Her answer seemed a little rude in nature but she said her fiancée and her would like to meet and talk things over. She gave some times and dates and asked if I was free.

I was free on two of the three days she asked about.

She said she would call to set up an appointment but in three weeks I still have not heard back from her. I'm guessing this is a good thing because she wasn't the most pleasant person to speak with and I don't think I would have enjoyed working with her and would have had to turn her down.

Posted by Jeff Richards at 12:08 AM | Permalink

On the first show of the new season of “Platinum Brides” on the Women’s Entertainment Network (WETV) featured a Bride from Minnesota.

She met and fell in love with a nice young man originally from India. In December of 2006 he arranged to have his proposal to her happen during the “Hollydazzle” parade live on TV.

In 2008 they got married in Las Vegas and had a Wedding day that had a final total expense of 1.3 Million dollars!

It was a spectacular event at the Bellagio Hotel using a mix of American and Indian traditions.

They used the pool to have a stage built in the center of the pool where they would walk out onto the water to say their nuptials using Indian Traditions as well as American.

They had the reception in a huge ballroom used by big name entertainers for their Vegas shows and had a special red colored custom made dance floor.

The event was a two day party that included over 650 guests.

At the reception they flew in a special band from India and a Disc Jockey from New York City for the entertainment. The dance included special pyrotechnics during the B&G first dance as well as “Vegas” style lighting, up lighting and over the top decorations.

The Bride had three separate custom made dresses for the occasion as well as wearing $200,000 dollars worth of jewelry over the two days.

The TV show would every now and then have a pop up showing the costs of some of the things for a wedding. The DJ for two nights and the Band for one night equaled $150,000.

The cost of the cake alone was worth more than the “typical” DJ charges for a 4 hour Wedding dance.

It was a really spectacular event!

If you get the chance watch “Platinum Brides” on the “Women’s Entertainment Network” (WETV) to see what a high end, very expensive and very extravagant wedding reception is really all about.

Jeff Richards: Party Time Productions

http://www.PartyTimeProductions.biz

Posted by Jeff Richards at 08:31 AM | Permalink