The Essential Disc Jockey - New Book Available!

Fernando Curcione’s book is now available through ProDJ Publishing at the Mobile Beat Bookstore for $16.95 plus shipping.  This new book for disc jockeys is perfect for as the book says “Djs who are starting out or for those who have been spinning the hits for years, use the recipes in this book to create the perfect party!”

As musicologist Curcione says “A great love for music and the desire to serve your audience are the main ingredients that make the selection of playing music an art.  You can have all the greatest equipment in the world but if you are not knowledgeable about music and how to play it, then all the gadgets and lighting are not going to make a difference.  As with all successful businesses, research is the key.”

Fernando Curcione has entertained many in the Toronto area as a prominent disc jockey, mc, and promoter since 1975.  He has also worked as a musician, singer and currently as an actor in film and television.

The book is available exclusively in the United States at the Mobile Beat Bookstore or by calling 800-257-7635 extension zero for customer service.

Get Ready to Bubble! - By DJ Amy D

Bubble parties can add a pop to your weekday profits

Being a mobile DJ can allow you to market and perform for a variety of events and audiences. With all of the recent and continuing media attention given to the economy, such flexibility can benefit mobile DJs who can think outside the box. Such thinking can lead to developing specific programs and ideas that may be profitable and successful additions to your mobile DJ business.

Discovering the Power of Bubbles

Although DJs have been using bubble machines for many years to help create a dreamy atmosphere for some gigs, the formal introduction of bubble parties for children to DJs on a national level was by John Allo of Rockland, Massachusetts. John, the father of three children, was invited to visit his daughter’s daycare center and explain what he did for a career. Instead of preparing a speech for his young audience, John felt it would be better to set up his DJ system and play some “kid friendly” music and lead some games. He brought along his bubble machine to enhance his show.

The kids and teachers had so much fun that they offered to pay John to come back and perform a kids’ party for his daughter and her classmates. “John always looked at certain opportunities as potential services for his DJ business,” adds Rob Peters of BubbleParties.com. “I recall him telling me that after that first party, he found a new way to expand his DJ business. When he ever explained what he was doing, I remember smiling and thinking that I should have thought of that.”

John’s idea as “The Bubble Music Man” began as a program that was geared to daycare centers. After marketing the concept in a variety of ways, his mobile DJ business began to see an increase in demand for this type of entertainment. These performances were mostly took place during the week, and even resulted in referrals for weekend performances at children’s birthday parties.

Rob took over for John in the spring of 2006 as “The Bubble Music Man” when John’s health prohibited him from being able to perform at his bubble parties. John continued to introduce this concept to other DJs by writing a business plan, creating marketing materials and launching a website (www.bubbleparties.com) with a national directory of DJs who performed at bubble parties.

A veteran of over 160 bubble parties in the greater Boston area in 2008 alone, Rob has since taken over the marketing of the idea. “Soon after John passed away in November of 2007, I met with John’s wife, Patty. After sharing some stories and chatting for a while, she asked me to take over distributing and promoting the Bubble Parties concept. Since then, I have re-written the plan, including more information about the things I have learned and used during my shows.”

The Bubbles Spread

The bubble party concept and plan has quickly become a profitable and successful venture for other DJs throughout the country.

Susan Sasak of Tony’s Tunes Entertainment Service in Grandville, Michigan says “I love it because it allows me to be what I am…a BIG kid. I love working with kids because they have no fear…they participate and get involved. This program has also been a great opportunity to fill my weekday schedule.”

“I look forward to these events,” says Kirk Hoslin of Imagine Music in Saint Paul, Minnesota. “The energy of the kids is so contagious. It’s a great feeling when I leave party and the kids are giving me hugs goodbye and saying thank you. I only wish I had more vacation time to use during the summer to do more bubble parties.”

Harry Gambardella, The Fun Bubble Guy in Meredin, Connecticut adds, “My experience with the bubble parties has been fantastic. Being able to perform in this market has opened up a great opportunity to me. I’m able to generate additional income during the week, as well as use my interactive skills for a generation of children that otherwise don’t have the opportunity to experience such fun.

“There is a special feeling that is obtained when the children, parents, and teachers are so delighted to see me. John laid the foundation for this show, and has offered much advice to make it the best it can be. I thank John for his inspiration, help, and advice. Without him, I would probably not even consider such a fun way to earn a living.”

In addition, BubbleParties.com is working toward national exposure of the program by introducing “Bubble Party Week” from May 16th through May 23rd, 2009. “During Bubble Party Week, we are encouraging Bubble Party providers to promote this concept in their market by performing to the public and developing ways to raise money for a local children’s charity,” explains Rob Peters. “This start will allow us to gain some national exposure about the program, as well as help promote local providers in various markets throughout the country.”

Even though the Bubble Parties concept started as an entertainment service for daycare centers, you can perform these services for a variety of events, such as children’s birthday parties, family fun events, corporate outings involving families, and much more. The possibilities can be endless when you combine kids, good music, games and bubbles!

Recession-Proof: Bar Mitzvahs and Receptions by Michael Edwards

Toward the end of last December, a month when our busy company of 24 DJs is normally bombed with holiday work, I noted that an alarming number of our regular corporate clients had either cancelled their annual holiday parties or scaled back their events to the point of gathering around the water cooler on December 23rd with a boom box and some donuts. The dismal results of the 2008 holiday season prompted me to look over our entire 2009-2010 DJ “Master Schedule” in detail. I was mentally prepared to see more of the same.

Sure enough, post-holiday corporate work in January ‘09 was also way down from normal, and also missing were the usual “short term” casual parties (impromptu socials, birthday parties and retirements that usually booked a few weeks in advance). Luckily, our missing corporate clients that we checked with weren’t booking someone else. They just weren’t having their usual annual party. Obviously, because their sales were down too, they were just cutting costs and tightening their belts accordingly. People who were still holding smaller private parties were either doing it themselves, finding a DJ wannabe “friend of a friend” or skipping the party and its expense altogether. It simply wasn’t important enough to justify having it under these circumstances.

Unexpected Blessings

Yet, as I slowly scrolled down the entire 2009-2010 DJ schedule I came to an unexpected realization: Things were actually OK. Considering the nation-wide recession we’re all so obviously in the middle of, things looked downright good! How on earth could this be?

Our DJ schedule had some major bright spots. Weddings and bar/bat mitzvahs were still booking like crazy. Despite the black clouds of fiscal doom raining every night over the airwaves in newscasts warning of our country’s dire economic future, our booking schedule was blessed with more weddings and mitzvahs than ever before–and we’ve kept track of them for over 20 years. As I looked more closely, I discovered that the budgets for these “once-in-a-lifetime” events had not moved down from last year’s rates as I’d also expected; in fact, quite the opposite was true.

After digging through all our upcoming bookings, I had inadvertently unearthed a somewhat hidden fact about our business: Weddings and mitzvahs are the most recession-proof of all DJ events!

Milestones Never Go Out of Style

If you give it some thought, it’s easy to understand why. Despite the fact that money is tight and the buying public is looking for ways to cut back and save a buck at every turn, you don’t postpone that special 13th birthday party that heralds the onset of adulthood in the Jewish faith until the stock market improves and your 401K rebounds. You don’t wait to marry the person you love until real estate prices start rising, banks stabilize and the country gets back on its feet. Some things are simply bigger than others in importance. Basic human needs (food, shelter, clothing and DJ entertainment) will always come first. (OK, so I’m kidding a bit…but try having a wedding or bar mitzvah without any of those four “necessities.”) People will usually find a way (and they’ll also find the money) to somehow throw those two particular major parties. They obviously might not spend quite as freely, but our DJ schedule indicates that they prioritize the expenditures that are the most vital to the success of their event. It seems that talented DJ entertainers from a reputable company with a proven track record, great promo material and ample references are still viewed as a worthwhile expense and even a priority!

Are the clients cutting back on other services? Yes, drastically, according to recent survey statistics reported on www.theweddingreport.com. The data, reflecting the change in wedding expenditures from 2007 to 2008, was just reported in February 2009.

Info can be found at:
http://www.theweddingreport.com/m/post.cfm/analysis-of-spending-changes-from-2007-to-2008

Note that the smallest drop in the amount spent on any of the wedding expenses listed was the drop of just 6% on wedding DJs. Consider a 53% drop in the reception food service budget allowance (caterers and reception venues can be heard moaning a loud, collective “ouch”) and drops in most other expenditures, which fell by between 24% to 34% for other listed goods & services. By comparison, our industry made out pretty well. In the current economy, being cut back by only 6% (on average) is practically a blessing.

A Breakthrough in Perception?

The otherwise awful “Analysis of Spending Changes” got me wondering. Could the DJ results should be interpreted to mean that the importance of hiring a good DJ at a “once-in-a-lifetime” event seems to finally be understood by the surveyed clients? Or are those results simply because the average cost of a wedding DJ in America is already so ridiculously low that a 6% drop was all clients could justify in their attempt to cut corners and still get someone half decent?

I’d like to think that the relatively small change may be the result of good DJ salesmanship in our industry, and collective consumer “education” helping to clarify the DJ’s actual role at a wedding or mitzvah. Whatever the reality reflected in this one bit of statistics, we must continue the battle to increase our perceived “value” until it is deemed absolutely crucial to the success of the event in the mind of every client.

Regardless of your analysis or interpretation of the survey results, the fact remains that people are still going to get married or have their child’s mitzvah, even during a severe recession. To capitalize on this fact, DJs have to find ways to justify the cost and the importance of the services they provide and then give the client even more than they expect on the day of the event. Each successful event perpetuates your business tenfold…even during tough economic times like these.

Michael Edwards is the president of Michael Edwards Enterprises, Inc. and owner of www.getadj.com, www.djslastminute.com and www.djbids.com. Full-time since 1979, Mike is one of 24 DJs at his agency in Andover, MA. A member of the Mobile Beat Advisory Board and the American Disc Jockey Association, Mike can be contacted at his office at 978-470-4700 or emailed at info@getadj.com.

The Kids Are Alright! - By Paul Kida

3 keys to success with the younger crowd

You smile as you begin speaking to your prospective client, listening closely and thinking about how to draw them in to close the deal. Everything is going smoothly and then it happens.

You ask, “Will there be children attending the event?”

“Oh yes, there will be lots of kids there!” is the answer, as a shudder runs down your spine.

Why is it that the mere mention of children, kids, little ones, rug rats, tweens and teens can make even the most seasoned DJ want to curl up in a ball and stay there? Is working with young ones really that bad? In answer, I say a resounding, “No!” As a matter of fact, I will agree with the legendary Pete Townsend and say, “The kids are alright”!

While some of us do have a slight fear of working events where children will be attending, others happily see these events as challenges to our expertise and use the opportunity to provide little extras for our clients. Let’s see just see how we can become experts at taking care of the kids at our events, as well as making it fun for everyone, parents, children and ourselves.

First, let’s take a quick look at the dynamics of children. In other words, what makes them tick? We’ll look at the question by way of three aspects. Number one on the list is attention.

Kids Like to Be Noticed

They enjoy being in the spotlight. Unfortunately, this does not work well at many events, such as weddings or anniversaries, for example, where the focus is centered on a specific person or couple. How can we give attention to the kids while still keeping the focus on the main event?

There are numerous ways to do this. In my wedding packages, I have an optional “Kid’s Package” that makes for a great add-on while also taking care of the children at the same time. One of the items in this package is the option of having a kids’ table. This, of course, is arranged ahead of time with the venue’s event manager. Having all the kids at one or two table(s) helps to keep them in one location and allows you to use your imagination. Having small games, crayons with coloring books, etc. will help keep the youngsters occupied. In lieu of coloring books, you may want to have plain paper tablecloths so they can be used as a giant coloring pad that can be given to the bride and groom or other host after an event. I have also used a similar large sheet of paper on the dance floor where the kids can show off their artistic talents.

Two other very useful items that are popular choices are making balloon animals or hats and magic. I can understand that not all of you would choose these because it does take extra practice and time to learn, but it is well worth the effort to provide a great time for the kids (as well as the grownups)! It provides a little more variety and makes you stand out from the average DJ by adding these extra elements to choose from.

Short Attention Span

The second part of attention is that children’s attention span is very short! The more variety you have to offer (especially during dinner) the better. This doesn’t mean that you need to constantly bombard them every minute with something new. However, a smooth flow will help keep the kids occupied, let them have some fun and keep them out of trouble. Of course, this in turn keeps the adults happy. (Which makes for more referrals!)

Use your imagination, talk to parents, teachers, day care providers and your DJ network to come up with additional ideas. One good tip is to talk to the kids on their level. In other words, physically get down whether kneeling or sitting on a chair or the floor so that you are eye level with them. This is a quick bonding method, which allows you to be in control from the start.

High Energy

The third dynamic of children is ENERGY! Kids have an abundance of energy, which, along with their short attention span can be a true challenge. How do you meet it?

Include games, contests and dances just for the kids, such as the old standards: Simon Says, Coke & Pepsi, Freeze Dances, The Bunny Hop, The Chicken Dance, etc. These provide great ways to get a little of that pent-up energy released. You could even include a scavenger hunt to keep them occupied. Of course, all of this would be discussed with your client in advance of the event so that they can help with the planning as well as assist you (or assign someone) during the event. The client would know best who might like to volunteer their help. You could even contact the volunteer beforehand to get a better idea of their personality and also to ask if they have any specific ideas for the children.

So rise up and meet the challenge! A little imagination and advance planning with your client can go a long way as you work to involve the children. Remember, “Don’t think outside the box…because THERE IS NO BOX!” Let your creativity flow. The sky is the limit as you find your own unique way to take care of the younger ones at your events. Enjoy them and have fun with them because we all know “The Kids Are Alright!”

Benefits of Switching to Digital Karaoke Hosting

Benefits of Switching to Digital Karaoke Hosting
by Bobby Brooks, VP of USKaraokeAlliance (www.uskaraokealliance.com)
and owner, UR Entertainment (www.urentertainment.net)

I remember when I got my first CD back in the late 1980’s?  I thought that it was the greatest new invention ever!  The CD was smaller than an album and had better sound quality than an album or cassette tape.  It was much easier to cue up a song via CD than either records or tapes combined.  The CD’s did not scratch or skip like an album or wear out like a tape (or so we were told).  Well, we all know better now.  CD’s served their purpose, however in our world of cutting edge today, antiquated tomorrow way of living we needed a different vehicle to play music and eliminate the problems mentioned above.  Plus lugging around hundreds of CD’s was a pain in the assets!  So, cue the computer, please.

When the CAVS player (MP3+G Player) was first introduced to me I was ecstatic!  Here was the answer to the problems we were facing.  It was very easy to use and portable; but loading songs was an arduous task.  Once you completed loading music into the player it was great, but adding new songs was time consuming.  When (not if ) the CAVS player broke down, no one locally could fix it.  You had to send it to California.  The customer service was a joke and you were without a machine for at least 10 days.  Then if you were out of warranty it was a minimum of $500 to repair.  Ah!  Help us oh technology gods.  We needed something new… again; to play our music!

The answer came in the nick of time.  It was in the form of your PC (personal computer).  It’s simple, affordable and easy to use.  Loading new discs is now easier than ever with the software that is available to convert CD+G’s.  For you KJ’s (Karaoke Jocks), manufactures are starting to sell discs already in MP3+G format.  Great programs like the Roxbox Karaoke Player (www.kjamp.com) provide many easy ways to play your MP3+G songs.  As for DJ’s, all the functionality of table top players or turn tables are available with computer software.  It just makes sense when everywhere you look in the music industry sales points to MP3’s.  Still not convinced?  Ok, here is a list of why to convert to digital.

1.      No more carrying multiple CD players or turn tables.

2.      Safe guard your investment by archiving your CD’s or albums.

3.      No more dead air while you search for a misplaced disc.  Just type in the artist name or title of the song or even a combination of both.

4.      NO MORE SKIPS.

5.      Faster and more efficient way of running karaoke shows.

6.      It is Easy to generate song books with a multitude of programs available.

7.      Easier to organize your singer lists and keep track of each one’s favorites.

8.      Keep a data base of singers’ history so you can track top songs.

9.      Adding new discs to your library is very simple.

10.  Repairing of a computer is more cost effective than CDG players.

KIAA (Karaoke Industry Alliance of America) joins in helping Karaoke community!

Advisory Board members of the Karaoke Industry Alliance of America traveled from across the United States to serve as judges at the finals of the Chicagoland Karaoke Olympics.  Sound Choice President, Derek Slep from North Carolina, Stellar Records President Tom Viveiros from Massachusetts, Stellar Vice President Tony Walstra from Connecticut, and US Karaoke Alliance President, Eric Godfrey from Arizona all traveled to the south side of Chicago to a club called Trio in Palos Heights, IL for the crowning of Chicago’s Karaoke Olympics medalists.

1^st Place Winner Kristen D’Andrea of Orland Park IL won $5,000 cash with her renditions of I’ll Be There by Mariah Carey and No One by Alicia Keys.   She worked the crowd into a feverish pitch with her performances.  2^nd Place Winner Don Grillo of Countryside IL won a complete DJ / Karaoke Rig with Sound Choice and Pop Hits Monthly Library, worth over $6,000 with his performances of Piano Man by Billy Joel and At this Moment by Billy Vera and the Beaters.  3^rd prize was won by Hard Rocker, Kevin Benson of Indian Head Park IL and included a Budweiser Prize Pack and $1,250 worth of Pop Hits Monthly Discs with Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy by Big and Rich and Plush by Stone Temple Pilots.  A crowd of over 400 packed the club for the entire event.  The Karaoke Olympic Finals was the climax to 12 weeks of qualifying and then club finals and wild card semi-finals.  The even was co sponsored by SingChicago.com, Nitelife.org and www.chiliskaraoke.com.  The host and MC for the event was Ron Larson, owner of Chili’s Karaoke.

KIAA board members used the event to help the local Karaoke community and pitched very expensive disc collections as prizes.
After choosing winners for the contest, KIAA held it’s 2^nd Advisory Board Meeting the following day and promises separate updates and some upcoming copyright infringement enforcement action in the community in the near future.

Variety Shows by Mike Ficher

The walls of my entertainment room burst with a montage of photos, amongst the black-and-white visages performers such as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Madonna, Hal Blaine, Little Richard, the Beach Boys, Bill Haley and the Saddlemen, Chubby Checker and Gary “U.S.” Bonds.

In addition to those musicians, reside such artistic luminaries as Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Rita Moreno. While I have incredible admiration for performers who’ve excelled in one field, my deepest respect and respect are reserved for entertainers who can succeed or perform admirably across a broad range of performing arts disciplines.

People like Sinatra-considered by many the greatest singer of all-time who also happened to win an Oscar for best supporting actor for his performance as Private Angelo Maggio in ‘From Here to Eternity’-Moreno-who is the only entertainer to win an Oscar, a Tony, a Grammy and an Emmy in her esteemed and varied career-and Harry Shearer-who not provides several voices on the seminal, long-running Simpsons’ television series, but hosts a popular hybrid news-commentary show on public radio, authored books and will be forever linked to ‘This is Spinal Tap’ culminating a prolific career as an actor-prompt fascination and exploration. Yes, variety can be the spice of life.

From the Days of Vaudeville

In the evolving world of events, mobile entertainers are often called upon to provide a multitude of offerings at gigs that are increasing becoming multi-media and multi-talent showcases. Clients want and expect more for their economically-depressed investment. Thus, the variety show, ala the Hollywood Palace and Ed Sullivan, is alive and well in the modern world of the mobile entertainer.

Right Here on Our Really Big Show

What skills does a mobile entertainer need to comfortably execute a variety show? Emcee skills are imperative. While many outside the entertainment field may perceive the role of an emcee as a fairly easy task, the reality is a great emcee is critical to the success of any event featuring multiple acts, speakers, or dialog.

Certainly, the criticism attendant to anyone who hosts the Academy Awards is significant evidence that an emcee’s responsibility bears tremendous import.

An effective emcee demonstrates excellent interaction with the crowd; is informed and well-prepared, gaining knowledge in advance of the audience’s background to support timely and informative interjections; prepares scripts, if necessary; dresses appropriately; establishes eye contact; transitions from awkward moments effortlessly; shows respect to all acts; learns proper pronunciations; displays awareness of supporting physical gestures; and understands that the emcee is not the star of the show.

Dance Contest

Always a popular feature at an event, a dance contest is a skillful way to engage a crowd, particularly if a specific theme is featured that may guide the selection of the preferred dances for the contest.

With many years of incorporating dance instruction into events, one recommendation: please, please, please employ the audience or a panel of judges to decide the contest. Not only will you engage more guests in the activity-hopefully, they will pay attention to render a valid judgment-you’ll remove any questions of bias on your part.

In addition, if you demonstrate any period or theme dances, contracting the services of dance partner with exceptional people skills is a valuable asset. A partner can not only help with any dance instruction or demonstrations, he or she can assist with contest judging.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

The success of any multi-act event rests, in large part, on the cooperative relationship that is established between the various entertainers. While the mobile entertainer is undoubtedly a critical element, often serving as emcee and, sometimes, as part of the bill, the stronger the overall quality of the performers and the relationship vibe emanating from the stage, the likelihood the audience’s enjoyment will be greater.

Learn and execute how each act would like to introduced; ensure accurate pronunciations; understand a time limitation, if applicable, and develop a discreet way to support that goal; and smile and have fun! Tension is your adversary and a smile and calm, positive demeanor is your ally.

Embrace the Peacock

Perhaps, you, as the mobile entertainer, wish to offer more to your clients. Organizing a variety show of local talent might be an effective marketing tool, particularly, in an era of closed wallets and heightened expectations. Network with dancers, magicians, hypnotists, musicians, improv groups, singing telegram performers and other entertainers who might provide a value to your clients.

Whether you choose to contract and pay the performers yourself or aggregate the performance agreements for the client is strictly your call. Keep in mind that you assume general and possibly specific responsibility for their performance whether you sign or the client signs the contract.

Vivia Brevis, Ars Lunga

Variety may be the spice of life and, in the mobile entertainment world, if you are prepared, savvy and ready, variety may be the key to riding the current economic tsunami.

Becoming a Crowd Whisperer by Mike “Dr. Frankenstand” Ryan

Gain control without being controlling…by playing the top dog

Recently, while I was reading a book about the television show The Dog Whisperer, it occurred to me that often professional DJs have to take charge, kind like being a pack leader. For instance, this morning I was doing one of my charity tax write-off events for the Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart at a local elementary school. After doing these events for the past several years I’ve developed a program of sorts. This time, the school’s principle came up to me and asked for the mic; then he started to announce the beginning of the jump roping. I stopped him cold and politely took the mic away and in a fun way announced that’s wasn’t actually the way things were going to go. I took charge and started the show my way. The principle was cool with what I did and I believe he understood that I was in charge. He understood that I was there to put on a show. The proof: Afterward he insisted that the Heart Association book me for next year at his school.

The point is that I asserted myself, establishing that I was the professional and that we were going to do this event the way I had planned, rather than just off the cuff. Another good example of the need to take charge: If you’ve ever DJ’d for kids you know instinctively that you have to take control immediately. You truly have to be a strong pack leader, or else, as they say about kids, THEY WILL EAT YOU ALIVE!

Guiding Brides and Grooms

Without realizing it, I have also applied the pack leader mentality to weddings as well. In this case it’s more of a way of simplifying my job, while at the same time helping the feel that “it was their idea,” whatever “it” might be. For instance, I never tell the couple what to do or even what they should do. It’s always “From my experience this has worked great at other weddings…”

Also, when planning a wedding I establish two things immediately. One is the firm “suggestion” to do the First Dance right after the Grand Entrance. I explain that the G.E. is one of those “wow” experiences, with everyone clapping and cheering, and it makes for a nice flow into the First Dance–a “wow” experience leading seamlessly into an “ahhh” experience. Plus, it gets the First Dance out of the way and really brightens the spotlight on the bride and groom. I reinforce this concept by explaining that if they just go sit down after the Grand Entrance it is almost anti-climatic. Usually they understand.

Number two is that I make every effort to convince them that, contrary to tradition, we do the Garter Removal, followed by the Bouquet Toss. This way we end up with the ladies on the dance floor–which makes it much easier to crank up the dancing, as opposed to having the single men left out there on their own.

It’s all about forward momentum, keeping the flow going.
My biggest challenge with control happens when there is a wedding planner present. Since the planner and the bride already have an established relationship, I will always “defer” to the planner, unless the planner is a complete idiot. For example, I once did a wedding in another country and planner got so drunk that half the kitchen staff quit in protest. The mothers of the bride and groom promptly kicked her out.  On the way out she walked into a pole and almost knocked herself out. Obviously that was an extreme case. Once the planner was gone I re-established control and ended up being the hero of the event, even though I didn’t do anything any thing different than what I normally do.

I Gotta Have Some of Your Atttention

Another instance where establishing the pack leader situation comes in handy is when you need to get the audience’s attention-something that happens at nearly every event we do. I have heard several clever ways DJs get a crowd’s attention: standing in the middle of the dance floor until everyone quiets down; or on the microphone asking the audience, “If anyone can hear me, clap once, two times etc.,” to name just a couple. I have found one of the more successful ways to grab their attention is to play an “attention-getter” song. One of the more obvious, and fun, ones is the THX movie sound. It builds, and as it increases it gets everyone’s attention and most people seem to enjoy it. Short intro songs like that reestablish control and announce to everyone that something special is about to happen, without putting you in danger of appearing rude or obnoxious when getting on the mic. Other workable songs include the trumpet intro to Harry Connick Jr.’s “It Has to Be You” and the trumpet intro to the pool scene in the Rocky Horror Picture Show film. Short songs like these get their attention and often blow their minds as they try to think of where they heard it before. Sometimes I’ll use the “Beef-It’s What’s for Dinner” TV commercial music (from Aaron Copland’s piece “Rodeo: Hoe-Down”) to announce dinner, especially if beef is being served.

I once watched a friend of mine try unsuccessfully to get the crowd’s attention at a wedding. He was using a head-worn mic; and with his hands down to his sides, he walked around and announced the meal. No one noticed who was making the announcement…and no one moved. The problem was that everyone was talking and the DJ just looked like any other guest walking around, since he didn’t have a microphone in his hand that any one would notice. He kept announcing the same thing over and over again. He wasn’t in control and was having a difficult time gaining it back.
           
Challenges to Control

Requests. These are a “necessary evil” in our industry, at least from my perspective. As I see it, I’m hired to be entertaining (of course) but most of all for the music that I provide. And after decades of playing music I think I have a pretty good handle on what works and what doesn’t. Lets face it: Regardless of how many hours you are hired to play music for, there’s only so much music you can fit in. Considering how many songs are available, you–the DJ–have to take control. If people kept asking the captain of a ship to go in different directions, the ship would never reach it’s destination. It’s the same with a party. Typically my clients will provide some input on what kind of music they want, or more often they specify certain songs they want me to play. That gives me time to prepare the kinds of songs that will enhance their event. I may not play all the songs I come up with, but at least I’ll have some direction. If a request fits in, great, but if the request is way out in left field, then there’s no way I’m going play. I’m simply not going to let someone who isn’t a professional try to change my musical course-and likely take my ship toward the dangerous reef and certain danger of sinking. Ain’t gonna happen! Ultimately the DJ is the one who has to answer to the client if the party tanks. Trying to explain that you played everyone’s requests to an unhappy client isn’t going to cut it. It’s our responsibility to make sure the party rocks…and to do that we have to maintain control.

Alcohol. One surefire way to lose control is to get behind the eight-ball know as booze. If you have any important announcement to make, I recommend you make them before the booze starts pouring.

Here’s a typical scenario (I think-or is it just me?): It’s an adult-only party and the dance floor is full, when someone (usually a drunk woman-sorry ladies) comes up to me and tells me–not asks me–to change the song because “No one likes it.” Even as I point out that the dance floor is full, she’ll insist that no one is out there, and she guarantees that if I play her request, everyone will love it. This is a bit tricky because you don’t want to piss off any guests; but at the same time, you are in charge of the music. Of course I know I’m outvoted when two or three ladies approach me and even more so if they bring a man, as if to reinforce their request. But that’s a good time to relinquish control, as they are helping me play more to the crowd…them!

Team Building. No question, in a team-building situation it’s imperative that the DJ take charge and never, ever let go of it or hand off the mic, as far as I’m concerned. (And, by the way, if you do have to give up your microphone for whatever reason, I suggest putting a wind screen on it and afterwards throwing it away. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve caught a cold from someone else using my mic.)

I have heard it said that control starts with the first phone call. I agree. I like to do it in a pleasant way, to let my clients know they can trust that I know what I’m doing and that I will handle any problem that may arise. By taking immediate control, I plant the seeds of confidence: They know, without a doubt, that I am their DJ. The bride and groom have a lot of things they need to check off their to-do list, and I just took a major on off their list-along with a bit of the stress they are no doubt enduring.

Hopefully, these tips will help you develop the ability to guide your parties to success and your clients and guests into calmer waters. Be assertive and your DJ life will become a lot easier…as you become a Crowd Whisperer.

SCS Mixer & Deck professional controllers herald a revolution for the digital DJ

HOLLYWOOD, FL - January 14, 2009 - Stanton DJ, an industry leader in the design and manufacturing of professional audio products for DJs, announces the official release of the SC System into retail locations worldwide. The SC System is an innovative set of digital controllers for the professional DJ, comprised of the SCS.1d deck and the SCS.1m mixer. Both units are advanced control surfaces that give the laptop DJ new performance abilities and functionality within the MIDI-compatible software of their choice, while preserving the familiar feel and layout of more traditional equipment. The components of the high-end system can be used standalone or together, allowing for multiple configurations and diverse functionality that goes far beyond the parameters set by traditional DJ gear.The SC System is the result of years of research in new technologies and user interface design, and unites these elements in an ergonomic and intuitive package. “As a company, we made a commitment to invest in technology that would take DJ performances to the next level,” states Tim Dorwart, CEO of The Stanton Group. “The SCS-1 deck and mixer show our commitment to this market, to the DJ controller paradigm and to our customers, who have been instrumental in providing feedback and input into these products.”

Several new technologies are found in the SC System. Among these are HSS1394, a proprietary high-speed communications protocol developed by Stanton Magnetics and Bome’s Software for the SC System 1 family of products. This groundbreaking innovation allows MIDI messages to be translated and rapidly exchanged via FireWire. HSS1394 solves the need for extremely fast communications from control surfaces to DJ software, and ensures the fastest messaging achievable with hardware while still maintaining the appearance of a standard MIDI device.

To support the hardware’s diverse software compatibility, Stanton has developed a preset library for the System, including a preset for Traktor Pro^TM as well as a general preset that applies to other popular software applications. The presets will be updated regularly, and are available for free download off the Stanton website.

For more information on the SC System 1, other products in the SC System family, and Stanton’s full line of traditional DJ equipment, visit www.stantondj.com and www.enterthesystem.com.
About Stanton Magnetics

Founded in 1946, Stanton Magnetics is an industry leader in the design and manufacture of professional audio products for DJs, Live Sound Reinforcement and install applications. A member of the Stanton Group of companies, Stanton DJ products include turntables, high-performance cartridges, CD players, DJ mixers, accessories, and digital controllers. With over 50 years of innovation, Stanton is the name DJs trust. For additional information, visit the company online at www.stantondj.com.

As Debuting at MBLV09 from Digigames

Are you looking for a fresh new way of performing trivia? This one is about as fresh as it comes!
The objective is for the contestants to hit themselves or each other over the head with a plastic bat to answer, or force another contestant to answer.

System includes 4 wireless hard hats, 4 plastic bats and the software to run it plus instructions, a 1-year warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee.

Within the hard hat is a wireless transmitter which sends a signal to your computer about which contestant was clobbered first. A contestant who knows the answer clobbers himself. If a contestant thinks that another participant doesn’t know the answer, he/she can clobber them and put them on the spot.

Imagine your contestants running around the room clobbering each other. Contestants generally gang up on a single contestant and the amount of chaos that happens is strictly within the rules that you establish at the beginning of the show.

Clobber interfaces with all of DigiGames’ software games! More information can be found at http://www.triviaparties.com!

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