Nachtgestalt

Hmm. Good question. I consider myself one, although, as Mr. Music says, radio DJ's do not require talent or equipment, in order to play for a dynamic crowd...

However, I disagree. I stream for a legit, solid Gothic net radio channel. I am catering to a particular crowd; if I don't keep my listeners satisfied, they bash me, and trash me. I've been doing it for years, and have a license paid for by my boss, and not myself, so I assume, that I must be doing something right.

Mr.Music

I wanted to reply back to make sure that no one interpreted that I disrespect radio DJs. They do have talent. The truth s that there is a whole set of different expectations for them as compared to Mobiles and spinners. I respect them and would have tried to do that kind of work save for the fact that one must struggle for many years financially with little hope of "big Bucks." Even when radio DJs hit the big time, they are paid way less than they should be. A friend of mine said that their son was at a radio station in Florida that the son helped to have an unbelieveable 25% share of the listening market and still was paid peanuts. I remember remarking that I got paid twice as much as he did and I am a public school teacher at around $50,000 per year.

Of course, there are many different types of DJs in Radio, some very commercial stations that seem to have much less ability to vary their airplay (repeat the hits over and over) and some that allow their DJ plenty of ability to vary (college station?).

My opinion is that Radio DJs on air persona is more important than the music that gets played. The ones I hear speak alot and each word is important to keeping listeners as some of the same music gets played on other competeing stations. The biggest jocks have the best on air personality. Besides, the On-air Jock isn't choosing the music at many stations. It's chosen by folks working behind the scenes.

When I mobile DJ, the clients I serve by vast majority, do not want the radio DJ voice personality to take over a gig and they want a wide range of music, usually not available from a single radio station. A wedding is a great example because the attention should be on the Newlyweds not the DJ (my opinion which is shared by many DJs I have met). They do want the right music mix for themselves and their guests. My comments are appropriate, brief, positive, and tuned to the moment I see in front of me and usually done while I fade one tune to the next. "You folks are looking great!" "Wow, I love the eneregy out there!" " Here's one for you old-schoolers..." "I LOVE your dancing!" I let the music rule or "star" not myself. It's been my formula (likely not unique only to my success) for a successful mobile DJ business for all the time that I have been doin' it.

I invite your comments if you have anything I should learn from your perspective.

DJ Dave
Dance Yer Socks Off
Mobile DJ Service

JustMe

Wow, the boards' filled with real-life deejays!

Am just a wanna-be. Lol I went to a rave party late last year and I was seated right next to the Djs booth where I can saw him get busy playing beautiful music. I really find it amazing! That from then on, I kept hanging on DJ forums and surfing DJ websites online. Starting with some sampler though...

dj_daw

I am a full time office worker now. But I was once a DJ back in 2003. I enjoyed it a lot and still want to do it right now. But I guess I do not have enough time already for I already have kids and I am beyond the age limit already.

Mr.Music

I read your comment and assumed that your note was "tongue in cheek." It got me to wondering about whether or not there is a preceived age "limit." Is there an age when it's not cool to "DJ?" The DJ that taught me to DJ didn't go out much at that time and his comment was that "no one wants to see my old face." I've also read that some clients want a "young DJ." I think you young DJs have a natural advantage because their is a perception that younger is better. Are you young folks more hip? Are older DJs just not with it anymore?

I know I am not the oldest DJ in the Seattle area but I know that I am older than the vast majority...did someone see where I put my cane and arthritis meds?

DJ Dave

Paul

Being younger, you will know the trends and the likes of the music of the current age. When you are of age, you mostly play what you are playing best and those music that you play are oftentimes famous in your own time. That is just my perception about young DJ's

miketrilli

what is a real dj? judging from the posts it looks like people are thinking getting paid to play. i've been paid for playage before, even sold a beat for a commercial once. does that make me anymore of a real dj? no. really i don't call myself a dj for the exact reasons music man pointed out, don't want to be confused with the other types of djs. i don't call myself a turntablist either, just sounds strange to me. so how about we all just be musicians, or just stop caring about who fits in where, that's high school dude.

respect for non-scratching djs? its not that i don't respect other types of djs, i just don't want to be confused with them. on the one hand when i tell someone i dj i don't want them trying to find me gigs doing weddings or expecting me to be some outgoing personality, not me. i definitely have respect for a wedding dj's ability to control the room, but they don't do on the turntables, they do it on the mic. i would hate to get up in front of a crowded room and have to talk, forget about it. i also doubt anyone would do what i said so you guys get respect from me for that. on the other hand i also don't want to be confused with what has become the norm in hip hop in most of the usa which is affluent white kids trying to imitate their perception of inner-city black people. i just don't think you need to be a certain color, talk a certain way, or act a certain way to listen to a particular kind of music.

Mr.Music

Hi All,

I love all your comments about different DJs. We all are cool doing our own thing. DJing means many things to many people.

I just saw a great DJ, Mike Relm, who opened the Blue Man Group Concert in Seattle. He turntables video and audio at the same time and is really fast at it.

If Blue Man Group "Megastar 2.1 Tour" comes near you, be sure and grab tickets. It's great!