Being so busy this month I have come across this new phenomenon of which I call being a "PHONE J" scenario on stage.....
more then once I have been in a situation where someone request some off the all song I dont perform or have out of the thousands I already have in my Mp3 collection......next they say here you go can you plug in my iPhone into your system with that laptop wire 1/8"? ...I even had someone actually download the song from iTunes and gave it to me to play and it's usually the person or family member who hired me say no to "multiple requests for new songs and your condemned or they say what kind of entertainer are you, or you get reported back to the person that hired you? ... it's a new world for the musician out there and a mix and match situation on some gigs..I try to accommodate them in ANY way I can to make the requester HAPPY by any means possible even if it requires using my own cell phone to play a song....Things are changing out there ......
Oh baby!

Read an article in the NY Times a few years ago, that DJs reported business being off because potential wedding clients were putting together playlists on their iPods then renting a PA for the day and supplying their own music.

iPod versus wedding dj controversy iPod versus wedding dj controversy

There are things I wouldn't do. I offer live music, and if somebody hires me for live music they are going to get live music and no download-smartphone-whatever shenanigan. (That's why I prefer audiences from 40-50 upwards...)

I agree, there are just some things I'm NOT gonna do - and I don't give a damned how much money is involved - it just ain't gonna happen!

Gary

Come on Gary, you wouldn't prostitute yourself for say $2000 like the DJ's get? Man If I passed up something like that Penny would beat the snot out of me.

Just kidding Gary, you are one of the John Wayne's of this forum of entertainers and tweakers. Oops, sorry the devil made me say that. Sorry friends.

Once your at the gig it's too late...
gotta be prepared for anything that arises.Treat the guests right every time 110%
This is a people business, word of mouth travels fast.

I download at the job, and I play other people's devices, but ONLY if I have heard the song first. I don't care if it's the bride herself - if I haven't heard it and approve of it - I won't play it. It'll be just my luck that it has some offensive line or meaning and a sweet little old lady, or worse - a CHILD - hears some rubbish .... I won't be the guy offering that sonic insult. The practice of on-the-fly downloads doesn't scare me ... but the lyric content of unknown music sure does. It's too dangerous for my good name, and I will not risk it under any circumstance. It's still my name on the bill and I offer a clean show. Period.
In Donny's defense - his crowd is pretty old - they don't know the crap out there.

Dave sorry but I perform for young and old crowds, grand kids and children.......... and this happens mostly at my younger gigs all the time...its everywhere just a case of how new technology can work against the gigging musician.

the cupid shuffle is a example of a song that got requested I have my Ipad with cell service I downloaded it in 1 min while I played another song played it on my I pad and bam a 20.00 tip this happens once in a while if you can deliver it only make what you do Better .

cuopid shuffle & cha cha slide are two most requested songs .....& you aint playing that on arrangers lol

The Cha Cha Slide died a long time ago down here, but people still ask for the Cupid Shuffle once in a while - but not often. I have them all on the laptop, just to be on the safe side. I rarely play them, though.

Cheers,

Gary

Gary NH no........ but every dance gig yes

Gig dances and private parties are the only reason they're in the laptop. Personally, I wouldn't listen to them at all.

Gary

Gary these are tools of the trade today...cant let "PERSONAL" preferences get in the way......gotta play what the PEOPLE want.

Phone Jockey?? where do you buy a saddle to fit the phone?

Donny what the heck is with the phone downloading on a gig crap? Why don't ya just drive over to Gary's and let him show you how to load it onto your laptop. Heck I can even do that.

With me, it's not all about money. Besides, there isn't any where I live. If there is, they are holding on to it. It took me three years to sell a $300,000 piece of property for $130,000. I've been crying for three months over this!!!

Donny this is suppose to make you laugh Buddy, not ruffle your feathers, okay? You've forgotten more about this OMB entertaining thingy than I'll ever get close to knowing friend.

Send me some more Ray Charles and Steve Tyrell midi files eh. I do use them often on any gig I can scrape up man. I also have a couple of the Rod Stewart "Standards." Did you send me those?

Gary and others. I said years ago I would never DJ and held out for awhile until I saw the gigs disappearing . Unless your very lucky to be in a situation ( and I really can't imagine any except the NH route ) where you can get enough live gigs you gotta do what Donny says--everything !

Donny quit strutting your stuff!! Where in HELL is any info about the midi's I requested above. Ha ha!

Boo I'll check out what I have after New Years too busy now sorry.....Happy Holiday!


meanwhile check you email.......

Bill, no jobs disappearing for me - in fact, I have more jobs than I want. Every time a new retirement community or assisted living facility opens in my area I'm the first person they call. A new adult day care location opened last week that is just 10 miles from my home. The called the day after the grand opening and asked me to bring my calendar. They booked a dozen jobs for 2014 and wanted to know if I had a 2015 calendar with me. Within the next year, there will be four new places opening, all within 10 miles of my home. That equates to a minimum of 48 jobs a year, or darned near one every week, just from those locations. I'll bet every person on this forum can remember vividly when they were lucky to get one job a week.:)

Cheers,

Gary

Um ... what's "a" midi?

[quote=travlin'easy]Bill, no jobs disappearing for me - in fact, I have more jobs than I want. Every time a new retirement community or assisted living facility opens in my area I'm the first person they call. A new adult day care location opened last week that is just 10 miles from my home. The called the day after the grand opening and asked me to bring my calendar. They booked a dozen jobs for 2014 and wanted to know if I had a 2015 calendar with me. Within the next year, there will be four new places opening, all within 10 miles of my home. That equates to a minimum of 48 jobs a year, or darned near one every week, just from those locations. I'll bet every person on this forum can remember vividly when they were lucky to get one job a week.:)

Gary

Exactly as I said. You can be fussy because your established in the NH route.

Out in the cold cruel world of parties, etc. you have to be ready for anything. Keeping it under control while still pleasing those a the party is the real trick. One too many requests can kill the momentum and spoil a gig fast.

Your very lucky to be in an area where they look for good entertainment for the Seniors and are willing to pay for it. Here they spend little to nothing and rely on freebies from whom ever wants to come in and play.