And How to Find a Good DJ!

There are a lot of DJs, wannabe DJs, hobbyist DJs, good DJs and Bad DJs... The real question is, what's the difference?

Let's be honest, being any kind of musician, band member, DJ or songwriter is something that has a certain air to it. Music attracts a lot of people with a lot of egos. DJs are no different, a lot of them believe they will be the next great DJ or that they are the coolest people since Elvis... supposing you think he's cool.

The fact is: Nobody cares about the DJ's Ego.

If you're looking for a DJ for your event, it's because you want the audience to be entertained, to have a good time. If you're a club owner, this is how you make money and attract people to your venue. If you're a couple getting married, this is how you create a memorable occasion. In other words, no matter where the DJ is spinning, it is NOT about the DJ. Unlike the latest great band to come to Tampa, the DJ should not be the center of attention. That doesn't mean the DJ can't have a good time, and throw in some personal favorites from to time to time, or do some fun, crazy mixing. After all, that entertains the crowd too! It's certainly better than some guy sitting around, pressing play on an obsolete CD player.

Nonetheless, most good DJs have realized that they need to serve their crowd and their customers. This sometimes means playing a song the DJ doesn't care for, or perhaps NOT playing a personal favorite, because it's just not appropriate. Sometimes this means avoiding remixing a song that everyone worships. It's a dynamic that a DJ has to understand before he or she can genuinely claim to be a professional. On the flip side of it, there's always the question of why a DJ needs to be there to begin with.

I've had some customers ask me about DJ services and I told them, truthfully, that they were better off renting some equipment and simply putting a playlist onto an Ipod or something. When you hire a DJ, realize that he or she is not an extension of your own mind. The DJ will probably play or a song or two you might not like, at some point (however, the crowd may love it). Perhaps the DJ won't have every mix of a particular favorite song of yours you forgot to mention beforehand.

It can be real stressful, being a DJ, because while you are not the center of attention if things are going well, if the night starts to go badly, you are DEFINITELY the center of a lot of hostility! So if you're out there looking for a DJ, or even looking to become one yourself, know the difference. The hobbyist or wannabe will think it's all about him. The professional realizes... it's all about the audience.