Canned music/DJ's taking over?

Frank Parish · From: Nashville,Tn. USA

In the 70's it was the disco craze that had me put a union bumper sticker on the van asking you not to patronize discos and insist on live music. Today I see more and more of these clubs popping up with a DJ and CD's and they seem to be doing quite well, well enough I know of two groups in my area that have lost their jobs to them and even the place I played the last five plus years has a DJ now. I know all of us musician types (pickerknots) prefer the clubs with live music naturally but the non musicians (humanoids) seem to really be flocking to these places in big numbers. Being a former bar owner I know that the bottom line is the first thing most look at that is if you want to keep the doors open. These DJ's work for about three to fours times the price the musicians around here make and save the club owners money in the long run. What with not having to worry about the drummer showing up or taking too long breaks, I'd say that the pickers need to really shape it up or they could all be out of a job one way or the other. Incidentally the DJ that's working in the bar I just left is a steel guitarist!

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Our Drummer is also a DJ..he gets nice paying gigs at private parties/weddings all over the planet it seems..
at least he's not a Steel player

but on the otherside our band is starting to get calls from clubs that are "Country" havens..
and get this..we have been told by a few clubbies that we are the real deal locally because we have a Steel in the band !( that would be me) We have booked 3 new clubs going into Jan/Feb..

go figure..

t

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 29 December 2004 at 04:00 AM.]

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 29 December 2004 at 08:48 AM.]

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

I have to say that in most cases its the band's fault. I've seen too many country bands with over weight players who are poorly equipped, don't rehearse, dress like bums, and play and sing out of tune. If you are good and are able to attract a crowd, there is no DJ that is going to put you out of work. It just takes extra effort.

Webb Kline · From: Orangeville, PA

There is a whole new generation of people who have grown up with DJs. Most of them don't know any better and don't have the appreciation of live music that older generations have had.

When I was in High School we had our choice of about 5 or 6 different bands to go see at various High School dances on any given Friday or Saturday night. If there was a DJ at a school dance it was called a sock hop and only the most shallow, preppy kids showed up.

All the school clubs and sports teams made money by sponsoring dances and if there was a good band, the place was sure to be packed. There is too much money around today and the kids don't want to go to the trouble to earn money as long as someone is willing to give it to them.

When DJs first started out, they were what you got if you couldn't afford a band. Now, few younger adults could care less if there is live music when they go out. And the music itself becomes shallower and shallower.

I don't play clubs anymore. I play concerts in churches, fairs and carnivals. They are some of the few remaining venues left where people will not come out to here a DJ and where people still appreciate good live music.

James Morehead · From: Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.

DJ's taking over? That and karioke!!

Joe Miraglia · From: Jamestown N.Y.

Keven said it, he is right. It takes more than good music,showmanship,keeping up with the times.You need to work harder than before .Clubs will hire your band if you can put on a good show and play what the people want to hear. You know the big thing about DJs is they can put on any song that they want to hear. Joe

Cal Sharp · From: the farm in Kornfield Kounty, TN

I worked weekends at a top 40 country dance club a few years ago when the line dancing craze first hit Nashville. We rehearsed every week and learned all the top radio songs. On our breaks the DJ played some of the same songs we played and it didn't seem to make any difference to the crowd, who were all decked out in the latest in Country Western attire and fresh from dance classes before the music started, whether it was us or the records - they got out and danced just the same. I kinda got the feeling we were unnecessary.

C#
www.calsharp.com

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

I would think that one of the defenses to the DJ infusion could be to verify ASCAP or BMI participation on the part of the prinicipals.

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