DJ Gig Log - Assistants at your Events? (Behind the scenes)

Ran into a problem on a busy weekend finding an assistant. Watch some behind the scenes of running a multi-op DJ company and making logistics happen.
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[@RevolutionWaveEntertainment]

That’s me when I have Spanish music in my arsenal. They tell me play English and then no one dances then you put Spanish dance floor gets packed 😂

[@ArthurCheesebag84]

Show your wins and losses. You brought it back. Good man.

[@djz3r063]

16yrs with the best team of me, myself, and I. Set up and tear down sucks alone, but I don't have to pay anyone else and i know how I like things. If something isn't right, it's also on me. We also have like 12 DJs and they all run this way. Only help we have is if our photo division is needed for photo booths.

[@erikbritz8095]

Im jealous i have a severe auto immune condition meaning im forced to pay an assistant now 😢

[@andrearisr2593]

Over 35yrs DJing never an assistant, I am 55 now, but still do it myself. For one I didn't want to have to give some of my money away...lol But then another was I know other DJs that always have assistants and I saw a few times when for some reason they couldn't get one & the hell they went through because they was so used to having that extra hand. Well I decided after all that, that I didn't want to have to count on someone's else help at my gigs. Like you I made sure to streamline my system to be an easy setup & breakdown, and if it's a wedding or party that needs extra I just charge more & come a bit earlier. Great video Bro. And completely understand how a playlist from bride & Groom can totally get the wrong idea in your head about what music needs to be played. And sometimes it takes that one request to snap u out of it & get into what you know is right!

[@BillyButtry]

money is to hard to get now these days

[@rjpimprov]

20 years. 1000 gigs. never had an assistant.

[@jtm71]

Wait until the day you bend down to lift heavy equipment and there goes your back

[@mateo_mixes]

@@jtm71dollys ftw

[@Nogi-aka-DJNugz]

me too, adding an assistant now!

[@cliveputman]

You have to factor in the drink element. Some people will not dance until the drink kicks in. Great content as usual. Keep up the good work.

[@djmollyparti]

nice, i'm in Asheville. Thank you for sharing about the dance floor, so important and less stressful to stay flexible to what the crowd is feeling that day instead of getting stuck in what you thought was supposed to happen. People always keep us on our toes LOL

[@reyzuna]

I operate solo almost my entire DJ gig since I Started. The only thing that made me want assistant is when there's a Venue with no Elevator or if Parking Lot is far from the Venue but most of my DJ gig are Solos. I Found a Partner that helps me but in reality he doesn't do much because still I have to do the entire setup and DJ because he don't know a thing in this business. Tips if your crowd is starting to less, play a hype song that you know everyone knows.. For Example, I play "Ever After by Bonnie Bailey" and all of the crowd starting to go back. Plus if that song ever get them to dance don't cut it half on your mix, much better to finish that song. If they started to go bored again I immediately start to ask them for request and one by one I play them and those really work. You see we DJ have a pride of mixing things that we thought people might be interested but in reality it doesn't matter if you mix it right or not, it's a matter of what play list you're bringing on that dance floor.

[@soentertainmentdjs2316]

I just a found a new assistant and it helps so much!

[@projekt679]

What are you taking about Rick! You kept people on the dance floor. Great selection of music.

[@FormulaOneLeclerc]

Still deciding on the assistant thing for myself

[@MonzMunkyz]

Nice save!

[@DJ.Generation]

It's always interesting how every DJ has their own strategy and taste in music. I usually start safe and with oldies too and then I usually play rap and twerk late in the night to please the older crowd 1st and end with a bang and I realize I seem to be really picky compared to some DJs. It's A LOT of popular songs I don't play unless I'm asked because to me they are iffy or corny and I wouldn't play them at my own party. And I realize they do work when I play them. It's just interesting how different approaches still work for every DJ.

[@The1976Chad]

Been going since 97 with no assistant. Would I like one, absolutely but pretty impossible to find these days. Side note, that Toyota working its tail off sounds like. Lol.

[@DJSigmarMuuga]

dat engine roaring to get the trailer moving

[@Dj_Johnny_5]

Assistant works for me. In case I have to use the restroom or meanwhile I grab a plate to eat he can cover for a bit ! And he doesn’t mind for much $! I just started DJn partys n small wedding after partys this year!

[@mattkoser]

Been doing this since 1998… I’ve had an “assistant” maybe 4 times. More profit. More satisfaction.

[@djcalmet]

Rick how do you charge on your contract for long trips. How many miles radius is included and from what distance or time you start charging. If possible can you provide me a sample. Thanks keep up the great work

[@DJRickWeb]

$2 per mile round trip. Once a venue is outside our 1.5 hour standard travel. Over 3 hours away has a 1.5x multipler on the base rate to account for the lack of being able to do an event the next day.

[@nealstahl2269]

The tacoma downshift wawAAAAAA

[@chrisattiliis3705]

Not bad, didn't really "lose the floor" its pretty common that people will come out for the first few songs, feel like they need more liquor...beer, whatever, and come back in a few minutes... and it sucks when Bride and groom steer you with play this and this but not this, but then the guest really wanted the stuff they bride and groom didn't suggest. I always make it a point to ask what year they graduated HS and college to get a sense of what I'm gonna play, and make sure you ask them what their friends and family like also, not just them! Good event man!

[@djmunch1]

Sorry, im an LA DJ but nice 💪comeback

[@dannyrawner1897]

We haul in a large van do you recommend a trailer?

[@DJRickWeb]

Its all preferences

[@cliffordscorner656]

Are you using the 44’s ? How is the bass ?

[@DJRickWeb]

Yes and incredible

[@BillyButtry]

Most of my customers don't want you mixing out of a song midways they wanna hear the whole song. Mixing in and out is not bad as long as you know what will work together and your crowd wants you to mix out into another. I usally mix in key and kill the base when i transition so it is a deccent mix just in case I get the beats way off.

[@DJ.Generation]

I normally view it as younger audience with short attention span want "quick mixes" only about 1-2 mins. of the song but this usually for mixes and clubs and bars. But weddings is usually full songs and I transition and beatmatch out.

[@919Smil13y919]

Yo! I'm in Raleigh, NC area Dj. I'm bilingual Spanish/English. Let me know. I'm up for it 😎🤟💯💯💯🙏🙏🙏

[@FormulaOneLeclerc]

The hell is with your truck? Sounds kinda off

[@Iamdjquietstorm]

Since 2004,no assistant... but I could use one.

[@mcentertainmentiom]

assistant....whats one of them lol...

[@DJWHIZKID876]

Why didn't you call me? Dj Whizkid

[@afrodje-nice5625]

To every one I just had the same thing and am too embarrass to post it. The couples gave me a play list and from my experience i knew they did not listen to my advice to reach out their friends. SO i was very concern until i got 4 straight request on a paper and all was hip hop. once i switched bride expressed that there were not songs from her play list but the dance floor was filled again. I had to listen to her complains ( since she was the client) and i lost 80 to 90 % of the crowd. it was one of my toughest wedding and one i wanted over very quick. But good job taking request and bringing back the vibe.

[@robertvillareal5873]

Quick ? My friend. What is a good rate to pay an assistant that does almost what yours does?

[@DJRickWeb]

All relative to location. We have a teir structure for our assitants that determines pay scale. Starting at $15 per hour for no experience. All the way up to $30 for trained with audio lighting and video knowledge.

[@sergiofernandez8500]

Didn’t know you DJ’d, all I ever see do is talk smack and promote Chinese gear

[@erikbritz8095]

🤔

[@wirelessdj]

Curious, at this event, did you play the entire song or the first verses?

[@DJRickWeb]

1 to 2 minutes a song typically. Normally like 2 choruses

[@erikbritz8095]

Prefer working on my own but sadly im quite sick right now as i have a severe auto immune condition so yeah life is not kind to me.

[@soentertainmentdjs2316]

How have you been brother? Sorry to hear about your condition.

[@DJ2Legit007]

Totally agree an assistant is great for capturing video content. Other than that, I have zero use for an assistant. I've done hundreds of weddings. Never had an assistant. Some of us are just super DJs. We prefer to do it all by ourselves.

[@officevol]

Nice

[@troglodidio]

So strange how your car engine sounds