Who are the Leaders of Our Industry?

[Jim Casey]

Alright...

We all have different definitions as to what a leader is. The purpose of this thread is to see who we consider the leaders of our fledgling industry.

*** GROUND RULES ***

Answers must be thought out with the person(s) and the reason you think they are a leader

This is NOT a debate thread. Please, just give answers an then after a few days, I will place a follow-up thread.

[goodknightdj]

Publications - Sid Vanderpool and Ryan Burger

How To Stuff - Randy Bartlett, Scott Favor, Peter Merry

Integrity and Ethics - Dude Walker, Joe Martin, Johnny Dee

Smart Azz - Jim and I, LOL

[Wolfie]

Greets, Jim.

In this old dog's opinion, a leader is someone who leads by example. A true leader takes people where they need to go, not necessarily where they want to go.

Leaders also know the art of listening. No successful leader approaches an issue with a closed mind. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

John Mixon is an industry leader. Most folks in the biz don't know John... he sponsors a local monthly DJ meet and discusses issues that are pertinent to this business. John has over 20 years as a mobile under his belt and is a 2nd generation DJ. John is currently building a local Team Trivia franchise and has been quite successful.

Bill Hollick is an industry leader. During his tenure as an officer of the USODJA, Bill maintained the bylaws, kept the members informed and sponsored the association newsletter while organizing a local chapter at the same time.

Glenn Miller is an industry leader. As we all know, Glenn has sown the seeds that became these DJ-related online bbs forums. Glenn's contributions to networking in this business know no bounds.

Randy Bartlett is an industry leader. Randy is better known because he speaks at industry trade shows. Randy's suggestions for mobile entertaining are simple, down-to-earth business practices that come from experience in the field.

Paul Beardmore is an industry leader. Paul has been running a successful multi-op for many years. Paul runs his business like a business should be run. He also speaks at industry trade shows and expos.

Hope it helps.

[HeadlineDJ]

I can't really answer for any of the USA things...

In the UK there are very few if any so called leaders.

Most people are out to get what they can.

I try myself to help and show people not so much the right way of doing things but a better way of doing things... mostly you get shot down in flames as people are usually too ego driven to listen to new ideas.

I've tried organising DJ meetings, Run what ya brung open days where DJs can bring their own gear and do side by side comparisons with other gear to get a REAL LIFE comparison, I've organised and hosted DJ Industry shows, tested hardware, software etc... and to what end?

90% of DJs in the UK do it for a hobby or pocket money, they dont; care if they do it right or not, now the 10% are professionals I like to think. These do it for a living or as a very serious second income. The 10% try to learn and try to gove back also, so I am not alone inmy endevours.

This is one of the reasons I am on here and other US based forums, to learn things normally outside of my own box. Compared to the thousands of UK DJs very few bother to do this.

I started compiling information for a DJ related book about 6 years ago,, it's still ongoing as things are constantly changing, no point publishing information that has a limited or already obsolete shelf life.

I am however focusing more on the aspects that do not age quickly, things that no other publicatin has touched upon, yet.

Not sure if any of this would make me eligible for a leader of sorts or just a motivated professional DJ... I hate blowing my own trumpet so will refrain from picking any such instruments up. LOL