This thread was actually started on Sid's board but I wanted to share my story here as well.
I had my Ding Dong yesterday.
It was a wedding reception scheduled from 10 AM till 4PM. The groom was the owner of the hall, which made it very nice. Also, I have played there before and it is an incredibly easy load in. When he bought the place the groom made sure that everything was set up for easy access for all vendors.
Anyway the ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 in one room and then the cocktails, meal, and reception run in another. We're all set up in both rooms in record time and have music up and running in the ceremony room by 9:30; this guy's good to me so what the heck.
Now, another thing you need to know is that they asked us to not take requests. We worked with them to come up with a great Motown, 60's, 70's, and 80's list and had more than enough music to cover the event and overtime if need be.
The ceremony went very well and then the bridal party went off with the photographer for some nice outdoor shots. I've worked with the photographer before so he knew that I liked to keep on schedule. They were done and back in by 11:45; right on schedule and no problems during the cocktails. We made announcements that the bride and groom had asked us to not take requests and that they had selected a great play list. The entrance went off at noon and then we had the first dance and family dances. Dinner went well and the banquet manager did a great job coordinating the buffet line. We were ready to open the dance floor at 1:30; again on schedule.
We opened with a stretch routine and "In a New York Groove" as a clap song. We had the entire room on their feet clapping and grooving to the song. My wife said, "If you're ready to get this party started, yell out YEAH!". Even though they were loud, she told them to get louder and on the third time I dropped the hammer with Usher's "Yeah". The crowd errupted to the dance floor and we were off.
About 20 minutes into it this guy comes up and says, "Are you guys taking requests." I said that the bride and groom had asked us not to but we had a great play list. He was disappointed, but, oh well. I got on the microphone and made the announcement about not taking requests again.
Another 20 minutes goes by and guess whose back. "You sure you guys can't yake requests?" "Yup, we can't". "Can I see the play list". "Sorry, its my only copy" (It wasn't). "Well, how am I supposed to tell you what to play next?" "You're not." "But..." "Look, sir, I am trying to do my job up here, the bride and groom have asked me to not take requests and they are the ones paying me." He then reaches in his pocket and pulls out some 20's. "Let me also say that the contract is with them and not you. Put your money away and please go back to your seat." "Well, I want you to play some other music." "Well, hire us for your party and we will play your music." He leaves again.
Meanwhile, I've had a packed dance floor all the time.
We then go through the cake cutting, garter, bouquet, and an anniversary dance. Then we roll back into the open dance.
About 20 miniutes after we were back into the dance I get another visit from ding dong. "Look, I want to see your list so that I can request the next song". "Sorry, as I told you, this is the only copy I have. I can let you see it because I need it." "Well, can I come back there and look over your shoulder?" "No, we have too many wires back here and I don't want you to hurt yourself." And then it comes out. "Well, I am a DJ too and I know what is best." "If you're a DJ, why aren't you working today?" There was a visible deflation of ego and he walked away.
It took longer, but he comes back up. "You will show me the f-ing play list or else." I dropped the fader and got on the mic. "Ladies and gentlemen, sorry for the interruption to this great music but I have a problem. My contract indicates that if I feel threatened by any guest then I have the right to stop play until the threat is removed or to pack up and leave it is not. I have just be threatened by this gentleman! I will not resume play until he is gone."
Just then groom and two friends appeared, lifted the ding dong up and carried him out. The crowd applauded. I restarted the song.
The groom returned and asked me if I had enough music on that play list to keep it going for another three hours or so. I did. My OT rate is $100/hour but he whips out a wad of 100's and counts them off two at a time. I got $600 for 3 hours OT. I didn't argue; I knew he wasn't drunk because he doesn't drink. He then asked me if I would let him make an announcement after the next song ended. His announcement indicated that he had just paid for us to be there till seven. Another round of applause. He also told me not to worry about ding dong because he'd have some folks watching our backs on the load out.
We actually ended at 10 and yes, he gave me another $600 plus a $500 tip. We were actually there for almost 16 hours. Fortuantely it is close to home but I am draggin' my waggon today. It was worth it; $1550 for the event (6 hours + lights + MC + extra system), $1200 for OT, and $500 for a tip comes to a total of $3250. But, seeing them carry the ding dong out, priceless.
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I may not always agree with your opinion but I will always support your right to have one.
Tom Ohlendorf, President
Good Knight Entertainment
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