Len

Hi Dave, Probably didn't see them for looking! As in - TOO MANY FLYERS - TOO MANY EVENTS! There was a time if you were giving out flyers, people would actually approach you and ask for one! (Happened to me several times) - I don't even bother looking at flyers at all now and am only supporting about four different events which keeps me busy enough (Soul wise) Len.

The same thing happened at Peterbourough LEL. Poor Russ Holly put so much work into it. It had a really 'Top All-nighter' line up ( I think ten 'Big name' D.J's) But sadly, only about 70 people turned out for it. I said to him afterwards that I had a feeling that was going to happen. In todays 'Flooded' market, it's hard for any event, let alone one that's slightly out of the way. It's best to attend, let someone else have the headache of promoting. All the best, Len.

B*gger, B*gger, B*gger! - That's my evening gone! - I've just skimmed through all my old posts to find the post that proves 'Our Winston' coined the phrase 'O.V.O' ...I wouldn't recommend doing it though as it was, at times 'Cringworthy' - God, did I really write that? etc (A bit like listening to your own voice on tape when you were a kid!) Anyway I must of blo*dy missed it! I know it was a thread (One of the originals!) about Original vinyl only, people were stating it so often so 'Our Winston' stated it then said "O.V.O for short" I actually wrote something like, "O.V.O', like it Winston I recon that might catch on" Or something like that... ...Anyway, the search is still on, If anyone else finds the said thread, there's a £1.00 reward! All the best, Len. P.s - Hello Gavin!

Although this thread is 'about done' it's a shame to end it on such a 'sudden' note so thought I'd add again... In Steve's defence, he has admitted he may have said what he said but he backed it up with the fact he acknowledges he hadn't been out for 15 years and stated he should have done some home work but was surprised at what was being played. I've been in many situations where 'returnees' have spoken down to me and not recognized the fact the soul scene has carried on without them, so he's not the first to do this. Ref Steve's P.M asking for a D.J spot, as I said in my earlier post - (This may not always be the case and I'm sure some that have asked to D.J may have something to offer) I don't know Steve but he doesn't come across as a 'Wannabe' and his p.m. came across as well meaning. All the best, Len.

Personally I don't think anyone should ask for a D.J spot as I think it's extremely crass. Anyone who is 'qualified' to be a promoter on the soul scene should know 'Who's who' anyway. I do think they should also be looking out for 'Untapped' (Up and coming) or 'under used' D.J's though - In my opinion thinking of how to make their particular event a little bit unique, if it's not, why bother promoting anyway? They shouldn't just be giving spots to mates or other promoters so they get a spot themselves (D.J exchange) I know unfortunately this may go on but I still don't think it's right to ask for a spot - Just my opinion but I always think of Britain's Got Talent or 'X' Factor and all those dreadful wannabes (This may not always be the case and I'm sure some that have asked to D.J may have something to offer) - Still crass though. All the best, Len. p.s - What was the original post on this thread again? lol

Stop it - I have the proof somewhere I know it ......May take a while longer...... Len.

By Christ, this is gonna take ages! lol...So far I've found this quote -

Don't you be so modest Winston! - Right, I'll have to find it - Leave it with me! Len.

Ok, I admit it - I've done it too! I can't remember the name of the record (Unlike me!) but it was an 'Impossible to get on original' item (Blue label with four records on a single - Bargain!) If anybody can name it from that I could confirm what it was, it was something like 'I Have No Choice' but not that. Anyway, naively I thought at least we all get to hear it....Unfortunately it jumped (Just two or four times lol) and as the record finished one of my 'Elders' - Mr Tony Parker casually whispered in my ear "That's why we don't play pressings Len"...I was very young at the time but even now all these years later his 'Wise' words are still echoing in my head! lol (Actually no 'lol' - I'm serious!) 'O.V.O' shouldn't be an issue and as soon as it is made an issue i.e. - People harping on and on about it, that's when it sounds ridiculous. I know who coined the phrase though....None other than our Winston! - That's a fact as I remember commenting on it when he first said it. Someone may be able to find the 'Original' thread where he first said it (Let me know how you get on!) At the time I thought what genius though Winston... 'Dave Goddin - 'Northern Soul' 'Winston Heath - 'O.V.O' At least you'll be remembered mate! All the best, Len.

I'm not supposed to mention that! lol All the best, Lennny Dopson (We've changed the spelling slightly as we like to keep our 'D.J Careers' separate)

That's a very good point. Len. p.s - I think the original post was about value of records though, wasn't it?

I had to read that three times but to me - No, the 'Greatest D.J in the World' with 3K worth of records would have more appeal. Unfortunaely the 'Worse D.J in The World' with 30K worth of records would have more appeal to a some folk... That's the unfortunate thing. Can this thread end now please?... Len.

...It has gone on a bit hasn't it? lol... Len.

Sorry, you said a SET not a box for £50,000.00...."It's simple maths isn't ?" lol - An hours set = 20 records divided by £50,000.00 = £2,500.00 average each record, that's a pretty rare set I'd say! But again, the value shouldn't be / isn't relevent for a good set. Len.

It's simple maths isn't it? - £50,000.00 divided by a box of 200 = £250.00 average for each record, so no if you want a box of 200 'Mello Souls' type rare ones. Mind you, if you did, I'd keep a bl*dy eye on em! lol All the best, Len.

It would be bl*dy interesting! lol Looks like I'm back in the promoting game (as the scene could so do with another event! lol) Not sure whether to go monthly or fortnightly....Best start booking the D.J's, I'll start with the first 'Double Deck' team - 'Butch 'n' Brian Rae'...Then I'll get the next 5 years dates on the Soul-source calendar so I can say people are clashing with me... Len.

Much MORE of a following, look at the big Oldies All-nighters, they get Thousands in not hundreds. You can't argue with those figures but I think it's a shame more folk don't seem to want to listen to something at least a little different....Maybe someone should organise an all-nighter that is exactly half and half (Alternating spots for 'Classic Oldies' type D.J's and 'Rare / Underplayed' type D.J's. (Better still, make them Double Deck! lol) ....Not that this has anything to do with the original post, I keep forgetting what the question was... All the best, Len.

Repeated post (See below) - Sorry!

I did a similar thing (Maybe not as strong!) I wrote on a flyer for early 'SILKS' at Wellingborough "Empty Dance Floors Rule Ok' which some people understood it was to explain that new / underplayed sounds will be played. Unfortunately a few didn't understand and thought that was the ethic! - Doh! Upfront venues are so opposite to what some people perceive; they play good soul music and just want to keep it interesting that's all. Len.

As Terry has pointed out, the money side of records should be of little importance, yes some are expensive but shouldn't be an issue, it's what they sound like. Obviously if something sounds great and is a bit rare it will have an extra 'Mystique' which adds to the FUN. Unfortunately, the price of a record is important to some people and I'd even go as far to say, in some cases if a record's expensive and is the latest 'Must have' they would buy it no matter what it sounds like. I liked and agree with Terry's comment (Although dislike agreeing with Terry lol) about D.J's complimenting each other. I've always hated it on 'Look Backs' when people name the 'Winning D.J' It is not a competition! A D.J should be passionate about what they're doing, learn from experience, have their own identity and not just 'Cherry pick' off other peoples play lists (I call them 'Cut 'n' Paste' D.J's) generally get to know the etiquette etc. I don't think a D.J needs to be as knowledgeable as a collector though but as Andy pointed out, they would need to have gained the respect of others. I feel some D.J's may miss the fact that having the honour to play these lovely records at a venue is not all about them. The main talent is in the record and a DJ should be enjoying them along with everyone else at the venue. Don't get me wrong, of course there's a buzz to be had when you 'Connect' with a crowd because it's satisfying that you have done your job properly and been able to share the enjoyment you've had from your records (As discussed Val!) Everyone has opinions about whether certain D.J's should be doing it or not - The only person that really knows this is the D.J himself. One example - If a D.J has stolen ideas from others and taken the credit, deep down they know they've done it. Remember - "It's more disheartening to have to steal than to be stolen from" Answer to your original post is no, you shouldn't need loads of money to be a top northern soul D.J. There maybe a few 'Fast track' ones about with not a single original idea in their head, but don't write off all D.J's that happen to have expensive records before meeting them because then they become the victims of 'Inverted Snobbery' All the best, Len. p.s - A good D.J should always carry at least five Midtempo records with them! J p.p.s - It's not about a 'Packed' dance floor, it's about 'working' the dance floor, how else would new sounds get played?

Is this a separate thing to an entertainments licence? I don't think everyone is aware, but I think everyone who is putting on an event should have an entertainments licence. When I used to promote I had one, cost just over £100.00 per year. I'll try and dig out details of where to sort it if anyone wants me too. All the best, Len.

The Dynamics - I Need Your Love - Grrr!... Len.

Nor me, maybe read it again. I don't think for one monent John was being patronising, it didn't read so to me. I agree with what he said, for example I personally don't like the record much at all (Or the version Butch plays) But fully understand the importance of it to the older generation who in their youth first heard it. All the best, Len.

My answer would be the absolute opposite to this one - It's all a matter of personal taste and as long as everyone is convinced their taste is correct and everyone else's is wrong it will stay alive and kicking rather than a twitching corpse! (Hopefully) Ditto though, sadly it isn't important to me nowadays either. Len. "Surely it's more enjoyable to be guessing what the D.J's gonna play next, rather than telling him what he should of played last?!" :O)

I paid £400.00 about three years ago and I don't think I've seen one since. Saus played it at the last Wilton and as far as I'm concerned it's PERFECT for today's scene! But what do I know aye? - I'm a Midtempo Activist! :O) I was told it was a Soul Sam discovery - Is that correct? By the way, is there a thread that lists / discusses who discovered certian records, who broke them and what were the cover up names? I find that fascinating and believe folk should know who did all the hard work / took the risks ref the sounds we are enjoying today. All the best, Len. "A wasted weekend is not a wasted weekend!" :O)