Len

Blimey Win - this is exhausting! There's no 'accolade' being a promoter (maybe there is to some) I use the word as a descriptive - It describes someone who puts on an event....As for 'D.J', again descriptive, I see some as 'Good' D.J's, and some as 'Bad' D.J's.....That's my thinking anyway. Len

....Just......the more choice there is, the quality goes down, unfortunately for lots of people that will do. Result being (is) some top quality nights are at risk, due to numbers being spread too thinly, and these nights are the back bone (imho) All the best, Len

Exactly Chalky (Promoter / D.J) All the best, Len (Promoter / D.J) ......Come on, see the humour! Laters mate

Common sense......(Except the R 'n' B bit) Nicely put Len

Oh my god! Not The Picture House?!!!! All the best, Len

My Tips - Do similar to what I did at the recent (ish) St Ives 'Evolution' event, which was in the same huge Ivo Centre at St Ives......Before I had even played a record, I looked around, and said down the mike...."Wow, now this is a big dance floor to clear!" Basically 'grab' the moment, and from that, it can only get easier! As Tony Warrot eloquently reminded us a while back on here - Most of all, enjoy it! All the best, Len P.s - If you do get a few successful spots under your belt, never 'develop a 'Swagger'.....

I have to admit, that what we are discussing does have a down side - It could put off any genuine new D.J from even trying, the 'unassuming' will back off quick, then we all miss out. You are right, everyone has to start somewhere, so let's try and recognise the ones that deserve a chance. As the lovely Derek Alan was mentioned earlier - he followed me at my first ever nighter spot in Leicester, and what a guy to have on stage with me - He was really kind, and encouraging, he must have seen that it was a hell of a big deal to me. Also Steve Smith (I think you are the same Steve Smith) along with Glen Bellamy gave me some nice words of encouragement when I D.Jed at St Ives years ago, that huge hall was very intimidating, and that little bit of encouragement went a long way. All the best, Len

Actually, yes I do know what you mean - Don't get me wrong, when I get criticism it does hurt sometimes, but that's because I care. The difference is, that their ego's get hurt, and that is more painful - I've seen it. All the best, Len

Mmmm, all that ‘malarkey’ isn’t ‘Northern Soul’ though is it? (imho)…..This record is a piece of history, and should have been kept in a protective case and hardly ever played out (again ‘imho’) Maybe on a very special occasion (and getting paid a grand for the privilege of actually hearing this special piece)…..As for getting the label signed, well that beggars belief (still ‘imho’) I think a great gesture would be to put the record on display, maybe at the Motown Museum c/w a ‘On loan from’ plaque next to it as a thank you……In fact, that’s what I shall do…… …….just as soon as it’s back from the restorers - They say they can at least change the ‘K’ to an ‘L’, so now it’s got ‘Lenny’ sprawled across it N.B - Let’s just take it as gospel that some of you will disagree with what I have written, any discussion isn’t going to change my view, so let’s leave it at that (I don’t wanna change Winston’s thread too much) All the best, Len P.s - I’ve nothing against Kenny Burrell - Nice Guy. P.p.s - I’ve nothing against the record - Nice tune.

Hi Steve, I’ve thought of a better answer…….“Thoughts were racing round my head like a pair of trainers in a washing machine” yesterday …….Hard work or not, back then no one D.Jed to ‘be someone’, they all did it to share their sounds - they simply loved the music. To be a D.J all those years ago was very ‘Tony Blackburn’ indeed, and so not cool (Meant in the nicest possible way that) I know some were / are hero worshipped so to speak, but they didn’t set out to be so. That’s my understanding anyway. All the best, Len

If you truly believe in what you are doing, you should be able to take all kinds of criticism. I have seen many times, people who have had just the one 'insult', and boy could they not take it - That really shows em up for what they are. All the best, Len

Lest we forget - Eddie Parker is still a great record mate, and if Ted or Shaun (or whoever) whacks it on the deck - I'll be up 'showing you all how to dance' Best not to think too much (Yes, I see the irony here folks!) Follow the D.J's you love and respect (Each to his own) ....((Although I'm right)) All the best, Len

Me.....if I'd booked him I've used it again! Len P.s - I've ran out of 'likes' folks......"no sh*t!"

I think he did have a choice. The point was, that if a D.J owned a rare record, they wanted to play it no matter what (I think that goes on)....I've actually thought about this far too much, as I am now the complete opposite, having a few very rare records in my box that I hardly play out, because I fear folk may think that of me (true) The shame being that the said records are 'good!' Len

......there are only 2 D.J's...... He he - I've never used the ' ' before Len

I'll take that as a compliment Win The 'obvious' reason would seem 'obvious', alas that isn't the case.....Going full circle - They simply wanna be someone (and a 'D.J' will do) My opinion, but I'm correct of course All the best, Len

Of what though? If the records are being played anyway - let it be! Of course enjoy your collections (still great to collect), but why need to play em out if they are being played by someone else already? Len

and that has never changed as far as I'm concerned - It's damn right embarrassing when people ask for a spot (more so if they are a friend) I wrote about this years ago - A booking should be on merit alone.....maybe the 'ask' people get in the way of folk that deserve spots on merit....there's a thought...... All the best, Len

....Well f*ckin' great, we were all doing so well, and you have to come up with something that makes us all look stupid!!!....... .....Um.....um......um..... um........got it!.....Steve, my misguided friend ........These were different times, and they had nothing to compare with..... ......that's all I could come up with folks All the best, Len

Sorry, just couldn’t keep away….. …..What I find so endearing about a D.J is the ‘work’ they have put in. This is something I would love to explain to Simon Cowell about why, no matter how good a singer is on one of his shows may be — THEY HAVE SOMETHING MISSING!.....and that something is (ironically) the ‘X’ factor — They haven’t been round the pubs and clubs, putting in the hard work, and it’s that commitment that stands them (and D.J’s) apart from all the ‘wannabes’ I hope that makes sense. All the best, Len P.s - Still trawling through my old Soul Packs, desperately trying to find the latest discovery

Exactly! Bye for now Len

Just as bad as each other (imho) ......In saying that - I respect that 'little D.J' that 'Had' to buy the pressing because that's all he could afford all those years ago - That to me is 'Northern Soul' I best have a break here, and give someone else a chance. All the best, Len

Don't mind if I call you Penny still I hope Penny, That is one of the most important points - The 'work' that went into getting 'that record' was amazing, and that 'Magic' has gone, which is a shame, but it's the world we live in. All the best, Len

You're missing the point All the best, Len P.s - Just had me dinner (Sausages, Chips 'n' Peas) and I'm 'raring' (obviously) to go!

That's true - You've been around since The Northern Scene 'B.C' ain't ya mate? And yes, you've done the odd spot as you have described, but ultimately, you're out for a good time - I like that.....I must say hello some time btw. All the best, Len