Len

I love Subway Joe, really nice to dance to. This is nice to (Other side to Gypsy Woman) - All the best, Len

I don't think most of this thread is aimed at the poor chap mentioned in the opening post. Actually in answer to the opening post, it looks to me that he is simply explaining where the records were originally played, not that he went to The Torch - Lots of lists have comments like this after records. But, it has opened a good debate. All the best, Len

I thought we 'spoke' at 'The Wheel' (Ged it?!!!) Len

"A liar starts off by fooling others and then end up fooling themselves" - Not sure who originally said this, but it's so true isn't it? I actually find it fascinating, as I do all human behaviour - Not least my own! Len.

Sadly Russ, not everyone sees through these people so it works to some degree, it must somehow make them feel better about themselves. To be fare though, this is another thing that is rife in all walks of life. I often hear people telling stories about some situation or other that I was at and I have to bite my lip for it being so far from the truth. I don't challenge, simply because the 'story' is entertaining, so why 'break' the nice atmosphere? I'm sure some of you 80's Football 'Hoodlums' have seen this happen many times. A famous person - David Nivon, was known as a b*llshitter (Story teller) but was so entertaining, everyone loved him for it. I think the subtle difference is, some exaggerate to make their story more entertaining, whereas others exaggerate to impress - that's where for me, it falls flat and I stop listening. Len.

Nothing wrong with mentioning The Casino, it's PART of the tapestry of the scene......But there is something very wrong with people who did go that think that makes them superior to people who didn't. I once asked an 'Ol Boy' about his 'beginings' as I was interested in his take on the early days, because he had 'an edge'.....he replied, "That was then Lenny, what's now is important" - Wow, cool or what?! - My respect for this individual is now sky high. All the best, Len.

Lots of folk around now days that never 'did it' in the first place - The thing is IT DOESN'T MATTER! Just be HONEST! Len (Founder of The 100 Club)......

Yup, I can vouch for that All the best, Len ‘The Knowledge’ Dopson - Otherwise known as the ‘Andy Rix of The Modern Soul Scene’ ……Honestly, I am…..Well I’ve been to ‘Essence’……Once……

...Or they choose NOT to discuss their lack of 'history', thus creating a completely false persona. There's nothing worse than someone pretending to be something they're not - As stated earlier, I have respect for honesty If anyone ever goes on and on about The Wheel in a way that nothing else has happened since (You know the types) I always say "What the invention of? - Chr*st you are old!"Â - Just to let it be known that I'm not hanging onto every word they're saying... All the best, Len

Also a bit of 'Dennis Humour'.....I too am pretty tired of hearing about 'Soul in the Southern Hemisphere'.....(Sorry)... Len

Yes, there was / isn't anyone more knowledgeable than Mr Potato Head All the best, Len

Absolutely right...But try explaining the sense in that to 'The Outside World'! All the best, Len

Pre — Without a doubt, we all know we have to "Ëœmove with the times' an all that, but for me, the "Ëœmagic' has been sucked out of the scene, not sure the internet is to blame, but everything "Ëœeasy to get' and a "Ëœplatform' for just anybody, can't have helped the "Ëœspecialness' of it — Just my opinion.... All the best, Len

Well done to all involved in one of the most important events of the scene. "ËœLife' has got in the way for most of us now - I have my 4 year old daughter's birthday party on Saturday, "ËœTime marches on'....... Look back and be proud of The Wilton All-nighters. All the best, Len.

Yes, Rug is part of "Ëœfolk law' "Ëœaround these parts' - Apparently he had a lot of tunes before or at the same time as the biggest D.J's in the country and he played them all at The Rock, which was run by my good friend Andy Luck (Another poster on this thread) along with Johnny "ËœRed Pants' Warren (Now in Australia) Sadly, I never got to meet Rug. All the best, Len

I think I'm on a roll! All the best, Len

lol - It's not often I'm right mate, believe me - But it was nice to feel like a 'Northern Soul Guru' if only for a minute ....Ooooo, I hope Dave Welding read it! It don't matter does it? All the best, Len

Sorry — One more! Make sure all the D.J's know their times before the event or you may risk someone turning up too late for their spot whist still expecting to be put on (Surely people wouldn't do this on purpose would they? ) If a D.J is late for their spot — Tough! Make sure you stick to your guns on this because you have planned the night and (hopefully) put a lot of thought into who goes on and when, and you don't need that plan changing — It could ruin the whole "Ëœstructure' of the night. All the best, Len

Good points - B*gger, I thought I'd had it all covered! - There was a couple of p*ss heads prancing around at a local venue the other week and it was just a pain in the *rse. If you get that, try and march them out sharpish or as Fred says, it really does spoil it for everyone. Yes, good luck with your new venture....I think I'm done here All the best, Len

Without sounding facetious, if I was to "Ëœcome out of promoting retirement' which may well happen soon (watch this space...) I would actually consider doing a poster the complete opposite to "Ëœprofessional looking'. You could go back to doing it with electro sets and just photo copy them in a "ËœRetro' kinda way — They would most definitely stand out from the rest. What I'm saying is, most flyers are very good nowadays because "Ëœwe have the technology' so it is expected - Just a thought.... Back in the 80's and 90's the only "Ëœprofessional looking' ones around were Cliff Steels Detroit Academicals ones and they really 'stood out from the rest', seriously they were smart and printed on shiny paper which was unheard of back then (I think he knew a printer...) By the way, please post up on this thread to let us know how your first event went and how it grows from there. In fact, I recon we should all go!....Blimey, I've just thought, this thread may have been started for that very reason! What a great advertising ploy!....If it was, I take my hat off to you All the best, Len

Sorry to go on so much, but Promoting really is a passion of mine. If done well and everything works out it really is quite satisfying. Last lot from me; don't forget all this is only my advice based on my experience. Some folk may disagree with me on some points (although they would be wrong lol) and you don't have to take any notice at all! Here goes - Have the room as dark as possible, this adds to the atmosphere. I feel like shouting this from the blo*dy roof tops! - Most people like to find a dark corner to "Ëœdo their stuff' in. I know some would disagree with this and it was a running joke at The Embankment Club - "I believe in The Glitter Ball!"Â (Now that does read a bit strange!) A slow moving glitter ball (Blue light on it) makes the atmosphere of a dark room even better, the reason being - a little bit of movement does just that. The Jury was well and truly out on that at The Embankment though, it was hilarious because every time someone switched it off, someone switched it straight back on again! I think that's me done! (There's lots more actually, but I won't bore you with it) All the best, Len

Defo not "Ëœno means least' (it was also in my "Ëœset of rules' above) I'm glad others have seen this; I have seen it so many times - An "Ëœinnocent' puts on their first event (or birthday or even wedding!) and straight away they are bombarded with "Ëœkind' offers. Of course, they naturally think "Ëœhow nice' and don't realise usually the person offering is only focussed on D.Jing and couldn't give a sh*t about the "Ëœinnocent' or their event. I know this reads awful, but I've seen it. In fact, I've seen it taken a step further — Offered services at a birthday then asking to be paid!......Let's not go there - Just make sure you know who you are booking. It's interesting talking to people after their first event or two because most if not all say the same thing — "God, I didn't think it would be like this"Â - and not with a smile on their face, usually puffed out cheeks! All the best, Len P.s — Luv your signature by the way (I like irony and I work with Iron!)

Oooh, it hasn't - I could go on all day! lol All the best, Len

Yes, you have to build a customer base and if it's what your customers want you will get repeat business and it will slowly build. The reason some venues are low on numbers repeatedly, is because they don't get that repeat business so each event almost has a different set of first timers or 'only timers' if that makes sense. I wouldn't bother doing it in the summer months Also, try and thank people for coming, a friendly smile or a handshake from the promoter goes a long way and is remembered, then 'word of mouth' (recommendation) kicks in. In other words 'work that room!' ....In saying that, don't be too friendly because it wouldn't be a proper soul event then! lol (Confused?!!) It took me a few years but I built up a great customer base and had everyone's addresses etc. This was before the mass use of the net / 'e' mail so I had to do it through the post (Don't share your customer base details with other promoters because it will make it less effective, your customer base is just that, they have come through your door, no one else's!) I know using phrases like 'Customer Base' and 'Repeat Business' seems harsh and 'cold like' but it's the only way to run an event properly (Like a business) Nowadays, no matter how much work you put in or if you do everything right, you still need a little bit of luck, like not a lot on the same night and the weathers right etc, etc. All the best, Len P.s — Mark, your estimate of 5,000.00 flyers is spot on! lol - Not sure they make a difference nowadays, but they worked back then

It's great that any profit is going to charity and all that, but I wouldn't focus on it too much, in other words don't make a big deal about it - it won't pull any extra people just because it's for charity and if a big deal is made of it, it can grate some people. I'd just put it in very small writing at the bottom of the flyer. Just my opinion. All the best, Len