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

Apart from "ËœDon't go there girlfriend!' (For your own sanity) This would be my advice — 1) Do the D.J times before you book your D.J's or you may end up booking too many. 2) Do NOT be flattered by ANYONE offering their D.J services — make sure you know who you are booking and what they are about, so they suit your event. 3) I wouldn't bother with memberships, nowadays you need everyone you can get through the door, obviously keeping an eye on behaviour etc. 4) Anywhere else in the country I really would say you are just adding to the problem of too many events thus splintering the Scene even more but your location tells me different, so good luck to you. 5) Try and enjoy the night, as at your own event, it's hard to relax until the last record goes on. All the best, Len

I think Tony Parker had Rugs copy - I know I'm right on that, it's not as if I was seven years old at the time! All the best, Len

Gawd, I think I may be out of my depth here but here goes — I didn't think that Kent was anything to do with the other Kent. Forgive me Father if I am completely wrong! All the best, Len

....and I shall be playing it again at 'an event' this Saturday night and have to admit, this thread has reminded me to do so - What a record! (Which is the important thing) All the best, Len

Again?!!! All the best, Len

"Welcome to Northamptonshire - The Roses of The Shires!" Thanks for remembering my original post All the best, Len.

Brilliant! I'm always talking to myself — In my head! That's the first time; I've seen someone write to his self!... ....It almost prompts me to do a "Ëœlook back' on the last soul night in my kitchen (just me) it was one heck of a do....'numbers were low, but those "Ëœof me' who were there really enjoyed it'.... All the best, Len P.s - Night x

Of course it matters Ian! One more from me - "ËœClippity Cloppity Soul' - 'The Deletts — What's The Use — Blue Rock' - Tune! All the best, Len https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABKMPi4xgBM

B*gger, I forgot to leave an ironic comment......no, can't think of one, it's too late in the day. Good luck with the book, blog? thingymajig. Night, night. All the best, Len

Here's my effort - 'Mid-tempo Soul' - 'Little Hank - Try To Understand - Sound Stage Seven' An absolutely beautiful record! All the best, Len

Yes - Now you've said, I can see it now.....As if it was yesterday, he had a great 'way' about him didn't he? Ref another thread - It must be cool 'not to be on Soul-source' because Dom isn't on here.....Oh dear, I now feel really low.... All the best, Len

I haven't got a clue mate, I'm just thankful he played Darrow Fletcher's various tunes back then - Fantastic! Len

You're right mate, it's not going to happen. A few years back I said on a thread "Ëœwhy don't we stop all events within a 50 mile radius and have one "Ëœbig fat juicy' one that we all attend?'....Admittedly, I did follow it with....'But who would D.J?....there lies the problem' ....But I meant well because it's obvious to me, but I got absolutely slated for it — "ËœWho the f*ck's he think he is?' etc, etc. There's so many events on now, I don't even bother looking what's on - I just go to places I know. All the best, Len

I often hear that or similar......"ÂI'd rather 30 "ËœProper' people than 200 that don't get it"Â.....Surely that doesn't make sense - do the Math!.....30 x £5.00 = £150.00 / 200 x £5.00 = £1,000.00! ......Only joking! (Said in case it didn't come across in this strange cyber world!) I know what you mean I'm not saying which venues should close, the fact is (and I'm wincing for saying this "Ëœagain'!) There are too many venues and maybe some should ask themselves if they are really adding anything to the scene that's all, nothing malicious intended. All the best, Len P.s — Where do we stand on playing original vinyl?.....