Len

I personally think it could be done if done correctly, nice and gradual and never dropping all the oldies because don't forget they are fab sounds, so no need to lose them completely. It could be done without people actually realising, in fact I think a bit of something away from the norm would actually be welcomed by most people in any classic oldies room. It's when it goes too far the other way, is when people lose interest and stop listening. All the best, Len

The other side is also awesome "There Must Be A Blessing" I had it for ages until I noticed that side - Ain't it great when that happens? All the best, Len

Yes they have Ian and they still do - amongst the "ËœCut "Ëœn' Paste' D.J's there are still a few that really do play "ËœThinking Man's Tunes' and these are the D.J's I like to hear as they are really inspiring, they have the ability to make an atmosphere so much better at a venue ...Ref your "ËœBig Idea' - I think we would all love that...but yeh, it's a crazy idea ....The only way it could happen is if the huge All-nighters like Stoke were gradually moved in that direction, but why change something that already works for so many people?... All the best, Len

I have to admit, I've been guilty of doing just that in the distant past - Damn, so that's why he didn't play it, I didn't realise the D.J had us sussed! lol Len.

Hi Dean, It ain't really worth a reply mate, not sure why someone wants to taint the thread but hey ho. All the best, Len

Yup, done that to, usually a mates request and the whole set goes off on some tangent where you didn't want it to go, just because of that damn request!!! You learn to be stronger when it comes to requests but it can still get ya sometimes! Len

"ËœThe Pecking Order' is what you mean Ian..... I actually thought Rob Thomas was Andy Rix's very own "ËœDecks Pest' for a while — Sorry Rob! All the best, Len

:lol: Strangely, it kinda makes sense if you think about it. Someone on here mentioned a while back (Chalky I think) that they thought it weird how sometimes people come up to the deck to "Ëœcheck' if a record is a "Ëœreal' one, stating — How can they tell when it's spinning round?!!! I can imagine you not saying anything to the bloke though, as that is such an "Ëœis this really happening?' moment! Len. P.s — Good luck with the book, this was actually a book idea but thought a thread so much easier!

Hi Dean, Yes I've had that....but even with the person's huge grin — "Ëœme being me' immediately got paranoid thinking to myself "God, am I really that predictable?...."Â ....My head hurts sometimes..... All the best, Len

You poor S*d - People are so unforgiving! Len.

I hope this thread gives some insight to what it's really like to D.J - From the outside, it looks easy and just good fun, but in reality there's so much to be thinking about and as you can see - The "ËœDecks Pest' really is an irritating species! Every D.J "Ëœworth their salt' never forgets that the real talent is in the records they are playing of course, but there are ways of "Ëœserving them up' correctly. D.J's develop unique ways of doing this which are so subtle; they are hardly noticeable but make a huge difference between them playing a good or a bad set. Unique is one of the most important things, I read somewhere once - "If you're going to play records in public, you must do it your way and no one else's"Â I thought that was very true. Having a decent box of records alone does not make a good D.J, if played wrong it will end up being a "ËœStilted' set. Yes, each individual record may be absolutely fantastic but if played (what I call) by "Ëœone at a time' D.Jing, e.g. — "This is good"Â....."Âoh, and this is good"Â...."Âum, this is good to"Â, it simply won't flow. There are many things that make a set flow, genre, tempo, but also subtle things a D.J can say on the mike which can also steer the set in a different direction nice and smoothly. All these things and many more are (in most cases) only developed with years of experience and is why we should appreciate the real masters, because they simply can't be replaced with just anyone All the best, Len.

Classic! - We've all done it....I think.... Len

Oh my f*ckin' god!.....Thanks for sharing that Ian.....more nightmares.....I'm not going to bed tonight.... All the best, Len.

Yes, the D.Jing off one deck is another one of the many nightmares I suffer regularly — Christ knows what my 7 and 3 year old kids think when I wake up crying and they have to comfort me — It can't be right can it?! I think it would be fair to say most D.J's get at least a little nervous before their spots, some just before, others weeks before.....and yes, some months before....most know which category I fit into (ahem)....Surffice to say, the first time I D.Jed at the 100 Club, you could say I was a tad wound up. I got there just 20 minutes after it opened, not only to be told we were on one deck but also that my first spot had already started! (Ady obviously didn't do what I did after booking D.J's and that's to ring them with the D.J times three weeks prior and then treble check they were coming on the Monday before.... ) ...This really was what my nightmares were made up of - I rushed down the stairs, everyone I passed saying "You're on now Len!"Â...."ÂI f*ckin' know!"Â (I said with my eyes because my mouth was to dry to speak) Up I went, with my coat still on, luckily the other deck had started and Russ Vickers (who was D.Jing) kindly "Ëœput me at ease' and off I went, I don't think I took my coat off for a good while as I was in shock! ....In hindsight, it was probably best it happened that way... Len.

Good god, so you were! I'm pretty sure I have a photo of you there (You haven't changed a bit by the way ) It did fluff a few feathers though didn't it?! - You know me, facetious for the sake of it even back then Len.

Oooo, I'm well aware.....and when I'm called 'Leonard' I run - Just ask Nina! Len.

And so you should! - Especially if they have asked for requests.....In fact, I'd go a step further and take a copy with you for them to play - D.J's just love it when that happens! All the best, Len.

Dom Bassett, now there's a 'blast from the past' - One of my hero's he was! Len.

I was D.Jing at an event once from 9.00pm - 9.45pm and I just knew, no one ever danced at this particular venue before (what I call the "ËœWater Shed') 9.30p.m. In this case, I knew it would definitely not be until 9.45pm, when the next D.J came on. As predicted I was right, no matter what I tried they were not budging until that very moment and with the first record after my uncomfortable spot, the floor was absolutely rammed!...(At one point during my set a bloke did come up to speak to me though)..... ....I put my records away and waded through the packed dance floor to sit down, Nina obviously "Ëœfelt my pain' and kindly asked "What did that Guy want?"Â (Thinking he had taken an interest in what I had been playing)...."ÂNina, he asked if he could borrow a pen!"Â I replied with a bemused look on my face There's definitely "Ëœups and downs' to DJing and I suppose it's the "Ëœchallenge' that we all enjoy.....kind of Len.

I don't think I had much choice! No doubt that chap enjoyed our little 'connection' through us both owning records. Why spoil it by disagreeing with him? - It would be so disagreeable Len.

Aint that the truth... Len.

Luv it

Ok, ok Andy, not to mention the time I led you into a Polish delicatessen absolutely convinced that it was the venue, purely on the basis there was people outside smoking. I marched us through, saying "evening" to the "ËœSoulies' outside (as you do) only to be met by a f*ckin' cheese counter!...."Um, was it Brie you wanted Andy?"Â — Doh! - I did apologise for that corker! Len.

You lucky B*stard!!! - That's the kind of thing I have nightmares about - Yep, honestly! lol Len

:lol: - That reminded me of a time this woman came up to me (Arms folded) and basically 'bellowed' at me - "The f*ckin' Modern Room is upstairs!!!" and then stormed off..... Oh deary dear....I suppose she had a point (Kind of).....But why be so aggressive? Len.