Here’s The Thing!

Here’s the thing, if you have a thought someone’s probably had the same thought before! Very few things are original, especially in this day and age when social media means ideas spread across the globe in minutes. A case in point is the ‘Shaun’s Conscience’ video (CLICK HERE) which has now been viewed over FOUR MILLION times via the LADbible FaceBook page in just a few days. There are probably people making their own versions as I type this!

This means ideas can be copied and frequently dumbed down in the process. I’ll be honest, I’ve seen things on FaceBook, in on-line articles and various magazines and books that I’ve adopted and adapted to create my version. A good case in point is the “shoe game” which featured in another FaceBook video which went viral last week also achieving millions of views. I’ve been offering my version of the shoe game which I call “Getting To Know You” for about 7 years, in fact here’s Kim and Ian on their big day ~ 18th September 2010.

Every now and then I get a call or email from another local DJ like this one …
“A bit cheeky I know but next weeks bride has been to a recent wedding hosted by yourself and now want’s me to do a “Mr and Mrs” for her wedding! Can you give me any tips or some questions and I have not a clue where to start?”
… and I usually help and send out a rough guide. BUT, here’s the thing, I’ve spent a long time developing what I do and I’ve been on numerous training courses that have helped me develop the skills that make moments like this really work. Does that make me the best DJ … no! But what I do is thought through, it’s not just thrown together.

Another skill that I’m asked to help other DJ’s with is mixing. I was very lucky to learn how to mix in the early eighties on vinyl, I was taught by my friend and colleague Stevie Q. For me it’s been a bit like riding a bike and I’ve taken the principles Steve taught me and transferred them from vinyl to CD and now digital DJing. I’m happy to run through the basics with colleagues but real skill comes from practice and hours of performance.

So, here’s the thing, I have a unique set of skills developed over a lifetime, I continue to spend time and money on improving my skills and learning new ones. I’m happy to help others when they ask but they have to put the work in if they really want to improve.