Dj's don't have to schlep around tons of cd's anymore- just a laptop, a pair of powered speakers, and maybe a wireless mic. They can download anything (most songs for under $1US) and don't have to learn how to cover the original, they just play it. From any genre. And all the ones i've known work cheaper than live musicians...which makes a difference in this economy (in the states).

Which begs another question- how much is your musical talent worth (something many dj's don't have) with the investment in a sophisticated arranger keyboard? Do you make more every time you upgrade?

Many places are paying the same rates they did many years ago. That being said, if the performer can't afford the top of the line, will that upper level disappear due to low sales?