Donny
Love your Bravado attitude but you think I haven't thought of private parties !! Thats all I did in North Jersey. But this is a tourist town. Down here you do have a lot of Weddings, mostly at Congress Hall. I'm sure most bring their DJ's from their own area, mainly Philly. Besides, I don't want that anymore. Done my time with Bridezillas, over zealous Wedding planners and Managers who know nothing of your job. And again the age thing is the big factor. I can DJ all the top Dance Music but to them would I look right doing it-- No.
There are virtually none of the other types of affairs you mentioned done here. There are very few Catering Halls. Congress Hall BIG $$$$, and the Cape May Yacht Club. I played one event there, went very well, and have been back twice with cards. Offered to do a few free happy hours for the club members. We'll see. The other is the local VFW where I do some parties. $20 Beef & Beer events for whatever cause and someone's nephew is always the free DJ. Local people here don't have the money for functions like you and I are used to.
I've done one family reunion party at a rented house for 20 people and am doing another Family reunion party for the third time.
And the fact if tourists want to have a function here with a lot of people the cost of traveling here and staying here is ridiculous. If people are having a function like a Birthday or Retirement they meet at a place like the Lobster House, get a corner of one of the dining rooms, put the tables together and have a dinner. No music, no dancing.
If I'm not determined enough where did I get all this info for the last posts ?