Donny, nothing has really changed in this area for the past 20 years. Two decades ago, the DJs made an inroad in the wedding reception venues, mainly because they played the music the kids getting married wanted to hear. Of course, that dozen youngsters in the wedding party really didn't know how to dance, but they could shake some body parts and wave their hands over their heads. The 150 guests, most of which were over 50 years of age, could have cared less about shaking body parts or waving their arms over their heads while the DJ played music at ear bleed volumes and rattled the water glasses on the tables.

I think the same 12 young girls must travel throughout the United States to attend wedding receptions, wearing the same gowns, immediately taking off their shoes and screaming at the top of their lungs on the dance floors they tend to dominate, especially later in the reception. By this time, more than half the guests have given up, left the reception after consuming a lousy dinner consisting of chicken cordon-blue, mashed potatoes the consistency of wall paper paste, under-cooked green beans, and washing it down with warm champagne.

In contrast, the high end events, ones attended by the older crowds, still employ bands ranging from 5 to 12 pieces. The bands, as explained in the articles you linked to, play the music that folks can dance (real dancing) to, music that is at a sensible volume, and songs they can relate to, which makes perfectly good sense. These bands, and there are still many around, have all the work they want at the upscale locations, places where DJs don't have a prayer of working. The bands get top dollar for these events as well.

So, in reality, nothing has really changed in two decades. I see DJs and KJs that I know all the time. They're often in the audiences where I performed, not working on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening. If they're really good, they might get one or two jobs a week, at least in this part of the world. Maybe they get more work in Tony Mads town, or NYC, and even LA, but in this part of the world, it's weddings and an occasional animal club job for DJs - that's it!

Now, you may feel that DJing is the wave of the future, and you may be right, but I don't think so. They don't get the jobs in the high end restaurants, they don't do jobs in the even more lucrative senior circuit, I've never seen one at a political fund raiser, and I've done loads of them, I never see them at cocktail parties, living room parties, etc... So, where in the Hell are they? DJing, from what I see, is a very, very, tiny market. I think the KJs do a lot better, at least around here and in Florida.

All the best,

Gary