The last DJ association which got my yearly subscription was the now defunct CADJ (Central Association of DJ’s) in 1993, back then your £35 a year got you an annual membership and public liability insurance, however when it came to representation it served very little. I attended several meetings which were usually held on a Sunday Lunchtime in a Stoke-On-Trent pub. After a few meetings, I wondered exactly what the purpose of the CADJ actually was. The meetings usually consisted of DJ’s turning up with their wives and kids, and the kids running riot – not that different from the Wedding Receptions which we ourselves attend.
There was a friendly atmosphere, but other than the fact that it was publicised as a CADJ meeting, it could have simply been a lunchtime social pint down at the local pub.
I ceased my membership, when it was apparent that the CADJ were not going to pave the way for any ground breaking new business tips, and that I was not going to learn anything new from being a member. Other than the reduced priced Public Liability Insurance there was no other advantage to being a member. I had seen enough to convince me that the CADJ was just a Youth Club for DJ’s to meet up and have a pint.
Nowadays, my prejudices are just the same as they were back then. Purely because I have yet to see anything to convince me otherwise. I am not a member of any association, purely because I can’t see what my £££ is going to get me!. Many of todays associations seem to be great at organising Bar-B-Q’s and demonstrations from Members’ Roadshows but when it comes to something a little bit more challenging they are no were to be found.
Sadly, I still see DJ Associations as being a form of Jolly Boys Club. Lots of back slapping, and congratulating of each other at Committee level, and very little, if any, interest shown in it’s members. Certainly I have yet to see any DJ Association stick it’s neck on the line for the rights of just one of it’s members, and I have yet to hear any stories of associations going that extra mile for a DJ in trouble or needing support.
With new legislation changing the way in which Dj’s do business, and the changes in the Entertainment laws, where is the input and consultation with the associations on behalf of their members, there are no stories in the Music Media or cached on google.
The Pro-Dub Licence has now been introduced, this is a licence which is meeting with stiff opposition from the Majority of Digital DJ’s. What are the associations doing to address this?, what action are they taking?. Surely they can’t be backing and embracing a piece of legislation which so many of their members have already expressed some level of concern about?.
Bar-B-Q’s and Social events are a bonus, but I would want so much more from an association, I would certainly want it leading by example and actively opposing or challenging laws and legislations which could threaten the future of the industry. Months after the legislation was announced, I have still yet to see a press release from the associations giving their stance on the changes and polling or leading it’s members on a course of action. True I am not a member of any association so I would not be a party to any members only information, but I know plenty of DJ’s who are members of the various assoications, and the collective silence has been deafening.
If I wanted social nights, I would join the British Legion Club, If I wanted to view another Members’ Roadshow I would go to a pub where they were playing and have a pint. But sadly there are far more pressing changes which need addressing, and our industry needs defending.
Will the future see an Association with balls?