Today, from the file, What Is This World Coming To?, comes a story out of Colorado where a DJ came face-to-barrel with a gun for refusing to take a request. He was no doubt second guessing that decision as he watched his life pass before his eyes. Lucky for him, the situation was diffused, and no one got hurt. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised given how many people out there carry guns. Actually, there was an incident in India this summer where a DJ was actually shot dead! Not cool, people.
Whether or not to take requests is no small matter to DJs. Pros take the job seriously. They see their role as fundamental to setting the right mood and tension with their pre-set tracks for the party from start to finish. Throwing in requests knocks them off that balance, they argue.
Others, though, do take requests. It’s a kind of learning experience, they say. Paying attention to what the people want to hear keeps a good DJ in tune with the audience. You know, no matter how well you think you can read the audience, a timely request can really hype the party atmosphere in a way that your pre-set track list could never really do.
What’s your experience been?
