16. How many conventions do you attend a year?
Up until about a year and a half ago, I attended EVERY convention or gathering. But then I got busy with my wedding and since then haven't been trying to attend all conventions. Most of the important ones you'll see me attend. 5 per year maybe? Not sure.
17. What's your thoughts on drugs and booze at conventions?
Drugs are bad, um kay...
Booze is good if you can handle yourself. I don't think you'll ever find me too fucked up at a show. I can handle my booze or at least I'll stop drinking if I get too fucked up. I know my limits. But conventions are about the social atmosphere so drinking and drugs happen. For me, I like to be alert at all times. I don't recommend people use drugs. Stick with mother nature and the fine fruits she provides.
18. How do you get all the bands lined up for the players ball?
I map out the options and prices. Then I ask around for sponsorships and I'll share with potential sponsors the ideas I have for artists. If a potential sponsor gets super hot on an artist I've selected and says they'll sponsor if we get that artist, then I'll make it a reality. I don't try for rap everytime, I try for rock too. It's just easier and cheaper to do rap and it appeals to the masses when you can dance to the music. I use a professional agent that gets the contacts signed and stays on top of these artists. I pay more for using this agent, he needs to get paid too, but it's well worth the money to make sure I don't get fucked. I've dealt with William Morris Talent Agency on a few artists and have a good relationship with them. Once you throw a great party and treat artsits with respect and show them the love, word spreads in the music industry and you develope a good reputation with the artists. I'll bet if you ever speak with a major rapper and many rock groups for that matter, they know from D$'s Players Ball and have heard great things. It's fun for me to work with these artists and become friends with them. Music is my passion.
19. How come it's always seems to be rap at the players ball?
There's only so many good rock bands that appeal to the masses. The ones you'd like to see want over $150,000 to perform, which makes it a little out of reach. I'm making a strong effort at Kid Rock for next January and we WILL have him perform one day. Just like I said once said I'll have Snoop Dogg perform one day, then we did, I'll also guarantee Kid Rock. If it's not Kid Rock, it will be another rock group that also hits the masses.
With rap, they don't need a band, so it makes it cheaper and easier for them to perform shows with just 2 turn tables and microphones. That's why their usually cheaper then big rock bands and easier to book. Also, we don't book a "routed" tour stop, which means, we have them fly out just for this gig. If it was a routed tour stop, it's easier to get a better price on bands, but since it's right after New Years, not too many bands are on tour at that time. So timing has a lot to do with the selection process.
But trust me, I like rock as much as rap and I'll do a rock show that will blow people away. Will that be what most webmasters want? Only time will tell. We;ve done pretty good so far with our talent line ups and I pride myself on the selections I've made. Every Ball has a legend perform. Or Legends for that matter. I set pretty high goals and I'm tough on myself to make sure I achieve those goals. My only wish is that webmasters understand and appreciate what it takes to throw events with big name talents, combined with the politics of this industry and making sure passes get to the sponsors and their guests.
20. Define 'old school'? 'pimp'?
In music, old school is something that was created before 1992. In my opinion. Slick Rick, Doug E Fresh, Too Short, NWA, Public Enemy and groups like that are Old School.
Pimp is more of a mentality to me. It's the confidence a person has that shines through and projects itself to others. To me, I'll define myself as a Profession Internet Marketing Person, PIMP. But being pimp is no longer about prostituting women for a profit. The definition of a pimp has changed, but the game remains the same. It's all about the Gerneral Amount of Money Earned. GAME.
Ya dig?
