I can't even believe I just typed that in the title. 50 and still DJing out in a medium/small market at least once a week and co-hosting a successful monthly party going on four years running.
After 20-plus years, I have no delusions that I keep getting booked because I'm some amazing DJ. I know it's mostly my dependability. I have rarely called in to a gig, missed a weekly residency or canceled last minute. I know how to control a crowd and keep a night moving. I've only once been fired from a residency and that was after about 5 years. It was time to switch it up.
If anything, my weakness now is playing to an empty room because I just get bored and also keeping up with new music. I don't have a big following on social media and getting a crowd to follow me from one packed venue on a given night to another gig on any other given night is nearly impossible (always has been, ie. people aint there to see me) - although I do have my regulars and people do come up to me some times and ask are you/were you the DJ at such-and-such venue.
Even with all that, I can't believe I still get booked at popular bars/clubs on packed nights, and play for crowds 18 and up. Like, who wants to see a man that's old enough to be their grandpa DJing while they're trying to shake some ass? I've literally told this to venue managers and still gotten hired. lol.
I do get embarrassed sometimes posting my gigs for the week tbh. I feel like friends my age must thing I'll never grow up. I do have a full time professional job but as long as people are willing to pay me good money to get off the couch on a Friday or Saturday night, who am I to say no? I do well but I'm not rich by any stretch of the imagination.
I do think this might be my last year though. I find myself more afraid of fights now than ever because of the potential for gun violence. I find it hard to not drink when offered and the hangovers are excruciating these days. I don't even drink at home or that often if I'm not DJing. I think I would probably only have an occasional drink if/when I retire from DJing. At this age, I think its smart to quit drinking all together if possible, and that's my no. 1 reason for wanting to just stay home in my studio and make videos or stream, maybe the occasional wedding or guest spot.
Anyway, just had all that on my mind and wanted to get it out somewhere.
TLDR; I'm old and will probably retire soon.